on 18 Apr 98, pic microcontroller discussion list wrote...

>ashley barnett <ashsparky@CLARA.NET> wrote :
>
>> Hi and HELP !!
>
>> Has anybody had problems getting the Phoenix B firmware and the picstart B1
to
>> work?? I have!!
>
>> I programmed a 17C43 JW  with Phoenix B and plugged in a 16C84 to test it and
>> the following happened, C1 errors.
>
>> If any body has any clues as to why I can Read and Verify a Pic but not
> program
>> or blank a Pic please let me know.
>
>> I have tried all the switches available.
>
>I used a 17C44 JW, and have been able to program a 16c84 without
>problems.  I doubt that the 17c44 is any different from a 17c43 in
>this application, so it's probably something different about your PC.
>Programming is different from other functions in that the handshake
>lines hold off PC output for a significant time : reading will work
>OK without the handshake lines connected at all.
>
>C1 errors are apparently UART overruns - try running the system in
>the simplest possible mode (no Windows, pure DOS boot, no mouse, no
>TSRs etc). Also try disabling the UART FIFO if you have one - I don't
>think this should cause C1 errors, but it might (the PC thinks it's
>lost characters from the programmer, when really it's not yet sent the
>previous command).
>
>Phoenix (TM4) uses strict hardware handshaking to avoid sending more
>than 1 byte ahead to the programmer .. this doesn't really work if you
>use a braindamaged PC UART like the 16550 (it doesn't stop
>transmitting when the handshake lines change, just generates an
>interrupt while continuing to send the fifo contents).
>

I have done all of this and tried it on three different PCs now. I think there
could be a problem with the Picstart or a problem with the Phoenix software !,
It has occasionally worked and programmed half of a 16c84 program but crashed.
I am still suspect about the software as when I tested the Vpp pin when reading
I had a 1 sec pulse of 13.5Volts, however when attempting a program or verify I
only had a 20mSec pulse of 13.5V !! I am not sure if that has anything to do
with it? - It is a real pain as I need to program a 16C74 a number of times.



>I've got the core of a TM4 driver for Linux running, but have been too
>busy to develop it much further. If there's anyone else who's interested
>in getting this going, I'd appreciate some help to try it out and make
>some constructive criticism.
>
>
>-adrian
>
>