USB bootloader for PIC18f4550---C18

Using Arduino Microcontrollers
1

Folks--- I am exhausted trying to get a bootloader operational. So far I have tried using both the HID and the the MCHPUSB bootloaders and am getting noplace. I am using a cute little processor board with a surface mounted 18F4550 with access to all the pins along with with ICSP which I can program using my programmer's ICSP function from Futurlec which uses Pickit2.

My PC uses Windows with XP Pro.

The boot firmware for the USB HID is from Microchip Solutions v2012-10-15\USB\device bootloader\firmware-PIC18Fnon-J where I select HID Bootloader PIC18f4550. I am using extended C18 so there are no difficulties compiling this firmware. Note-- this particular firmware includes the linker so I don't need to worry about that.

Further, there is no need to worry yet about revectoring the interrupts because the only firmware AT THIS TIME that I am attempting is for that which will reside in the bootblock and of course, the linker which Microchip was kind to provided with this bootloader code.

This frimware is for their PICDEM FS USB DEMO BOARD. But that should not matter at this stage because I am still trying to get the boot circuit working before attempting to load program code to the chip.

MY PROBLEM!!! I cannot get my PC to recognize the USB. Yes, I have have toggled the board's reset which grounds the MCLR alo with RB4 shorted to ground.

I know the PIC is loaded because I can read the the boot block although this particular firmware extends beyond the boot block because it contains the linker. Yes, I am delaying yet another problem loading my main program which I have not given much thought to. My guess is that it also will share the boot linker and further I will need to find out what I need to do if anything regarding revectoring the interrupts. Need to get beyond SOTP before I can get to GO.

I have checked my computer's device manager's HIDs. Although nothing changes when I connect the bootloaded PIC via USB cable so I cannot check the VID & PID which I don't know how to change anyway. But with my programmer's USB connected the HID Human Interface Device has VID = 0x04D8, PID = 0x0033\OLHOSS

I won't bother unless somebody is interested in my MCHPUSB attempts.

Help--- please---anybody

Foggy

2

Probably best to go to a Microchip forum. Try to find someone who has been through
the endless pain of trying to get Microchip-written software to work, and who has
emerged on the other side still possessing some semblance of sanity.

[this coming from a guy who has 50X more experience with PICs than AVRs, LOL].

3

Thanks--

I have a recent post in the PIC18 forum without all the above details. Maybe the better place for it is in the USB forum over at Microchip.

I have read where others have posts where their pc gave notice that the USB was unrecognized. I don't even get that far... there is absolutely no recognition of the USB cable being attached. Thing has turned out to be a BPITA but I really want the benefits of a bootloader.

Foggy