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MSP-FET430UIF says "Load program Error" after firmware upgrade using CCSv5.1

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSPDS, MSP-FET

As so far, I have been working with the MSP430 family a while and I am really enthusiastic with this IC. Since a few months I was using CCS compiler V4 (Node license). Recently I have performed the Update to V5.1. Of course it claims about a necessary firmware update for the USB FET, which I have performed. Although it was reported to be successful, I have no communication to my device anymore since this operation. The new current firmware (which I could read out with Elpotronics FetPro after updating its dlls) is 3.02.01.009. The error message which I now get is:"Load program Error". I have checked all cables. As I have a second FET device, I have tried this one, but after upgrade (which I regress having done) it shows exactly the same behaviour.

My system is Win7 Professional 32Bit

  • Hallo Matthias,

    this seems very symptomatic of the dll version.  CCS v4 and many third party utilities use v2 dll .... CCSv5.1 and the latest IAR use v3 which makes the FET enumerate as a USB CDC Device.

    You should be able to use Elprotronic and v4 again by using the upgrade/downgrade utility that came with CCSv5.1.   You can find it in the start menu under Texas Instruments->MSP-FET430UIF Debug Interface

    Also please see this wki for more information.

    http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP_Debug_Stack

    Please keep us informed whether this helps etc.

    Best Regards,

    LIsa

  • Thanks a lot for your quick and helpful response. I have done downgrading successfully. I can communicate with the FET via Fetpro software (original dlls) now. Downloading of a new program was sucessful. I am very glad to know, it is no hardware breakdown.

    However, I have do perform the firmware uprgade again in order to use the device with CCS again (which is much more practical to use).

    Are there any further hints, why a FET could be not working properly after this upgrade? Yes, I have admin priveledges. And no, I did not interrupt the update process or cable connections  :-)

     

  • Hi Matthias,

    glad that helped.

    I am a bit confused now as the behaviour you see is normal and expected.  CCSv4 and various tools only work with the older v2 and may require doing the downgrade, as you discovered.  Other newer tools like CCSv5.1 and the latest IAR use v3 dlll and may require doing an upgrade. 

    Were you looking for general debugging tips?  The wiki I pointed you to in my last post, if you go to the main page and start digging through the topics has some very helpful information.

    Please keep us informed if you require further assistance.

    Best Regards,
    Lisa

  • Hi Lisa,

    I have understood very well about the required firmware update for usage with CCSv5.1 from your explanations. HOwever

    Let me point out my problem a little bit more detailed. I have done the upgrade as CCS reminds me to do so before launching debug. It works well.

    Now launching my program code still fails with following message:

    The Console output:

    "MSP430: Error initializing emulator: A firmware update is required for the MSP430 Debug Interface (MSP-FET430UIF). Click the "Update" button to update the firmware and launch your debug session.  Answer "yes" to any driver installation dialogs that pop up during the update.  DO NOT UNPLUG THE INTERFACE DURING THE UPDATE.  Caution: This update includes significant changes. Older versions of Code Composer Studio or other IDEs may not work with this update. A downgrade will have to be performed manually. See www.ti.com/mspds for details.

    MSP430: Trouble Writing Memory Block at 0x5c00 on Page 0 of Length 0x2c2: Could not erase device memory

    MSP430: GEL: File: D:\Daten\CCS_Workspace\iNRS-Messstelle\Debug\iNRS-Messstelle.out: Load failed."

     

    Is there anything to be aware of? FET Hw Version is 1.4a.

     

  • Hi Matthias,

    Did you try a power cycle?  If you close and open CCS does it work?    CCS should make the update process more or less seamless for your FET version,.  Are you being asked to update twice? Please select to update the second time also.  Was there another FET or any disconnection during the upgrade?

    Please keep us informed.

    Best Regards,

    LIsa

     

  • Hi Lisa,

    Did you try a power cycle?  Yes I tried.

    If you close and open CCS does it work? Nope. Of course I tried.

    CCS should make the update process more or less seamless for your FET version,.  Are you being asked to update twice? Please select to update the second time also.  For the very first update Procedure (after downgrade I tried it again a few times), I was indeed asked to upgrade twice. And I did.

    Was there another FET or any disconnection during the upgrade? Nope. I have my second FET attached after failure and have never had both connected simultanously.

     

    Any idea?

    Best Regards,

    Matthias

  • Finally, I've got it:

    I have disconnected any of my equipment connected to my Experimenters Board and it works. I have attached some RS232-TTL converters powered from the Board (totally about 6mA) and removing this ones made everything happen. It seems that starting the erase procedure results in an unstable state with load connected. I can live with this fact, as I have an external power supply in my target hardware.

    Thanks very mch to Lisa.

    Best Regards,

    Matthias

  • Hi Matthias,

    ok, very glad to hear.  All the best with development.

    Best Regards,

    Lisa

  • Unfortunately, I am seeing this issue intermittently from my month old MSP-FET! Fails to erase device memory and load .out file. Sometimes it even keeps saying that "Unknown device" is detected. My target board is powered externally, and in the same configuration, the MSP430F5529LP's on-board debugger is able to program it successfully 100% of the time!

    Any pointers on how to debug this would be appreciated.

    My target board is my own design, and my VCC jumper for JTAG interface connects the MCU's VCC pin to pin 4 (VCC sense pin of MSP-FET) while leaving pin 2 unconnected!