USB SPI Flasher with PIC18F2455 - now with source and binaries

[Straßenkampf]

Finished buildin the PIC Programmer -> http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/ .. but like always i'm havin problems

I'm using PICPgm to program the PIC cause it suppports TLVP-Programmer.

PIC + Programmer gets recognized, but the programming fails.

Attached a screenshot of the application log + settings.

Please help me

[DarkstarTM]

PIC + Programmer gets recognized, but the programming fails.

Do you have an error message or somehing? If the programmer recognizes the device, communication is working.

[Straßenkampf]

Tait Classic PIC Programmer connected and initialized!
Detected PIC18F2455, device ID 0x1266!
Erasing Device ...
Erasing finished!
Programming started ...
Verify Error: Cfg Mem 0x000006: PIC=0x0085 Buf=0x0081
Programming finished with verify errors!

[maximilian0017]

Finished buildin the PIC Programmer -> http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/ .. but like always i'm havin problems

It seems this programmer uses an external 5v source, what did you use for that?

Do you have 8x 1n4148 diodes?, you could easely build the version i tested earlyer in this thread.

Did you connect both the VSS pins to ground? (pin 19 & 8 if i remember correctly)

[Straßenkampf]

using usb as power source. nope no diodes anymore.

[maximilian0017]

using usb as power source. nope no diodes anymore.

Ahh USB, i like it 

oops edited my post but you already answered..

Did you connect both the VSS pins to ground? (pin 19 & 8 if i remember correctly)
And did you add a small capacitor on the board over 5v/GND?

[Straßenkampf]

yep both vss points and also the 1uF cap in place... i dont know what to do

[DarkstarTM]

Verify Error: Cfg Mem 0x000006: PIC=0x0085 Buf=0x0081

Verify error in config memory. This is probably not a fault of your programmer hardware. It might have something to do with low voltage programming. I'll look up the bit that differs in the datasheet, later.

Edit: The bit that differs is in fact the LVP enable bit. The datasheet says that you can't change the LVP bit when you do LVP programming (so you can't lock yourself out). However, my code currently uses the IO Port that is used by LVP (RB5) for bootloader detection. Oh, this sucks....

There are two solutions:

1) You don't use a low voltage programmer
2) I change the bootloader code to do bootloader entry detection on another pin.

I will choose solution #2 since I already suggested building any programmer (including LVP ones) and I want this project to be as simple as possible.

[Straßenkampf]

strange thing is i'm getting the same error with and without 5V connected ?!

[cory1492]

I had a similar problem, I was using willem software with a willem board's ICSP and it always told me there was a verify error so I switched to winpic800, from what I can tell the willem software wrote the pic correctly it just couldn't read it back without problems (especially at higher addresses.) Have you tried winpic800? It supposedly has a LVP programming mode.

The hex file provides 0x0081 as the bit setting (config 4 according to winpic800) and changing LVP to on adjusts the value to 0x0085. I suppose it could be allowing the change in software, then when it tries to verify against the original hex it isn't allowing for that change. Straßenkampf, did you alter LVP setting in programming software after loading the hex file?

edit:/ see DarkstarTM's post above.

Any reason to not use RB7 instead DarkstarTM? It looks like the only pin not used by other stuff, though I've no idea what your thought on that jumper is.

[Straßenkampf]

I also got a willem (pcb45) here, but i would need an additional board to flash these PIC18F*** stuff Pic socket too small for the 28pin chip

[maximilian0017]

yep both vss points and also the 1uF cap in place... i dont know what to do

Well exept for trying a different pc (witch should not matter with this buffered device) or maby interference between the different lines i really dont know.

http://www.lineasblancas.com/midi_stick.htm has some notes about the icsp version of that programmer, maby that could be of help, they also have an ini file for the settings in WinPic.

The thing that worries me the most is that everybody is talking about 16Fxxx instead of 18FXXXX, but i dont know enough about PIC to really comment on this.
Let us know of your progress!
(going to sleep nowwwwwzzzzzz)

Ow saw some extra comments.

I used a LVP programmer on a new device and that did not give any problems.(chip mounted on programmer itself)

[cory1492]

Straßenkampf, does your willem not have a pinheader beside the PIC sockets? Mine does, it is for ICSP (and has ICSP screened onto the board, pins labeled in descending as VPP, VCC, GND, RB7, RB6) - only 5 wires needed direct to PIC pins.

[maximilian0017]

strange thing is i'm getting the same error with and without 5V connected ?!

Voltage through the protection diodes?

Have seen this before, an AVR board functioning with only a buffered serial connected, scared the hell out of me LOL

[Straßenkampf]

Straßenkampf, does your willem not have a pinheader beside the PIC sockets? Mine does, it is for ICSP (and has ICSP screened onto the board, pins labeled in descending as VPP, VCC, GND, RB7, RB6) - only 5 wires needed direct to PIC pins.

Yeah it does, will try this

edit: THX a lot cory, Workin perfectly with willem

[Arakon]

Any chance of buying a pcb from you?

[DarkstarTM]

The bit that differs is in fact the LVP enable bit. The datasheet says that you can't change the LVP bit when you do LVP programming (so you can't lock yourself out). However, my code currently uses the IO Port that is used by LVP (RB5) for bootloader detection. Oh, this sucks....

There are two solutions:

1) You don't use a low voltage programmer
2) I change the bootloader code to do bootloader entry detection on another pin.

I will choose solution #2 since I already suggested building any programmer (including LVP ones) and I want this project to be as simple as possible.

New binaries with source are available. The Bootloader-Enable Pin is now Pin C6. Pin B5 must be held low (with 10k to ground), because the new bootloader has the LVP enabled.

[B1N4RY]

Any chance of buying a pcb from you?

I would like to ask the same

[Grim187]

http://products.foxdelta.com/programmer/art2003/ART2003-LVP.pdf

i cannot get this to work, device id comes back as 3fff & error -> writing address 0x000000.

im using this pic: http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=3830537&MPN=PIC18F2455-I/SO
these diodes: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062576
this cap: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102512
and a 220 1/4watt

ive checked my wiring at least 15 times now and everything is right, the settings for the program are exactly the same and i have tried it on 2 pcs, the only thing i can think of is i need a higher gauge wire (im using 30awg).

[maximilian0017]

i cannot get this to work, device id comes back as 3fff & error -> writing address 0x000000.

That is very strange, works like a charm over here.

Obvious things that you probably checked already but good to mention:
1. You selected all the settings as seen in the PDF.
2. You loaded the HEX and then selected LVP in the settings tab(not the other way around).

Could you check the voltage over the capacitor?, i will check it here and report back(3,3/5v debacle) and the controll lines?
Are you using a piece of cable between the DB25 and the PIC?
What kind of pc are you using?
You are using Winpic800 latest version?
You connected both Vss connections to ground?

Edit:

Checked the voltages on my Asus dualcore Athlon board and they are the following:

8x Diode output 4,5v.
Pin 28 4,75v.
As the diodes should have 0,3v drop this is as it should be for a 5v LPT port.