Ghost issue

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chipfryer27
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Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi

Just upgraded to v8 and finding my feet with it. Like the icon grouping especially if on a laptop.

Anyway I haven't used Ghost for a while so I thought I'd have a play.

I created a very simple one-second flash with a PIC18F4520 as the target.

To make sure I was doing things correctly, I created the flash using v6 (last time I used Ghost). This simulated and also worked fine on the EB006v9 and combo board. I then enabled Ghost and recompiled to chip. All good. I could step through each icon and see the results on the EB006 etc.

Satisfied that things were good, I created the same program using v8. This simulated without issue and also ran without issue when sent to the EB006 etc. All good so far.

I then enabled ICD/ICT and compiled to chip. I didn't see any issues whilst doing so. When I tried to step into (or even just run) I get the following error message.

"The chip does not contain the latest ICD build. You need to compile to chip before continuing".

As I had just compiled to chip I was not expecting that error. Additionally if I disconnect the board from the laptop and reset the chip nothing happens. It is as if the chip has been erased.

I tried using v7 and the exact same thing happens. As mentioned I haven't used Ghost since v6 so has anything happened since v6 and now or am I doing something stupid?

Regards

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QMESAR
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Re: Ghost issue

Post by QMESAR »

I then enabled ICD/ICT and compiled to chip. I didn't see any issues whilst doing so. When I tried to step into (or even just run) I get the following error message.
Do you reset the chip before trying to run or single step .This has solved the issue with ghost in V7 for me haven tried gohst in :shock:
V8 yet
1 Compile and program the chip with ghost enabled
2 then do a power cycle OFF ON then press Run and see if you still get the error

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi Qmesar

Thanks for the info.

Using v7 I compiled to chip and then cycled power as you suggested.

Once cycled the led started flashing.

In v7 I then clicked on the step-into icon. This stopped the hardware led flashing and everything else. I could not step into the flowchart at all. I then clicked on the "Run" icon which then returned the error message.

A further power cycle did not restore functionality to the board. Closing v7 and cycling power did restore board functionality.

Same thing happened with v8.

Regards

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by QMESAR »

Once cycled the led started flashing.
This should not happen as in boot up the Gost should hold it in no run until you command a step or a full run,
Let me check if I have a 18F4520 in my lab and test it as Iam curious now if Gohst is working in V8 in V7 I am sure used it a few times :D

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by LeighM »

Could you try just enabling ICD (not ICT) before you compile to chip?
The ICD icon should have a thin highlight around it.

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi

Just tried the following:-

Restarted laptop.
Created simple flash test loop in v8
Simulates fine and when downloaded to chip works fine.
Program immediately runs.

Enabled ICD (nav bar turns green)
Compiled to chip
Cycled power (off for about ten seconds)
Nothing happened when power reapplied
Enable ICD (this had cleared during power cycle)
Tried to "run" but got same error message as before.

Restarted laptop.
Created simple flash test loop in v7
Simulates fine and when downloaded to chip works fine.
Program immediately runs.

Enabled ICD
Compiled to chip
Cycled power (off for about ten seconds)
Nothing happened when power reapplied
Enable ICD (this had cleared during power cycle)
Clicked "run"
After about five seconds or so the Simulation Debugger Window appeared
Nothing else happened
Clicked "stop"
Disabled ICD
Hardware started to flash
Enabled ICD
Hardware stopped
Clicked "run"
Nothing happened and the error message appeared.
Compiled to chip (again)
Cycled power
Nothing happened when power reapplied
Enable ICD (this had cleared during power cycle)
Clicked "run"
Error message as before appeared
Disabled ICD
Nothing happened
Disconnected laptop and cycled power
Nothing happened on hardware.

I tried the above again, a few times but I can't say I get repeatability. Sometimes I only get the error messages other times I get the above. If I load a completely different flash test without any ICD/ICT it runs fine on hardware so I'm thinking that the chip is good.

Regards

Edit
PS I'm running Windows 8.1 if that is of any relevance

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi

Today I tried another 18F4520 with same problems. I have no access to any other chip for at least a week but I suspect it isn't uC related.

Created a simple flasher in v6 and this works fine with Ghost. No issue at all.

In v7 I created a simple flasher exactly as in v6 then enabled ICD/ICT and compiled.

As Qmesar suggested I cycled power.

Once repowered the board had no activity (program not running). Enabling ICD illuminated the corresponding led on the EB006. Enabling ICT started the program running (I did NOT click run / step into). Clicking "run" then brought up the error message.

Cycled power. Enabled ICD and clicked "Step-into". This brought up the Simulation Debugger window but nothing is being stepped into. Stopping and starting the program then brought up the error message.

In v8 it is even worse. Nothing happens at all even if power is cycled and no matter what I just receive the error message.

Hopefully someone in Matrix can suggest something.

Regards

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by LeighM »

Looks like this one will need some investigation with hardware once we are back in the office later in the week

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Thanks Leigh

It isn't urgent for me. I waited a whole version before discovering a problem...:)

Regards

EDIT...

Just manually updated to latest version. Now v8 acts as my v7 does.

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by QMESAR »

Hi
I had a look but I do not have a 18F4520 mcu they are a bit old we do not use such old models ,
is this the only chip you have perhaps another mcu number to try and see if Ghost works with that
i hope you come right

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi Qmesar

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I haven't any access to anything other than both these chips. Next week I'll try with some others and will post my results.

Regards and a Happy New Year

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by QMESAR »

Ok
Happy new year to you too :D

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Re: Ghost issue

Post by chipfryer27 »

Hi

Tried FCv8 Ghost using a 16LF1939 running a very basic Flash test.

Compiled to chip with no issues.

Enabled ICD/ICT and recompiled. Once complete the code immediately started running on the chip (LED flashing). I noticed that although enabling them, ICD/ICT was now disabled in Flowcode. I may have perhaps inadvertently clicked something. Anyway I re-enabled them which immediately stopped the code from running and I could then "step-into" the code without further issue.

I then tried a 18F4553. It too ran without issue using FCv8 Ghost. I did not need to cycle power for the above to operate. They worked just fine.

So it looks like the issue is when using a PIC18F4520. I had a look for some other 4520s but could only find 18LF4520. I tried that but when it came to loading the programmer board informed that according to it I was using a 4420 and wouldn't progress. It did accept it if I tried it as a 18F4520 but I then ran into the issues documented before.

Regards

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