UIRT summary needed

[Wykat]

I've build the original (Ruud) UIRT and am using this for some months now. I also followed the thread on updating the design, but got lost in all the different firmware versions, capabilities, etc (and apparently I'm not the only one)

Therefor can somebody give us an update of the present status?

Is there a new schematic and PCB design ?
Which firmware must be used ? (does it still support in line programming?)
Which power up capabilities does it support ? (WOL, WOR, parallel power switch)
Can the additional IO ports be used as keys for Girder ?
Is the PIC power solved ? (what about the new PS/2 remark from Ruud ?)

Wykat

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Wykat on 2002-03-08 08:25 ]</font>

[Ruud]

Hi Wykat,

Sorry, no answer from me, but a confirmation that it would be nice to know what all happened with the UIRT (during my absence) without having to read 300 messages. So a small resume would be very nice. Also it would be nice to know if it is worth the time to continue the PS2 project (which uptil now after some testing really looks promissing)

Ruud

[GoldServe]

Don't give up on the ps2 project! I'm looking forward to build these things with a PCB board and surface mount components too =} HEHE

[Wykat]

hmmm, are my questions too difficult ? I don't hope this is going to get a priviliged girder part.

I truely think it will help many people to get a simple explanation.

Wykat

[jediperry]

I think the problem is that there are many working branches of the project that different people know about. I think jon_rhees' v1.6 firmware & plugin is the latest code and supports everything you mentioned above.
As for the circuit, I think any of the designs should work to some extent depending on what you want. I have no experience with the incircuit programming bit so can't help there. I power mine from the wol connector so my pic 0V is connected to pc 0V but I don't remember if someone figured out a way of doing that at the same time as having the in-circuit programmability.
I know thats not the best sanswer, but it is all i have time for at the moment.

Mike

[Wykat]

First of all many thanks, especially because it demonstrates why many people will have problems following the improvements.

If I understand your comments correctly, everything should now be possible with exception of the in line programming.

so....

Any of the designs will work with the John Rees 1.6 firmware. Which design I take will just depend on the functionality I want. (I still have to go through the proposal then)

The PS/2 thing is new and not (yet) included in any of the designs.

To be honest, I don't feel really secure with this way. Personally I would prefer 'reference design kits'. So maybe you just post what you're using, then at least others now which configurations work.

Wykat

[Robin]

I've been using Jon's 1.6 firmware and schematic also ... he's posted a fair amount on his web site http://www.geocities.com/jon_rhees/UIRT

Mine is quite closely based on his PCPoweredNoICSP ... as I have my own PIC programmer I didn't want or need the In-Circuit bit, and after a few teething issues I discovered that I didn't need most of the resistors (although I don't think that they were the cause of the problems).

However, as this doesn't have the ASM source it would be extremely interesting trying to disassemble the firmware and adapt for PS2 use.

Just letting you all know that this one definitely works.

[Sandros]

Robin,

The only things I dont understand about the PCPoweredNoICSP.GIF schematic is the PCPWRBTN and +5VSB connection? Is it also possible to use an external power supply or get power from the keyboard? I've been using ruuds design and can send but after each send i get "Err no ACK". So I'm thinking to build this version and hope it will finally work...

[Robin]

Sandros,

I believe this circuit was intended to give the builder as much scope as possible for alterations ... the 1.6 firmware (& plugin) allow for many 'learned codes', however the schematic only shows output for one ... this can obviously be adapted as desired.

This particular schematic shows how to switch a PC on from a powered-down state ... the 5vsb (stand-by) allows the UIRT to function whilst the PC is off (which could be taken from the keyboard connector on some machines, or an external PSU where not available).

The PCPWRBTN is effectively a switch, sitting across the PC's own power switch (only one side of the switch will work though) ... this could have been adapted (inverted I think) to allow for WOL or WOR, but Jon preferred the power switch.

I was happy with my UIR before, but the UIRT is unbelievable ... it's so nice just to press a button on my remote and watch the PC burst into life ... however, my HTPC is NOT in a case, it's just screwed to a shelf under my TV, so having to connect to things that are normally inside the case wasn't a problem.

Ruud seems to be working on a version that uses the PS2 port ... which won't require opening the box ... I look forward to seeing the results !

[Sandros]

So if I want to use the external power supply with the UIRT I could just hook it up on the +5VSB and leave out the 2N3904 and 1K resistor and for ground just connect the external power ground to PCGND right?

I think the power from the RS232 is still te problem why my UIRT won't work correctly so by using an adapter as external power source
(or maybe tap the +5V from my keyb) I hope I can fix this.

Thanks in advance

[Antti]

On 2002-03-10 13:01, jediperry wrote:
...I think jon_rhees' v1.6 firmware & plugin is the latest code and supports everything you mentioned above...

Mike



Quite weird. I've got UIRT built by Ruud's schematics and only programmer and firmware that works are Danijel Pticar's versions. I tried John Rhees's and Ruud's but they don't work. I only get "no og answer" with them. Something wrong?

[Wykat]

Same for me....

Therefor I now wait for the PS2 version.

Wykat

[vbray]

never mind, this post was obsoleted by this thread:
http://www.girder.nl/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1430