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Good afternoon, Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom write limits (previous posts). But... In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom in place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the background). I still get the eeprom verification error. This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the problem? If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, would I still get this verify error? I'd welcome any insight... Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, Paul

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I've gotten eeprom verification errors since day one (but only on one computer I use to program) and on two different BX-24s. I simply ignore it, close the dialogue and continue on. While it's a pain to have to close the window every time, everything seems to work normally otherwise, including the BX-24 taking programming. Ken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ken Arck - Senior Unix Systems Analyst Meridian Technology Group http://www.meridiangroup.com http://www.ah6le.net Amateur Radio Station AH6LE palace://stables.xsia.com:9998 aka Ph's horse

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I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next attempt is usually OK. neil "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > Good afternoon, > > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom write > limits (previous posts). But... > > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom > in > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but the > bx > was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the background). > > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the > problem? > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, > would I still get this verify error? > > I'd welcome any insight... > > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > Paul > > > eGroups Sponsor [Click Here!] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few months ago but have yet to get an answer. On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have > NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number > of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, > and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next > attempt is usually OK. neil > > "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > > > Good afternoon, > > > > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > > write > > limits (previous posts). But... > > > > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom > > in > > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but > > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > > background). > > > > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > > > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the > > problem? > > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, > > would I still get this verify error? > > > > I'd welcome any insight... > > > > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > > Paul > > > > > > > > > > eGroups Sponsor > [Click Here!] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- Dave Houston http://Commander-X.com

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Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration of your computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. Jack -----Original Message----- From: Dave Houston <> To: <> Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next >> attempt is usually OK. neil >> >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: >> >> > Good afternoon, >> > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom >> > write >> > limits (previous posts). But... >> > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom >> > in >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the >> > background). >> > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. >> > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the >> > problem? >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, >> > would I still get this verify error? >> > >> > I'd welcome any insight... >> > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, >> > Paul >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > eGroups Sponsor >> [Click Here!] >> > >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> > >--- >Dave Houston >http://Commander-X.com

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So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to be a number of people on this list with a problematic computer configuration. Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding out until this situation is resolved. Kevin Jack Schoof wrote: > > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration of your > computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. > > Jack > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Houston <> > To: <> > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have > >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number > >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, > >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next > >> attempt is usually OK. neil > >> > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > >> > >> > Good afternoon, > >> > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > >> > write > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > >> > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom > >> > in > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but > >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > >> > background). > >> > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > >> > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the > >> > problem? > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, > >> > would I still get this verify error? > >> > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > >> > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > >> > Paul > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > >> [Click Here!] > >> > > >> > >> > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > > >--- > >Dave Houston > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > >

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Hi Ken, Thanks for your reply. The problem (previous posts labeled 'eeprom verification') is that I cannot download a program. The last loaded program--from right before the errors started--runs just fine. This is what I meant by the bx24 running in the background. I wish I could just close the window, and ignore it:) Thank you, Paul On Sat, 6 Jan 2001, Ken Arck wrote: > I've gotten eeprom verification errors since day one (but only on one > computer I use to program) and on two different BX-24s. I simply ignore it, > close the dialogue and continue on. > > While it's a pain to have to close the window every time, everything seems > to work normally otherwise, including the BX-24 taking programming. > > Ken > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Ken Arck - Senior Unix Systems Analyst > Meridian Technology Group > http://www.meridiangroup.com > http://www.ah6le.net > Amateur Radio Station AH6LE > palace://stables.xsia.com:9998 > aka Ph's horse

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Unfortunately, if it happens with one BX-24 and not with another when both are used on the same PC and both are running the same program, it is undoubtedly a BX-24 problem. On 6 Jan 2001, at 17:41, Jack Schoof wrote: > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration of > your computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. > > Jack > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Houston <> > To: <> > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have > >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a > >> number of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack > >> immediately, and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset > >> button, the next attempt is usually OK. neil > >> > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > >> > >> > Good afternoon, > >> > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > >> > write > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > >> > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new > >> > eeprom > >> > in > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but > >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > >> > background). > >> > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > >> > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not > >> > the > >> > problem? > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned > >> > out, > >> > would I still get this verify error? > >> > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > >> > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > >> > Paul > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > >> [Click Here!] > >> > > >> > >> > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > > >--- > >Dave Houston > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > --- Dave Houston http://Commander-X.com

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Kevin, Do not buy one! I am sorry that I led several people to buy them. It is far from being ready for primetime. And, as you can see, support is non-existent. It really is a shame because it has a lot of promise. On 6 Jan 2001, at 20:26, Kevin Olalde wrote: > So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to be > a number of people on this list with a problematic computer > configuration. > > Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding out > until this situation is resolved. > > Kevin > > Jack Schoof wrote: > > > > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration > > of your computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at > > NetMedia. > > > > Jack > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Dave Houston <> > > To: <> > > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > > > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY > > >> have NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also > > >> get a number of download errors, and find that if I dont see an > > >> ack immediately, and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset > > >> button, the next attempt is usually OK. neil > > >> > > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > > >> > > >> > Good afternoon, > > >> > > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > > >> > write > > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > > >> > > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new > > >> > eeprom > > >> > in > > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, > > >> > but the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in > > >> > the background). > > >> > > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > >> > > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not > > >> > the > > >> > problem? > > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned > > >> > out, > > >> > would I still get this verify error? > > >> > > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > > >> > > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > > >> > Paul > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > > >> [Click Here!] > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > >--- > > >Dave Houston > > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > > > > --- Dave Houston http://Commander-X.com

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Jack, then if I were you guys I would setup a mailing address for people with this "configuration" problem so that they may send there chips to you for testing. if you can't reproduce it, why try? get it from one who has already done it. I am sure there would be many who would let you use there chips to find this error. (use the BX-01!! it has none of these problems) --- Jack Schoof <> wrote: > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration > of your > computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. > > Jack > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Houston <> > To: <> > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY > have > >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a > number > >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack > immediately, > >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next > >> attempt is usually OK. neil > >> > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > >> > >> > Good afternoon, > >> > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > >> > write > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > >> > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new > eeprom > >> > in > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, > but > >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > >> > background). > >> > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > >> > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not > the > >> > problem? > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned > out, > >> > would I still get this verify error? > >> > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > >> > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > >> > Paul > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > >> [Click Here!] > >> > > >> > >> > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > > >--- > >Dave Houston > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > ===== Tony Brenke North Tacoma, WA __________________________________________________

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> I've gotten eeprom verification errors since day one (but only on one > computer I use to program) and on two different BX-24s. I simply ignore it, > close the dialogue and continue on. Same here. BX-24 works fine. Its some problem with the pc software. Steve.

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<2 cents> Kevin, My experiences have been very good. Support has been tremendous considering the individual price of the item - upgrades have taken just a few days to turn around and they have been free. I would say this qualifies them for some kind of award. I have often heard from NetMedia regarding questions I have asked - on one or two occasions I asked twice because I figured they overshot the email. But I always got a response. I place my priority right there with someone who buys $40 worth of groceries at HyVee. I'm amazed that I get such good response. Once programmed, the chip runs well and no problems in the field. However, if I was going into production, I would use a cheaper item to do the job. The BasicX is a great development chip. Repeated programming sometimes means I have to work with the project file or reset the chip, but it is not star wars to work with it - just slightly more hassle that a Stamp interface - easier than a PIC. People who are used to programming in diverse environments find the development environment quite simple even though it has a few warts (most environments do). The payback for slightly more hassle is a tremendous chip setup and multitasking language (very nice feature). Lots of us have worked with it and have been pleased. If one set of hardware doesn't work with the chip, I would suggest moving over to another box (if possible). I have yet to find a box it doesn't work with, but that doesn't mean they don't exist! Take a look at www.phanderson.com 's pages. He teaches engineering students with the chip and has done tons of development with it. Teaching with the hardware usually means you can find every problem at least once during a semester. </2 cents> Dan -----Original Message----- From: Dave Houston [mailto:] Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2001 10:44 PM To: Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error Kevin, Do not buy one! I am sorry that I led several people to buy them. It is far from being ready for primetime. And, as you can see, support is non-existent. It really is a shame because it has a lot of promise. On 6 Jan 2001, at 20:26, Kevin Olalde wrote: > So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to be > a number of people on this list with a problematic computer > configuration. > > Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding out > until this situation is resolved. > > Kevin > > Jack Schoof wrote: > > > > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration > > of your computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at > > NetMedia. > > > > Jack > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Dave Houston <> > > To: <> > > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > > > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY > > >> have NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also > > >> get a number of download errors, and find that if I dont see an > > >> ack immediately, and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset > > >> button, the next attempt is usually OK. neil > > >> > > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > > >> > > >> > Good afternoon, > > >> > > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > > >> > write > > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > > >> > > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new > > >> > eeprom > > >> > in > > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, > > >> > but the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in > > >> > the background). > > >> > > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > >> > > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not > > >> > the > > >> > problem? > > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned > > >> > out, > > >> > would I still get this verify error? > > >> > > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > > >> > > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > > >> > Paul > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > > >> [Click Here!] > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > >--- > > >Dave Houston > > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > > > > --- Dave Houston http://Commander-X.com

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It is hard to fix something if you dont have a sample to work with. We have thousands of BX24's in the field without this problem. What you dont see is the silent majority. We would love to find what this problem is. If someone would like to mail us their computer that has a guaranteed failing case 100% of the time, then we can solve it - at least for their combination of things. Until then, we do not know what combination of I/O cards, processors, operating system versions, cables, etc that it takes to cause this problem to occur. For those people who have this problem please send to me directly the answers to the following Questions: 1) Operating System version number: Go to start/settings/control panel/system and give me the number that is displayed there. 2) Processor Type and amount of RAM (also displayed in system info above) 3) Serial port type, motherboard or separate card. 4) cable self made, or netmedia supplied, or other company manufacturer 5) Where is BX24 located? On your own board, or a development kit 6) What is the power source, battery, wall wart, what size and current rating If you purchase a BX24 from NetMedia, we would be happy to refund your money if it does not work out for you. We always have and we always will. We make so little money off each BX24 it is not worth it to us to have unhappy customers holding product that they do not want. PS. Paul Csonka - We would be happy to replace your BX24 with one with a freshly soldered down EEprom. Just send us your hand soldered one to my attention. Jack -----Original Message----- From: Kevin Olalde <> To: <> Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 6:27 PM Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error >So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to be a >number of people on this list with a problematic computer configuration. > >Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding out >until this situation is resolved. > >Kevin > >Jack Schoof wrote: >> >> Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration of your >> computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. >> >> Jack >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Dave Houston <> >> To: <> >> Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM >> Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error >> >> >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with >> >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. >> > >> >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few >> >months ago but have yet to get an answer. >> > >> >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: >> > >> >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have >> >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number >> >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, >> >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next >> >> attempt is usually OK. neil >> >> >> >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: >> >> >> >> > Good afternoon, >> >> > >> >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom >> >> > write >> >> > limits (previous posts). But... >> >> > >> >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom >> >> > in >> >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but >> >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the >> >> > background). >> >> > >> >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. >> >> > >> >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the >> >> > problem? >> >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, >> >> > would I still get this verify error? >> >> > >> >> > I'd welcome any insight... >> >> > >> >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, >> >> > Paul >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > eGroups Sponsor >> >> [Click Here!] >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> > >> >--- >> >Dave Houston >> >http://Commander-X.com >> > >> > >>

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I am one of the "silent majority" that has, at times felt frustration with the BX-24. I've experienced the download failures: sometimes consistently for hours at a time and sometimes randomly. I experienced seemingly random resets and communication failures. I had EEPROM errors. Why didn't I vent to the list? Why didn't I vent to NetMedia? Because I felt that if the product was faulty, there woudn't be 685 members of the eGroups list, there wouldn't be a following among those of you out there that use the product and, lastly, NetMedia wouldn't have much of a market and would likely focus their attentions on other products. The logical assumption on my part was that there was something I didn't understand about the microcontrollers and I needed to learn more. I have been tinkering with the Stamp and, later, the BX-24 for about six months and have had many frustrating moments, but that is the nature of learning. I read the archives of the list and paid careful attention to the posts to the list to understand the experiences of others. I checked my connections to the computer and reviewed the elements of my setup that didn't come from NetMedia. What I eventually found was that I had a questionable serial connection to the computer and, maybe more importantly, was powering Vin (pin 24) with the output from a 5v regulator instead of connecting the 5v to Vcc (pin 21) . So, I had the symptoms when using my desktop computer and I had the symptoms when using my laptop but the problems were unrelated to the BX-24. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack Schoof" <> To: <> Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 7:27 AM Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > It is hard to fix something if you dont have a sample to work with. > > We have thousands of BX24's in the field without this problem. What you > dont see is the silent majority. > > We would love to find what this problem is. If someone would like to mail > us their computer that has a guaranteed failing case 100% of the time, then > we can solve it - at least for their combination of things. Until then, we > do not know what combination of I/O cards, processors, operating system > versions, cables, etc that it takes to cause this problem to occur. > > For those people who have this problem please send to me directly the > answers to the following Questions: > > 1) Operating System version number: Go to start/settings/control > panel/system and give me the number that is displayed there. > > 2) Processor Type and amount of RAM (also displayed in system info above) > > 3) Serial port type, motherboard or separate card. > > 4) cable self made, or netmedia supplied, or other company manufacturer > > 5) Where is BX24 located? On your own board, or a development kit > > 6) What is the power source, battery, wall wart, what size and current > rating > > If you purchase a BX24 from NetMedia, we would be happy to refund your money > if it does not work out for you. We always have and we always will. We > make so little money off each BX24 it is not worth it to us to have unhappy > customers holding product that they do not want. > > PS. Paul Csonka - We would be happy to replace your BX24 with one with a > freshly soldered down EEprom. Just send us your hand soldered one to my > attention. > > Jack > > -----Original Message----- > From: Kevin Olalde <> > To: <> > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 6:27 PM > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > >So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to be a > >number of people on this list with a problematic computer configuration. > > > >Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding out > >until this situation is resolved. > > > >Kevin > > > >Jack Schoof wrote: > >> > >> Unfortunately this must have something to do with the configuration of > your > >> computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. > >> > >> Jack > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: Dave Houston <> > >> To: <> > >> Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > >> Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > >> > >> >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > >> >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > >> > > >> >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > >> >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > >> > > >> >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > >> > > >> >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY have > >> >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get a number > >> >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack immediately, > >> >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the next > >> >> attempt is usually OK. neil > >> >> > >> >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > >> >> > >> >> > Good afternoon, > >> >> > > >> >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the eeprom > >> >> > write > >> >> > limits (previous posts). But... > >> >> > > >> >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new eeprom > >> >> > in > >> >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, but > >> >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > >> >> > background). > >> >> > > >> >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > >> >> > > >> >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was not the > >> >> > problem? > >> >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are burned out, > >> >> > would I still get this verify error? > >> >> > > >> >> > I'd welcome any insight... > >> >> > > >> >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > >> >> > Paul > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > eGroups Sponsor > >> >> [Click Here!] > >> >> > > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > > >> > > >> >--- > >> >Dave Houston > >> >http://Commander-X.com > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > >

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I would agree with Dan. I find the device very promising. I've only been programming the BX24 for w few months, but the power and potential of the device is impressive. I ordered several more devices by email a week ago from Netmedia, and they arrived today. Pretty impressive seeing as we are still in the xmas season, and i'm in New Zealand. neil Dan Creagan wrote: > <2 cents> > Kevin, > > My experiences have been very good. Support has been tremendous > considering > the individual price of the item - upgrades have taken just a few days > to > turn around and they have been free. I would say this qualifies them > for > some kind of award. I have often heard from NetMedia regarding > questions I > have asked - on one or two occasions I asked twice because I figured > they > overshot the email. But I always got a response. I place my priority > right > there with someone who buys $40 worth of groceries at HyVee. I'm > amazed that > I get such good response. > > Once programmed, the chip runs well and no problems in the field. > However, > if I was going into production, I would use a cheaper item to do the > job. > The BasicX is a great development chip. Repeated programming sometimes > means > I have to work with the project file or reset the chip, but it is not > star > wars to work with it - just slightly more hassle that a Stamp > interface - > easier than a PIC. People who are used to programming in diverse > environments find the development environment quite simple even though > it > has a few warts (most environments do). The payback for slightly more > > hassle is a tremendous chip setup and multitasking language (very nice > > feature). > > Lots of us have worked with it and have been pleased. If one set of > hardware doesn't work with the chip, I would suggest moving over to > another > box (if possible). I have yet to find a box it doesn't work with, but > that > doesn't mean they don't exist! > > Take a look at www.phanderson.com 's pages. He teaches engineering > students > with the chip and has done tons of development with it. Teaching with > the > hardware usually means you can find every problem at least once during > a > semester. > > </2 cents> > > Dan > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Houston [mailto:] > Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2001 10:44 PM > To: > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > Kevin, > > Do not buy one! I am sorry that I led several people to buy them. It > is far from being ready for primetime. And, as you can see, support > is non-existent. > > It really is a shame because it has a lot of promise. > > On 6 Jan 2001, at 20:26, Kevin Olalde wrote: > > > So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to > be > > a number of people on this list with a problematic computer > > configuration. > > > > Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding > out > > until this situation is resolved. > > > > Kevin > > > > Jack Schoof wrote: > > > > > > Unfortunately this must have something to do with the > configuration > > > of your computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at > > > NetMedia. > > > > > > Jack > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: Dave Houston <> > > > To: <> > > > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > > > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > > > > > >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > > > >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > > > > > > >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > > > >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > > > > > > >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > > > > > > >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY > > > >> have NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also > > > >> get a number of download errors, and find that if I dont see an > > > > >> ack immediately, and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the > reset > > > >> button, the next attempt is usually OK. neil > > > >> > > > >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > > > >> > > > >> > Good afternoon, > > > >> > > > > >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the > eeprom > > > >> > write > > > >> > limits (previous posts). But... > > > >> > > > > >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a new > > > > >> > eeprom > > > >> > in > > > >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad idea, > > > > >> > but the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in > > > >> > the background). > > > >> > > > > >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > > >> > > > > >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was > not > > > >> > the > > > >> > problem? > > > >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are > burned > > > >> > out, > > > >> > would I still get this verify error? > > > >> > > > > >> > I'd welcome any insight... > > > >> > > > > >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > > > >> > Paul > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > eGroups Sponsor > > > >> [Click Here!] > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > >--- > > > >Dave Houston > > > >http://Commander-X.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- > Dave Houston > http://Commander-X.com > > > eGroups Sponsor [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Dan Creagan wrote: >Repeated programming sometimes means > I have to work with the project file or reset the chip, but it is not star > wars to work with it - just slightly more hassle that a Stamp interface - > easier than a PIC. I'm new at this, I recently started with the stamp, very neat. Very easy to use, but a bit limited compared to the BX24. I went with BS2 since it seemed to have more succussful history and I was watching the EEPROM problem on this list (watching it not get resolved). After a bit if playing with the BS2, I'm quickly leaning towards moving on to a PIC, like the PIC16F84-04. I don't want to create too many projects that require a stamp or BX24, too expensive. You say that the repeated programming is 'easier than a PIC', why specifically? > People who are used to programming in diverse > environments find the development environment quite simple even though it > has a few warts (most environments do). Warts are OK, open sores I like to avoid. Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but not being abe to reprogram it seems pretty nasty. > Lots of us have worked with it and have been pleased. If one set of > hardware doesn't work with the chip, I would suggest moving over to another > box (if possible). I have yet to find a box it doesn't work with, but that > doesn't mean they don't exist! I like to keep my Windows machines down to a minimum, mostly Linux these days, so I don't want to have too many different Windows choices. > Take a look at www.phanderson.com 's pages. He teaches engineering students > with the chip and has done tons of development with it. Teaching with the > hardware usually means you can find every problem at least once during a > semester. Yep, that's where I started, he actually recommended I start with the BS2 instead of the BX24, I think mainly because his course material is geared towards the BS2. Maybe I'll try a PIC next. I started off, too many years ago, programming in Z80, 6502 and S370, maybe time to get back to my roots. Thanks for the opinion, Kevin

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[snip] >After a bit if playing with the BS2, I'm quickly leaning towards moving >on to a PIC, like the PIC16F84-04. I don't want to create too many >projects that require a stamp or BX24, too expensive. You say that the >repeated programming is 'easier than a PIC', why specifically? Because with a PIC you need to have a simple but still special programming "head" that generates the 13 volts required to program the Flash. Sure it's a case of a simple power supply and a single 7406 logic chip, but it's not something as simple as a straight through or crossed serial cable. Alternatives exist, for (just) under US$100 that work with the Microchip development environment. And there's another hassle, the freeware microchip development environment only does assembly language which is a bit of a hard step to take for someone who's only fluent in Basic-like languages,... But having said all that, it's hard to beat a PIC for pre-production ease of prototyping, and there are some fairly cheap C programming options for it. [snip] >Warts are OK, open sores I like to avoid. Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a >bit, but not being abe to reprogram it seems pretty nasty. I first thought you were complaining about open SOURCES there,... lucky I re-read it! Open sources for hobby programming etc. are a GOOD thing! :-) >I like to keep my Windows machines down to a minimum, mostly Linux these >days, so I don't want to have too many different Windows choices. Me too, as soon as that minimum becomes zero I will have achieved one of my life's ambitions.... I'm currently dealing with a problem where evrything works find with Win2000 and not with Win98. The developer who wrote the software did it under W2000, and for various reasons, I don't want to go to W2000 (it'll break other stuff that I have already had enough hassles getting running under W98). Microsoft has been doing the backwards compatible thing for so long that it's become their trademark,... unfortunately, they're not getting it right any more.... It might well be their undoing. [Can't resist the puns any more, sorry,....] >... maybe time to get >back to my roots. Just make sure you don't fall out of your tree while doing it! David. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

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> > > I've gotten eeprom verification errors since day one (but only on one > > computer I use to program) and on two different BX-24s. I simply ignore > it, close the dialogue and continue on. > > > > Same here. BX-24 works fine. Its some problem with the pc software. > > Steve. > I started to get 'eeprom verification errors' on my laptop all of a sudden once(although the download seemed to run). Turned out I had turned off the FIFO on my serial port. Enabling it solved the problem.

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Ditto to what Roger said: I have had many problems but I eventually traced most of them to some mistake I've made. I like the chip and will continue to use it in future projects. Fortunatly for me I have been getting paid to learn and implement that knowledge while having a great time playing with the bx24. I have three different computers that I'm using and the only one I'm having a problem with is my Gateway which has 64meg ram and a 550mhz p3 uP running win98. I get this strange error while compiling. The compilier says it "can't find sub main". This is strange because the same code works on two other machines, one is a home built with 96meg ram 233mhz AMD k-6 uP running win95 and the other is a local built 64meg ram 200mhz AMD k-6 uP running win98. Yes I've seen warts, No I havn't seen open soars. Roger Singletary wrote: > I am one of the "silent majority" that has, at times felt frustration > with > the BX-24. I've experienced the download failures: sometimes > consistently > for hours at a time and sometimes randomly. I experienced seemingly > random > resets and communication failures. I had EEPROM errors. Why didn't I > vent > to the list? Why didn't I vent to NetMedia? Because I felt that if > the > product was faulty, there woudn't be 685 members of the eGroups list, > there > wouldn't be a following among those of you out there that use the > product > and, lastly, NetMedia wouldn't have much of a market and would likely > focus > their attentions on other products. The logical assumption on my part > was > that there was something I didn't understand about the > microcontrollers and > I needed to learn more. > > I have been tinkering with the Stamp and, later, the BX-24 for about > six > months and have had many frustrating moments, but that is the nature > of > learning. I read the archives of the list and paid careful attention > to the > posts to the list to understand the experiences of others. I checked > my > connections to the computer and reviewed the elements of my setup that > > didn't come from NetMedia. What I eventually found was that I had a > questionable serial connection to the computer and, maybe more > importantly, > was powering Vin (pin 24) with the output from a 5v regulator instead > of > connecting the 5v to Vcc (pin 21) . > > So, I had the symptoms when using my desktop computer and I had the > symptoms > when using my laptop but the problems were unrelated to the BX-24. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jack Schoof" <> > To: <> > Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 7:27 AM > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > It is hard to fix something if you dont have a sample to work with. > > > > We have thousands of BX24's in the field without this problem. What > you > > dont see is the silent majority. > > > > We would love to find what this problem is. If someone would like > to mail > > us their computer that has a guaranteed failing case 100% of the > time, > then > > we can solve it - at least for their combination of things. Until > then, > we > > do not know what combination of I/O cards, processors, operating > system > > versions, cables, etc that it takes to cause this problem to occur. > > > > For those people who have this problem please send to me directly > the > > answers to the following Questions: > > > > 1) Operating System version number: Go to start/settings/control > > panel/system and give me the number that is displayed there. > > > > 2) Processor Type and amount of RAM (also displayed in system info > above) > > > > 3) Serial port type, motherboard or separate card. > > > > 4) cable self made, or netmedia supplied, or other company > manufacturer > > > > 5) Where is BX24 located? On your own board, or a development kit > > > > 6) What is the power source, battery, wall wart, what size and > current > > rating > > > > If you purchase a BX24 from NetMedia, we would be happy to refund > your > money > > if it does not work out for you. We always have and we always > will. We > > make so little money off each BX24 it is not worth it to us to have > unhappy > > customers holding product that they do not want. > > > > PS. Paul Csonka - We would be happy to replace your BX24 with one > with a > > freshly soldered down EEprom. Just send us your hand soldered one > to my > > attention. > > > > Jack > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Kevin Olalde <> > > To: <> > > Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 6:27 PM > > Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > > > > > >So, is that the 'official' statement from NetMedia? There seem to > be a > > >number of people on this list with a problematic computer > configuration. > > > > > >Sorry if I seem snippy, but I want to buy a BX-24, but I'm holding > out > > >until this situation is resolved. > > > > > >Kevin > > > > > >Jack Schoof wrote: > > >> > > >> Unfortunately this must have something to do with the > configuration of > > your > > >> computer and we have not been able to duplicate it at NetMedia. > > >> > > >> Jack > > >> > > >> -----Original Message----- > > >> From: Dave Houston <> > > >> To: <> > > >> Date: Saturday, January 06, 2001 1:13 PM > > >> Subject: Re: [BasicX] Again eeprom error > > >> > > >> >I get it nearly every time with one BX-24 amd almost never with > > >> >another BX-24. Neither has anyway near 100,000 EEPROM writes. > > >> > > > >> >I sent e-mail asking about this to NetMedia's support link a few > > > >> >months ago but have yet to get an answer. > > >> > > > >> >On 7 Jan 2001, at 9:10, Neil Jepsen wrote: > > >> > > > >> >> I sometimes get the eeprom verification error, and I DEFINITLY > have > > >> >> NOT written to eeprom more than several 100 times. I also get > a > number > > >> >> of download errors, and find that if I dont see an ack > immediately, > > >> >> and "retry2" appears, if i quickly hit the reset button, the > next > > >> >> attempt is usually OK. neil > > >> >> > > >> >> "Paul J. Csonka" wrote: > > >> >> > > >> >> > Good afternoon, > > >> >> > > > >> >> > Well I still don't see how I may have exceeded the > eeprom > > >> >> > write > > >> >> > limits (previous posts). But... > > >> >> > > > >> >> > In any case, perhaps erroniously, I have soldered a > new > eeprom > > >> >> > in > > >> >> > place of the old; this is a bx24. Maybe this was a bad > idea, but > > >> >> > the bx was supposedly ruined anyways (although it ran in the > > > >> >> > background). > > >> >> > > > >> >> > I still get the eeprom verification error. > > >> >> > > > >> >> > This leads me to believe that perhaps the eeprom was > not the > > >> >> > problem? > > >> >> > If the program is not stored in locations that are > burned > out, > > >> >> > would I still get this verify error? > > >> >> > > > >> >> > I'd welcome any insight... > > >> >> > > > >> >> > Thank you for your time, have a nice afternoon, > > >> >> > Paul > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > > >> >> > eGroups Sponsor > > >> >> [Click Here!] > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> > > > >> > > > >> >--- > > >> >Dave Houston > > >> >http://Commander-X.com > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > eGroups Sponsor [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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