Can't get past Black bars, checklist please

lilpunk1302 · Post by **lilpunk1302** » April 27th, 2008, 8:02 pm

Ok, so I spent 3 hours yesterday wiring up my LCD and now I'm sad because it doesn't work, just stuck on black initialization bars.

I downloaded Smartie, launched it, configured it, got nothing. Then remembered that in previous versions needed to get a "driver" so I get and install port95nt, restart, launch smartie and still nothing.
After about an hour of fiddling, I decide to see if i can get it working in linux, so I boot up Ubuntu, download LCDProc then I realize that I need to compile it, having no experience and not in the mood to deal with all the errors it spits out I abandon that idea.

SO now I'm stuck with an LCD that refuses to go past the bars.

I'm 90% sure my wiring's are correct as per the diagram here.

and I'm 75% sure it has something to do with XP blocking it,
at this point I'm almost at the point where I wanna find my 5+ year old Win98 CD from one of my first computers and see if it runs there.

Post by **caesar** » April 28th, 2008, 11:28 am

What type of connection? LPT?
You haven't attached any wiring schematics for us to check.

Please post more details: LPT on motherboard/ addin card, error messages, .NET version, display type/manufacturer/chip type, anything else relevant.

lilpunk1302 · Post by **lilpunk1302** » April 28th, 2008, 11:57 pm

Bleh, thought I added sufficient details,

Asrock NF6G-VSTA Mobo, set to Normal lpt mode(Normal, Bi-dir, or ECP+EPP)

LPT Connection

No errors in the latest version, but in 5.1.3(I think) it tells me that it;s crashed as soon as I hit apply to the settings.

.Net 3.5

http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/lcd44780.gif
(Standard 8 bit) schematic.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... cts_id=256
(Sparkfun 20x4 HD44780 LCD)

when mom comes home from work(About an hour or 2) I'll get a picture of my wiring, maybe you guys can see something I can't.

I tried using it on my web server, but it's not connected to a monitor, and turns out I disabled the LPT port so can't test it there.

I also tried CrystalControl and it also gave nothing.

Post by **caesar** » April 29th, 2008, 10:05 am

Please use bi-dir or ecc+epp as setting in the bios!

If it still doesn't work use as parameter in smartie Display settings LPT1,4
Your LCD display controller isn't a true HD44780 but a "compatible" one and LPT1,4 instructs it to use slower commands and improves compatibility.

How long is your cable and what type do you use?

lilpunk1302 · Post by **lilpunk1302** » April 30th, 2008, 2:18 am

Ok well i tried bo Bi-dir and ECP+EPP and neither work.

I've also tried setting the timing multiplier higher, and that didn't work either.

I'm using 6ft of 16 strand ribbon, and USB for power, it seems to handle it just fine tho :/

I tried getting pics of the wirings but I don't have easy access to a macro camera.

Post by **caesar** » April 30th, 2008, 7:59 pm

6ft of cable is way too much!
It usually doesn't work to send fast signals over a cable so long.
I would suggest a very good printer cable for that length!

Please try the same wiring but with a max 50cm (1.64ft) long flat cable and post your results.

lilpunk1302 · Post by **lilpunk1302** » May 1st, 2008, 11:54 pm

lol, thought it might be a little much *-) (on msn *-) = eye rolling)

Anyways, I don't have time to splice it shorter today, maybe tommorow.

In other news,

I tried it on my dads comp, and I got a cool loading bar type effect,
his USB ports arn't very powerful, and as his computer loads, the bars like "Scroll" but it's not controllable, and happens regardless of whether it's plugged in or not.

uzumaki · Post by **uzumaki** » May 2nd, 2008, 7:21 am

I do not like using USB ports just for power. It's not really designed to have power leeched from even if it's empty port. By default unused port is supposed to allow max of 100mA for leeching (ie snake light, mini fan, etc)

But still, my LCD are all wired to use the standard drive connectors.

The longest cable I've used with my LCD is 2 feet long unshielded flat ribbon cable.

lilpunk1302 · Post by **lilpunk1302** » May 2nd, 2008, 10:42 pm

Yeah, problem is, I got a really big desk, and 2 feet would barely run to the table top.

As far as USB leeching, my original plan was to use it in conjuntion with a Razr charger modified with a female USB jack, but I decided to plug it into my computer, and it handles it just fine, so yeah, if it works, it works, if not I'll pull out the Razr charger.