Firmware upgrade disaster!!!

[Ken Forgettable]

Then I sent the 32_16_32 sysex file and the result was the same with the other MCU: it seems as if no sysex data arrived to the md. However, this cannot be the case, because the fw eraser can be rerun successfully at any time with both MCUs.

The bootloader is the erasor-head, not the actual application 'FW', so even if the firmware is already erased your bootloader still shows 'ERASED'.
It should not be possible for the bootloader to erase itself (consider your government), but do check Dmitris' documentation for any updates.

Have you got the bootloader through the following programming stage yet?!

PS. To be clear on this point:
You can run a faster mCU with a slower crystal - just use the FW appropriate to the cyrstal speed.
IE. A 20MHz 644 with a 16MHz crystal needs 644_16_XX.syx

... but there is no 16MHz version of the 324 for some reason

[Ken Forgettable]

I'd like to overwrite the PIC fw with yours, but I couldn't find a step-by-step description of the procedure

The fountain of knowledge is in the documentation pages here.

I'd also like to know if there's one on writing the Atmega bootloader via a serial programmer.

I don't think so but it may be possible to do everything via USB at some point

[kurtus420]

I have been trying to update the pic via the iscp cable but I experancing some of the issue here viewtopic.php?f=3&t=768&hilit=winpic+pic18f2550&start=10
I have test pin 20 and pin 14 and get the correct voltages of 3.3v and 5v. Everything seems ok until I send the update through winpic then I get the same error code described in the link. I have triple checked my wiring in the iscp cable pic initializes fine, I'm lost here and don't know what to do, is it all in relation to bad pic firmware? I used 1/8th watt carbon 10k resistors with my cable if that matters.
one thing to note is that the synthex pic is a pic18lf2550 i/sp , would this cause an issue? should I get a pic18f2550 i/sp instead?

[dmitri]

I have been trying to update the pic via the iscp cable but I experancing some of the issue here http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtop ... 0&start=10
I have test pin 20 and pin 14 and get the correct voltages of 3.3v and 5v. Everything seems ok until I send the update through winpic then I get the same error code described in the link. I have triple checked my wiring in the iscp cable pic initializes fine, I'm lost here and don't know what to do, is it all in relation to bad pic firmware?

It doesn't matter what firmware is in the PIC at the time of programming it unless LVP has been disabled. If it's been disabled you won't be able program it with this programmer. Brand new PIC18F2550s come with LVP enabled.

I used 1/8th watt carbon 10k resistors with my cable if that matters.
one thing to note is that the synthex pic is a pic18lf2550 i/sp , would this cause an issue? should I get a pic18f2550 i/sp instead?

It doesn't matter.

There are very few things that could be wrong:
Your wiring is incorrect.
You made incorrect settings in Winpic.
You may have fried the PIC if you even once connected the ICSP cable incorrectly wired.
LVP is disabled in the PIC.

[kurtus420]

is there another program I could try if the lvp is disabled as I was very cautious about wiring the cable anf when I initialize the pic upon startup of winpic I get a success message everytime so I'm assuming this is the case, would synthex know?. Winpic just errors at the very end of the whole process and the code lights up in red. It never erased the original firmware for pic either even though it states that it's being erased? Is there a better pic to get and what crystal? is an Atmega644p-20au ok to use in the future for upgrade to 24 input expansion?

[dmitri]

is there another program I could try if the lvp is disabled as I was very cautious about wiring the cable anf when I initialize the pic upon startup of winpic I get a success message everytime so I'm assuming this is the case, would synthex know?.

It is not a software thing. If LVP is disabled in the PIC the only way to re-program it is to use a high-voltage programmer, e.g. JDM2 (you will have to re-program it off the board)

Winpic just errors at the very end of the whole process and the code lights up in red. It never erased the original firmware for pic either even though it states that it's being erased?

It just tells that it sent an 'erase' command but can only verify the result when it reads the memory content back. Read the memory content of the PIC and post it here and most likely I will tell you if the problem is with LVP or anything else.

Is there a better pic to get and what crystal?

A better PIC from what prospective? Any good 12MHz crystal will do. I haven't encountered a single bad crystal.

is an Atmega644p-20au ok to use in the future for upgrade to 24 input expansion?

It is the only option for 56 inputs.

[kurtus420]

Synthex is providing a new pic18f14k50 with his new kit so I was wondering if this was a better alternative? I think the only option for me at this point is to get a new pic and reprogram on the v2.8 pcb as this is just easier and probably cheaper in the end.

is there another program I could try if the lvp is disabled as I was very cautious about wiring the cable anf when I initialize the pic upon startup of winpic I get a success message everytime so I'm assuming this is the case, would synthex know?.

It is not a software thing. If LVP is disabled in the PIC the only way to re-program it is to use a high-voltage programmer, e.g. JDM2 (you will have to re-program it off the board)

Winpic just errors at the very end of the whole process and the code lights up in red. It never erased the original firmware for pic either even though it states that it's being erased?

It just tells that it sent an 'erase' command but can only verify the result when it reads the memory content back. Read the memory content of the PIC and post it here and most likely I will tell you if the problem is with LVP or anything else.

Is there a better pic to get and what crystal?

A better PIC from what prospective? Any good 12MHz crystal will do. I haven't encountered a single bad crystal.

is an Atmega644p-20au ok to use in the future for upgrade to 24 input expansion?

It is the only option for 56 inputs.

[dmitri]

Synthex is providing a new pic18f14k50 with his new kit so I was wondering if this was a better alternative? I think the only option for me at this point is to get a new pic and reprogram on the v2.8 pcb as this is just easier and probably cheaper in the end.

PIC18F14K50 cannot be programmed with Winpic at the moment and is not pin compatible with PIC18F2550.
Why won't you do as I suggested to read and post the memory content of your PIC18F2550?

[kurtus420]

Do I just print screen and then somehow load it to a post to show this to you, sorry I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to posting images on forums, I will do this a lunch in about 4 hours if you can give me a little guidence thanks.

Synthex is providing a new pic18f14k50 with his new kit so I was wondering if this was a better alternative? I think the only option for me at this point is to get a new pic and reprogram on the v2.8 pcb as this is just easier and probably cheaper in the end.

PIC18F14K50 cannot be programmed with Winpic at the moment and is not pin compatible with PIC18F2550.
Why won't you do as I suggested to read and post the memory content of your PIC18F2550?

[dmitri]

Do I just print screen and then somehow load it to a post to show this to you, sorry I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to posting images on forums, I will do this a lunch in about 4 hours if you can give me a little guidence thanks.

There is a button/command in Winpic to read the memory content and it will prompt you to save to a .hex file which you should post here.