Problems program AVRs with USBASP from fishl

mabahr · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

Hi all,
i have a Problem with my USBASP Programmer.

The Programmer works fine under AVRDude without errors.
I can program flash, read, verify flash and read/write the Fuses.

With Bascom 1.11.9.8.001 and selected "USBASP" i can't program the flash. Flash read / read/write Fuses works fine.
When i program the Flash, the Programmer flashs then AVR without errors. But the verify found a diffents at 0000. I saw that all bytes in the Flash are diffent to the original BIN-File. Why?
I try all settings "Clock Frequencys"... nothing the same Problem, the same wrong Datas in Flashmemory.

Can everybody help me or has the same Problem?

Thanks!!!

Best Regards Markus

excofier · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

Tengo problemas con el programador USBASP en la version 1.11.9.8.

Con Khazama AVR Programmer funciona OK...

Gracias

Carlos - Argentina

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

So if your programmer works under AVRDude, just run that in the background, and switch into it when you want to program a chip. I never understood why one program, even a good one, has to do everything.

I might commonly have Bascom, a PDF reader, Spreadsheet, PCB layout software, AVR Studio, Firefox, and a text editor all open at once, and switch between them at random. But I would not expect any one program to do all those jobs, and many people would want a completely different mix. That is what Windows allows you, make use of it.

mabahr · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for your answers,

@excofier:
I try "Khazama AVR Programmer" and the Programm works fine. No Problems to program all AVRs.

@AdrianJ:
Thanks, but BASCOM have a internal function to program with a USBASP-Programmer.
It is a Bug when i can't program my AVRs with this Function. It is no solution for me, to use another Programm to burn my AVRs.

best regards
Markus

superbrad · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 62

I know that there have been a couple of incompatible versions of USBASP firmware floating around out there. I ran into this problem when I upgraded my Linux distro, along with the latest AVRDUDE, which stopped working with USBASP programmer. By uninstalling AVRDUDE and forcibly installing an older version, it worked again. Turns out the latest version of AVRDUDE isn't compatible with the older USBASPs.

My guess is there is a similar issue with BASCOM. I wonder if Mark or someone else at MCS could share which version of USBASP firmware was used to test with?

If you have another programmer (or can borrow one), you might try installing different versions of the USBASP firmware until you get one that is compatible. Try this at YOUR OWN RISK - This is what I intend to test the problem when I get around to it, but this is just my theory.

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5284 Location: Holland

I have no idea about the firmware in the USBASP. I got 2 different ones from Thomas. A smaller one also sold by elektor and a bigger one. They both work fine. Older versions do not allow to change the clock frequency, but since other functions work, i see no reason why programming would not work. Do you have the 'ERASE CHIP' selected ?
You need that since otherwise you can not reprogram the chip.

while bascom can not do everything , i would still be informed about problems. when there is a function, it should work or be removed.

Rick-S · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

Was there ever a resolution to this? I figured building a USBASP with my son would be a good project. I built one on a solderless breadboard and have the same issue as the original post.

The mega8 is programmed with the most recent firmware, the circuit is built exactly as illustrated. I even tried 1 version of firmware older. All with the same result.

With AVRdude the programmer reads and writes fine (target used for test was attiny2313).

With Current version of Bascom Demo, the software doesn't show the chip number when it 1st enters program mode.

- I click the "Identify chip" button and the chip is recognized.
- I load the bin file into the buffer.
- I click the "Verify chip content with buffer" and get Verified OK.
- I click "Write buffer to chip" And it looks successful.
- I click "Verify chip content with buffer" again and it fails.
- I click "Read code from chip into buffer" and the contents change entirely.

I try to run the code on the chip and it doesn't function.

I go back to AVRDUDE - send the hex file to the chip successfully and the code runs on the chip as expected.

I've tried several different speeds all to no avail.

Is this function just limited out of the demo version or is it something still being worked on?

Rick

ollopa · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 233 Location: California

Try running UpdateWiz to get the latest fixes for 1.11.9.8. There's a fix for the STK500 and I believe the USBASP as well that can only be had from UpdateWiz or MCS support.

Rick-S · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

If that's the case, then that answers the question. I'm running the demo version right now. I wanted to buy a license a couple of months back but something came up and the money had to go to something else. I'm saving again for the license but money is tight so until then, I'll just have to use external programming software. Sad

I'm pretty sure you UpdateWiz only works on Licensed versions Correct??

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5284 Location: Holland

The bug for USBASP is for writing only. It should write fusebits and read properly.
When i implemented support i started with the usual things like read/write. When it worked i continued to fusebit support. But then i had to make a change in the libusb routine. I was not aware it would have impact on the write function. It wrote the data of a different data/pointer and with verify option turned off, i missed it.
I will make a new demo available too since the updatewiz is only for customers. But again, reading/ideintify should work. Just make sure libusb is installed and functional. I have no idea about the other programmer soft but they probably also use libusb.

Rick-S · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

Thanks Mark!! Your statements totally confirm what I was seeing. If I programmed the micro-controller with avrdude, I could read and verify against the image in Bascom. As soon as I wrote with Bascom, it would not work. I can't wait until I get the money put together to buy my license. I am so impressed by your support for the community going way above and beyond with your demo version.

Also, while I know you aren't fixing the demo just for me, I want to thank you in advance.

Rick

Ismael · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Australia

Hi All, I have the same problem. All seems to work but verify shows an error and when I read back after programming it is totally different from the compiled program. I can erase and when I read back it is properly erased. It only seems to be programming that is not working properly even though it doesn't give an error. Below are my BASCOM details:

Compiler version :1.11.9.8
Compiler build :1.11.9.8.001
IDE version :1.11.9.8
Serial number :MC-9907-FORMYEYESONLY
Windows OS :Microsoft Windows XP
Windows SP :Service Pack 3
Explorer :6.0.2900.5512
Company :
Owner :Ismael Jones
Windows dir :E:\WINDOWS
App data dir :E:\Documents and Settings\Ismael Jones\Application Data
System dir :E:\WINDOWS\system32

I got the USBASP from here and installed the drivers as shown on the eBay listing. I sometimes get the access violation error also.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160380946917&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Ismael · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Australia

Just did an update and it now works fine.... That was quick (lol)... My version info didn't change but maybe the download of Bascom was faulty but whatever the problem updating fixed it.

Thanks Mark...

Abram_Slaager · Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

I have similar problems with the myAVR MK 2 programmer ..
Even reinstalled my XP_HOME and XP_PROF computer..
And installed older versions of BASCOM also.
'
When using the 1.31 programming software, all functions of the programmer it self work perfect.
Lib USB is replaced by by several versions.
'
See the topic “myAVR mk2 programmer” in this forum.

Abram.S..

Wink

Ismael · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Australia

Hi I stand corrected! It doesn't work! It programs and verifies okay but the program it sends does not work. I tried everything I could think of and still no go. I don't use AVRDude so wouldn't know how to check that the programmer works properly anyway. Anybody know of any programming software that works with the USBASP other than the above and preferably windows gui based.