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TI's MSP430 Tools and Mac OS X

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP-TS430PM64, MSP430F148, TUSB3410, MSP430F2013

Hi,

I would like to gather your experience and feedback when it comes to running TI's MSP430 Windows-only development tools on the Mac. What works well? What doesn't? While there should be no problems using Boot Camp, from my own experience I can say that there can be issues when using a virtualization environment running Windows as the guest OS, mostly due to what seems like USB compatibility issues.

Based on your feedback I would like to extend the below Wiki page:

http://wiki.msp430.com/index.php/Category:Mac_OS_X_Support_-_MSP430

When providing inputs, please include information such as VM name/version, host OS version, guest OS name/version, etc.

Thanks,
Andreas

  • Hi Andreas,

    I'm using a Mac for code develpment (OS X 10.5). Using Boot Camp is as using a Windows PC, so there are no problems I discovered so far (XP Prof SP3, IAR and CCE V3.1; MSP-FET430UIF, eZ430-F2013 and eZ430-RF2500 all work without problems; I have installed CCS V4.0 too, but here I have some problems with variable window; MSP-FET430UIF and eZ430-RF2500 work fine too).

    I've tested Parallels 3.0 which didn't work (IAR toolchain). I will update to OS X 10.6 (hopefully this week) and prior do some testing with VMware Fusion and Parallels 4.0. I will try to use the Boot Camp installation because I need a native Windows for some other reasons.

    I intend testing Virtual Box (with it own Windows installation since Virtual Box can't use the Boot Camp partition) too. Hopefully I will have the time to do so.

    Keep you posted, rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare 

  • Hi aBUGSworstnightmare,

     

    thanks for your time putting this feedback together, this is exactly what we need. Btw, I've tested the latest version of VirtualBox together with Win XP SP3 / IAR / MSP-FET430UIF, but during all my testing I could get it to download/debug only twice, despite several re-boot and re-start attempts. All other attempts resulted in a "Target Not Found Error". When it was working it worked very well; however I've been unable to pinpoint the reason for this intermittent behavior.

     

    Regards,

    Andreas

  • Hi Andreas (are you a German guy?),

    well, bad news on my Virtual Box testing! Same result as yours!

    Just finished (in better words aborted) the VirtualBox3.0.4 testings which only led to unsatisfying results. Here the details:

    Host O.S.: MAC OS X 10.5.8
    Virtual Machine: VirtualBox V3.0.4 (with guest additions installed)
    Guest OS: Win XP SP3
    IDE: IAR 

    I was unable the get one of my USB tools running! --> test aborted after several attempts!
    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

    P.S. Parallels 4.0 is next! 

    P.S.S. I have a good knowlage in using Virtual Machines on Windows/Linux and OS X; but I have no idea what the problem with VirtualBox is.

  • Hi aBUGSworstnightmare,

    thanks for the additional feedback. Which of the USB tools did you try? UIF? ez430-F2013? ez430-RF2500?

    Also, do you think the issues are potentially driver related (Can the driver be installed and does it show up in the device manager properly?) or IDE related (What fails? IDE startup? Build? Debug?)? I know it might not be easy to determine who is at fault, since the fact that the driver installs smoothly and shows up in the device manager doesn't mean it can actually be used...

    Thanks,
    Andreas

  • Hi andre,

    I've tried ez430-F2013 and ez430-RF2500 but both tools were not recognized by the new hardware wizard --> driver could not be installed. So, the problem I was facing was not related to the TI tools (HW or SW) hence - from my point of view - it is related to VirtualBox USB device handling.

    aBGUGSworstnightmare

  • Hi andre,

    just finished testing of VMware Fusion 2.0.5; pls fin the details below:

    Host OS: MAC OS X 10.5.8

    Guest OS: Windows XP SP3

    Virtual Machine: VMware Fusion 2.0.5 (173382)

    IDE Version: CCE v3.1 Build: 3.2.4.3.8

    Tested Hardware Tools: eZ430-F2013, eZ430-RF2500 and MSP-FET430UIF

    Results: All Hardware and software tool(s) work perfect! Tested compile/download/single step/run to line/run/variable view/memory view,  .. Test were made with existing and new projects.

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • hey bugs,  that's awesome!  would you mind adding your results to the wiki?

  • Thanks for the feedback, I updated the Wiki page.

     

    aBUGSworstnightmare said:
    I've tried ez430-F2013 and ez430-RF2500 but both tools were not recognized by the new hardware wizard --> driver could not be installed.

    When I did some tests, the devices were recognized, and I could install the drivers. Did you use the VirtualBox full version? I'm asking because there is another version (Open Source Edition), but this one lacks USB support. Do other USB devices work in your VirtualBox VM? Or I wonder if the differences may have something to do with the HW setup as well (What type of Mac is used, how does the USB tree look like...).

    Thanks,
    Andreas

  • Hello!

    Just my 2 yen contribution:

    I have successfully run CCE and IAR on MacIntosh via VMWare.

    Bootcamp is fine, but it's good to use both systems in parallel.

    There is a full (lengthy) report of what I did a few months ago, and I am working

    with the same environment now. The pictures don't show CCE but IAR.

    http://passworld.co.jp/ForumMSP430/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=154&p=357#p357

    Pascal

  • Hi Pascal,

    good to hear from you again! Thanks for posting the link, lots of valuable information there! Seems like VMware is a good way to go - at least for now.

    Regards,
    Andreas

  • Hello Andreas!

    Yes, VMWare works fine in most of the cases. Apparently Parallels works fine too.

    But I hope TI will provide a native MacOS-X version of CCE. Maybe this was the hidden

    meaning of  "at least for now"...

    As Eclipse already exists on MacOS-X, I think it wouldn't be _that_ hard to port the whole stuff.

    Pascal

     

  • Hi Andreas,

    I've tried with the full edition of VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads) but had problems with the installation of USB devices (look here for details: http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/UserManual.html#settings-usb). Maybe you can lend me a hand and give me the TI Vendor ID (if NOT 0451) to aid in installing the tools.

    Well, I had problems with ALL USB devices (because I did not RTFM (see link above)) --> I will do the testings again.

    Do you have knowlage on CCS V4 MCU Core edition (or you maybe know someone who has)? I'm intending testing this too, but I have problems with the variable window since neither locals nor globals were displayed.

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

    P.S. I'm using an Intel 20" iMAC 

  • Hi Adrian,

    n.p.! Here's another one:

    results for Parallels Desktop 4.0; pls fin the details below:

    Host OS: MAC OS X 10.5.8

    Guest OS: Windows XP SP3

    Virtual Machine: Parallels Desktop 4.0.3846

    IDE Version: CCE v3.1 Build: 3.2.4.3.8

    Tested Hardware Tools: eZ430-F2013, eZ430-RF2500

    Results: Tested compile/download/single step/run to line/run/variable view/memory view,  .. Test were made with existing and new projects.

    In case of eZ430-F2500: tool works fine, everythings o.k.
    In case of eZ430-F2013: new hardware dialog was sucessfully completed, but when I intended to debug a project I always got the Parallels Windows asking were to add the new HW (VM or Apple). I was unable to assign the tool to the VM --> CCE stalls/or reported no tool found --> my testing of eZ430-F2013 <--> Parallels 4.0 failed! 

     

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • Hi andre,

    did some further testing with VirtualBox, pls find my results below:

    Host OS: MAC OS X 10.5.8

    Guest OS: Windows XP SP3

    Virtual Machine: Sun VirtualBox V3.0.4 r50677

    IDE Version: CCE v3.1 Build: 3.2.4.3.8

    Tested Hardware Tools: eZ430-F2013, eZ430-RF2500

     

    Results: Tested compile/download/single step/run to line/run/variable view/memory view,  .. Test were made with existing and new projects.

    In case of eZ430-F2500: tool works fine, everythings o.k. (no problems with repeated download/debug attempts as described by you)
    In case of eZ430-F2013: new hardware dialog was sucessfully completed and device ws installed propperly, but when I intended to download/debug a project I always got the error no USB FET found --> my testing of eZ430-F2013 <--> VirtualBox V3.0.4 failed! 

    Something to say on VirtualBox USB handling: you need to add a filter for EACH USB device (also for your USB stick) --> you need to have a look at the venor ID and then create a filter (I used 0451 as TI's ID). 

    So, here is my recommendtion on Virtual Machines for MAC: USE VMWARE because it works fine straight out of the box (and because a Linux Version is available too)!

     

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

    P.S. Checked the eZ430-F2013 on Boot Camp --> tool works fine (no HW errors with the tool)

  • aBUGSworstnightmare,

    thanks for all the testing you have done and the results you reported back. I updated the Wiki page accordingly (see original post). It will be very helpful for other users.

    Regards,
    Andreas

  • I've been trying to get Parallels to work with IAR and the USB-FET but I continually get the "connect - disconnect" sound from Windows while the device is plugged in. I tried Parallels support but they weren't able to help. Have any of you been able to get the USB-FET to work with parallels? According to the wiki page it says that it isn't possible, but I was hoping that someone got it working.

     

    Looks like I may have to just go out and buy VMWare. *sigh* Running IAR was the main reason I bought Parallels in the first place. oh well. Parallels just came out with v5 - I'll try that.

     

    -Derek

  • Derek,

    yes your observations are in line with what everybody I know of has seen - continuous "connect - disconnect" behavior. I'm not sure what exactly is responsible for this (Parallel's USB implementation? Something unusual in our driver code?), but I'm getting the source code for our current VCP driver and will try to see if I can use WinDbg to get a better idea about what is going on. This isn't an official project; but I'm curious and would like to see if there isn't anything simple that can be done about it.

    At any rate, please let us know in case experience with Parallels V5 is any different.

    Thanks,
    Andreas

  • Hi,

    that's why I recommended using VMware Fusion. I got an email from smithmicro (online retailer) were the offer the SW for $49 (this is a $30) discount, but I don't know if this offer is still valid.

    Were to find info on Parallels V5.0? haven't seen any so far!

    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • Hello!

    The good thing about VMWare fusion is that they give a trial license, and as explained in the link I posted earlier,

    they trust the users. I tried once, I didn't have time to finish what I was doing, and I tried another time 2 ~ 3 months.

    Smith micro is fine but they don't stop spamming you (or maybe was it an opt-out trick, anyway I have never told

    them please send me spam). So if you want to get something from them, the safest thing to do is to create a

    temporary email address and delete it once you have everything.

    Pascal

     

  • Hello,

       I downloaded and installed Parallels Desktop 5.0.8898 Beta today and tested it with IAR and MSP-FET430UIF, and it worked fine. I was able to download and run code on an MSP430. I don't use CCS or CCE so I did not test it with either of those.

       I updated the Wiki page accordingly: http://wiki.msp430.com/index.php/Category:Mac_OS_X_Support_-_MSP430

     

    Regards,

    Derek

  • Derek,

    thanks for testing and updating the Wiki, that's great news! Seems one of the major issues many people ran into just got resolved. With this, I think it is safe to assume that other emulators will work as well (the eZ430-F2013 uses the same driver technology as the MSP-FET430UIF so it should be good, and the eZ430-RF2500 uses a more "friendly" HID-based driver that hasn't exhibited any VM-related issues so far). Great news, I may make this a reason to finally upgrade my 2-year old Parallels to the latest version[:Y]

    Regards,
    Andreas

  • Hi Andreas,

    I have tested the Rowley MSP430 CrossWorks tool.  CrossStudio MSP430 runs native on the Mac OS X. No virtual machine is required. 

    You have to do a firmware update on the MSP-FET430UIF USB debug interface using a Windows box. I used a Boot Camp Windows XP installation to do this job. 

    Everything worked fine with little installation effort. I have been looking for a native OS X solution for long. Maybe you can consider the CrossStudio tool on you Wiki page.

    I have been told by Crossworks Support that the EZ devices are not supported by the CrossStudio OS X version, but I have not tested this combination by myself.  

     

    Tested combination:

    OS X 10.5.7 native, MSP-FET430UIF,TI MSP-TS430PM64 1.1,  MSP430F148, Rowley CrossStudio MSP430 2.08.2009 OS X version

    Regards

    Mapua

  • Hi Andreas,

    Snow Leopard is now in his iMAC cage and I also got a CCS 4.0.1 installation. So here are the results:

    Host OS: MAC OS X 10.6.1 (Snow Leopard)

    Guest OS: Windows XP SP3 using BOOT CAMP

    IDE Version: CCS V4.0.1 (latest build)

    Tested Hardware Tools: eZ430-F2013, eZ430-RF2500

    Results: All Hardware and software tool(s) work perfect! I will have to finish porting of my current work from CCE V3.1 to CCS V4 and the test the MSP-FET430UIF (since there is a firmware update required).

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • Hi Mapua, can you please update the wiki with your results?

     

    Thanks,

    Derek

  • Hi,

    just finished porting/testing of my current MSP430 project to CCS 4.0.1. I updated the MSP-FET430UIF to the latest firmware and started debugging.

    The MSP-FET430UIF works without problems. Also the code optimization of the CCS V4.0.1 is verry good (opt-level 3).

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • aBUGSworstnightmare said:
    Also the code optimization of the CCS V4.0.1 is verry good (opt-level 3).

    would you mind posting the old code size and your new code size?  i'd love to see how the new compiler performs on a real world example.

  • Hi adrian,

    I did some 'flash stressing' and here are the figures; I hope you like 'em!
    aBUGSworstnightmare

    CCS V4.0.1 01001
    --opt_for_speed = none
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)       data size (bytes)
    none                14920                          850
    0                       13540                          850
    1                       11022                          852
    2                       8670                            852
    3                       8666                            852

    --opt_for_speed = 0
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)       data size (bytes)
    none                14920                           850
    0                       13540                           850
    1                       11022                           852
    2                        8560                            850
    3                        8556                            850

    --opt_for_speed = 5
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)       data size (bytes)
    none                 14970                          852
    0                        13578                          852
    1                        11134                          852
    2                        10584                          850
    3                        10580                          850


    CCE V3.1 3.2.4.3.8
    --opt_for_speed = none
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)        data size (bytes)
    none                 14982                           876
    0                        13602                           876
    1                        11084                           874
    2                        8732                             874
    3                        8728                             874

    --opt_for_speed = 0
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)        data size (bytes)
    none                14982                           876
    0                       13602                           876
    1                       11084                           874
    2                       8622                             876
    3                       8618                             876

    --opt_for_speed = 5
    --opt_level       code size (bytes)       data size (bytes)
    none                 15032                          874
    0                        13640                          874
    1                        11196                          874
    2                        10646                          876
    3                        10642                          876

  • Hi aBUGSworstnightmare, Hi All

    I stumbled over this thread searching the web for a solution for the exact same problem. But instead using Mac OS X i try to run CCS with the help of VirtualBox on Linux.

    As you described the  eZ430-F2013 is well recognized by the windows hardware manager and all drivers got installed. I can see a virtual serial port assigned to the tool.

    Code generation and compilation using CCS works fine but when I try to download the code to the target, it claims that no USB-FET could be found.

    Too bad :-(

    So it seems that VirtualBox has a problem with its USB implementation. Mass-storage devices like the iPod works fine with it, but the USB-FET doesn't.

    Regards,

    Mario

  • All,

    Has anyone contacted Sun (VirtualBox) about this?  My setup is:

    HostOS: Ubuntu 9.04 - 64-bit

    Guest OS: Vista-32 Ultimate

    Virtual Machine: VirtualBox 3.0.8 r53138

    IDE Version: CCS 4.0.1

    Tested Hardware Tools: MSP-FET430UIF

    Results: Could not find FET.  "Error initializing emulator:  No USB FET was found"

     

  • Same Problem.

    Setup:

    Virtual Box 3.0.10 on Slackware 13.0 Host

    WinXP Guest

    IAR Kickstart.

    Can install the TI Fet Drivers AOK. Can't download. IAR just aborts.

    Looks like a problem with vbox. (at least given the successes on this

    thread with VMWare,etc.)

     

    This wouldn't be an issue if TI would support libMSP430 

    (a recent version with up to 5xx support) native on

    Linux. Or even CCS V4.

  • Hi Derek,

    I'm curious to know exactly what driver you used.

    I'm running Parallels Desktop v5.0.9200 on Mac OS 10.6, installed IAR EW Kickstart v4.21 (with DriverX) and am using an MSP-FET430UIF tool.

    When I plugged in the MSP-FET430UIF tool, it was recognised and I attached it to the virtual machine. It appeared in the device manager as a multi-port serial adapter ("MSP-FET430UIF (TI USB FET) Adapter"). When running the hardware wizard I pointed it to the directory: C:\Program Files\IAR Systems\Embedded Workbench 5.4 Kickstart\430\bin\WinXP

    This led to an error when trying to load the driver: "Cannot start device (Code 10)", and so I cannot use the tool.

    Any help here would be good. If you could point me to the drivers you used and the steps you took in installing everything that would be most appreciated (I can provide my email address if necessary).

    Cheers,

    Dean

  • Hello!

    Sorry for this post which might look unrelated to the topic, but something I have noticed (using VMWare 2 on MacOS-X).

    Usually, a USB device connected to the mac at boot time will not be seen by windows. Except the mouse for some reason.

    But for instance for memory card readers, if they are present at MacOS boot time, they will not be seen in Windows.

    And more generally, when the focus is MacOS, the devices plugged will be (mounted / recognized / seen) by macos, but not

    by windows, even the mac's native DVD.

    A consequence of this: you must first boot windows, be sure that windows has the focus (put the mouse in windows' window

    and click) and then plug the device. You will hear the sound used by Windows to tell you that a new device has been connected.

    If you try to run CCS or IAR with a UIF connected before windows was started, it will fail.

    Pascal

  • Hello to everybody,

    just finished testing of VMware Fusion 3.0.1; pls fin the details below:

    Host OS: MAC OS X 10.6.2

    Guest OS: Windows XP SP3

    Virtual Machine: VMware Fusion 3.0.1 (215242)

    IDE Version: CCE v4.0.2

    Tested Hardware Tools: eZ430-F2013, eZ430-RF2500 and MSP-FET430UIF

    Results: All Hardware and software tool(s) work perfect! Tested compile/download/single step/run to line/run/variable view/memory view,  .. Test were made with existing and new projects.

    Rgds
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • Andreas,

    TI's MCU products look attractive and I can see interesting possibilities for them.  However, I find it a disappointment that your dev tools are so wedded to the Windows OS.  Yes, those of us who prefer OS X are aware of the various ways to get Windows running on a Mac.  But being required to jump through such hoops just to proceed with MCU dev is, IMO, unacceptable.

    Until TI comes up with native OS X tools, I will stick with Arduino and its excellent multi-platform software support.

    ZenRascal

  • I am a big mac fan, and use them as my main machine for developing a lot of MSP430 applications. It really is easy, just use parallels and iAR, and it works great. If you're a professional developer, then pick the chip to do what you want to do, not based on what OS it uses. Good developers are flexible: Flipping between mac/PC is easy compared to flipping between C/Java/PHP.

     

    --Derek

  • So I recently has some success doing software development on a Mac NATIVELY for EZ430-F2013

    It went something like this:

    Install mspgcc

    download and build (from source) mspgcc4 (http://mspgcc4.sourceforge.net/) using standard cross-compiler building techniques.  I'm putting such things in /sw/cross/..., but other alternatives are available.  The manual they have (http://mspgcc.sourceforge.net/manual/) is exceptional among compiler manuals.  It talks about architecture, memory spaces, registers, and all sorts of good intro stuff for MSP430.  the mspgcc install includes other useful tools for doing format conversion and such.

    Install TI USBUART Drivers

    Send email to usb@ti.com requesting the Mac beta drivers for TUSB3410, including your company name, and express interest in running development tools on Macs.  You'll (probably) get nice source and instruction on modifying the source for talking to EZ430 boards rather than TUSB eval kits.  Make appropriate mods, compile, and install.

    Install mspdebug tool

    download and build (from source) mspdebug (http://mspdebug.sourceforge.net/)  See if it compiles; probably not.  I needed libusb and libelf, which I got using Fink Commander.  Modify the mspdebug makefile to include the (probably different) paths where fink put the extra libraries (usually /sw/inlcude and /sw/lib)  NOW mspdebug should work!'

    Copy one of the example EZ430-F2013 demo programs.   msp430x20x3_1.c seems to be the classic "blink" program.

    Compile:  /sw/cross/bin/msp430-elf-gcc msp430x20x3_1.c
    Convert:  /sw/cross/bin/msp430-elf-objcopy -O elf32-msp430 a.out a.elf

    Load/Go: mspdebug -d /dev/tty.EZ430JTAGfd3140 uif

                  (mspdebug) prog a.elf

                  (mspdebug) run

    Blink Blink Blink !  Success!

    Not a bad start...

     

  • Please add this (probably a new page) to the MSP430 Mac Wiki:

    http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Category:Mac_OS_X_Support_-_MSP430

    The only downside is there's no IDE. TI really, really should release Code Composer for mac. Eclipse is already multi-platform and it sounds like mspdebug could work on Mac pretty easily too. There is a real hole in the market for a native Mac MSP430 development platfrom.

     

    --Derek

  • The existing Wiki page looked suspiciously like is was constrained to tools with some level of TI support.  Ie it mentions running CC4 under windows via BootCamp or VMs, but doesn't mention even mspgcc at all...

  • >> I recently had some success doing software development on a Mac NATIVELY for EZ430-F2013

    Well, I expanded my efforts to ez430-rf2500 and ez430-chronos, and these are currently NOT working with mspdebug on native MacOSX.  The things TI did to add an "application serial port" as well as a debug port on the newer usb dongles mean that the drivers and operation are entirely different.  I assume that the launchpad (which also has the extra serial port) will also not work with the current versions of mspdebug.  Sigh.  I am investigating possible solutions.

     

  • I now have the ez430-chronos fob talking successfully to my Mac (native OSX.)  Just the debug port using mspdebug; no serial port (yet.)

    There were two pieces necessary to get this working:

    1. A "codeless kernel extension" that prevents the MacOS internal drivers from claiming the USB interfaces.  (attached.)  There is lots of info on the net about using such "codless kext" drivers, but it took a depressing amount of time for me to craft one that did the things I wanted with the ez430 fob.
    2. A small patch to mspdebug to remove some data flushing that fails to work because usb read timeouts don't seem to work.  (also attached.) (Daniel Beer, the author of mspdebug, was very helpful getting this part to work.)

    I *think* that this should also allow a native Mac to talk to launchpad (my launchpad is still back-ordered.)

     

    ez430rf2500-kext.zip
  • (I guess there's only one file attachment per post?  Here's the mspdebug diffs...)

     

  • I'm not yet able to get this to work with my launchpad. 

    Running on 10.6, using the kext you provided and mspdebug-.10, here's what I get:

    Without patch, (clean mspdebug):

     

    mb:mspdebug-0.10 tylerw$ sudo ./mspdebug rf2500

    Trying to open interface 1 on 002-0451-f432-00-00

    With your patch, I get a little further:
    mb:mspdebug-0.10 tylerw$ sudo ./mspdebug rf2500
    Trying to open interface 1 on 002-0451-f432-00-00
    Initializing FET...
    fet: reply type mismatch
    fet: open failed
    It looks like the check at the end of xfer is catching b/c command code 1 != reply code 39. I'm playing with it, but if you have any advice I'm all ears!
    thanks,
    --tyler

     

  • I was able to get a little bit further on this.

    In playing around, I set FET_PROTO_RF2500 to 0x01 in fet.h. This allowed mspdebug to start up, find the device, and i was able to program it successfully from OS X. It looks like it left it in a dirty state though, because it's not repeatable without unplugging/replugging it. I'm also able to do this with just the patched version of the code now, (fet.h in it's original state).

    I'll look at it more tomorrow. Can't wait until I don't need a VM running just to play with this board on mac...

    --tyler

  • I've been having trouble getting the MSP-FET430UIF tool working in my system.  My configuration is as follows:

    Macbook Pro running OS X 10.6.6

    Parallels Desktop v6

    Windows 7

    IAR Workbench v5.2.0

    When I connect the MSP-FET430UIF to the computer, the drivers appear to install properly and I see the "MSP-FET430UIF - VCP (COM3)" listed in my device manager as being running properly.  When I try to do the "download and debug" option, I get a message in the IAR Log window saying "Could not find MSP-FET430UIF on specified COM port".  I checked and double checked the project options settings for the debugger and it is configured to use the "Texas Instruments USB-IF" connection with the "Automatic" selection.

    Everything else seems to work fine with the IAR development environment.  I have a USB dongle-locked version of the license key and that works fine.

    So far, this is the only device/interface that I've tried under the Parallels configuration that has failed to work.

     

  • Hi Chris,

    as far as I remember (from my testings in the past) I had issues with Parallels Vx.x and MSP-FET430UIF and never was able to solve them. That's why I decided to use VMware!

    Kind regards
    aBUGSworstnightmare

  • Hello aBUGSworstnightmare,

    Thanks for the information.  I figured that was going to be the case, but I noticed a few other posts on this thread by individuals that seemed to believe they had the Parallels, TI, and IAR combo working.  I will investigate the VMWare alternative.

    Thanks again,

    Chris.

  • I'm using Parallels 5 with IAR, no problem, although there is one oddity - the FET430 won't work unless I disable it and then re-enable it in the USB menu.

    --Derek

  • Hi Derek,

    Thanks for the input.  I tried for hours using parallels 6 and windows 7 on the mac and was never able to get the USB FET430 to work.  I tried disabling/enabling as well as uninstall/reinstall drivers with no luck.  I switched to VMWare Fusion 3.2 and I have yet to find anything that fails to work.  The integration with the Mac is not as nice as how parallels did it, nor is the file sharing interface performance any where near as good as what parallels had, but at least all my tools work.  Having a great UI with parallels doesn't do me any good if I can't get my tools to work.

    At some point, (Parallels 7?), I'll try it again, but for now, I have too many other project commitments to deal with so I don't have time to fight with tools.

    Again, thanks for you reply and input!

    Chris.

  • You don't need the TI USB driver to use IAR in virtualbox, you just need ez430rf2500.kext from mspdebug, which is really not even a driver.

  • I initially had some issues getting the IAR kickstart to properly flash my eZ430-F2013 from VirtualBox, but after playing around with the settings, I was able to get it to work.  I've had problems with other USB serial devices in the past and playing with the VT-X settings seems to make them work.  Here's a summary of my setup.

    Host hardware:  Macbook Pro, Intel Core i5, 2.3GHz

    Host OS: Mac OSX Lion 10.7.1

    Guest OS: Microsoft Windows XP SP3

    eZ430 Hardware:  MSP430-eZ430-F2013 (3Q 2006, kinda old)

    VirtualBox: 4.0.12, r72916

    VirtualBox settings:

    • System (Acceleration): Enable VT-X/AMD-V
    • System (Acceleration): Enable Nested Paging
    • Port (USB): Filter for MSP-FET430UIF JTAG tool, by plugging it in, letting VirtualBox see it, and selecting it.

    IAR: (From the TI Wiki page) FET605 - IAR Embedded Workbench for MSP430 version 5.30.1, slac050

    I built the flashing LED demo code, and I was able to flash, run and debug it from within IAR.  Seems very stable so far.

    NOTE: It is very important that the JTAG programmer is plugged in the USB interface *before* starting the virtual machine.  Otherwise, IAR cannot talk to the programmer.  I am not sure what is causing this yet.

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