SparkFun Forums

[mercury3141]

I have an Olimex MSP430F116 prototype board and am using a parallel port programmer. I have been using this same programmer and mspgcc software for some time without problems with my MSP430149 board. The software correctly identifies the chip but I get the message 'verify fails'. It says it does program the correct number of bits. I've tried to download a simple program several times and it isn't taking.

My questions for you guys with more experience dealing with these things--
Have you heard of incompatibilities with the inexpensive parallel programmers and this chip? I don't find anything on google. Is it more likely the board is bad or there is a problem with the programmer? I expect I'm going to have to order more equipment, but what to start with the most likely solution.

Thanks for any advice.

[OldCow]

Are you using the parallel port programmer to supply power to the device being programmed? That may be insufficient. What is the resulting voltage?

I have never heard about MSP430F116. Where did you find it?

[mercury3141]

My board is here http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... cts_id=585

And my programmer is here http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... ucts_id=15

I tried both the programmer power only as well as the external power at 3.6V. As I said it works fine for the 149. I'm guessing I should order a new, more expensive, programmer or a new board b/c this one may be bad. I don't know which is more likely to solve my problem.

I have limited grant money and don't want to buy something I don't need if I can help it.

[mercury3141]

Sorry, F1611

[OldCow]

Personally, I prefer the parallel port programmer over other more expensive programmers. My reasons are:

a) It is not capable of blowing the JTAG fuse -- which I do not want to do.
b) It does not have any firmware.
c) There are fewer Windows dll drivers.

The only disadvantage is, the power supply is only ~2.9V with very limited current. I normally supply the target with a separate 3.0V power supply. (I think connecting a 3.3V target with a 2.9V programmer is not the right thing to do.)

I have many other USB programmers. They give me all kinds of problems in firmware updates and various Windows dll.