The xpress board I ordered arrived today. I pkugged it into a win 7 pc.
Win said searching for drivers. Screen message then said usb device not configured but 3 other checks ok.
The what do you want to do with this device appeared. I could open it and it's drive F:.
Checking devices and printers it says it's working properly.
A point not mentioned. As it's a removeable storage device you should click the triangle-show hidden icons and click usb icon,select device and wait for safe to remove device message.
I have broken usb storage by just unplugging. Do users just unplug xpress boards?
Also the 4 leds are flashing in sequence?
512 bytes used of 128K. Is that the boot loader?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Look in FlashPic.bat. Look for the XPressboard loader . un REM and REM what you have operational today.
Open up the demos... vendor board/Xpress boards. Start with #1 and work through to the end.
Flash and enjoy.
A few comments on your post.
The xpress board I ordered arrived today. I pkugged it into a win 7 pc. Lovely
Win said searching for drivers. Screen message then said usb device not configured but 3 other checks ok. No idea what you mean
The what do you want to do with this device appeared. I could open it and it's drive F:.
Checking devices and printers it says it's working properly.Excellent
A point not mentioned. As it's a removeable storage device you should click the triangle-show hidden icons and click usb icon,select device and wait for safe to remove device message.Really, where does it say this? **
I have broken usb storage by just unplugging. Do users just unplug xpress boards? This condicts the line about.... at some point in life you may want to unplug... live dangerously.. unplug it
Also the 4 leds are flashing in sequence? Excellent - means the nice people of Microchip have preprogrammed it
512 bytes used of 128K. Is that the boot loader? No idea what you mean. But, I am totally guessing that you mean the 512 of the 128k USB storage.. if so, NO this is not. This is the one block of the Virtual USB storage used up by the web page on the Virtual USB drive'*
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I read that post. Batch files are not my favourites. The demo flashing was easy but does that apply to pptool? Can I use that now from xpress board in picprogtools?
Someone posted recently,can't find it but said just drag the file to program it. Is that in mplab? If you can drag a hex file and it'll flash it then just create hex file and always store it in drive F:
Silly idea, I just got it today.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
So far it's like a uno. plug n play. needs pins soldered to board, just holes. I want my money back :)
Busy with game. Got ship move left right and fire rocket and collision detect for each sprite and ship. Aliens drop things next. Fun
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Just got home I have been away all week ( Staying on a Vineyard - I hate my job sometimes) :>).
Congrats on the Xpress Board, you have a good toy there.
It is fully plug and play so just ignore all of Microsoft's misleading chirps, it works in WIN7 without drivers.
It has NO Bootloader - you are looking at the edmo program.
It has a built in PKOB Programmer, that is what you are seeing as Drive F:
If you don't want to follow Anobium advice on changing the batch file you don't have too.
Just hit the HEX button to compile and then copy the resulting .hex file onto drive F: - it will program the device.
I hear you on removing flash drives, I have bricked a few, but I never eject the XPress board and it has never failed to work on either Linux or WIN7.
Now have a look at all the demo programs that Anobium has written in the Demo/board/Xpress (may not be the actual address but you get the idea) folder.
Cheers
Chris
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
@stancartwright, I have a couple of different Xpress boards and have to say, based on the efforts of Evan and the rest of the GCB crew, I have had not a single problem getting on with the xpress boards. Even all of the excellent demos provided have worked, again, without any issues. Maybe you could provide a bit of info as to the problems you are having to see if maybe there is a simple solution and we could possibly be of help. Don't dismiss these little gems so quickly.
Give this a shot... what issues are you having? Give a discription of what issues you are having. Maybe even I could help as my success rate with these have been pretty good based on the original xpress board and one of the new ones. I agree with you that these are a bit pricier than some of the mass produced cloned arduino boards out there, but they definitely work, and work very well. Do you live in the U.S.? If so, maybe you just had some indigestion like I did based on a great ThanksGiving eating experience...
Start from square one, whats not working? I'm ready to help, my GCB friend....
Last edit: Moto Geek 2017-11-25
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
the code in the screen shot is not working. apart from the #chip it should/did work. connected display ok label to label.
the demo flash leds sequence worked but there's pps stuff. I think I got to set up this but strange error message about buffer. don't mention that buffer,I haven't touched it this time.
first time experience and anobium let me be a tester...so I'm testing it.
Not a good result. joe user report
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Saying for the third time. Take the demos and work through them. One by one. Then you will learn why your code failed
the demonstration will introduce the product, :input/outputs, how to use the ADC (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the Serial (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the PWM (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the CCP?PWM (and, then you can play spotted the differences), CLC etc etc.
Or, read the datasheet.
Last edit: Anobium 2017-11-25
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Unless you want the extra hassle then a uno is easier for a newcomer to gcb that wants to program a 8 bit ucontroller. xpress board is not for a beginner. I think the first time gcb user would expect it to be just like an arduino but it's not.
It's got complicated before first hello world program.
Sorry guys, I would not recomend for newcomer to gcb though £12 is a small pizza.
Does my 16MHz uno or 18f25k22 at 64MHz run code faster or slower than xpress 16f18855,32 ?
I just tried using glcd ssd1306 again. No example for xpress or 16f18855. The examples there are, are not relevent to using a ssd1306, and the pps bit is unknown and looks too complicated. In a box with rpis for later. Can't be bothered. No fun at all.Time I've had it I could have made a robot.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I think the error The array SSD1306_BUFFERALIAS is too large is probably because the express board 16f18855 has only 1024 bytes ram.
Getting the idea how pps works from help.
Anobium's youtube vid was helpful. I used pps tool successfully to set sda and scl. Strange at first, programming pins, who would have thought years ago.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hey Stan, glad you got a hold of PPS. I've been playing with the xpress boards and the PPS program included in GCB makes using these "assignable" pins pretty much a breeze. I hope you continue to play with these boards, as the more you find out, the more it helps other people here.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
@All. Give a huge 'call out' to Pete Everett. He developed the tool and it is totally brilliant.... if it not for him you would be learning MPLAB-X IDE, wading thru datasheets or using the Arduino IDE!!!
I remember when Kent first asked.. how are we going to resolve PPS.... now we have PPSTOOL!!
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Thanks to Pete and all the contributors to GCB. Its been amazing to watch this compiler evolve into a fantastic tool for both 8-bit PIC and Atmel products.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
@Evan, you are totally correct here. If it wasn't for Pete's PPS tool, I probably would have felt like Stan did before he found that. I probably would have given up on the new pics. So Pete, your name should live in infamey on the credits page of GCB. Outstanding job!!! I wish I could figure out what kind of a great mind can create things like that. A very sincere THANK YOU to you PETE EVERET!!!! Pete drops the mic, leaves the room, standing ovation.....
Last edit: Moto Geek 2017-11-28
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Before the tool I was using the datasheets to determine the correct PPS settings. This was a real pain. The tool shortened the process at least 20 fold. Nice.
So I have used the tool to help create templates/snippets for the chips that I most commonly use. A couple of clicks and a new file is created with #chip, #configs, #startup, #option and the InitPPS sub with HI2C, Serial, etc all ready to go.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
In the Moment I do have no use of PPSTool, but good to know it's working under Linux with wine also.
:-)
I think I make a Page about PPSTool at Homepage it deserves it's own Page!
added: the Display of pinout works, also, had incidently chosen the wrong example.
But it lacks the Pinout overlay Picture.
Maybe the xpress board pins default when first powered to the board labels.
After trying the leds and pot demo I tried connecting a ssd1306 but got error ssd1306_bufferalias too large because the 16f18855 has only 1K ram.
Could the usb part of the board be modded to program other pics in circuit or does the pic need a boot loader?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The xpress board I ordered arrived today. I pkugged it into a win 7 pc.
Win said searching for drivers. Screen message then said usb device not configured but 3 other checks ok.
The what do you want to do with this device appeared. I could open it and it's drive F:.
Checking devices and printers it says it's working properly.
A point not mentioned. As it's a removeable storage device you should click the triangle-show hidden icons and click usb icon,select device and wait for safe to remove device message.
I have broken usb storage by just unplugging. Do users just unplug xpress boards?
Also the 4 leds are flashing in sequence?
512 bytes used of 128K. Is that the boot loader?
Stan,
Look in FlashPic.bat. Look for the XPressboard loader . un REM and REM what you have operational today.
Open up the demos... vendor board/Xpress boards. Start with #1 and work through to the end.
Flash and enjoy.
A few comments on your post.
The xpress board I ordered arrived today. I pkugged it into a win 7 pc. Lovely
Win said searching for drivers. Screen message then said usb device not configured but 3 other checks ok. No idea what you mean
The what do you want to do with this device appeared. I could open it and it's drive F:.
Checking devices and printers it says it's working properly.Excellent
A point not mentioned. As it's a removeable storage device you should click the triangle-show hidden icons and click usb icon,select device and wait for safe to remove device message.Really, where does it say this? **
I have broken usb storage by just unplugging. Do users just unplug xpress boards? This condicts the line about.... at some point in life you may want to unplug... live dangerously.. unplug it
Also the 4 leds are flashing in sequence? Excellent - means the nice people of Microchip have preprogrammed it
512 bytes used of 128K. Is that the boot loader? No idea what you mean. But, I am totally guessing that you mean the 512 of the 128k USB storage.. if so, NO this is not. This is the one block of the Virtual USB storage used up by the web page on the Virtual USB drive'*
The led flash code in demo/vendors/xpress worked no problem flas hex after unreming xpressboard in batch file in prog tools.
I saw the read me in F:
Have at this posting. It may Help you .
https://sourceforge.net/p/gcbasic/discussion/projects%26guides/thread/81f52ddf/
I read that post. Batch files are not my favourites. The demo flashing was easy but does that apply to pptool? Can I use that now from xpress board in picprogtools?
Someone posted recently,can't find it but said just drag the file to program it. Is that in mplab? If you can drag a hex file and it'll flash it then just create hex file and always store it in drive F:
Silly idea, I just got it today.
You crack on. My insights are sometimes useful.
So far it's like a uno. plug n play. needs pins soldered to board, just holes. I want my money back :)
Busy with game. Got ship move left right and fire rocket and collision detect for each sprite and ship. Aliens drop things next. Fun
Hi Stan,
Just got home I have been away all week ( Staying on a Vineyard - I hate my job sometimes) :>).
Congrats on the Xpress Board, you have a good toy there.
It is fully plug and play so just ignore all of Microsoft's misleading chirps, it works in WIN7 without drivers.
It has NO Bootloader - you are looking at the edmo program.
It has a built in PKOB Programmer, that is what you are seeing as Drive F:
If you don't want to follow Anobium advice on changing the batch file you don't have too.
Just hit the HEX button to compile and then copy the resulting .hex file onto drive F: - it will program the device.
I hear you on removing flash drives, I have bricked a few, but I never eject the XPress board and it has never failed to work on either Linux or WIN7.
Now have a look at all the demo programs that Anobium has written in the Demo/board/Xpress (may not be the actual address but you get the idea) folder.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Chris. I tried my first code with it and doh!
thinks i got to pps every pin,what do they default to...labels on the board??
uno easier, less probs
Last edit: stan cartwright 2017-11-24
yep.disappointed. what now, ask on the forum, not a good start.I could have got 4 unos and no probs
@stancartwright, I have a couple of different Xpress boards and have to say, based on the efforts of Evan and the rest of the GCB crew, I have had not a single problem getting on with the xpress boards. Even all of the excellent demos provided have worked, again, without any issues. Maybe you could provide a bit of info as to the problems you are having to see if maybe there is a simple solution and we could possibly be of help. Don't dismiss these little gems so quickly.
Give this a shot... what issues are you having? Give a discription of what issues you are having. Maybe even I could help as my success rate with these have been pretty good based on the original xpress board and one of the new ones. I agree with you that these are a bit pricier than some of the mass produced cloned arduino boards out there, but they definitely work, and work very well. Do you live in the U.S.? If so, maybe you just had some indigestion like I did based on a great ThanksGiving eating experience...
Start from square one, whats not working? I'm ready to help, my GCB friend....
Last edit: Moto Geek 2017-11-25
the code in the screen shot is not working. apart from the #chip it should/did work. connected display ok label to label.
the demo flash leds sequence worked but there's pps stuff. I think I got to set up this but strange error message about buffer. don't mention that buffer,I haven't touched it this time.
first time experience and anobium let me be a tester...so I'm testing it.
Not a good result. joe user report
Saying for the third time. Take the demos and work through them. One by one. Then you will learn why your code failed
the demonstration will introduce the product, :input/outputs, how to use the ADC (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the Serial (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the PWM (and, then you can play spotted the differences), how to use the CCP?PWM (and, then you can play spotted the differences), CLC etc etc.
Or, read the datasheet.
Last edit: Anobium 2017-11-25
Are you using the orginal xpress board... This one... DM164140
There are 3 or 4 other ones, so just trying to narrow it down.
Last edit: Moto Geek 2017-11-25
Unless you want the extra hassle then a uno is easier for a newcomer to gcb that wants to program a 8 bit ucontroller. xpress board is not for a beginner. I think the first time gcb user would expect it to be just like an arduino but it's not.
It's got complicated before first hello world program.
Sorry guys, I would not recomend for newcomer to gcb though £12 is a small pizza.
Does my 16MHz uno or 18f25k22 at 64MHz run code faster or slower than xpress 16f18855,32 ?
I just tried using glcd ssd1306 again. No example for xpress or 16f18855. The examples there are, are not relevent to using a ssd1306, and the pps bit is unknown and looks too complicated. In a box with rpis for later. Can't be bothered. No fun at all.Time I've had it I could have made a robot.
I think the error The array SSD1306_BUFFERALIAS is too large is probably because the express board 16f18855 has only 1024 bytes ram.
Getting the idea how pps works from help.
Anobium's youtube vid was helpful. I used pps tool successfully to set sda and scl. Strange at first, programming pins, who would have thought years ago.
Hey Stan, glad you got a hold of PPS. I've been playing with the xpress boards and the PPS program included in GCB makes using these "assignable" pins pretty much a breeze. I hope you continue to play with these boards, as the more you find out, the more it helps other people here.
@All. Give a huge 'call out' to Pete Everett. He developed the tool and it is totally brilliant.... if it not for him you would be learning MPLAB-X IDE, wading thru datasheets or using the Arduino IDE!!!
I remember when Kent first asked.. how are we going to resolve PPS.... now we have PPSTOOL!!
Thanks to Pete and all the contributors to GCB. Its been amazing to watch this compiler evolve into a fantastic tool for both 8-bit PIC and Atmel products.
@Evan, you are totally correct here. If it wasn't for Pete's PPS tool, I probably would have felt like Stan did before he found that. I probably would have given up on the new pics. So Pete, your name should live in infamey on the credits page of GCB. Outstanding job!!! I wish I could figure out what kind of a great mind can create things like that. A very sincere THANK YOU to you PETE EVERET!!!! Pete drops the mic, leaves the room, standing ovation.....
Last edit: Moto Geek 2017-11-28
Yep,
Before the tool I was using the datasheets to determine the correct PPS settings. This was a real pain. The tool shortened the process at least 20 fold. Nice.
So I have used the tool to help create templates/snippets for the chips that I most commonly use. A couple of clicks and a new file is created with #chip, #configs, #startup, #option and the InitPPS sub with HI2C, Serial, etc all ready to go.
In the Moment I do have no use of PPSTool, but good to know it's working under Linux with wine also.
:-)
I think I make a Page about PPSTool at Homepage it deserves it's own Page!
added: the Display of pinout works, also, had incidently chosen the wrong example.
But it lacks the Pinout overlay Picture.
Last edit: bed 2017-11-28
Maybe the xpress board pins default when first powered to the board labels.
After trying the leds and pot demo I tried connecting a ssd1306 but got error ssd1306_bufferalias too large because the 16f18855 has only 1K ram.
Could the usb part of the board be modded to program other pics in circuit or does the pic need a boot loader?