Work with LCD-Smartie

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 8:49 pm

Hi,
I'm new here and I'm german.
I bought and I conected my Display with the paralelport on my computer.
The Display has the HD44780 Controller and 4x20 chars.
I have LCD-Smatie and I programmed some lines, but I don't know how to put these lines on the LCD.
Can anybody help me please?

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 9:12 pm

Welcome Mike!

If the lines you have set are not showing up then please check that you have installed the port95nt program that allows Smartie to talk directly to the parallel port.

You can find it here, it's the last program at the bottom of the page.
http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/smartied.htm

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 9:29 pm

Yes I installed.

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 9:38 pm

then try reading this topic: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=327

there is a great possibility that some problems slipped when soldering the wires.

this post is also a must for newcomers: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=245

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 9:55 pm

If you get the black line/s but cannot send data:
Make sure that the E, RS and R/W are wired correctly

The Pins are correct. But I stil can't send data.

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 10:07 pm

sure it's a HD44780 and not some other 90% compatible?
Please post a link to the lcd datasheet and a pic of the smartie setup window.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 10:15 pm

The datasheet is here
I bought it with ebay and it was named: LCD Display HD44780 4x20 Black chr 20x4 White Backlight

And here is the config.

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 10:39 pm

It's one of those near 100% compatible.

Try LPT1,4 as Startup parameters, see if it starts sending to the display.
Also make sure you have bidirectional or ECC/EPP selected on your parallel port settings page in the computer BIOS.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 10:47 pm

I tried with bidirectional and ECC+EPP but it doesnt work. LPT1,4 changes nothing too.

In BIOS I can change:
1: EPP Version (1.7 or 1.9 is aktive)
2: ECP Mode DMA Channel (DMA0, DMA1, DMA3 is aktive)
3: ParallelPort IRQ (IRQ5, IRQ7 is aktive)

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 11:01 pm

when you power it up do you see two black horizontal bars - one on the first line and one on the third line?
also please power the display before starting smartie.

LE: Have you set some unusual port address for LPT in BIOS?

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 11:03 pm

Yes I see the two bars.
I restarted my PC after I powered the LCD, so Smartie started later.

Post by **caesar** » June 23rd, 2008, 11:06 pm

Other faults:

1. cable fault
2. parallel port is broken
3. LCD is broken
4. reinstall Windows
5. unusual port address in BIOS

not in that order, of course.

LE: try the display on another computer!

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 23rd, 2008, 11:12 pm

OK I will try it on an other PC tomorrow.
Very big thanks for your help!!!

I will poste after testing on the other PC(s).

Good Night.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 10:33 am

Hi here I'm.
I tested the Display on one other PC but it didn't work.
So I think it's not my ParallelPort and not my Windows.
The cables are on the right places and not broken.
I don't think that my LCD is broken.
I'm completly at a loss......

Post by **caesar** » June 24th, 2008, 10:48 am

something must be wrong...

what windows version are you using?

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 10:49 am

I'm using Windows XP SP2

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 10:51 am

Oh I connected the 5V cable and now I get....bulshit.
Flicker bars short and long...
Picture

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm

I'm an idiot xD
I connected the Sub-D false. Now it works. But only the first 2 lines. The last 2 doesn't work. Which cable is the one for the lines on the buttom?

Edit: Hmm I think I destroyed the last 2 lines

Post by **caesar** » June 24th, 2008, 2:40 pm

If your display has one enable line (normal for 4x20) then there isn't a cable for the bottom lines.

If your display is unusual and has two enable lines, then you have to wire it corresponding to the 4x40 schematic to enable the bottom lines.

Please use the edit button rather than posting 3 consecutive posts!

LE: This message stayed in que for 2 hours, I had a power failure.
It is pretty hard to destroy the bottom lines if it's a one controller display (only one enable line). The best bet is that it was bad from the beginning.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 3:03 pm

Enable Line ??
Where can I find it?

Post by **caesar** » June 24th, 2008, 3:37 pm

Here: http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/circuits.htm

E for 1 controller LCD's, E1 and E2 for two controller LCD's.

From the datasheet you supplied that display has only one enable line so either you touched the back of the LCD with some loose wires or it was damaged from the beginning.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » June 24th, 2008, 5:03 pm

I connected the LCD 100% like the picture in your link.
I think the 2 lines are damaged.

Mike9119 · Post by **Mike9119** » July 1st, 2008, 11:16 am

Hi,
I bought a new Display and on this Display all 4 lines are working.
So I damaged the first one.
Thank you very much. Your help was great!

Post by **caesar** » July 1st, 2008, 12:00 pm

Glad you sorted it out.
Have fun and enjoy!