A discussion group for the PICMicro microcontroller. Also called the Microchip PIC, this list is dedicated to the use and abuse of this fine, simple, microcontroller. Close to topic posts are welcome, ie. general electronics.
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I'm new to the world of microcontrollers, so bear with me. I'm trying to program a PIC1684A with my new PICSTART PLUS programmer and MPLAB IDE v6.40 software. I have selected the PIC16F84A under Configure -> Select Device and PICSTART PLUS under Programmer -> Select Programmer. When I try to enable the programmer, I get the message "This device requires firmware version 2.1.0 or higher". Exactly where do I get the software I'm supposed to download? I downloaded "PICSTART Plus Firmware 3.11(last upgrade for 17C44- obsolete for Flash Module" to the "C:\Program Files\MPLAB IDE\Programmers" directory. It didn't help. Also, how do I know if my computer is trying to load my .asm file or .hex file onto the microcontroller? I know that the .hex file is what the microcontroller uses. (Fortunately, I haven't had trouble converting the .asm to .hex.) Is there a FAQ that answers questions like this one? I'm trying to implement those simple starter programs, and I can't get anywhere right now. |
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The lastest firmware versions are at the microchip site. I do not know the address off hand, but will look it up if you have problems. It is then a matter of downloading the hex file, buying a new 17C44, burning it, and plugging it in. The programming portion of your software will only load hex files. Chad --- Jason Hsu <> wrote: > I'm new to the world of microcontrollers, so bear with me. > > I'm trying to program a PIC1684A with my new PICSTART PLUS programmer > > and MPLAB IDE v6.40 software. I have selected the PIC16F84A under > Configure -> Select Device and PICSTART PLUS under Programmer -> > Select Programmer. When I try to enable the programmer, I get the > message "This device requires firmware version 2.1.0 or higher". > > Exactly where do I get the software I'm supposed to download? I > downloaded "PICSTART Plus Firmware 3.11(last upgrade for 17C44- > obsolete for Flash Module" to the "C:\Program Files\MPLAB > IDE\Programmers" directory. It didn't help. > > Also, how do I know if my computer is trying to load my .asm file > or .hex file onto the microcontroller? I know that the .hex file is > what the microcontroller uses. (Fortunately, I haven't had trouble > converting the .asm to .hex.) > > Is there a FAQ that answers questions like this one? I'm trying to > implement those simple starter programs, and I can't get anywhere > right now. ===== My software has no bugs. Only undocumented features. __________________________________ |
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--- In , Chad Russel <chadrussel@y...> wrote: > The lastest firmware versions are at the microchip site. I do not know > the address off hand, but will look it up if you have problems. It is > then a matter of downloading the hex file, buying a new 17C44, burning > it, and plugging it in. > WHAT? I need to get a PIC17C44 and then burn it? I thought the PIC16F84A is supposed to be a widely used starter microcontroller for newbies trying to learn microcontrollers! Jason Hsu, AG4DG http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control |
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The PIC17C44 is the processor in the PICStart Plus. You need to get the C44 and load the latest firmware into it and then replace the C44 in the PICStart Plus. That should get rid of your error message. Then you will be able to program all the listed chips. Steve -----Original Message----- From: Jason Hsu Subject: [piclist] Re: PIC16F84A and "This device requires firmware version 2.1.0 or higher" message --- In , Chad Russel <chadrussel@y...> wrote: > The lastest firmware versions are at the microchip site. I do not know > the address off hand, but will look it up if you have problems. It is > then a matter of downloading the hex file, buying a new 17C44, burning > it, and plugging it in. > WHAT? I need to get a PIC17C44 and then burn it? I thought the PIC16F84A is supposed to be a widely used starter microcontroller for newbies trying to learn microcontrollers! Jason Hsu, AG4DG |
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--- In , "Jason Hsu" <mailinglist@j...> wrote: > WHAT? I need to get a PIC17C44 and then burn it? I thought the > PIC16F84A is supposed to be a widely used starter microcontroller for > newbies trying to learn microcontrollers! Your problem is that your PICSTART must be *old* -- older than the device you are trying to program and thus it needs to be updated so it knows how to handle the "new" PIC16F84A device. Make sense now? --Scott |
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--- In , "Scott Lee" <midl_man@y...> wrote: > > Your problem is that your PICSTART must be *old* -- older than the > device you are trying to program and thus it needs to be updated so it > knows how to handle the "new" PIC16F84A device. Make sense now? > OK, except that I can't believe that Digi-Key sold me an old, obsolete programmer. I should give you more information in case it would help. The bottom of the PICSTART Plus programmer has the "Flash Upgradeable" sticker. The Assy# is 10-00157-R21, and the Serial# is JIT041411685. I also bought PIC16F72 chips for a more ambitious project. These microcontrollers require firmware upgrades 02.01.00 and 02.10.01, respectively. Can anyone tell me EXACTLY what I need to do? I can't find the software on the web site. A search on "firmware" on the Microchip web site leads me to the URL http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg? IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010069 , which has NO software downloads. Do I need to obtain another chip? Jason Hsu, AG4DG http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control |
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Any part ending in R20 or greater has a firmware-upgradable FLASH device that can be
updated from the IDE. You will need to run MPLAB IDE Version 6.4 or greater in order
to use this device.
I hope that helps,
Scotty
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Please read the community forums at www.microchip.com because they address issues
with the PicStart+ programmer and others getting this same message. Look under Help
on how to upgrade the firmware--it is flash upgradable and you can just send it the
upgrade from Programmer->Download PicStart OS.
Write back if you need further information or help. I hope you get your
programmer working--they're great!
Best,
Scotty
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Your programmer is not old. If it is R20 or greater, it has a FLASH upgradable
OS. Please read my other posts or visit the community forums at www.microchip.com
for further information.
Best,
Scotty
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What they said. Just because it says it needs firmware, does not mean that you do. I used my old, old, old programmer forever until I used a chip it could not handle. My philosophy is, if it works, don't mess with it until you need to. Contacting microchip by email or phone may be the most expedient solution. The technical people are very helpful and seem to know their product from top to bottom, and have always been able to give me stright forward answers to my questions. Usually 'carefully' reading about the subject on their website will also yield results. Chad --- Scott Thompson <> wrote: > Your programmer is not old. If it is R20 or greater, it has a FLASH > upgradable OS. Please read my other posts or visit the community > forums at www.microchip.com for further information. > > Best, > Scotty > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Scott Lee > To: > Sent: 6/10/2004 07:21:32 > Subject: [piclist] Re: PIC16F84A and "This device requires firmware > version 2.1.0 or higher" messag > --- In , "Jason Hsu" <mailinglist@j...> wrote: > > WHAT? I need to get a PIC17C44 and then burn it? I thought the > > PIC16F84A is supposed to be a widely used starter microcontroller > for > > newbies trying to learn microcontrollers! > > Your problem is that your PICSTART must be *old* -- older than the > device you are trying to program and thus it needs to be updated so > it > knows how to handle the "new" PIC16F84A device. Make sense now? > > --Scott > > to unsubscribe, go to http://www.yahoogroups.com and follow the > instructions > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor > ADVERTISEMENT > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > To ===== My software has no bugs. Only undocumented features. __________________________________ |
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Thanks for your help. (Especially from you, Scott.) I'm pleased to hear that my programmer (R21) is FLASH upgradable. From what you tell me, I should be able to upgrade from MPLAB IDE 6.40 from the "Download PICSTART OS" command under the "Programmer" menu. I've tried that, but nothing seems to happen. I realize that my download speeds will be slow since I'm on dial-up, but is there any way I can tell whether or not the file is actually downloading? Better yet, is there a URL I can go to so I can download the file? By the way, is there a way I can search this forum? I would like to search for your posts Scott, but the search feature only applies for the last few hundred posts and doesn't go back to the very beginning. So if there were some very relevant posts here a year ago, I can't reach them. |
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At 08:55 AM 6/10/2004, Jason Hsu wrote: > > >OK, except that I can't believe that Digi-Key sold me an old, >obsolete programmer. I should give you more information in case it >would help. The bottom of the PICSTART Plus programmer has >the "Flash Upgradeable" sticker. The Assy# is 10-00157-R21, and the >Serial# is JIT041411685. I *think* that you need to upgrade your version of MPLAB. The problem is that the new firmware updates don't work with the older versions of MPLAB. (I think that's a big mistake on Microchip's part <sigh>.) It sounds as if you have the latest programmer available - head over to Microchip and download MPLAB 6.50. Or install if from the CD you received with the programmer - that should also be 6.50. One other possibility is that you may need to flash the programmer. Again working from foggy memory - look under the Programmer header in MPLAB, select PicStart Plus, then "update firmware" or something like that. However, if this takes more than a few minutes to sort out, phone Microchip's tech support line. Those folks are pretty quick at coming up with the right answers. dwayne -- Dwayne Reid <> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax Celebrating 20 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2004) .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .- `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address. This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email. |
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> By the way, is there a way I can search this forum? Check out a program called PGoffline It will allow you to download the whole list archive onto your hard disk for you to review at will. It may take some time to download the whole list, but I'd be happy to use my version and see if a file is readable to you. I'm a beta tester so I may have a verson that is not compatable. If that is the case, I can have Wilson put a ZIP version on the official home page and let you pull that down. Dave |
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Are you using a virtual COM port? That is, are you using a USB to serial-port
device? I cannot get my PicStart+ to work with a virtual COM port unless I use <
V6.xx.
Try searching for "blueelectron9" or "electronguy" for the user name. I forget
which one I post on. Mind you, I just recently started to post to that site.
Best,
Scotty
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I uninstalled MPLAB v6.40 and installed MPLAB v6.50. It didn't solve the problem. I STILL get the message "This device requires firmware version 2.1.0 or higher" when I try to enable the programmer (never mind trying to load something into it). The COM port connection seems fine, and I'm not using USB. My PICSTART Plus is the R21 edition, which is recent enough not to require another chip (thankfully). How do I check what version of the firmware I have? How do I know when I have found firmware versions 02.01.00 and 02.10.01? How do I know if MPLAB is using a certain version of the firmware? I don't understand the firmware as well as I should. And why doesn't MPLAB v6.50 have the right firmware for something as basic as the PIC16F84A to begin with? MY BACKGROUND: I am BRAND NEW to the world of microcontrollers. I have NO prior experience. I'm trying to complete a simple starter project with a PIC16F84A, and I can't even do that so far. I purchased the PICSTART Plus from Digi-Key. Either I'm having the mother of all Jessica moments, or somebody has been smoking something nasty. I hope it's the former, as it would be easier for me to correct this. Is there a "PICSTART Plus For Dummies" reference out there? I've tried the "PICSTART Plus User's Guide" that came with the PICSTART Plus, but I can't find the answer I need. The guide is from 3 years ago, and today's MPLAB doesn't seem to be the same as the one described in the manual. |
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you could try the PIC-MCP programmer from
http://www.sparkfun.com
click on "Programmer" scroll down to "MPLAB Compatible 8/14/18/28/40 Pin
ZIFF+ ICS Programmer"" The one
below is the USB/Serial version. They is comparable with the PIC Start Plus form
Micro-Chip. That's the one I use with MLAB Ver 6.51 and it supports all PIC's. perhaps the firmware upgrade will work for the your PICSTart Plus . you can go here to D/L it. http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/MCP-Upgrade/MCP-Upgrade.htm At 10:21 PM 6/10/2004, you wrote: I uninstalled MPLAB v6.40 and installed MPLAB v6.50. It didn't solve |
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I just downloaded and ran the .exe file from the sparkfun.com site, but that STILL hasn't solved the problem. What's wrong with Microchip? Why can't they just have a link to all the firmware upgrades on the front page and put on that page the files to link to firmware version 2.1.0, 2.1.1, etc.? Do they fail to understand the concept of instant gratification? I emailed Microchip's technical support. Hopefully, they'll be able to point me to the firmware upgrade software I need. |
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Have you checked the Help > PICStart Plus menu in the program? Mine gives complete troubleshooting infomation and step by step instructions to upgrade. The lastest firmware is 3.11.11 and all the upgrade info is available at: http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010020&part=DV003001 All the software revs are at: http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1495 Chad --- Jason Hsu <> wrote: > I just downloaded and ran the .exe file from the sparkfun.com site, > but that STILL hasn't solved the problem. > > What's wrong with Microchip? Why can't they just have a link to all > the firmware upgrades on the front page and put on that page the > files to link to firmware version 2.1.0, 2.1.1, etc.? Do they fail > to understand the concept of instant gratification? > > I emailed Microchip's technical support. Hopefully, they'll be able > to point me to the firmware upgrade software I need. ===== My software has no bugs. Only undocumented features. __________________________________ |
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--- In , Chad Russel <chadrussel@y...> wrote: > Have you checked the Help > PICStart Plus menu in the program? Mine > gives complete troubleshooting infomation and step by step instructions > to upgrade. > > The lastest firmware is 3.11.11 and all the upgrade info is available > at: > http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg? IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010020&part=DV003001 > I already downloaded the .zip file listed and extracted the psf31100.hex file into C:\Program Files\MPLAB IDE\Programmers . This didn't solve the problem. Is this where this file belongs? How do I tell if this file is actually being used by MPLAB? > All the software revs are at: > http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg? IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1495 > I already have MPLAB v6.50 on my computer, and this new version didn't take care of the problem. |
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Jason, just downloading the HEX file onto YOUR hard-drive doesn't get the HEX file into the PIC which is on your PicStart Plus. The PicStart Plus has an on-board PIC, which is used to properly cycle the lines of your PIC-to-be-programmed. We're talking about two PICS here. The one which needs a firmware upgrade is the one soldered to the PicStart Plus. The on-board PIC. Using MPLAB, you need to download the psfs31100.hex file FROM your PC's hard disk into the on-board PIC. MPLAB should have an option to do this. --- In , "Jason Hsu" <mailinglist@j...> wrote: > --- In , Chad Russel <chadrussel@y...> wrote: > > Have you checked the Help > PICStart Plus menu in the program? Mine > > gives complete troubleshooting infomation and step by step > instructions > > to upgrade. > > > > The lastest firmware is 3.11.11 and all the upgrade info is > available > > at: > > http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg? > IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010020&part=DV003001 > > > I already downloaded the .zip file listed and extracted the > psf31100.hex file into C:\Program Files\MPLAB IDE\Programmers . This > didn't solve the problem. Is this where this file belongs? How do I > tell if this file is actually being used by MPLAB? > > > All the software revs are at: > > http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg? > IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1495 > > > I already have MPLAB v6.50 on my computer, and this new version > didn't take care of the problem. |
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I just talked to Microchip technical support. (It's a good thing I have a speakerphone, because I had to spend a lot of time on hold.) I learned that I'm supposed to use the "download PICSTART OS" command under the Programmer menu in MPLAB. It should give me a selection of .hex files to choose from, but no window whatsoever popped up when I tried this. So the Tools people at Microchip are now going to attempt to duplicate my problem (Win 98SE, version R21 of the PICSTART Plus, MPLAB v6.50) and try to solve it. |