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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Problem with Serial Console on PicoMiteVGA reference board

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ManiB
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Joined: 12/10/2019
Location: Germany
Posts: 118
Posted: 08:10pm 14 May 2025
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Hello everybody,

I am currently setting up four PicoMite VGA refernce boards using the Raspberry PI Pico 2 and the Firmware "PicoMiteRP2350VGAV6.00.02RC23.uf2"





The manual says that after installing the firmware, the Pico boots up and a virtual COM port is started on the micro USB port. Here is the excerpt from the manual, page 6:

"When the copy has completed the Raspberry Pi Pico will restart and create a virtual serial port over USB on your computer. See the chapter Serial Console below for the details of using this."

Well, MMBasic is running, I can use VGA monitor and PS2 keyboard without any problems. Actually everything works, but on my Windows PC, which I have connected to the Pico with the USB cable, no COM port is displayed.

What is the reason for this?

Here are my currently set options:
> option list
PicoMiteVGA MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.00.02RC23
OPTION FLASH SIZE 4194304
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD GR,0,1,0,0
OPTION RESOLUTION 640x480 @ 252000kHz
OPTION SDCARD GP13, GP10, GP11, GP12
 
dddns
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Joined: 20/09/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 335
Posted: 09:04pm 14 May 2025
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Look twice what version you are using. This is an USB version where serial console is I _think_ on this version as well on GP8,GP9 over UART adapter. With the standart VGA/HDMI version you have serial over USB by default
 
TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6226
Posted: 09:13pm 14 May 2025
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You used
  Quote  PicoMiteRP2040VGAUSBV6.00.02RC23

instead of
  Quote  PicoMiteRP2040VGAV6.00.02RC23


Easy mistake to make
VK7JH
MMedit
 
dddns
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Joined: 20/09/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 335
Posted: 09:13pm 14 May 2025
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Is this option list coming from the device shown on the picture??

Anyway, the version in your headline is the one I would try.
You should better do a clear flash and start all over
Edited 2025-05-15 07:19 by dddns
 
ManiB
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Joined: 12/10/2019
Location: Germany
Posts: 118
Posted: 10:09pm 14 May 2025
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Mhh, realy?

The board did use a PS/2 Socket for a PS/2 Keyboard - not a USB Keyboard.





And I'm using a Pico 2 (RP2350). So I'm pretty sure to use this firmware file:

PicoMiteRP2350VGAV6.00.02RC23.uf2

Shouldn't I?

And yes, the OPTION LIST is from this device shown in the pictures.

This is the list pins of this device:
> list pins
GP0  1  OFF
GP1  2  OFF
GP2  4  OFF
GP3  5  OFF
GP4  6  OFF
GP5  7  OFF
GP6  9  OFF
GP7  10  OFF
GP8  11  Boot Reserved : KEYBOARD CLOCK
GP9  12  Boot Reserved : KEYBOARD DATA
GP10  14  Boot Reserved : SPI SYSTEM CLK
GP11  15  Boot Reserved : SPI SYSTEM MOSI
GP12  16  Boot Reserved : SPI SYSTEM MISO
GP13  17  Boot Reserved : SD CS
GP14  19  OFF
GP15  20  OFF
GP16  21  Boot Reserved : VGA HSYNC
GP17  22  Boot Reserved : VGA VSYNC
GP18  24  Boot Reserved : VGA BLUE
GP19  25  Boot Reserved : VGA GREEN L
GP20  26  Boot Reserved : VGA GREEN H
GP21  27  Boot Reserved : VGA RED
GP22  29  OFF
GP23  41  DOUT
GP24  42  DIN
GP25  43  HEARTBEAT
GP26  31  OFF
GP27  32  OFF
GP28  34  OFF
GP29  44  AIN
Edited 2025-05-15 08:25 by ManiB
 
dddns
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Joined: 20/09/2024
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Posted: 10:13pm 14 May 2025
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and it shows a B version and yours looks like a A but its late..
 
ManiB
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Joined: 12/10/2019
Location: Germany
Posts: 118
Posted: 10:28pm 14 May 2025
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  dddns said  and it shows a B version and yours looks like a A but its late..


Yes, you are right, i made a mistake. The OPTION LIST shows:
PicoMiteVGA MMBasic USB RP2350A Edition V6.00.02RC23
 
ManiB
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Joined: 12/10/2019
Location: Germany
Posts: 118
Posted: 10:33pm 14 May 2025
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  dddns said  
You should better do a clear flash and start all over


I have four brand new Pico 2, and all show the same behaviour.
I don't think a clear flash change anything.
 
dddns
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Joined: 20/09/2024
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Posted: 10:45pm 14 May 2025
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This is what it says:
PicoMiteVGA MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.00.02RC23


But you wrote you use:
PicoMiteRP2350VGAV6.00.02RC23.uf2


and this is the correct one if you want serial over USB!

If four! show the same behavior it should be clear, that the problem is on your side!
Edited 2025-05-15 08:59 by dddns
 
Frank N. Furter
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Joined: 28/05/2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 940
Posted: 06:29am 15 May 2025
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What speed have you set? With “normal” Picomites I always had to set 38400 bps.

Frank
Edited 2025-05-15 16:50 by Frank N. Furter
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 7559
Posted: 07:00am 15 May 2025
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This looks wrong.

Installing PicoMiteRP2350VGAV6.00.02RC23.uf2

will NOT give

PicoMiteVGA MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.00.02RC23
OPTION FLASH SIZE 4194304
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD GR,0,1,0,0
OPTION RESOLUTION 640x480 @ 252000kHz
OPTION SDCARD GP13, GP10, GP11, GP12

as OPTION LIST unless it's buggy.

The GPIO pin list looks correct though.

TassyJim is right. You probably need to clear the flash to reinstall the correct firmware.

Personally, unless someone can recommend a version that they have tested on this particular PCB design, I'd try one of the earlier Release Candidates or even 6.00.01, the last full release.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
Volhout
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Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4875
Posted: 08:33am 15 May 2025
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The strange thing is that the firmware detects a RP2350B chip, while the part on the pico2 is clearly a RP2350A part (you can count 15 pins per side totaling in 60pins).

What brand is this pico2 board ?

Be carefull, there are 2 different "clear flash" uf2's, one for RP2040 and one for RP2350. These are available form RP website.

Volhout
Edited 2025-05-15 18:35 by Volhout
PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS
 
twofingers
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Joined: 02/06/2014
Location: Germany
Posts: 1535
Posted: 08:46am 15 May 2025
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  ManiB said  

Well, MMBasic is running, I can use VGA monitor and PS2 keyboard without any problems. Actually everything works, but on my Windows PC, which I have connected to the Pico with the USB cable, no COM port is displayed.

What is the reason for this?

You didn't specify which Windows you're using. On my Windows 7 computer, I need to install drivers so that the Pico is recognized in Windows.
Regards
Michael
causality ≠ correlation ≠ coincidence
 
ManiB
Senior Member

Joined: 12/10/2019
Location: Germany
Posts: 118
Posted: 09:31am 15 May 2025
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  Mixtel90 said  This looks wrong.

Installing PicoMiteRP2350VGAV6.00.02RC23.uf2

will NOT give

PicoMiteVGA MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.00.02RC23
OPTION FLASH SIZE 4194304
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD GR,0,1,0,0
OPTION RESOLUTION 640x480 @ 252000kHz
OPTION SDCARD GP13, GP10, GP11, GP12

as OPTION LIST unless it's buggy.

The GPIO pin list looks correct though.

TassyJim is right. You probably need to clear the flash to reinstall the correct firmware.

Personally, unless someone can recommend a version that they have tested on this particular PCB design, I'd try one of the earlier Release Candidates or even 6.00.01, the last full release.

!
Yes, it is IS WRONG!

Sorry, I made a typing error when typing the screen message.
The corrected power-on message is: “PicoMiteVGA MMBasic RP2350A Edition V6.00.02RC23

Here is the screenshot:




Im using a Windows 8 PC. I will try this out this evening with my Windows 10 Intel NUC computer and then report what happens there.

Thank you for your help.
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 7559
Posted: 09:36am 15 May 2025
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Are you seeing this on the console screen just after the Pico boots, with it connected (and powered) via the USB connector?

Note for those who swap USB leads around. Not all USB leads contain the D+ and D- data cores. Some are intended for charging only and are intended for simple, single-rate chargers. This sort of lead is not suitable for the PicoMite family unless you are aware that there will be no USB console and the lead cannot be used to update or install MMBasic (or anything else for that matter!). I've been tripped up by this personally a couple of times and it can lead to a head-scratching session until you realise what's happened. I now label such leads as I come across them!
Edited 2025-05-15 19:43 by Mixtel90
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
disco4now

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Joined: 18/12/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 976
Posted: 09:41am 15 May 2025
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From the manual page 8.

Windows 7 and 8.1
The USB serial port uses the CDC protocol and the drivers for this are standard in Windows 10 and 11 and will load automatically.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation lists Windows 7 or 8.1 as “unsupported” however you can use a tool like Zadig
( https://zadig.akeo.ie ) to install a generic driver for a “usbser” device and that should allow these computers to
connect. This post describes the process: https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-feedback/issues/118
Latest F4 Latest H7 FotS
 
Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
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Posted: 09:45am 15 May 2025
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Well spotted!
Windows 8 belongs in the pits of hell anyway. It's awful. :)
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
twofingers
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Joined: 02/06/2014
Location: Germany
Posts: 1535
Posted: 10:28am 15 May 2025
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  Mixtel90 said  Windows 8 belongs in the pits of hell anyway. It's awful. :)

Windows 7 rules!
BTW, I'm NOT using the Zadig solution. Instead, I'm using an ATMEL driver.
causality ≠ correlation ≠ coincidence
 
dddns
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Joined: 20/09/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 335
Posted: 10:30am 15 May 2025
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Very confusing for everybody. Please confirm:
This version is the correct one if you want serial over USB on a RP2350 (Pico2):
  ManiB said  



If an unknown device is plugged into Win then usually it requests a diver install.

Maybe it won't come up with this but then you should see an unknown device in the device manager. Please check

Try all of this on a plain pico without having it plugged in to your board

Then please report what your findings are

Please never retype an option list but copy & paste!


If I think about it twice windows is not your problem as you are able to flash the Pico. Isolate a Pico and be sure flashing a non USB version as first step

The discussion about clear_flash is not worth a word. simply do if you want to be sure
Edited 2025-05-15 20:56 by dddns
 
dddns
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Posts: 335
Posted: 11:00am 15 May 2025
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The keyboard setting are your problem
 
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