USBPICPROG Firmware Loading and programming

In the previous blog I had mentioned that I had completed the hardware but I was not able to test the hardware. I had to load the bootloader into the controller. I tried doing it with my serial programmer but for some reason it did not work. Luckily I had given another Ic to my friend who got it programmed for me. I plugged that IC in the hardware and the board worked like a charm.

Upon connecting the jumpers as specified by the USBPICPROG website and connecting the USB to the USBPICPROG hardware with the software opened resulting in some LEDs flashing. At the bottom of the software Bootloader v.1.0. connected appears. I then loaded the Firmware-0.5.0.hex into the software and clicked on programming. In about 7 secs the PIC got programmed with the bootloader.

I removed the USB and connected the other jumper also. I reinserted the USB and started the software again and I was greeted with Your firmware is too old. Latest is 1.0.0. Consider upgrading? This being the first time that I was using this hardware I was too scared to try anything new. I was excited to use the hardware atleast once before trying anything new. So I ignored the update.

I connected another controller on a bread board and connected the necessary pins required for ICSP. I connected it to the hardware and tried autodetect hardware and to my surprise without any more problems it detected the PIC. I could then go ahead and program the PIC. I tried programming few other PICs also and it worked just fine.

After several use of the software the update request had started annoying me and I decided to update the firmware to the latest. I selected ok and it took me to /usr/share/usbpicprog. There was a firmware hex file which had already been downloaded without my knowledge. I selected it. Both the jumpers where still connected as against the advice from the website. The websites requires that one of the jumpers be removed to enter the bootloader mode before upgrading the firmware. On selecting the hex file it automatically started programming. On restarting the software I got a nice shock. The software said Bootloader or firmware not detected!!!

That message scared me and I thought I was done with the firmware I need to reload the bootloader. Just as a desperate measure I removed one of the jumper and reconnected the hardware. And the hardware booted in the Bootloader mode!!! PHEW!!! I felt relieved and I loaded the older firmware. I was pretty confident now that the bootloader remains safe and can be used for rescue always. On restarting it detected the old firmware and again gave an option to upgrade. This time I noticed that the I had forgotten to remove the ICSP connected to the other PIC. I removed the ICSP pins but still kept both the jumpers connected. On selecting the new firmware like the last time it got programmed correctly this time. And reinserting the usb showed the latest firmware version at the bottom of the software.

So I am finally set with the latest firmware and a working usbpicprog hardware.