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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : New firmware cannot be installed - RP2 boot is missing

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v.lenzer
Regular Member

Joined: 04/05/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 53
Posted: 06:12pm 12 Jan 2025
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A few days ago I upgraded my Windows 10 to Windows 11. Today I wanted to start a new project with the RP2040. I thought I would use this opportunity to upgrade an RP2040 that already had Picomite firmware V5.08 installed to V6.0. Unfortunately, that didn't work. The serial port was recognized (I already had a program on this RP2040), but the window that allowed me to install the new version did not open. I had pressed the boot button when connecting it to the USB port. I tried it with a new RP2040 that had never been connected. This time no serial port was reserved. The message "ADD DRIVER" appeared in MMCC. A web search showed that I needed the RP2 boot driver. All the tips on the internet, including trying the "ZADIG" software, were unsuccessful. Luckily I can access the used RP2040 and install new programs. But that is not a solution for the future. Can someone from the forum please help me. I hope I'm not being too stupid.
Best wishes! Joachim
 
Grogster

Admin Group

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9592
Posted: 11:36pm 12 Jan 2025
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When loading new FW, holding down the BOOT button and plugging the unit in, should make it show up as a USB flash-drive, with the name: "RPI-RP2"

You will find it in Windows Explorer or My Computer as a flash drive.

Copy and paste the .uf2 updated FW file to this "Flash drive".
The PICO module will automatically reboot itself and be running the new FW, and from THAT point, Windows should see it as a VCP(virtual COM port), and you can then connect to it using serial in the usual way.

Updating the FW on the PICO modules, is done via that "Simulated flash-drive", and not via the serial port - normally.  I believe there is a method of updating the FW from a file from within MMBASIC, but most people just use the USB flash-drive method, as it is quick and simple.
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2606
Posted: 01:10am 13 Jan 2025
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Assuming W11 has the driver, as many others with W11 don't see this problem, it may be necessary to track down and edit either a usb-serial .inf file or registry key.

Search the web for clues on what to look for.

If you can get the MMBasic prompt type:-
UPDATE FIRMWARE
and see if that creates the virtual flash drive in explorer.

If that won't work but the Pico does show as a normal usb-serial device another way to switch it to firmware update mode is to set the port speed 1200. With a bit of luck the driver will recognise that.

Edit
If that succeeds to prevent the terminal port speed sending it straight back to boot mode unplug it and reset the port to a higher speed.

In TeraTerm resetting is automatic if you exit TeraTerm without saving the settings.
Edited 2025-01-13 12:09 by phil99
 
v.lenzer
Regular Member

Joined: 04/05/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 53
Posted: 07:20am 13 Jan 2025
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Now what I feared has happened: I was being stupid again. Everything worked. I didn't think to look in Windows Explorer. As usual, I waited for a small window to open in which I could load the new FW.
Thank you for your quick help!
Best wishes! Joachim
 
Martin H.

Guru

Joined: 04/06/2022
Location: Germany
Posts: 1220
Posted: 07:38am 13 Jan 2025
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If you press the boot button when connecting to the USB port, a new serial connection will not be established. A new USB drive should appear.
Copy the new .uf2 file to it and the job is done. The serial connection is started after the next restart of the Pico
Cheers
Martin
Edit: oops .. I was to late
Edited 2025-01-13 17:43 by Martin H.
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