No upload request from newly constructed core v3

[janlugt]

After not doing anything with the Midibox stuff I had lying around for a couple of years (no time...), i decided it was time to finally finish the project I once started (to build a Midibox SID). I've built a Core v3 module with a PIC 18F452, but my Mac doesn't receive an upload request from the core module. Hereby my observations while doing the troubleshooting guide:

TEST PROG1: PIC is programmed and verified with my own PIC programmer (A Wisp628). Programmed mios_update_v1_9f/pic18f452/burner/bootloader_v1_2b_pic18f452.hex to it.

TEST CORE1: Verified (ordered by www.mikes-elektronikseite.de).

TEST CORE2: Not relevant.

TEST CORE3: Checked, checked and double-checked.

TEST CORE4: All voltages are 5,0V (give or take 0,02 V).

TEST CORE5: All voltages are 5,0V.

TEST CORE6: Polarities checked. I presume mbhp_core_extract_midi_plugs.gif shows the holes in the sockets to which J12 and J13 are to be connected, not the pins of the cable. Checked both possibilities. This may not be entirely clear in the documentation, causing it to be a frequent problem for n00bs like me :-)

TEST CORE7: Polarity of the diode is right.

TEST CORE8: Both are 218 Ohm according to my meter. Checked all the other resistances too, should all be ok.

TEST CORE9: Cables are crosslinked.

TEST CORE10: Checked for shorts, aren't there.

TEST CORE11: 2200 uF cap should be ok, not certain (exchanged it with another one). Can I check this?

TEST OUT1: It flickers.

TEST OUT2: Tried this too, no result.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

edit: after changing the PIC, the voltage on the TX pin showed up OK, and the output flickers like it's supposed to. However, my Mac receives garbled MIDI (using mmj):

00000004610968 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000004610969 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004612862 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004614754 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004616646 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004618538 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004619501 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000004619503 ms | [FD] Undefined
00000004619505 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619507 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619510 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619512 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619514 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619516 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619519 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619521 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619523 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619525 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619527 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619530 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619532 ms | [FC] Stop
00000004619534 ms | [FC] Stop

And this is what Mandolane makes of it:

00000000009840 ms | [F3 7C] Song Select: 124
00000000009841 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000009841 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000009841 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000011731 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000011731 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000011733 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000013624 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000013624 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000013625 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000015516 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000015517 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000015518 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000017408 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000017409 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000017410 ms | [FF] System Reset
00000000019301 ms | [FF] System Reset

[nILS]

What MIDI interface do you use? Is it possibly blacklisted? (See WIKI)

[janlugt]

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't aware of a interface blacklist (maybe reference it in the troubleshooting guide), but I've tried several interfaces. One of them was an ESI M8U, that might have given trouble. Another one was a cheap interface bought on dealextreme, and another one is a Focusrite Saffire LE. This is the output when I connect the core to the Saffire:

00000000414697 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000414698 ms | [F3 03] Song Select: 3
00000000418480 ms | SysEx: F0 03 7F F7
00000000420374 ms | SysEx: F0 03 7F F7
00000000422264 ms | SysEx: F0 03 7F F7
00000000423982 ms | [F8] Timing clock
00000000423986 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000423988 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000423992 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000423993 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000423995 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000423999 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424000 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424002 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424003 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424006 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424009 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424010 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424014 ms | [FC] Stop
00000000424017 ms | [FC] Stop

The sysex looks a little bit like the upload request, but something still goes wrong... What components of the core module shall I replace? I'll buy some new ones at the local electronics store, that's no problem.

[nILS]

Sth else that happens fairly regularly is constant reboots. There's also something on the WIKI iirc (and definitely on the forum) ;) Maybe give that a shot?

[janlugt]

Wouldn't it be kind of strange if it were to constantly reboot precisely every two seconds? How can I check whether or not it reboots? If it does, what would be the best thing to do?

[nILS]

Oh right, I missed that. It does look like it tries to send the upload request every 2 seconds before it starts with the 0xFC. Got a different computer handy? Maybe even a gm5?

[janlugt]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, my bad. I let it run for about 7 seconds and then i turned off the power supply. The F8 and FC's occur when i turn it off. Guess they're not really relevant.

edit: also tried several mac's. Even started one up in Boot Camp to try it under Windows. Guess the problem is in the core module...

[TK.]

Could you please try "TEST INOUT1" (loopback through core) with MIOS Studio.

First send some notes - the MIDI Output monitor as well as Input monitor should display the same event.

Thereafter push the "Start" button of the upload window - both monitors should show the same SysEx string.

Best Regards, Thorsten.