MCSP with USB to RS-232 converter

[mackrackit]

Could be the adapter.
A Belkin adapter will not work with my PICSTART+ but an adapter from Triplite will.

[BrianT]

I only have one USB to RS-232 converter so I will get another in the next day or two and try that. The one I have works fine at 19,200 bps but maybe it can't keep up at the bootloader speed which I think is 154,000 bps.

Thanks
BrianT

[Dave]

BrianT, Why not just select the bootloader baudrate box marked "Auto detect" in the Microcode loader window?

Dave Purola,
N8NTA

[BrianT]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the tip. I have now tested the RS-232/USB converter as you suggested with Auto, 19,200 bps and 115,200 bps. About one attempt in 10 gets through in Auto or 115,200 bps. None has worked at 19,200 bps.

I get from 1 to 6 green 'progress' squares then MicroCode Loader hangs. After a Ctrl/Alt/Del the Task Manager shows MicroCode Loader is not responding.

I suspect that different USB/RS232 converters have different internal or end-to-end delays and although a converter may be able to sustain high speeds, long delays might run foul of some MCSP timing assumptions.

I still cannot get the ASUS or the Sony VAIO to program a PIC 18F4620 using PBP 2.50b and provided with MCSP 3.0.0.5.

Still hopeful.
BrianT

[BrianT]

I bought another USB to RS-232 converter. The first one cost $25, the later one cost $19.95 and it works! Seems you can pay too much for a USB to RS-232 converter.

I am firmly of the belief that MCS Loader is time sensitive and it is pot luck whether the converter you buy has a short or long internal delay. Both the converters I have tried claimed 1 Mbps throughput so raw speed is not the issue.

The one that worked came from Electus, part number XC4834. The package is labeled GUC-AD9.

HTH
BrianT