Isopod V2 locked up

[Steve Roks]

I seem to have locked up my isopod. It no longer shows up in NMIterm nor am I able to type anything in. Up untill my last program everything has been working great. I understand bad programming can lock up the isopod but I thought you could just scrub and start over.

- I have checked cables and switched them
- changed com ports
- reset on board ( i have developer version )
- reset power with Pin 2&4 on J5 jumpered ?

* all three led's are on

any other ideas ?

Steve.

[RMDumse]

You can probably recover by bypassing the autostart, getting control, then scrubbing and moving on. Ground PE4, hit reset, and see if you don't get an IsoMax prompt. If so, SCRUB. Remove the ground from PE4. Reset again. Ready to go.

If that doesn't work the kernel can be reflashed. But it takes a JTAG cable and a copy of the kernel. Try the autostart bypass first, and report the results.

[Steve Roks]

When I look at the pin-out diagram for my Isopod V2 I see PE2 and PE3 on J5 but no PE4. Is PE4 also SCLK(pin 4 on J5) ? If so I have tried grounding by jumping from pin 2 to 4 on J5 and restarting with no luck.

thanks in advance,

Steve.

ps: do you guys do custom work ?

[RMDumse]

Yes, on IsoPod(TM) V2, J5 pin 4 is PE4 (also SCLK). It can be grounded with a jumper to J5 pin 2 GND. If that hasn't worked for you, somehow the kernel must be damaged so the board needs to be reflashed. The other possibility is the processor has been killed by stray voltages or such.

Would you like to try to reflash there? getting a JTAG and a license agreement to get the kernel S-records? Or would you like to send it back to us to be reflashed. If it came back, we could and check out the processor and update to the latest for only shipping charges. If the processor has gone bad... we'll have to talk about additional charges to replace.

Yes, we do custom work! About half of our business is systems which are custom or semicustom specifically made for customer needs or requests

[Steve Roks]

thanks for the reply... I'm leaning toward sending it back.. will let you know. Who should I contact for custom work ?

Steve

[nmitech]

For custom work, please email your detail applications and/or requirements to nmisales@newmicros.com or call Dave Peterson at 214-339-2204 for quoting . Thanks!

[cmmffhc]

Hi,

I am having the exact same problem as Steve Roks. The isopod was working fine and suddenly it just stopped talking to NMITerm.

I have done everything above and it didn't help.

I have also tried to reflash the isopod but there were error messages saying the target chip could not enter debug mode.

Is there anyway to check if the processor is killed as u have described in a thread above?

This is my 2nd isopod which has broke down and i have another 2 more servopods which are displaying the same symptoms.

I'm gonna be broke soon if this carries on... shipping back to you guys isn't feasible for me because the servicing charge of 60 dollars per piece per hour is going to kill me....

I'm really depressed over all these....is there anyway I can try to save my isopods and servopods?? Or is anyone of you kind souls travelling to Singapore then you can come and help me fix my pods....

Boohoohoooooo........ :(

[nmitech]

cmmffhc, Please use the RMA# 665 and put attention to L.C. for your return/repair systems. I will help you to take a look. As long as the CPU is not damaged i will take care the charge for you. Since it isn't easy to replace the surface mount processor without damaging the traces. You need to take care the shippings and insure if needed.

This is not a common problem that i know of. Actually your problem is not really the same as Steve Roks. Cuz your problem sound to me either power problem, or damaged processor. Where Steve board can be reflashed possibly if the kernel is crashed.

[cmmffhc]

nmitech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok, before i start my celebrations, let me confirm with you what I have and what I need to do.

What I have:
1 servopod with capacitor C5 removed and 3.3V regulator removed.
1 servopod and 2 isopods which are untouched hardware wise.

All 4 have the same problems. LEDs are all on when power on. No communications with NMITerm. Unable to reflash with JTAG.

What I need to do:

1. Pack all the pods into a nice appropriate container with proper "paddings".
2. Send the pods to the address:
RMA Division
1601 Chalk Hill
Dallas, TEXAS 75212
United States of America
3. Where do I write the RMA #665 and Attention to L.C. (sorry this is my first time sending a package overseas)

Is there any other thing I need to do?

And how will you communicate with me about how much money I need to pay?

Regards

[ngkdc]

you ARE putting the JTAG plug onto the correct connector ... and with the correct orientation aren't you?

[cmmffhc]

yep, i have been flashing my other pods successfully...

[cmmffhc]

Hi NMITech,

I just made another amazing discovery. I just opened up a new isopod bought last year and found that all the 5V output only outputs 3.3V.

I checked the regulators and found that there are actually 2 3.3V regulators instead of 1 5V and 1 3.3V....

So I guess i'll have to ship that one back to you as well?

For the other 2 servopods and 2 isopods, they all worked before suddenly dying. But this new one I guess is definitely a manufacturing fault. Do I still need to pay for the delivery charge back to you?

Thanks again for your help.

p.s.: i still need you to answer some of my queries which I posted in a post above...thanks!

[nmitech]

At this time, I am suggesting that you can send the faulty manufacturing board back along with the defective boards in one shipment. We will examine and then determine how the shipping charge will be applied.

New Micros, Inc.
Attn: L.C. RMA # 665.
1601 Chalk Hill
Dallas, TEXAS 75212
United States of America

[cmmffhc]

Ok, i'll send them over together.

can i check with u again:

where do i write the RMA #665 and "Attention to L.C."? on the box itself or on a slip of paper inside the package?

Is the address for the package to be sent to:

RMA Division
1601 Chalk Hill
Dallas, TEXAS 75212
United States of America

Thanks for your help

Regards

[nmitech]

Here is the shipping address:

New Micros, Inc.
1601 Chalk Hill
Dallas, TEXAS 75212
United States of America

The RMA # 665 & Attn: L.C. can be put anywhere on the box, or on the slip of paper inside... It's will get to me as long as it arrives to the address above. Email me direct at nmitech@newmicros.com if you need additional info. Thanks!

[cmmffhc]

Thanks!

I'll send it out as soon as possible...

Regards