TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Driver problem

Author

Message

f2cf1g
Newbie

Joined: 18/11/2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 13

Posted: 01:31pm 18 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hi, I'm new to Micromite and the forum. I have a 28 pin Micromite and the recommended USB to serial converter but the Silicon Labs driver won't load. Depending how the zip file is opened I get either a "bad command" response or a message to the effect that the installer can't find software for my setup, a rather old Dell Inspiron laptop running Vista. I haven't found any other reports of trouble like this. I'm not a PC expert so I have probably missed something obvious. Can anyone shed any light on this? Also, would a Picaxe AXE027 cable be a viable alternative?
Many thanks, Roy

WhiteWizzard
Guru

Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2932

Posted: 02:03pm 18 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hi Roy,

Good to see you on here. To begin with, can I recommend you just get the USB-to-UART working first and leave out the MicroMite.

Not knowing exactly which USB-to-UART module you have, I would think it possible, and reasonably easy to Google a driver for it. Also check out Geoff's website as I believe there are links to drivers there too. Go to Windows Device Manager and check that it is seen under PORTS as a Com Port - and without a yellow exclamation mark (indicating driver issue).

Once you have this, make a note of the COM port number shown.

Then use something like TeraTerm to check it works. The best thing to do is short out the Rx and Tx pins on the USB module, and open up a serial connection in TeraTerm to the COM port number noted previously in Device Manager. For this test it does not matter what speed connection you use.

As you type away, the characters should be 'echoed' back on the screen.

Once this is working, you can then remove the TxRx short on the USB module, and connect up the MicroMite.

A couple of things to note. You will need to select a baud rate of 38400 to begin with as this is what the MicroMite speed is set to by default. Also, the Tx pin on the USB module goes to the Rx pin on the MicroMite (and Rx USB to Tx pin on MicroMite). Finally, ensure you have a good 3v3 supply AND the recommended capacitor on the vCap pin to GND (i.e. between pins 19 & 20). I prefer to use 10uF ceramic, or 47uF tantalum (in which case you need to observe polarity).

IF using a breadboard to make the connections/circuit, beware of faulty (cheap) breadboards as they have caused many a problem for 'beginners'.

Hope the above helps. If not, give a little more detail as to where you are stuck!

WWEdited by WhiteWizzard 2016-11-20

TassyJim

Guru

Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6269

Posted: 02:41pm 18 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Assuming you have a CP2102 etc, the drivers are available form this page
http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx
The silabs devices are usually a good choice.

Download the ones for your operating system.

Jim

VK7JH
MMedit

VK2MCT
Senior Member

Joined: 30/03/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 120

Posted: 03:09pm 18 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I did a CP2102 on a Win7 computer last night.
Make sure to EXTRACT all the files from the ZIP into a folder.
There will be an EXE file to run for install.
I needed to look in the computer Device Manager under PORTS to find which COM number had been allocated.
John.Edited by VK2MCT 2016-11-20

f2cf1g
Newbie

Joined: 18/11/2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 13

Posted: 02:41am 19 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I should have made clear that I had already downloaded a driver from the Silicon Labs' site using a link from Geoff's web site. After further investigation I got the installer to run but it gave an error message to the effect that there was no software compatible with my PC in the download. I then downloaded a version using Jim's link above and this extracted and installed OK. Peculiar. Tested with Teraterm with loopback and it's working. Thanks to all for your replies and Jim especially for the magic link!
Roy

WhiteWizzard
Guru

Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2932

Posted: 02:45am 19 Nov 2016

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Good to hear its working for you - now you can begin having FUN!

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.