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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Flashing new Firmware into ESP8266-Mini
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bigmik Guru  Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Hi All, I know this will probably show that I know nothing about what I am doing but here goes anyway. I have some ESP8266-Mini boards that all have an older version firmware. Specifically AT+GMR gives me this result. AT version:1.3.0.0(Jul 14 2016 18:54:01) SDK version:2.0.0(5a875ba) v1.0.0.3 Mar 13 2018 09:37:06 OK I saw somewhere on TBS that there is a later version that someone had this version. AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04) SDK version:3.0.4(9532ceb) compile time:May 27 2020 10:12:22 Bin version(Wroom 02):1.7.4 Firstly where can I get the .BIN files for this (or later versions) and, secondly, what is needed for the flash. I have played around with NODEMCU Programmer and seem to be able to load various firmwares into the ESP8266-Mini but none of them work as the old one did with responding to AT commands etc. I now cant get it back to a `working' i.e. responding to AT commands. Can someone please point me to the required .BIN files and which order and addresses that I need to put them into the NODEMCU PROGRAMMER config screens as shown below..?  I have flashed (presumably successfully) many firmwares into the device and can see text in TeraTerm when I press the Reset button but none of the firmwares do what I want.. Reiterating again, I would like links to a later version of the `standard AT command' firmware that I currently have PLUS which files I need to put into the config screen for NODEMCU and the starting addresses. Regards, Mick Edited 2022-07-22 17:21 by bigmik Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
G'Day Mick. Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?  Google thinks "ESP3266 FIRMWARE UPGRADE" is easy. Peter(B) |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Hi Peter, There is nothing to forgive.  I have googled that statement a thousand times and I only end up more confused than ever, From what I have gathered there is a myriad of software out there for the ESP866 many of which goes to GITHub links but they are so confusing to me. They all seem to have .BIN files for various things but nowhere have I found a simple link that shows an idiot like me which files to use AND which order they need to be loaded and at what address they need to be loaded into. I know I haven’t killed my ESP8266 as I can get responses from it after every flash I do when I hit the RST button but I can no longer receive any response to any AT command let alone the version no. AT+GSM command. Baud rate almost always defaults to 74880 instead of the old default of 115200 (I know there is a command to set it but you need the AT set enabled first). Still learning.. Regards, Mick Edited 2022-07-22 18:25 by bigmik Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7938 |
I found the ESP8266 to be *really* confusing. I have a couple in a box somewhere just in case I need to find a reason to bang my head against a wall.... I do remember that somewhere on this forum Peter wrote the definitive (for me) way of updating the firmware. *Which* firmware is another question. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| pwillard Guru Joined: 07/06/2022 Location: United StatesPosts: 313 |
I have strong opinions about ESP8266 Wifi device. Specifically, the ESP-1. From an "I dislike them" perspective", here is my opinion on ESP8266. The fact that *whoever* worked on ESP8266 firmware updates was smoking crack became evident when they were making radical, senseless changes with every release with no sense of backward compatibility and consistency. This is what ultimately made me dislike them. I never knew what the default baud rate was going to be for programming. I never knew which AT commands would be silently deprecated or added. I ended up only using them as stand-alone Arduino dialect devices... The basic, "add an AT-MODEM-style WIFI device" concept was a nice idea ... but I feel it was poorly handled. |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
ESP8266_NonOS_AT_Bin_V1.7.4.zip In the ZIP is a readme.md file which gives you the memory locations to load the various files into. It is a long time sine I did any ESP updating so I can't give any real help. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| scruss Regular Member  Joined: 20/09/2021 Location: CanadaPosts: 91 |
I can think of many different boards that are known as ESP8266-Mini, and they can all have subtly different ways to program them. Is it a NodeMCU Mini, D1 Mini, ESP-01 ...? The v2.2.1.0 AT firmware has the rather complicated upload map of 0x8000 partition_table/partition-table.bin 0x9000 ota_data_initial.bin 0x0 bootloader/bootloader.bin 0x10000 esp-at.bin 0xF0000 at_customize.bin 0xFC000 customized_partitions/client_ca.bin 0x106000 customized_partitions/mqtt_key.bin 0x104000 customized_partitions/mqtt_cert.bin 0x108000 customized_partitions/mqtt_ca.bin 0xF1000 customized_partitions/factory_param.bin 0xF8000 customized_partitions/client_cert.bin 0xFA000 customized_partitions/client_key.bin This is stored in the download.config file in a slightly confusing format. Note that this is newer than the "NonOS" versions, which hasn't been updated for years. This assumes you have 2 MB or more of flash, which every ESP8266 I have (even the ancient ones) has. Considering that the ESP8266 was designed as the cheapest possible Wifi chip for low-end tablets never designed to be used outside China, it's pretty amazing what you can do with them. |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Hi All, I am glad that others are frustrated with these things too. @Jim, Thank you for that, I will unzip it shortly and give it a go. @Scruss, This is the link I bought QTY 4 of, I have since realised there are different memories, these are 4MB ones. I bought another, locally, that ‘supposedly’ has 16MB memory, I am not game - yet - to try flashing that one. They look identical including the text in the chip. hmmm  They all had an AT set of some sort when I connected them, since flashing one of the 4MB ones several dozen times I can see various boot screens of some builds but NONE of them responded to any AT commands. I read that the flash is hard to do but I am finding that the flash program seems to be reliable, it’s the idiot driving it that isn’t so reliable,. Looking at the espressif site they say to not use the 4MB ones in future, which is fair enough but the chip did have a working AT subset when I first used it so they must be able be used at least in an earlier version firmware. More playing today, it’s wet outside so no lawn mowing for me. Regards Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Sorry, another ubiquitous, double post some how Regards Mick Edited 2022-07-23 09:52 by bigmik Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
The code I supplied works on the ESP8266-01 I think some other incarnations use one serial port when flashing and a different set of pins for 'normal' serial. It was at that stage my eyes glazed over and I reached for the bottle of calming juice. My preferred modules are the ESP32 based ones. VK7JH MMedit |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
These sound like a nightmare - good luck, Mick.... I'll avoid these myself based on Mick's issues, other posts and pwillard's post especially. @ Jim: Can you link me to your preferred ESP32 type unit? Were/are they much easier to program and get working or something? Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
Grog< This is the module I purchased. Wanted it quick so went with a Aussie supplier. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/224236774472 This is not an endorsement. I agree with the comments about chaotic firmware options. It was 18 months ago so probably very out of date now. I wanted to play with Bluetooth and needed the better capabilities of the ESP32 to do my FTP server. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Hi All, @Jim, Thank you very much I think that is what I needed (besides a poke in the eye with a sharp stick).  I now get a response to the AT commands (well some of them) as follows: AT+GMR AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04) SDK version:3.0.4(9532ceb) compile time:May 27 2020 10:12:17 Bin version(Wroom 02):1.7.4 OK I guess its updated but CMD is not recognised AT+CMD ERROR I guess its updated and `working' AT+CIPSTA? +CIPSTA:ip:"0.0.0.0" +CIPSTA:gateway:"0.0.0.0" +CIPSTA:netmask:"0.0.0.0" OK I guess its updated and `working' AT+CIPSNTPCFG=1,10 OK I think that is all correct, I am working with AndrewG on a project and he said he needed the last 2 commands to do what he needs in a program for some hardware we are working on but they were not supported in the `stock flash' version For those who are following this thread with interest (or laughter as the case may be) the following is the procedure 'I' used to flash the chip. Mind you mine is only a 4Mb chip so I am not 100% certain all is working until AndrewG gets to test it. I use an FTDI (3v3 version) USB-Serial-TTL cable and connect the D1-mini as follows: FTDI D1 Mini 5V - 5V Gnd - G Rx - Tx Tx - Rx Then Gnd - D3 (aka GPO0) I then set up NODEMCU FIRMWARE PROGRAMMER to point to the files in Jim's ZIP and set the memory locations for each as per the ReadMe file in the ZIP (settings shown to the right of the files in the following Screen shot)  Then I power my FTDI cable Then in the Programmer, Select the Com port to use (COM13 in my case) Select Operation, Select Flash Very quickly you should see the AP MAC and SAT MAC as well as a QR code appear. The progress bar starts incrementing and after roughly 1-2minutes it finishes with a GREEN tick. Remove the GND from D3 on the D1-Mini and using Tera Term set for 115200 baud press the D1-mini reset switch. If all worked you should see a bunch of gibberish followed by `ready'. It is now ready for commands. Thank you all for the assistance in this regard and I hope the above helps you update as well. Kind Regards, Mick EDIT *** Now to try Scruss's version. I will let you know how it goes. MBG Edited 2022-07-23 14:25 by bigmik Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
4a-esp8266_at_instruction_set_en.zip I think this is the matching AT instruction set. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Hi all, This is Mick's thread but as we each head to our domestic duties for a while I can confirm that, as Mick documents above, one can update an ESP Mini from its factory flash of ~2016 to a later 2020. This later version accepts and responds to "AT+CIPSNTPTIME?" with the NTP date and time, in the time zone you have previously set with eg "AT+CIPSNTPCFG=1,10" (the 10 is for Melbourne). There were some tricks along the way that Mick and I will document here as soon as we can. Cheers (in every sense of the phrase), Andrew (and Mick in absentia) (Mick is rummaging through his rubbish bin for the ESPs he threw out today) |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2950 |
Hi All, @AndrewG, It NOT just MY thread, it is `hopefully' of some help to others who may be in the same boat as us. It is apparent that these things do seem to not want to play ball all of the time. @Scruss, I am sorry but I could not get your build to work, maybe it is because there are 12 areas to load and the NodeMcu programmer only seems to cater for 7 maximum program areas, I did it in 2 bytes and tried 3 times but in the end it was always the same result with, upon powering up or pressing the RST button I would get a continuous stream over and over (in fact if left without TeraTerm loaded my PC would bog down and become super slow) this is the continuous stream I recieved every time. ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,6) load 0x40100000, len 6960, room 16 tail 0 chksum 0x4f load 0x3ffe8008, len 24, room 8 tail 0 chksum 0xc6 load 0x3ffe8020, len 3196, room 8 tail 4 chksum 0x3a csum 0x3a I dont know if that means anything to you but it consistently popped that stream out until powered off. After my attempt at Scruss's option I wanst able to re-flash my ESP that I previously had working with the settings I published earlier. I think I must have been lucky and had another area preflashed that with my numerous other attempts that was missing in my above selections. In any case after much trial and error by AndrewG and myself, Andrew came up with the following options (one of many listed in the files Jim sent but was supposedly for 16MB modules) and it seems to work fine EVERY time.  Using those files addressed above from the files Jim Uploaded I can confirm that the flash process I described with the files and addresses shown in the above image works EVERY time. Here is Jim's File file upload again. ESP8266_NonOS_AT_Bin_V1.7.4.zip Andrew and I hope that this will be of some help to others using the ESP8266-Mini (aka NodeMCU D1-Mini) This is the module Referenced in this thread  Have fun, Regards, Mick and Andrew Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| scruss Regular Member Joined: 20/09/2021 Location: CanadaPosts: 91 |
Glad you got it working. I've never used a GUI flasher before as I've always used the official esptool.py That D1 mini is an older version of the LOLIN D1 mini that I use as the 2nd-cheapest MicroPython networkable thing (above a W600, which doesn't even have an ADC). I modified the upload instructions in my last post from Espressif's own script for esptool.py, but I guess it had too many parts |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3378 |
What does the Lolin D1 mini feature that the older D1 Mini doesn't have (other than the USB C port)? How does a LOLIN I2C port differ from what is available on the older version? PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4044 |
I see the W600 is titled W600-PICO but I'm puzzled - do you know why the "PICO" is included? John |
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| scruss Regular Member Joined: 20/09/2021 Location: CanadaPosts: 91 |
It seems to be a name that's slung around a lot these days. The W600 Pico pre-dates the Raspberry Pi Pico by some years. It's also an Espressif ESP32 SiP: ESP32-PICO-D4 (2017), and used in some board names that have it, like Unexpected Maker's TinyPICO. The name is also used in WEMOS's rather nice ESP32-S2 board with built-in OLED, the S2 Pico. Effectively, Pico has no meaning here. It's not a form factor, and doesn't indicate anything to do with the RP2040. |
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