First timer's Problem

[Synthex]

The bootloader is programmed correctly.

[Thud]

Hi All,

Synthex (Hi) has confirmed that the bootloader was programmed correctly. What version is it?
I believe that all hardware is correct but I am continuing to check and recheck all soldered connections, wired interconnections, IC seating, shorts, breaks, component orientation and values.

Synthex, if the bootloader is OK, is the Firmware also programmed correctly? As you can see from this thread, that was one of Dmitri's initial suggestions. How much would you charge to supply new programmed chips if I decide that is the only option?

Thanks for your suggestion re Midi-ox, Gastric. But as you pointed out, not having firmware installed makes any kind of testing "difficult" .

Still getting the MD timing out from the Fw Update screen after variable lengths of time. Any other ideas as to why this may happen?

Thanks everybody.

[dmitri]

Still getting the MD timing out from the Fw Update screen after variable lengths of time. Any other ideas as to why this may happen?

Most likely reasons are those which I listed. Of course I cannot exclude something like a cosmic x-ray hitting your Atmega every few seconds.

[Thud]

Thanks Dmitri

I'm wearing my tin-foil hat so we can maybe rule out the cosmic rays!

I'm going to bed now but, I'll be back.

Thanks
Thud

[Synthex]

Synthex (Hi) has confirmed that the bootloader was programmed correctly. What version is it?
I believe that all hardware is correct but I am continuing to check and recheck all soldered connections, wired interconnections, IC seating, shorts, breaks, component orientation and values.

Synthex, if the bootloader is OK, is the Firmware also programmed correctly? As you can see from this thread, that was one of Dmitri's initial suggestions. How much would you charge to supply new programmed chips if I decide that is the only option?

Hi Thud,

It's the last version of bootloader.
I think the firmware is erased.
Normally, with MIDI-OX, the firmware update should not cause worries ..

[Ken Forgettable]

... hope it's not the second or watchdog timer

I can't recall ever seeing the ERASED message but the LED time out is disturbing:

+ Power off.

+ Remove all four 4851s, the 8 pin 6N138, unplug the encoders if you use those - oh and remove the LCD too!

+ Reconnect the USB cable.

+ Press some buttons (should be left then down).

Does the LED still (time out) switch off?

[gastric]

Just to clarify "...LCD returns to it's backlit but blank condition..." Your LCD is always backlit, even after Send SysEx disappears. You're simply losing the text display. Correct?

[Thud]

Just to clarify "...LCD returns to it's backlit but blank condition..." Your LCD is always backlit, even after Send SysEx disappears. You're simply losing the text display. Correct?

Correct, but here's my update.

The timing out problem has disappeared,reason unknown, and I have since been able to transfer firmware version megadrum644_20_32_20090516.syx. Thanks to Gastric for pointing this out:

Make sure you have the correct USB Audio Device selected in the IO. Ideally you'd select JUST the output to negate any potential routing issues (that I've had). Since you have no firmware you cannot test that MD is triggering MIDI output correctly by opening an input monitor in MIDI-OX which would be helpful.

As I read somewhere else, I sent the aforementioned file immediately after sending the erase_firmware.syx file and was rewarded with a flashing midi LED and installed firmware.
The LCD now shows two rows of white lines, ie the bottom two segments of each of the 32 LCD cells are lit.

I don't get the copyright screen on power-up, however. Just the two rows of light.

I've connected up a couple of triggers and a midi sound module - deep joy! I'm getting sounds when I hit the pads.
I can do all manner of tweaking with MCT, the only thing that seems to be wrong now is that the LCD doesn't react to any hits and I can't access MD's menu. No button presses have any effect.

Ken,

I can't recall ever seeing the ERASED message but the LED time out is disturbing:

I guess you have never had to erase old firmware before installing an update.

Thanks again everybody, all advice still gratefully recieved.

[dmitri]

I guess you have never had to erase old firmware before installing an update.

If it has the latest bootloader then you cannot install a new firmware without erasing an old one, i.e. without sending 'erase sysex' and actually seeing 'ERASED' on the LCD.

[Thud]

Hello again,

I've now loaded the latest firmware, megadrum644_20_32_20090517.syx, and now the Midi LED lights on pad hits. Still no reaction from the LCD which still shows two lines, and the buttons don't access the menu. Weird. Earlier on this evening I loaded this firmware, megadrum644_20_20090516.syx and got the copyright screen on power-up and access to the menus via the buttons. Only 21 channels though.

Comments anyone...please