HELP can’t load 2.6 APM Firmware!!! (Resolved)

[FlyingMouse]

My new APM Mini arrived today and I have been trying to load the new 2.6 firmware onto it without any luck!
This is just the board, no compass/esc/receiver attached.

This is the order of events.

I start Mission Planner
Connect Board (lights = Green solid, flashing Red & rapid Blue)
Hit Connect
Splash screen = Mavlink Connecting (green bar goes across)
Splash screen = New Firmware available hit OK
Hit Disconnect to down load
Go to Initial Setup then Install Firmware
Pick Hex version X
It is detecting board version then reading Hex (green bar stops from the end) then I get a splash screen    "Communication Error – no connection"



The Internet is working as I am getting emails & browsing the web plus posting on forum!!!

Any help or ideas would be very welcome.

[Paul01]

try a different USB cable, preferably a shorter one

[FlyingMouse]

try a different USB cable, preferably a shorter one

Only have one!  it's been fine with the Naze32 board.  If nothing else works I will order one thanks.

[Paul01]

also if on a PC use the ports at the back not the front

[FlyingMouse]

I've tried my laptop as well with no luck.  The USB cable I have is only 24 inch long, but you have made me think now. Cheers.

[FlyingMouse]

Thinking back when I first started (I must have tried 8-9 times now) I was getting splash screens saying "connection with com port/denied" or "no connection with diydrones".

[Paul01]

I had an issue loading the latest firmware on my mini apm in mission planner and managed to do it using APM planner, which seemed to resolve the issue in Mission Planner.

[pheasant_plucker]

When you first start mission planner then connect the FC via usb don';t click connect first. Install the firmware and connect only when it has installed.

Gerry

[FlyingMouse]

When you first start mission planner then connect the FC via usb don';t click connect first. Install the firmware and connect only when it has installed.

Gerry

Tried that as well! cheers anyway.

[FlyingMouse]

Just tried to download APM Planner 2, but the download speed is soooooooooo slow it will take about an hour to save the file, maybe, just maybe it's their web site that's giving me my troubles!   

[Paul01]

if its still slow you can download it from here

https://lfc.asuscomm.com/AICLOUD1106564592/apm_planner2_latest_win.exe

[FlyingMouse]

Just tried again and got this splash screen.

Check port settings or port in use? System. Exception: Upload failed. Lost sync. Try Arduino!! @ Mission Planner. Utilities .Firmware.Upload Flasah (string comport. String filename,boards board)in C:\Users\hog\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\Ardupilot Mega\Ardupilot\Mega\Utilites\Firmware cs:line 1066

[Paul01]

try loading a different firmware like Arduplane, and if that works try flashing Arducopter

[FlyingMouse]

try loading a different firmware like Arduplane, and if that works try flashing Arducopter

No luck getting the same,   Communication Error – no connection   

[Paul01]

have you checked that the board shows up in device manager?

[FlyingMouse]

have you checked that the board shows up in device manager?

Yes it shows up in Ports (com & LPT)  as Arduino Mega 2560 (com8) with NO markers against it!

[Paul01]

Sounds similar to the issue i had, couldn';t flash it with mission planner in windows until i updated it in APM planner on my Mac. Not quite sure to suggest next other than the USB cable

[FlyingMouse]

Every think else is working i.e.:  I can set up the radio, tell it which is up and down etc. just can't update it.
Will try tomorrow with a new USB cable, been at it over eight hours now!  Time for a coffee and lie down. lol.
Many thanks for your help and input will keep you posted.

[quadfather]

Every think else is working i.e.:  I can set up the radio, tell it which is up and down etc. just can't update it.
Will try tomorrow with a new USB cable, been at it over eight hours now!  Time for a coffee and lie down. lol.
Many thanks for your help and input will keep you posted.

Could it be a firewall issue?  It seems that Mission Planner connects to your APM fine but the download of the firmware fails.

[Hands0n]

I had this happen with an RCTimer APM 2.6 clone. It was okay at first, loaded up the 3.2 quad firmware no probs. Then one day tried to load a Hex firmware on it and ... nothing. Exactly as FlyingMouse describes.  I never solved it, the APM is now back in its packet with uncertain firmware on it!  I really ought to get it out and work at it again. 

[tupoar]

I have a Mac. If you want you can send it to me and I can try and flash it for you.

PM me and I';ll send you my address. Same goes for you Hands0n.

[Hands0n]

Cheers @tupoar - I have a Mac also - I can';t remember if I tried it in APM Planner, it was a bit of a rush as I';d sold it on to someone and it went wrong, so I was trying to find out what was wrong with it.  It is in my box ';o bits now ... waiting for another slug at it. 

I';ll watch this thread and if a Mac sorts it I';ll dig it out and try again.

I do need to find out how to install a bootloader in to the PPM Encoder so that I can update that to the current version of the firmware also.

[Hands0n]

Hmm, I had a spare 10 minutes, hooked it up to the Mac. It does appear that the RCTimer APM 2.5 has effectively bricked itself. Stuck on whatever version of the ArduCopter code was last installed.

No bootloader - it will take some serious reprogramming of the Atmel 2560

[attachimg=1]

[Paul01]

See this thread, for flashing the boot loader with AVRDude

http://ardupilot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6064

[FlyingMouse]

I have a Mac. If you want you can send it to me and I can try and flash it for you.

PM me and I';ll send you my address. Same goes for you Hands0n.

Many thanks PM sent.   I tried again this morning with a new USB cable with no luck.
But got a splash screen with is;

Check port settings or Port in use?System. Exception; Upload failed. Lost sync. Try Arduino!!
At Mission Planner. Utilites. Firmware. Upload Flash(String comport. String filename, boards
Board). In c :\User\hog\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\ArdupilotMega\ArdupilotMega\Utilities\Firmware.cs:line
1066

[Paul01]

Check port settings or Port in use?System. Exception; Upload failed. Lost sync. Try Arduino!!
At Mission Planner. Utilites. Firmware. Upload Flash(String comport. String filename, boards
Board). In c :\User\hog\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\ArdupilotMega\ArdupilotMega\Utilities\Firmware.cs:line
1066

Could you send me the file it mentions Firmware.cs? might be able to point you in the right direction if i have a look

[Hands0n]

See this thread, for flashing the boot loader with AVRDude

http://ardupilot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6064

Cool, thanks for that Paul - I will have a careful read of that. The thing is effectively a brick anyway so I';ve nothing to lose

[FlyingMouse]

Could you send me the file it mentions Firmware.cs? might be able to point you in the right direction if i have a look

Sorry, but where do I find his file? In my "C" hard drive or in the programme, sorry but this is now beyond me!!!
 

[Paul01]

Hold the windows logo key and press R, and now paste the following line into the box that appears

c :\User\hog\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\ArdupilotMega\ArdupilotMega\Utilities\

then press Enter, and the file should be in the window that opens up

[FlyingMouse]

Tried that, no luck says not found or file may have been moved.
I also tried changing the word hog after User\ to log, as I don't recognise the word hog in computer language!
Will run PM again see what it says this time!