And here is how the last hour went (almost looked like it would work too).
Re-ran installer, selecting the legacy USB drivers this time (only option unselected by default).
Finished installing.
Connected device, shows in device manager correctly (Debuggable .Net Micro Framework Device, which a child item of GHI .NET Micro Framework USB Debugging Interface).
Ran up the Helloworld app (the button, camera, LCD one from the starter guide)
Failed deployed. Last time, could not connect issue (prior to reinstalling drivers with legacy USB). This time, assembly mismatch, ie, firmware out of date (as expected, so making progress).
Run C:\Program Files (x86)\GHI Electronics\GHI .NET Gadgeteer SDK\Firmware Update\FEZSpiderMainboardUpdater.exe
Reports current firmware is 4.1.8.0 (sounds about right since I bought the unit a while ago, and the sticker date on the blue lunch box it came in read 4/13/12, or 13th April 2012 where I come from). PS, version of updater (label in bottom left of startup form) is 1.0.7.
Click next.
Unplug USB. Plug back in. (for the hell of it).
My LCD screen is still plugged in (and showing a lovely shade of white).
Leave tiny booter/firmware paths alone,
C:\Program Files (x86)\GHI Electronics\GHI Premium NETMF v4.2 SDK\EMX\Firmware\TinyBooter\TinyBooter.GHI
C:\Program Files (x86)\GHI Electronics\GHI Premium NETMF v4.2 SDK\EMX\Firmware\Config.hex;C:\Program Files (x86)\GHI Electronics\GHI Premium NETMF v4.2 SDK\EMX\Firmware\Firmware.hex;C:\Program Files (x86)\GHI Electronics\GHI Premium NETMF v4.2 SDK\EMX\Firmware\Firmware2.hex;
Click Step 2.
Flick switches 1,2,3 to on (in that order).
Hold reset switch (about two seconds) and released.
Device Manager flicked about and the device showed up again (same as above).
Click Update. Fails, dialog about repeat again or click here to do it manually.
Pull USB, flick switches back to default (all off).
Over to GHI Electronics – Where Hardware Meets Software
Install TeraTerm, full install.
Run TeraTerm Pro. No serial ports. Quit application.
Close TeraTerm.
Connect USB.
Manually install BOOT loader Interface (Device Manager, Add Legacy hardware, select the GHI BootLoader item).
Shows up now with a warning (ie, could not start) as COM3.
A hole lot more mucking around (switches, reset, unplug, install/uninstall) to no end… The bit about “shorting pins” I translated to dip switches, which made sense when you read the different in pin shorts between loader and tinybooter requirements.
Give up, download 4.1 SDK, install.
Switch VS HelloWorld project over to MF 4.1, recompile, run.
All is sweet. I’m going to play with 4.1 until the 4.2 is stable/workable. I followed all the guff about changing USB2/3 ports, powered hubs but found it had nothing to do with it (even tried the good old cable swap). Try 4.1 to prove your hardware is ok (mine is) and re attempt 4.2 if you have the patience (I don’t).
