Cannot Upload - timeout communicating with programmer

[eds]

Hi All,

Just about to start getting my reef angel setup properly and decided to do it and wipe the basic ragen config and replace it with a more advanced one.

The issue is however, I can't upload new code!
Iv uninstalled and reinstalled and rebooted and did a little googling however I am not sure what to do. I can communicate with it when using the reef angel client however when I turn that off and try and upload I get the following error.

Code: Select all

The following feature was automatically added:
Watchdog Timer
Version Menu

The following features were detected:
Dimming Signal
Standard Menu
Date/Time Setup Menu
Extra Font - Medium Size (8x8 pixels)
Binary sketch size: 33,994 bytes (of a 258,048 byte maximum)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Reef Angel Controller\hardware/tools/avr/bin/avrdude -CC:\Program Files (x86)\Reef Angel Controller\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf -v -v -v -v -patmega2560 -cstk500v2 -P\\.\COM7 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Temp\build5345867188187497203.tmp\RA_Preloaded.cpp.hex:i 

avrdude: Version 6.0, compiled on Apr  6 2012 at 19:29:19
         Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, link removed
         Copyright (c) 2007-2009 Joerg Wunsch

         System wide configuration file is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Reef Angel Controller\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf"

         Using Port                    : \\.\COM7
         Using Programmer              : stk500v2
         Overriding Baud Rate          : 115200
Rebooting Reef Angel Controller
avrdude: Send: . [1b] . [01] . [00] . [01] . [0e] . [01] . [14] 
avrdude: Recv: 
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_getsync(): timeout communicating with programmer

avrdude done.  Thank you.

Is there a way to factory wipe the device so to speak, Iv tried uploading a preload but I can't upload

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

[Sebyte]

First are you sure that you are really using comport 7. Also check in the Arduino IDE that it is set to the port you are using.

There is a new wizard that has just been released http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1297 that will let you set the RA back to basics, also a tool to help build starter level code.

If you you have run the latest RA install then you should have these options listed under tools in the Arduino IDE.

That's all I can suggest you try first.

[eds]

tried that as well and its on Com 7 as Reef Angel Client accesses the controller via that
Thanks for the suggestion tho.

[Sebyte]

Having looked at the error message again, I am wondering if you have the Arduino IDE set for the correct RA board. It is showing you as using Using Programmer : stk500v2, which I believe is for the original controllers

What type of Reef Angel do you have?

If it is new and standard RA you should select under tools/board, the option for a Reef Angel Controller w/optiboot.

If you have an RA+ then select RA plus for your board.

The first on "Reef Angel Controller" is for the early boards without optiboot. All of the new units have optiboot built in.

[eds]

I have the RA+ which is the selected board

I should also add, I updated both my laptop and my PC to the latest software and both present the same issue.

[Sebyte]

Ok, I don't know what to suggest next,

Just hang in there and I am sure that Roberto will have an answer for you when he checks the forum..

[eds]

No worries, I appreciate you trying to help

[rimai]

Have you tried using the USB power cable to power up the controller instead of the relay box when you are programming?

[eds]

Tried that just now, same message, tried it with everything unplugged (besides the USB of course) and still get the same message.

I know I am on the right com port because I can communicate with it when I use the Reef Angel Client.

[rimai]

Does the controller reboot a few seconds after you hit upload?

[eds]

I watched it last night and it does not appear to reboot, no.

[rimai]

Open Arduino IDE and go to menu Tools->Serial Monitor.
As you open and close this window, does the controller reboot?

[eds]

Sadly no reboot when I open that up

[rimai]

Did you have the Client service shut down when you were doing this test?
Can you check the settings for the cable?
Control Panel->System->Device Manager
Expand Ports (COM & LPT)
Double-Click USB Serial Port (COM7)
Move to Port Settings
Click Advanced
Make sure that "Set RTS on Close" is checked.

[eds]

I turn the listener off each time I test and I have already checked that setting under the comport and no joy unfortunatly

[rimai]

Were you able to upload anything before?

[eds]

Yeah it is really strange. I just moved house and had to wait a few weeks before I could put the tank together, I was playing with code, got the wifi to work and everything else and it was all uploading fine.

Even now if I plug the wifi in, I can control the two relay's and check temp etc.

[rimai]

Strange indeed.
Did you try a different computer or updating the USB cable driver?
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

[eds]

Interesting update. I got the RA+ board that had the incorrect chip which didnt recognise the relay expansion.

I just remembered I had it and I grabbed it out, plugged it in to the relay and the USB cable and presto, it is uploading code fine.

So we know where the problem is now (in that board), is there a way to clear it and start again so to speak?

[rimai]

Humm.
Good troubleshooting.
The only thing I can think of is the reset jumper on the head unit board.
Is it in place? You need to have all 3 jumpers in place for your particular case.

[eds]

Can you confirm how the jumper configuration should be?
I have two boards and they have two different jumper configs so I don't know if I am right or not

[rimai]

In the RA+ board, there is a jumper block on the left side of the joystick.
All 3 jumpers have to be in place.

[eds]

Well I feel like an idiot. For some reason, rst wasnt on so I must have knocked it off when I swapped the boards. With all 3 jumpers on, I can upload code again

[rimai]

Cool

[eds]

Thanks for the help, really appreciate it. Sent you an email about 1 more thing

Cheers

matt

[theyeg84]

I just got a reef angel plus control board and it will not program. I do not see any jumpers on my board. At least where I think I am supposed to look. My old reef angel board has one jumper. Could I be missing pieces. The new board will not communicate with my computer at all. I am plugged into the relay box and I can operate the controller but not get into the board. I can also program my old board but not my new one. I have switched the coding between the two boards.

[cosmith71]

Is this an upgrade from a Standard? Did you switch the board type under Tools->Board?

--Colin