Microview Dead

Development Boards Arduino
1

One of the three microview controllers I’ve purhased appears to be dead on arrival. The original one was purchased on order 5801540 alongside a programmer and worked flawlessly.

The next two were purchased together on order 5801560, for the same purpose as my original (but for a friend’s project). One of them took the firmware I flashed without any issue, but the 2nd one when plugged in via the usb programmer didn’t do anything.

I have tried flashing it with both xloader and the arduino IDE, and the same thing happens visually. The green power light of the programmer comes on, the yellow light blinks a few times (but much slower than it does when the programming is successful, and then just sits there doing nothing.

I receive the following error messages through the arduino software when i try to send firmware to it:

Sketch uses 26966 bytes (83%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32256 bytes.

Global variables use 1378 bytes (67%) of dynamic memory, leaving 670 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x1d

Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.

I have tried both the firmware I am using successfully on 2 of the 3 microviews, as well as the original factory firmware that was linked on another topic viewtopic.php?f=96&t=51499

2

Hi Tdub415.

Is it Project FDL firmware you’re trying to load onto the Microview?

3

Yes, project fdl firmware version 1.04

4

OK, we’ve had a lot of folks using that firmware that are having trouble. I’m going to need you to send the MicroView you’re having trouble with back to us to have a look at it to see if it’s recoverable. I’ve setup an RMA for you to send that back under.

You may return the item/s for testing. Be sure you understand the returns policy found here: "<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.sparkfun.com/static/38.”:htt … /static/38">http://www.sparkfun.com/static/38.":http://www.sparkfun.com/static/38</LINK_TEXT> If you would like to view the status of your return, you can view them here when logged into your account: "<LINK_TEXT text=“https://www.sparkfun.com/rma.”:https:// … un.com/rma">https://www.sparkfun.com/rma.":https://www.sparkfun.com/rma</LINK_TEXT>

And please send the return to:

__*SparkFun Electronics*__ __*Attn Returns RMA#22182*__ __*6333 Dry Creek Parkway*__ __*Niwot, CO 80503*__

Please include a description of the problem or reason for return in the package. I will send the item for testing and let you know the results as soon as I have them. Please make sure to package the return sufficiently. We cannot be responsible for damage due to insufficient protection during the return shipping. Standard envelopes are not considered sufficient packaging.

5

Both of the links seem to be broken and are giving me 404 errors

6

That’s a formatting error that happens when we pull data from one system to another. Sorry!

Try these instead.

https://www.sparkfun.com/static/38

https://www.sparkfun.com/rma

7

Alright Tdub415.

I’ve had a look at your MicroView and the ATmega chip on it isn’t working. Unfortunately it’s not repairable and I’ll replace it once, but if the replacement fails, it’s got to be something on your end that kills them and you will need to purchase a replacement.

I’m not sure what it is with Project FDL, but lots of people using it are having the same issues as you. You might try contacting them to see if they have a solution.

Replacement ticket # 22182 has been issued. A customer service representative will process the ticket and send a replacement part out free of charge using a similar shipping method you used for your original order. You should also receive an E-mail notification that the replacement is on the way.

8

I’m not sure what it could be either. Project FDL has flashed over 600 without issue, it’s only seemed to be a recent development that people are having issues from what I’ve gathered.

9

I haven’t seen any email from customer service, or a change on the RMA ticket or my orders list. I wanted to make sure that there wasn’t any information you were waiting on from me.

10

The department that ships replacements is a bit backed up, but it looks like they shipped you a new MicroView today. Let us know if you have any other questions. :slight_smile: