UIRT2 won't program, won't work, HELP!

[dizzy49]

I purchased a UIRT2 (bracket version) several months ago. I finally got the case it will be going in, and I'm trying to get it working. I have no idea if the thing was programmed before it came, I got the preassembled one. I have no idea what the "crystal" is, or where it is on the board. I don't see any kind of VPP pin. There is a tiny hole there, that's it. I've tried with the 12v, w/o it, with the jumpers on the two pins closest to C3. and further away. Everytime I get "ERROR progamming at 0x0000"
A couple times I said it couldn't open the com port (it's on COM1) when it was on com1, when it was on COM2 it I got something about unable to write 1st char or something. Now all I get is ERROR programming on 0x000 no matter that options I select. If I fire up girder it only Enables on Com1, and if I try to learn an event it says it receives errors.

HELP PLEASE!! :(

[dizzy49]

Oh yeah, how can I tell if I have 4mhz or 10mhz? I have a little silver thing that says 10.000M, so I assume it's 10mhz, that's the one I downloaded too.

[Promixis]

You have to 10mhz version.

Make sure you have power coming in the unit correctly via the WOL connection or whatever source you are using.

Preassembled units should be programmed.

Did you try the test program?

I had many problems at first and it took awhile to sort them out. I just rushed to quickly to try and get it working.

WARNING: do not disconnect/connect your receivers or emmiters without disconnecting power first!! I cooked the PIC and ULN doing that.

[dizzy49]

Well, I found out that I had the Data and the +5v swapped. I fixed that and now I'm getting "Cannot read 1st Char" Gonna go search on that now.

I have no idea how to use the test program. Too complicated. I need a "Test" button, and then a box to say, "Receiver works, trasnmitter works." :)

Sean

[dizzy49]

Okay, I forgot to put the jumper back on, hehehe. Still doesn't work, when I try to learn an IR code in Girder I get "Error Received from UIRT"
The light on Girder flashes yellow rapidly and is has FF0102FF0102 displayed.
I have another receiver, I hooked it up, and I'm getting the same results. No progress bar learning, Error Received from UIRT, and the code repeated until I turn it off.

Double checking wiring now....

Okay, checked wiring, I had had a thing of solder connecting ground and data.

Now, when I try to learn, I get nothing. No errors, no progress, nothing displayed. Grrr
Help!

Sean

[Wykat]

Well, I found out that I had the Data and the +5v swapped. I fixed that and now I'm getting "Cannot read 1st Char" Gonna go search on that now.

I have no idea how to use the test program. Too complicated. I need a "Test" button, and then a box to say, "Receiver works, trasnmitter works." :)

Sean

Although I have not tested it myself, I remember a discussion about a test program in this forum. Have a look here (http://free-zg.hinet.hr/DPM/) at the test program.

Wykat

[dizzy49]

Thanks WyKat, the testing program I had was no where near that simplified. Okay, here's what I get...

When it comes up, it defaults to Com2. When trying to open the different com ports here's the errors I get
Com1: ERROR - opening COM port
Com2: no 'OG' UIRT reply
Com3: ERROR - opening COM port
Com4: ERROR - opening COM port

TO be honest with you, I'm not sure what Com port it's actually plugged into. It thought it was on Com1. Its the only com port that Girder gives me a green bar on when trying to enable the plugin.

I recall an error with opening com port in other posts, and there was a programming fix for it, but I couldn't get mine to program since I bought the preassembled one. I would really like to get this thing working tonight and would appreciate any help!

Sean

[Wykat]

It doesn't matter if it's pre-programmed. You can program it yourself with the tools from Luc's homepage. When programming works you're also sure that the serial connection (including COM port is correct).

I don't know the OG error, but as long as you can't enable the plugin without error msg it's something with the receiver, cabling or plugin.

Wykat

[dizzy49]

I have the software to program it. I don't have a PPV pin or whatever it is that you attach the +12v to.

I downloaded the new Girder plug in. I can enable the UIRT on Com1 with Drop DTR @ TX checked, and at the bottom the slider is almost all the way to the left (fast).
It enables, and is green. No other com port will enable and be green, all the others are red.
If I add an event and learn, it just sits there and doesn't do anything.

When I get home I'm going to find the book for the mobo and figure out which is Com1 and Com2 so I know for certain but that still doesn't really give me any ideas. Either the cable is right, and something is wrong, or the cable is wrong, and eht UIRT or Girder is all screwy since it thinks it's on the wrong port.

[Wykat]

I have the software to program it. I don't have a PPV pin or whatever it is that you attach the +12v to.
You don't attach anything ! Just remove the jumper and you will be able to program. Re-install the jumper and the UIRT2 is ready for reception.

By the way what is a PPV pin ? It's some time ago I looked into detail of the UIRT2 schematics. :wink:

Wykat

[dizzy49]

I could of sworn I saw somewhere that the +12v was needed for programming the PIC. Okay, well if I don't need that, and I don't need the WOL then I should be ok. I'll try to program again when I get home.

Thanks Wykat, seems like you and I are the only ones here :) Think I'll head back to AVS now, I don't feel like such an idiot there :)

Sean

[Wykat]

eehh, back to avs again :wink: . You don't need WOL, but you do need a stable 5V power to the UIRT2. When you program the PIC, they use a so called pump (pump 5V to 12V). No extra wiring is required, just remove the jumper and the programming voltage works.

I still believe there is more chance finding a solution here then in AVS, but I'll try to follow both. wym summary is a globat how-to. First we have to find which part is blocking normal operation.

Wykat

[dizzy49]

eehh, back to avs again . You don't need WOL, but you do need a stable 5V power to the UIRT2. When you program the PIC, they use a so called pump (pump 5V to 12V). No extra wiring is required, just remove the jumper and the programming voltage works.

The serial cable is the only thing I have hooked up. So that is enough to power it for programming?

I still believe there is more chance finding a solution here then in AVS, but I'll try to follow both. wym summary is a globat how-to. First we have to find which part is blocking normal operation.

Oh, I agree with you there, even though you and I are the only people posting in this forum for the last 14 hours. Oh wait, Clown just posted a few minutes ago. I know more about video and computers than electronics and things. I just want to get this work so I can start programming it for Netremote! :)

Sean

[Promixis]

I am wondering if you cooked the PIC by hooking things up wrong....

I found out the hardway that the uirt is NOT idiot proof. Its not really a consumer friendly device. You have to use care and caution hooking it up - if you do it wrong or unplug the emitter or receiver with power on bad things happen. OR if you hooked up the power wrong.

[vynce]

Here is a detailed, step-by-step description of how to program the UIRT2: Programming the UIRT2 (http://www.fukushima.us/UIRT2/UIRT2B-Assembly.htm).

[dizzy49]

mjcumming,
Unfortunatly, I'm wondering the same thing. I think I may have fried something. I wonder if Radio Shack will have the parts I fried. What will I need a new crystal and PIC?

vynce,
Yeah, I lived on that site all night :) I think that had the picture of the aligator clip being used when programming the PIC.

[dizzy49]

Bah! Radio Shack doesn't have crap! I was hoping to pic up another PIC and Crystal, just in case. Wish I knew if the things were blownor not

[dizzy49]

Well, I think I have progress. I moved serial ports, and I verified it's on Com2 now. I bought 3 conductor wire, and a pretty gold mini-jack.

I wired the receiver and plugged it in and fired up the test program (the correct one). It immediatly starts receiving a bunch of stuff. I loaded up Girder, and got the UIRT plug in initialized for Com2. I added a command and tried to learn the IR. As soon as I hit Learn the progress bar starts moving. It gets to about 3 bars occasionally spikes up to 5 bars. If I hit the button on my remote it doesn't seem to affect it any.

If I turn off the computer, remove the receiver, and bring up the test program then It doesn't go nuts like it did before.

I'm working on putting in filter to see if that will work. I think I may be picking up noise. Have 5 computers in this room among other things.

I'll keep everyone posted. Any other ideas are welcomed.

Sean

[dizzy49]

I tried another receiver I have. I believe I have it hooked up properly, but I don't know about the IR, I received it with my DIGN case. I was told:
Red=+5v
Black=GND
White=Data
And I wired it accordingly. As soon as I loaded up Girder it started receiving signals, same with the test program. When trying to learn in Girder I get the "Error Received from UIRT". Just to test, I switched the Red and White, and it acted nicer, but the receiver wasn't receiving anything. Here's what I got in the test program then.

;Tester for UIRT and UIRT2 version 2.2
;Designed and tested with Jon Rhees fw 1.7
;with added LCD support by Anders stenkvist
;Anders.Stenkvist@home.se
Rec
88,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF;

*Press SetmodeUIR*
Sends:
20,E0;
Rec:
21; <OK Command>

*Press SetmodeRaw*
Sends:
21,DF;
Rec:
21; <OK Command>

*Press SetmodeStruct*
Sends:
22,DE;
Rec:
21; <OK Command>

*Press GetVersion*
Sends:
23,DD;
Rec:
01,04,FB;

*Press GetGPIOCaps*
Sends:
30,01,CF;
Rec:
04,03,06,00,00,F3

*Press GetGPIOcfg 0*
Sends:
31,02,00,CD; <Checksum Added>
Rec:
19,00,02,A0,A8,EA,FF,AA;

*Press GetGPIOCfg+cmdline*
Sends:
32,0A,00,C4; <Checksum added>
Rec:
80; <Error Checksum>
Rec:
81; <Error Timeout>

*Press GetGPIO*
Sends:
33,01,CC;
Rec:
00,09,00,00,F7;

*Press SetGPIO 0,0*
Sends:
34,03,00,00,C9; <Checksum added>
Rec:
20; <OK Transmitting>

Unfortunatly, I have NO idea what any of that means. I'm going to see if I can dig up a Capacitor and a Ferrite core to hook up to the receiver I got with the UIRT2 and see if that helps.

[Wykat]

I'm wondering about the bars you mention while learning. Are you learning the Power on command ? If so, please forget that for the time being, first try a normal command in Girder (is easier). Just add a simple command (e.g. an OSD) and learn the remote button by pressing the 'learn' button on the main Girder window. You should not get any bars, it should just tell you 'IR captured' in the left bottom of the main window.

Checked the schematics and I think you should be able to program the PIC without the WOL (just the serial connection should be OK).

I can't imagine your crystal will have been blown up. Secondly since you get responces in the test program, it looks like the PIC is still alive. I'm not familiar with the test program however. I still have a second UIRT2 laying around if needed I can perform the same test here.

Wykat

[dizzy49]

OKay, here's what I'm doing.
I boot computer.
Start Girder 3.2.5 pre 11
The UIRT2 is already enabled
I Rt Click in the Empty box on the left and select "Add Command"
I then select the Plugins tab and highlight the "UIRT driver" plugin and hit the Settings button.
I then select the Learn button at that point and a box comes up telling me to press the button until it learns it. There is a progress bar there, and it is moving w/o me touching my remote.

As for what I'm trying to learn, I'm just trying to learn "1" off of my Satellite remote. I just want something that will give me verification that it works. Once the "1" is learned I can attach a IR trasmitter later and check it.

It's 2am, I've been going at this thing for about 4 hours straight, I'm done for tonight.

[Wykat]

That means you're learning codes for transmitting with the UIRT2. Just to ensure that the basics are working;

Add command, then select in the lower right part Girder/Simple OSD and add text in Icon/Device. Press Apply to confirm.

Highlight the command you just added and press F5, you should get a simple OSD

Then press the learn button on the upper right side. Press a button on your remote and the command should have been captured.

Now if you press the button on the remote again, you should get the OSD. When this is all working at least your UIRT2 is in good shape.

Only hereafter I would recommend to start using the settings in the UIRT2 plugin. First I would want to be sure that the UIRT2 is working properly.

Wykat

[dizzy49]

That means you're learning codes for transmitting with the UIRT2. Just to ensure that the basics are working;

Add command, then select in the lower right part Girder/Simple OSD and add text in Icon/Device. Press Apply to confirm.

Highlight the command you just added and press F5, you should get a simple OSD

Then press the learn button on the upper right side. Press a button on your remote and the command should have been captured.

Now if you press the button on the remote again, you should get the OSD. When this is all working at least your UIRT2 is in good shape.

Only hereafter I would recommend to start using the settings in the UIRT2 plugin. First I would want to be sure that the UIRT2 is working properly.

Wykat

Okay, got as far as pressing F5 and having the simple OSD come up. Now, when I went to press the "Learn Event" in the upper right, it gives me a dropdown box of events, (GirderOpen, GirderClose, etc.). I tried pressing a button on the remote then, but it didn't do anything. Was I missing something?

Sean

[Wykat]

Hi again, sorry it didn't work the first day 8)

The pull down box should be on ALL and not on Girder. I don't even know what the Girder option means, never used it.

If the learn button remains gray, then there is no input device (e.g. UIRT2) available to Girder.

Please select all in the drop down box and press learn (if possible). Then press the button on the remote.

good luck,
Wykat

[dizzy49]

When I hit Learn Event here is what I see. A box that says:
"Type Command Line Eventstring or Select one of the Girder events."
There are two drop down boxes, the top one is blank and active, the bottom one says "All" and is greyed out. There are two buttons, OK and Select.

Went to Radio Shack to pick up the capacitor and ferrite filter so I can put them on my receiver.

Okay, The instuctions sat 100nF capacitor. Is that 100 MICRO-Ferrite? Or 100 NANO-Ferrite, or what? Does it need to be a ceramic? Or can it be one that looks like a tube (I have no idea what to call them). Also, the guy at Radio Shack has never heard of a Ferrite filter, would it be called anything else?

I'll work in it more when I get home.

Sean

[Wykat]

I'm lost.

The window header should be 'girder 3.2'
then you see ' file. edit. command, help'
then on the left you should see 'new, new, evensting' (option to open the directories via '+')
on the right window you shold see 'Enabled and Invert' boxes' (Invert is grayed out)
Right of that you should see in a drop down box the 'all' option. Right of that box, the option 'learn'. If the 'all' option is 'Girder' change it to all. When you have 'all' and 'learn' is still gray, your receiver isn't working ;( .

Wykat

[dizzy49]

Ah, ok Wykat, I am following you now. Ok, well I checked out the other received I have. It has a 100 microferrite capacitor on it. So since I couldn't get that POS working, I ripped it off, and I found a ferrite filter on an old video card so I ripped that off. I hooked it up to the receiver, and it works. Both the thing I was trying, and I finally figured out what you were saying and I got that working.
Sweet! Now I can put this case together!
Now I get to try to figure out how to actually work Girder and get it to do something :) Off to the How-To! Anyone have any other Girder How-Tos other than the one posted on this site?

Thanks for all your help Wykat!

Sean

On to stage two!