OSTC Mk2 Failed while updating to 2.7

[bobdob]

I've just tried to update my OSTC Mk2 from 2.5 to 2.7, but it failed within a few seconds of writing the flash,and now the unit is complelty dead.

This is what the bootloader has at the end of the log.

Connected to \\.\COM4 at 115200
HEX: 0 min old, INHX32,18Fcode+cfg, total=85599 bytes.
Searching for PIC ...
Found:18F 4685
Reading HEX file... , Writing flash...
Could not write
ERROR!
Could not write

Could not connect to COM4 at 115200
ERROR!
Communication error 2: The system cannot find the file specified


I know there is meant to be method of using a magnet to reset the unit, but I can't find any info on how to do this. If I do hold a magnet to the back, an orange light flashes for a few seconds, but nothing else happens, and I still have no reaction from the unit.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[heinrichsweikamp]

Look here: read.php?2,4071

Use the bootloader v1 section. Instead of choosing to reboot the unit with the menu option, toggle the reset with a magnet on the backside of the unit.

Regards,
Matthias

[bobdob]

Thanks for that. I've downloaded v1 of the bootloader, but it just seems to hang when I run it. There is an icon on the task bar (Win XP by the way) but no application running. Maybe it's waiting for the OSTC, but as I said. that's completly dead.

[heinrichsweikamp]

Are you sure the window is in your desktop (Alt+Space+V)?

Regards,
Matthias

[bobdob]

Yep, tried all sorts, but the bootloader was not running.

I've just tried using my work laptop which is W7. The bootloader runs, but still no joy. W7 didn't automatically install drivers, so I downloaded them from FTDIChip.com. (v2.08.28)

This is the output from the log:

####################################################
Bootloader for HeinrichsWeikamp OSTC,
based on TinyBootLoader, v.1.9.5 written by claudiu.chiculita@ugal.ro
http://www.etc.ugal.ro/cchiculita/softw ... loader.htm
Support: info@heinrichsweikamp.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Connected to \\.\COM4 at 19200
Searching for PIC ...Not found,
ERROR!

Connected to \\.\COM4 at 19200
HEX: 12 min old, INHX32,18Fcode+cfg, total=85599 bytes.
Searching for PIC ...Not found,
ERROR!

Connected to \\.\COM5 at 19200
Searching for PIC ...Not found,
ERROR!
####################################################

As you can see, I tried both "Check PIC" on COM4 and 5, and "Write Flash" on COM4, but nothing doing.

I've no idea why this has happened, I followed the same process as I've done for all the other firmware upgrades. I've never had a problem in the past.

[heinrichsweikamp]

Hi,

Don't try all com ports randomly, find out which one is the right one (Windows device manager).

Reset the unit with a magnet on the backside and then press Write flash within 10
seconds.

Regards,
Matthias

[bobdob]

Ah, great news, it's finally worked. The main problem was not knowing what "reset with a magnet" actually entailed. I've not had to do it before, and couldn't find any info on the exact steps.

What I was doing was holding the magnet under the unit until the orange light flashed, removed the magnet, and once the light stopped flashing click on "Write flash". I just tried clicking on "Write Flash" while the orange light was still flashing, and the firmware loaded.

Many, many, thanks for your help.