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[pterodyne]

Strange new error now that Im trying to put in my TMC2100 drivers.  I can't configure using the latest utility, it times out.  Strangely if I run "update firmware" it seems to go through all the motions and avrdude reports complete.

Any suggestions?  I had a similar problem a while back and Tom asked me to upload a specific hex file to troubleshoot, but I never did because it magically started working again.

I have a manufactured 4.4 astroeq.

[pterodyne]

I followed the instructions to upload a config checker to the astroeq via avrdude.exe from a couple years ago.  here is the output.

So it seems like something is working, just can't change the config, or load eqmod.

àààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààààAEQ8.11è
RA Reverse = 0
DEC Reverse = 1
Driver Version = [1] = DRV882x
Microstep Mode = [32] = 1/32
RA aVal = [0,64,56,0] = 3686400
DEC aVal = [0,64,56,0] = 3686400
RA bVal = [207,51] = 13263
DEC bVal = [207,51] = 13263
RA sVal = [0,100] = 25600
DEC sVal = [0,100] = 25600
RA IVal = [54,1] = 310
DEC IVal = [54,1] = 310
RA Goto Encoded = [1]
DEC Goto Encoded = [1]

[pterodyne]

put the normal hex back on.  still not working... Tried a different computer, nothing.  Went back to the original computer.  Now it's working.

Hmm

well now I can try the TMC2100 drivers at least.  Not sure if something is dying on my board..  I guess I should get a different cable to try too.  MiniUSB not so common anymore..

[pterodyne]

Ok, I lied.  I put everything back up on the roof (semi permanent setup), and it's not working again.  Ill try a different cable, but I think something is wrong with my board somewhere.

Back to the original problem on the first post.

[pterodyne]

tried different cable and usb port in the computer.  still no dice

[pterodyne]

and tried again on a different computer.  Just back to read failed.  Before I could update the firmware even though I couldn't configure.  Now I can't even update the firmware.

See attachement.

[TCWORLD]

Sorry for the lack of responsiveness, I've got lots of work to do.

It sounds like there is a hardware failure somewhere, but hard to say where.

I would start by removing the ICs and plugging them back in again. V4.4 puts you somewhere back in early 2015 if I'm not mistaken, so after 3 years it's quite possible that the contacts on the IC sockets have oxidised. This could cause weird intermittent failures.

If that doesn't help, have a quick look over the solder joints to see if there are any that look cold.

Let me know how it goes.

[pterodyne]

I get being busy!

Thanks for the reply.  Ill reseat the chips, and I can drop an iron on each solder joint as well.

[pterodyne]

I Removed the chips and put them back in.  Now it's letting me configure and update the firmware.

Thanks.  I can test out the TMC2100 drivers now.

[Washy]

So I've just built a new mega2650/tmc2100 based box (didn't want to disturb my old 8825 one in case we get a clear sky!), and I cant read the eeprom - it was working at first (well the motors didn't do anything), so I configured it again with 4ustep rather than 16ustep and that worked but really high pitched noises and wrong speeds so I tried to configure again...

... I thought I'd give the advanced h/c button a go, bad idea that's bricked my eeprom I can read and write sketches to the board, and upload the astroeq firmware but I can't configure because eeprom reading fails - I suspect the bootloader is at fault and I will put that right today and see if I can't get it working...

[TCWORLD]

When you plug in a H/C it detects the speed button shorting one of the ST-4 pins to GMD and then switches from EQMOD mode to standalone mode. You can't program in standalone mode.
To change back, simply unplug the H/C and either power-cycle the board or for Mega press the reset button.

[Washy]

When you plug in a H/C it detects the speed button shorting one of the ST-4 pins to GMD and then switches from EQMOD mode to standalone mode. You can't program in standalone mode.
To change back, simply unplug the H/C and either power-cycle the board or for Mega press the reset button.

I don't actually have a h/c though, when I get to the office I'll see whats what and if I can interface with the eeprom with a normal sketch or if I've broken something and put the correct bootloader on the board either way.

[TCWORLD]

Ahh. Ok.

How long ago did you build the Mega? Do you have R21 (shown here)? If not, place a 1k resistor between digital pin 21 and digital pin 23. Without that resistor it will always think a hand controller is connected.

[Washy]

I only built it yesterday - but I only have the motor drivers - dont really need the other bells and whistles...  As you recommend however the resistor has fixed the issue and I've now disabled the HC again...  Thanks

So when I get home I can get back to making it work properly...

... I'm getting that sinking feeling one of the config jumpers on the TMC2100 isn't soldered properly, and I've soldered them onto a protoboard, and of course they are on the bottom 

[pterodyne]

So, even though it can write the config now and update the firmware, eqmod keeps disconnecting over and over.

Probably I need some new chips..  Or there is some other fault in the board.  I guess I could try to go back to the DRV8825 drivers and see if the problem still occurs.