UPLOAD BOOTLOADER

[Luca66]

my previus post

viewtopic.php?t=337

I followed Manuel's instructions, I checked the presence of the ATMEGA328P and CH340G chips, I disabled the ports to avoid conflicts, I used a shorter microusb cable, I have the serial number on the display that appears to me when I connect USB to the PC. Have I left something out? I think now I just have to do but reload the Bootloader .

I think it's my last chance. What do you think and recommend? Can I reload the booloader? Will this upload delete the previous one?

Thank for your help.

[AC9YY]

If each time you reboot the radio you get the same serial number all you have to do now is load the firmware which you can do from your computer over USB port. You do need the driver that is provided the one Windows finds probably will not work.

[ve2rn]

Did you try detect button? if you are not getting a positive awnser recheck if you have the correct
com port number. If it is always negative it is evident that your system is not reaching the atmega
follow the trace, look carefully for bad or short contacts especially on pins PD0-PD1-PC6 also try on a another pc if possible.The bootloader programming is not using the same path. As AC9YY mentionned
recheck driver and reinstall --https://sparks.gogo.co.nz/ch340.html--.

[Luca66]

Thank you for your answers, unfortunately I read them only after I reloaded the bootloader. However, the operation was useless.

I also tried to install the driver by following the given link, but that version I can not install it. I can instead with the driver indicated by Manuel. I have windows 10.

What do you mean with "Did you try detect button? if you are not getting a positive awnser recheck if you have the correct com port number."

what is the "detect button"?

I confirm the CH340 is seen, otherwise you would not see it listed in the devices. Is what I say correct?

I checked ATmega, if there are short circuits around the feet. there are none.

[ve2rn]

IN the top right in avedudess under the processor type,also try run the program in administrator mode

[ve2rn]

The best way is to open a cmd window in administrator mode and to go into the location of the program
with this: CD C:\"Program Files (x86)"\AVRDUDESS
In this folder just copy your firmware file and execute like this :
avrdude -c arduino -p m328p -P comXX -b 115200 -U flash:w:VE2RN_truSDX_XXXXXXXXXX_Firmware.hex:a

This works evrey time for me on 4 differents radio

[DH2LAB]

what is the "detect button"?

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

I'm confused. What is the current, active problem?

Inability to flash bootloader?
Inability to flash firmware?

[Luca66]

I tried using the Detect command (in Amnistrator mode) and the result is in the attached image. Failure! In summary, the Atmega Chip can be reached via ISP but not via USB. Probably something blocks the communication between CH340 and Atmega and it is not easy to find out, given my poor skills with smd technology. This means I won't be able to use this little RTX. I will try to find a different PC but I'm afraid it won't help.

[Luca66]

I'm confused. What is the current, active problem?

Inability to flash bootloader?
Inability to flash firmware?

The problem is --->Inability to flash firmware

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

I'm confused. What is the current, active problem?

Inability to flash bootloader?
Inability to flash firmware?

The problem is --->Inability to flash firmware

https://dl2man.de/wp-content/uploads/20 ... /beta.html
Tick 'for ISP upload'
Install over ISP, same method as installing a bootloader.

[Luca66]

I'm confused. What is the current, active problem?

Inability to flash bootloader?
Inability to flash firmware?

The problem is --->Inability to flash firmware

https://dl2man.de/wp-content/uploads/20 ... /beta.html
Tick 'for ISP upload'
Install over ISP, same method as installing a bootloader.

Ok, I'll try this option. Thank you!

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

I tried using the Detect command (in Amnistrator mode) and the result is in the attached image. Failure! In summary, the Atmega Chip can be reached via ISP but not via USB. Probably something blocks the communication between CH340 and Atmega and it is not easy to find out, given my poor skills with smd technology. This means I won't be able to use this little RTX. I will try to find a different PC but I'm afraid it won't help.

Also, in this image, you have the string -p -m8

This is telling the software you are trying to program an Atmega8! This is a completely different microcontroller to the Atmega328p that is on the (tr)uSDX.

Change this first, then try the ISP option I have just shown you.

[Luca66]

I'm confused. What is the current, active problem?

Inability to flash bootloader?
Inability to flash firmware?

The problem is --->Inability to flash firmware

https://dl2man.de/wp-content/uploads/20 ... /beta.html
Tick 'for ISP upload'
Install over ISP, same method as installing a bootloader.

While waiting to perform the firmware upload procedure via ISP, I am re-reading the procedure and I have some confirmations to ask.

Is the sequence to follow the same used for the bootloader except for the file that will be the one downloaded from the Beta page with ISP option included?

How should I consider the description of the following parameters: L:FF, H:D6 and E:FD as written in the text, or L:0xFF, H:0xD6 and E:0xFD as in the screenshot?

Many thanks

[Luca66]

I tried using the Detect command (in Amnistrator mode) and the result is in the attached image. Failure! In summary, the Atmega Chip can be reached via ISP but not via USB. Probably something blocks the communication between CH340 and Atmega and it is not easy to find out, given my poor skills with smd technology. This means I won't be able to use this little RTX. I will try to find a different PC but I'm afraid it won't help.

Also, in this image, you have the string -p -m8

This is telling the software you are trying to program an Atmega8! This is a completely different microcontroller to the Atmega328p that is on the (tr)uSDX.

Change this first, then try the ISP option I have just shown you.

I checked the parameters for detect, but it is correct I have selected the chip ATmega328P.

[ve2rn]

It should show this at detect ,i am quite certain you will not go anywhere until your hardware problem is solved. Pc,cable or on the main board. If you have the good port and driver configured of course! The isp solution may work for you as it may not using the same path.

[AC9YY]

1. Are you sure it is a data cable and not just a charging cable on the USB port?
2. Are you sure that is the right COM port and driver?

[CT4AJ]

I'm following this thread carefully because i have the same problem.

Bootloader loaded ok, after every reboot have serial number on screen.
When connecting via USB port to PC, the device is not recognized as a USB device, the OS report an error.
Tried several proven cables (used before for programming other devices).
Tried both Linux and Windows, same results (same error).
Good luck Luca with your problem.
Keep us up to date.

//Eduardo

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

The problem is --->Inability to flash firmware

https://dl2man.de/wp-content/uploads/20 ... /beta.html
Tick 'for ISP upload'
Install over ISP, same method as installing a bootloader.

While waiting to perform the firmware upload procedure via ISP, I am re-reading the procedure and I have some confirmations to ask.

Is the sequence to follow the same used for the bootloader except for the file that will be the one downloaded from the Beta page with ISP option included?

How should I consider the description of the following parameters: L:FF, H:D6 and E:FD as written in the text, or L:0xFF, H:0xD6 and E:0xFD as in the screenshot?

Many thanks

AFAIK, the checkbox on the beta page for ISP also includes a bootloader.

So you need to set the fuse parameters (L 0xFF etc) and then ensure the checkbox for erase flash memory (I can't remember the exact wording off the top of my head) is selected.

[Luca66]

I answer your questions and suggestions. @ AC9YY The cable I use is the original one that came with my smartphone and I'm pretty sure it's a data cable. @ VE2RN before trying to upload the firmware via ISP, I want to try to connect the small one to a laptop, unfortunately its operating system is XP, I hope it is not a problem. If the attempt is unsuccessful I will proceed with the ISP procedure. @ CT4AJ I will definitely keep you posted on my progress. Yours is a similar problem to mine. Have you tried reloading the bootloader? I did it but it didn't help, but at least I understood that the way to get to the Atmega chip is the ISP. @ VK4JJ ok I keep in mind your indications. If I understand the beta firmware also contains a bootloader? Thank you all

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

Correct.

[CT4AJ]

@luca66, yes i reloaded the bootloader with success via ISP.
Now i'm away from home, but upon returning i will try to load firmware via ISP, as said in a previous post.
If i succeed i can live with that
The problem seems to be correlated with the USB path (logical), because the radio can be powered via USB, so, DC is OK).

[Luca66]

Problem finally solved . I tried to upload the firmware via usb on an XP laptop, but without success. This confirms that the problem is on the transceiver board, in the part that communicates from the ch340 to the processor. I then uploaded the beta firmware via the ISP and the transceiver finally turned on. I don't like having a beta firmware, I don't know if I find any bugs that are not there in the standard version. I ask you if it is possible to load the standard version firmware. In any case, I thank everyone who helped me and I hope that my experience has been useful to others. Now I will proceed with the tuning of the bands and the efficiency of the transmitter, which I have already verified is now around 70%.

[ve2rn]

Good news! i do not have the awnser for you for the version but someone will help soon. We are a bunch of hams learning in this process. If you try cat control it will confirm the usb path problem (if you nedd this option).

[Faraaz VK4JJ]

Hallelujah.

I don't like having a beta firmware

Doesn't look like you have many other options
Don't worry about it being a beta version - it is stable. I have only ever used the beta versions.

Check R20, R28, R29, R30 - ensure they are soldered correctly on the pads and not open circuit. Check C44, soldered correctly and reading normal capacitance. Just study the schematic, and check all components that may be interfering with the path from the USB port to the microcontroller.

Remember, magnification and small fine probes.