Firebeetle ESP32-E - Unable to upload sketch

Development Tools Uploading
1

Hi,

I'm trying to upload an example sketch to my new Firebeetle 2 ESP32-E (Part number: DFR0654) but it's failing every time with the following error:

Connecting........_____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 2

I have followed DFRobot's instructions to install the correct driver by adding [http://download.dfrobot.top/FireBeetle/package_DFRobot_index.json]
(http://download.dfrobot.top/FireBeetle/package_DFRobot_index.json) to the additional board manager URLs. I have selected 'Tools > Board > DFRobot ESP32 Boards > Firebeetle ESP32-E' and COM4 which I identified in Device Manager. I'm using Arduino IDE 2.0.3

I've seen some videos of other ESP32 dev boards which need you to press the boot button when the IDE starts connecting, however, this board only has RST and a programmable button, there is no boot button. I've tried both buttons just to be sure but it makes no difference.

The CPU frequency is set to 240Mhz which matches the board, flash speed is set to 80Mhz and upload speed is set to 921600. I haven't changed any of this myself and there's no mention of them in DFRobot's instructions, but I've seen them mentioned elsewhere.

Can somebody tell me what I'm doing wrong please?

Thanks

3

I translated a French post which had the answer I was looking for :slight_smile:

I had to connect A0 to GND and then reset the board. It seems a little temperamental and takes a few resets sometimes (not sure why) but seems to be working. I think this is the equivalent of pressing the missing 'boot' button.

4

I am having the same problem. I have used Arduinos for years, just got a Firebeetle ESP32-E version 1.0. I am running Linux Mint.
I have connected an Adafruit SD Card Breakout Board and a MAX98357 I2S Amplifier Module tot he Firebeetle board..
I have connected A0 to Ground.
Pressed the Reset Button at various times for various lengths of time, same error:

esptool.py v3.1-dev
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting........_____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____.....____An error occurred while uploading the sketch
_

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header

I am fed up trying to sort this. Any tips on when to press the reset button and for how long?
My package_DFRobot_index.json file is the same as posted above.
Any help would be very much appreciated

5

Tracked the problem down. SOLVED IT!
I had my Adafruit SD Card Breakout Board CS Pin connected to GPIO_NUM_2 which is D9 and I read somewhere that pin GPIO_NUM_2 could be a problem is used.
Then the upload went fine, even with A0 not grounded.
Phew!!!