droidmech2002
I have a new EZ-Robot board and in order to use it I have to update the firmware to the latest version. I have followed the video tutorial exactly and have tried 4 times now and every time the ARC program tells me I have to update the firmware. This is what the screen looks like after I try updating the firmware and I have waited as long as 30 minutes for it to do it's thing.
3/22/2013 12:23:57 PM - Sending bootloader Starting Boot Loader...
3/22/2013 12:24:02 PM - sending ping 3/22/2013 12:24:03 PM - sending ping 3/22/2013 12:24:04 PM - Sending bootloader I am EZ-B BootLoader. Gimmie Firmware!
3/22/2013 12:24:09 PM - Step 1 of 2) This process will take 2 minutes. The status bar will display progress.
3/22/2013 12:24:09 PM - Updating... (22,656 Bytes) 3/22/2013 12:24:30 PM - Uploaded
I am assuming that since it says uploaded and nothing happed after that statement that the update was completed, even so I waited 30 minutes before unpluging the batteries ( Yes they were brand new batteries). upon starting up ARC and trying to use it it still says I need to update the firmware.
I need help please. I am under a deadline to get this working for a robot here at the Children's Museum and all I can tell them when they ask about it, is that I am working on it.
Help Please.
Dan Stuettgen fabricator/ exhibit tech.
I took screenshots of the firmware update procedure last week, they are in this topic.
Which BT stack are you using? Only the microsoft BT stack is supported, third party stacks are often buggy and unstable.
Rich: Not sure what you mean by BT Stack. My laptop did not have bluetooth on it so I had to purchase a Bluetooth dongle. The one I got is made by ASUS USB-BT211 V2.1+EDR The package says it is for windows XP(32/64) Vista and 7. I am using windows XP. This was the most expensive one the computer electronics store had. I didn't think the $10 or $20 ones were a good idea. I have the Bluetooth installed and it sees the EZ-B board and connects to it when I select it. The red LED on the blue tooth on the board stops flashing and goes solid.
It is when I try to connect to the board with the ARC software that it tells me I need to update the firmware. This is where I have the problem as it seems to not want to do that. I have tried 4 times with the same results.
Dan Stuettgen
Rich : Are you saying that the Bluetooth dongle has to be a Microsoft dongle otherwise it won't work? I have checked a couple computer stores and none of them have any Microsoft brand bluetooth dongles.
Dan S.
No no no. The software needs to be Microsoft. Did the Asus one come with any discs and if so did you install anything from them? The BT Stack is basically the software used when pairing etc.
If you did then that could be the problem. Uninstall it and let windows choose drivers etc. for it.
If not then, as frustrating as it is to hear, check your supply and check the com port.
Personally when I update firmware I use an old router's PSU that fits the socket. If it's between 5v and 18v it should be OK. That would eliminate power as the issue.
Keep it as close to the dongle as possible too, although I updated mine from some 4 or 5 meters away.
I looked over your screen grabs on adding the bluetooth. Mine do not look anything like that. I would assume that is because I am using windows XP Home edition with service Pack 3. I was able to work through it and get to the pairing code and get that entered 1234 and then the Icon changed to a serial port symbol and when I clicked on the connect button, it connected, but did not tell me what port.
I had to guess which one by going to the control panel and looking in the bluetooth listing and checked the profile manager and it showed it on com8. Thats the port I tried to connect with when I started the ARC.
Dan S.
Yes, XP looks different. I don't have XP installed on any PC at home so can't grab some... hold on, google...
Is yours more like this?
Also, your com port is probably right as it received the "I am EZ-B Bootloader. Gimmi Firmware" message.
Yes the Asus dongle came with a driver disc. It took two tries to get the computer to reconize the dongle. I tried to let the computer find the drivers, but it din't find any so I had to use the disc that came with the dongle. I will try what you said and uninstall it and let windows chose the drivers, but last time it did not work, windows never found any drivers. Com ports are Ok, I check the batteries and they are OK, All brand new just for this board. 8.57 volts. I have the board right next to the computer and the dongle is on the other side of the computer. no more than 2 feet apart.
Dan S.