Now can make your Max-Pic become Max-Prog if you have the MAx-Prog Add-on!

[patrick]

The last P3FREE Updater Nov.17th-2010 version,support Max-Prog


The last P3FREE updater, just download and run, not need .NET and any DLL! And build in the Max-Prog Add-On FW, can make your max-pic become one USB programmer!


downlaod:
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f179/lat...e-files-68517/

the UsbProg pgogram download:

for ubuntu: http://usbpicprog.org/downloads/ubun...tall-script.sh

for Linux: http://usbpicprog.org/downloads/usbpicprog-0.4.1.tar.gz

for AMD64: http://usbpicprog.org/downloads/UsbP...md64-0.4.1.exe

for PC: http://usbpicprog.org/downloads/UsbP...-x86-0.4.1.exe

[iLLNESS]

Taking your MAXPIC board and converting it into a MAXPROG instructions!

I'm basing this mini tutorial in Windows 7 64bit but it should be very similar for other OS's.

First thing you need to do is insert your MAXPIC into your PC. It should still have a USBHID bootloader and be compatible with the P3Free updating software. Put your MAXPIC in bootloader mode by pressing the RESET/BTL button. You should see two lights start alternating indicating it is in bootloader mode.

Once in bootloader mode, fire up the latest P3Free updater (I'm using the Nov 17th updater). In the dropdown list, select the Max-Prog-Add-On-v0.41beta and hit PROGRAM as seen below:


After you have programmed the MAXPIC, you can install the USBPICPROG software for your OS linked in the above post. It will install drivers and the software to use your MAXPIC + PROG Addon.

After its programmed, disconnect the MAXPIC device from your USB port, and attach the MAXPROG Addon PCB as seen here:


Insert the MAXPROG device into your USB port with the addon installed. It should show a new device is inserted and search for drivers. Once the drivers install, it should show up in your device manager as seen below:


So the PC now sees the device properly, and your ready to use the software. Open up the USBPICPROG software and verify it is communicating with the device. It should look something like this:


Congrats! You are now ready to use the software!

Please see below post for operating instructions.

[iLLNESS]

Using your MAXPIC + PROG Addon to program another P3Free device!

So after you followed the above steps, you are ready to program/recover the bootloader on another P3Free device.

First, make sure your FPC cable is connected correctly between the two devices (Make sure to note the 'FONT SIDE' indication on your devices).

DISREGARD THE PICTURE THAT SHOWS THE PICFUN ATTACHED TO THE MAXPROG DEVICE. I AM CURRENTLY TESTING PROGRAMMING THE MAXPIC AS THE PICFUN DOESNT APPEAR TO DETECT FOR ME.

Next, insert your MAXPICPROG device to the USB port open USBPICPROG software if you haven't done so already. It should detect it like so:


So right now, the software is talking to the programmer itself and is not ready to program the external device you are programming to. To do this, select the ACTIONS menu and click on AUTODETECT. When detected, the device you are trying to program should show up something like this:


Once you see the device connected, you can load up the bootloader you want to flash to the device. In this case I'm reflashing the file "Bootloader_USBHIDC18_P3Free_V1.0_12MHz_BTL-pin1_MCLRon_LVPoff_F0_Version.hex"


Before programming, verify that your settings are set to verify after program. Select the Options menu and click Preferences and match to the picture below:

It is important to verify the PIC programmed correctly otherwise you will run into issues as you don't know if it actually wrote what it wanted to.

So with the firmware you want to flash loaded (the usbhid bootloader in this case) you are ready to program.

Simply click the Actions menu, and select Program. You should see this:

followed by something like this:


Your device should now be programmed!

[iLLNESS]

Just figured i'd also post a few quick tips.

The actions menu is primarily where youll spend your time. Inside this menu it has a few items:
Program - programs the current hex to the target device.
Read - reads the code off the target device
Verify - verifies that the currently loaded hex file matches the flash on the pic
Erase - erases the flash on the target device

Blankcheck - reads the whole flash from the target device and verifies it is completely empty
Autodetect - detects the PIC type for programming/etc
Run Target - this would normally be used to 'turn on' the PIC device you have connected to the programmer. In our case, it is not needed for us but may be useful for other boards
Stop Target - same deal as run target, except it is used to 'turn off' the target device.

Connect - Click this if you insert the MAXPROG device after opening the usbpicprog software. It connects to the MAXPROG device
Disconnect - Click this if you dont want the usbpicprog device connected to the programmer.

Select PIC - Not needed, but it lets you select the PIC device you are trying to program.

[patrick]

thanks iLLNESS
it's a great guide!

[davedadon]

so this is so we dont have to use that little FPC programmer thingy right (if we already have the max-pic obviously)

pretty neat.

[Bolec]

I don't think I get the idea of this. Both tools, that is pic fun and max pic are usb upgradeable. So why bother to do this? And what's the prog addon?

[iLLNESS]

I don't think I get the idea of this. Both tools, that is pic fun and max pic are usb upgradeable. So why bother to do this? And what's the prog addon?

this allows full flashing abilities of the entire pic18f chip using ICSP. its a usb version of the jdm pic programmer basically.

[Dangwoot]

neat i programed mine now i have a functional pic programmer
now i just need to find something to program lolz,
i have a usb spi flasher but it doesn't have a spot for the ribbon to plug into,
oh well maybe i'll have a use for it someday.

[iLLNESS]

neat i programed mine now i have a functional pic programmer
now i just need to find something to program lolz,
i have a usb spi flasher but it doesn't have a spot for the ribbon to plug into,
oh well maybe i'll have a use for it someday.

just add the icsp pins to it