ghostman11
Well-Known Member
ok first off quick run down.....i was given a ICD3 to do a noobs perspective review on by Farnel.
i got it unpacked and then spent days trying to get it to do something!!!! it wanted to download new firmware but couldnt connect to the server. it didnt like any config bit settings i gave it. it didnt like not being externaly powered, on and on the list went and i spent hours on the phone with farnel trying to get it sorted so i could meet there reveiw deadline! finaly i got it to splutter into a vague resemblance of life and it connected to a simple target test board they had sent.
15mins into a debug routine i was told to follow, it went toes up DEAD!!! the little test board that comes with the ICD3 to test if its actualy working (can you belive they have to send a test board with theese things just so you know the thing works!!) the little board confirmed that the ICD3 had apparently keeled over beyond repair and gave the sad little message please contact your local stockist for SOR (sale or return!).
in all honesty for the 15 mins it actualy lived i didnt find a single thing it could do better than a pk2! except obviously it can program the new stuff, but i couldnt find any not a single advantage over the pk2 for debug
anyway farnel told me they would send another unit and just to send the broken one back, as i hadnt paid for the thing i was tempted to say yes but told them not to bother as far as i was concerned i had seen enough to do a reveiw but if they wanted i would return the faulty unit (they didnt want it back so its binned).
amongst all this going on my new chips arrived (more on them in a min) so i thought about it and ordered a pk3 wich came today!!! OMFG!!! more and more nightmares. wouldnt connect to server again to upgrade itself (this turned out to be it not likeing win7 64 bit!!! get a grip chaps win7 64b is here to stay!) so i used the win7 32 bit laptop to get the firmware. more problems with it not likeing certain config statements! more problems with it not wanting to go into debug!! micro tech support ticket was duely submitted and a very unhelpful reply of we have sent you a new unit out send old one back!!!!
wait wait i didnt ask for a new one i was sure there was nothing wrong with this one!! just pee poor documentation wich at best is vagued in the areas it should be shouting about! long storey short i found out by trial and error that you cant mention DEBUG in the config statment and that you have to buildAND program in DEBUG mode and leave it there then you have to cross your fingers and press go! sometimes works sometimes dosnt. i also hate the fact it has to have the target self powered! sometimes i dont like to do that say on a train with a small board and the laptop!
anyway pk3 sorted (hopefuly).
oh yes the new chips
is there anyone else that drools when they get a new chip they never used before??? i have 5 18f45k22's arrived they look stuffed full with goodies ive never p[layed with and with my new found confidance to read bl;oody data sheets i amd realy looking forward to having a play with them. infact off to do it now
sorry for the rant guys sometimes i just like you to feel my pain lol
cheers jason
i got it unpacked and then spent days trying to get it to do something!!!! it wanted to download new firmware but couldnt connect to the server. it didnt like any config bit settings i gave it. it didnt like not being externaly powered, on and on the list went and i spent hours on the phone with farnel trying to get it sorted so i could meet there reveiw deadline! finaly i got it to splutter into a vague resemblance of life and it connected to a simple target test board they had sent.
15mins into a debug routine i was told to follow, it went toes up DEAD!!! the little test board that comes with the ICD3 to test if its actualy working (can you belive they have to send a test board with theese things just so you know the thing works!!) the little board confirmed that the ICD3 had apparently keeled over beyond repair and gave the sad little message please contact your local stockist for SOR (sale or return!).
in all honesty for the 15 mins it actualy lived i didnt find a single thing it could do better than a pk2! except obviously it can program the new stuff, but i couldnt find any not a single advantage over the pk2 for debug
anyway farnel told me they would send another unit and just to send the broken one back, as i hadnt paid for the thing i was tempted to say yes but told them not to bother as far as i was concerned i had seen enough to do a reveiw
amongst all this going on my new chips arrived (more on them in a min) so i thought about it and ordered a pk3 wich came today!!! OMFG!!! more and more nightmares. wouldnt connect to server again to upgrade itself (this turned out to be it not likeing win7 64 bit!!! get a grip chaps win7 64b is here to stay!) so i used the win7 32 bit laptop to get the firmware. more problems with it not likeing certain config statements! more problems with it not wanting to go into debug!! micro tech support ticket was duely submitted and a very unhelpful reply of we have sent you a new unit out send old one back!!!!
wait wait i didnt ask for a new one i was sure there was nothing wrong with this one!! just pee poor documentation wich at best is vagued in the areas it should be shouting about! long storey short i found out by trial and error that you cant mention DEBUG in the config statment and that you have to buildAND program in DEBUG mode and leave it there then you have to cross your fingers and press go! sometimes works sometimes dosnt. i also hate the fact it has to have the target self powered! sometimes i dont like to do that say on a train with a small board and the laptop!
anyway pk3 sorted (hopefuly).
oh yes the new chips
is there anyone else that drools when they get a new chip they never used before??? i have 5 18f45k22's arrived they look stuffed full with goodies ive never p[layed with
sorry for the rant guys sometimes i just like you to feel my pain lol
cheers jason