Answers Database

HW-130: Installation and Debugging tips (PC platforms)


Record #926

Product Family:  Hardware

Product Line:  Programmers

Problem Title:
HW-130:	Installation and Debugging tips  (PC platforms)


Problem Description:
Keywords:  hw-130, install, debug, POST, programmer, baud

Urgency: standard

General Description:
HW-130 installation debugging tips


Solution 1:

First, check to make sure that the HW-130 programmer powers up
properly before being connected up to the PC COM port. The
power on LED indicator light located above the FAIL light
should be blinking initially while the programmer does its
power on self-test (POST), then stop blinking and remain lit.

If the power-on LED does not blink initially, or
the FAIL light goes on and stays on, the programmer is
probably defective, as it has either failed to initiate the
self-check sequence, or the self-check has failed.


A typical PC installation would involve doing the following:

- Insert the disk in the floppy drive and 'cd'
  to it.

- From the DOS PROMPT, type 'install' and follow the
  instructions on the screen.

- After installation of the software, 'cd' to the target
  directory.

- Hook up the programmer to the Serial Port of the PC and
  power the programmer up.  Make sure the "FAIL" LED on the
  programmer is NOT flashing after 3-4 seconds after power
  on.  If it is (usually 4 flashes), it means the programmer
  failed the power on self test (POST) and should be returned to
  the factory.	Make sure there is no device in the socket
  adapter, if you have an adapter plugged into the programmer.

- Type 'hw130' to launch the application.

  The software will search for the programmer through all
  available COM ports of the PC and negotiate the highest
  BAUD rate after doing a reset of the programmer.  The
  power LED of the programmer will flash for about 4 seconds
  during the reset.

- Once communication has been established, you can select
  a device and use the programmer.

Assuming that these steps have been followed without
success, the following would be things to look for
that might solve the problem:

- Make sure you are NOT running out of a DOS
  window in Windows.  hw130 is a 'DOS only' program.

- Make sure there is NOT a 'hw130.ini' file in the
  working directory.  Delete it if there is one.

- Make sure the programmer passes the Power On Self Test
  (POST) and the "Fail" LED is not flashing.

- Make sure there is enough conventional memory to launch
  the program.	You need to have 470K of base memory
  available.  Type   'mem' from the DOS prompt, look
  for the line 'Largest executable program size ...Kbyte'.
  If there is not enough memory, unload some device drivers
  in the config.sys or autoexec.bat files (restart the
  PC).

- The software assumes the default addresses and IRQ
  settings on the com ports:
	com1	com2	com3	com4
  Addr:	03F8	02F8	03E8	02E8
  IRQ:	4	3	4	3

- Run 'msd';
  Run 'msd' (Microsoft diagnostics) from the DOS prompt,
  type in 'C' for Com ports, and check that there are TWO
  COM ports available (two 16550 UART Chips).  (The additional
  port is required to support your mouse.) The other
  settings of the COM ports like the baud rate, data bits
  etc. do NOT matter.  The HW130 software takes care of this.
  Make sure the address used is correct for the COM ports.
  Type in 'Q' from the main menu of MSD for the IRQ settings
  on the PC.  Make sure IRQ3 points to com2 and 4, and IRQ4
  to com1 and 3.

- If all else fails, reboot the PC and enter the CMOS setup
  by hitting the 'DELETE' button during the rebooting of the
  PC.  Search around for the COM ports and try swapping the
  COM ports (i.e. use a different UART for the programmer).
  Point com1 to com2 and com2 to com1.	If there is only one
  com port, point it to com1 instead of 2 (or vice versa).
  Exit and save the CMOS setup and try again.

Once you have established communications with the programmer,
lower the BAUD rate in the communications dialog down to
say, 9600 BAUD (leave the com port set to 'AUTO').  Once
communication with the programmer has been reestablished,
from the Options menu, select 'Save Settings'.	This will
create a hw130.ini file and save the BAUD rate.  The next
time the programmer software is used, communications will
only be done at 9600 Baud, or whatever rate you saved to the
.ini file.









Solution 2:

Check that you are using a standard serial cable and/or 9-25 or 25-9 pin
cable adapters.  Null modem cables will not work.



End of Record #926