|
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. |
|
|
PIC16F84A and "This device requires firmware version 2.1.0 or higher" message
Started by ●June 10, 2004
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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. __________________________________ |
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
--- 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 |
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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 |
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
--- 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 |
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
--- 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&nodeId06&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 |
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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
|
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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
|
|
|
Reply by ●June 10, 20042004-06-10
|
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 Links > > To ===== My software has no bugs. Only undocumented features. __________________________________ |
