Stuck in dL mode

Hi everyone.

I had a similar problem to the one posted by Squire Trelawney. I was unable to download sessions into the Proteus. I'm sure everything was set up okay but no dice. The cable I was using was actually for the Thoughtstream. I'd bought them both together in a package deal from MindModulations. I know the cable was working okay because it worked with the Mental Games with the Thoughtstream but it doesn't seem to want to allow communication with the Proteus so I changed it for the one that actually came with the Proteus and bingo! Using version 2.4.5 I uploaded the latest code and lots of flashing numbers as described. But now when the numbers have stopped transferring all I get is a flashing dL on the Proteus screen. I am unable to change the mode. Whenever I switch on I get the flashing dL. None of the buttons work. The only difference a button press makes is that it stops the display from flashing. I've tried uploading older versions of the OS, 2.4.1 and even 2.2. I get the flashing numbers each time but then it reverts to a stuck dL display.

I've tried different transfer rates too.

I fear the worst........ could I have a second opinion?

Thanks in advance.

The first thing to do is make certain you have new fresh alkaline batteries. If it still won't work then contact MindModulations. The proteus has a 1 year warranty.
If the unit is older than a year, then go to http://www.mindplacesupport.com and click on "repairs".

Good luck - hopefully you get your unit working soon.

Okay, thanks, Andy.

Will do.

Hello, Billgillies--

The cable problem is due to the fact that the Proteus and ThoughtStream serial cables cannot be exchanged--the TS cable (pale colored) can only transmit data, while the Proteus cable (black) can only receive it. We reason this is so has to do with using the audio patch cord to connect the two together.

The flashing "DL" is odd, though! If you are still having a problem with, we'll replace it ASAP--just contact us through www.mindplace.com, the support tab.

--Robert

Hi BillGillies,

Do all the push button switches appear to be working ... if they don't all make a clicking noise then one may be stuck down. If a switch is pressed (or stuck) while the unit is turned on it will be forced into the locked dL mode (flashing "dL"). This feature was made so the user could regain control of the Proteus in case the upgradeable code went astray and never returned to the core routines.

The Proteus will also go into the "locked dL" mode if a call to the upgradeable code fails to return the correct check-value. The core routines use this check to make sure the upgradeable code is working properly.

When locked in dL mode the Proteus is expecting the OS to be reprogrammed.
So if the switches appear OK then something may have gone wrong with the programming of the code.

Let me know how it goes.

Beat regards,
theRock

Thanks for your reply, theRock.

Yeah, the buttons seem fine. Each of them make a solid clicking noise and the Proteus also responds to a button being depressed by halting the flashing to give a stable ?dL? display. When the button is allowed to click back then the flashing resumes.

I?ve tried pressing buttons in combination, holding buttons while switching the machine on and so on but to no effect. The only change I can get from it is when I plug the cable in. The display gives me a double zero. ?00?. When I press anything else the flashing ?dL? resumes. I also see the numbers flashing on the display when updating the code. The correct version of the OS code is included with each version of the Windows Proteus Editor so it?s difficult to get that wrong. Even so, I?ve completely uninstalled other versions of the editor when updating the code so the problem can?t be with that.

One thing I?ve noticed is that according to the Proteus display on switching on (before my ?dL? blues), my machine was shipped with version 2.3. I?ve seen 2.2, and two versions of 2.4 available for download but no 2.3. I would have liked to have tried resetting to its original state as shipped but for some reason 2.3 is not available.

Anyway, I think it?s time for me to return the unit ?.

Thanks Robert,

I've been in touch with Mind Modulations who sold me the unit and they've agreed to take it back.

Just for future reference:

--We've identified the source of several updating issues to be USB to serial converter cables, which do not always work properly, it seems.

Thanks for that info, Robert.

People having trouble with their USB->Serial converters should check this thread for assistance. http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...hread.php?t=37

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robert Austin

Just for future reference:

--We've identified the source of several updating issues to be USB to serial converter cables, which do not always work properly, it seems.

---

Well, this jsut happened to me on version 2.3 as well. :-(

Now it just flashes DL at me and says bAd everytime I try to load the OS.

And there's no way to give the unit a hard reset back to 2.3? Guess I'll be calling MindModulations tomorrow.

It's a bummer since I just got the unit a few days ago and I was excited to try some of the new programs.

Wish I could have had better news for my inagural post...

Hi,

I don't think that the Proteus is faulty. And I don't think that using editor 2.3 compared to 2.2 or 2.4 makes any difference. They are all fine - if you don't depend on USB.

Best advice is to get hold of an older pc with a serial interface. And for good sake using editor 2.5.1 (newest, if I remember right). And then uploading the OS, that comes with that editor.

I have mixed all sorts of OS and Editor. That was never any problem, as long as the connection serial / or USB was held slow and stable.

And always make the editor force the speed of the connection as slow as possible. I.e. "serial port / change transfer rate". I even think that TheRock has made that speed go low - per default - in the newest editor.

I understand that some USB / serial converters just dont do with the Proteus, some -like mine cheap Aten232 type - only work at utmost slow speeds, and others work at quite fast speeds. So a lucky strike might be needed when buying a converter. Maybe we should make a list of succesfull types - I don't think that many types are in the marked anyway. I my country there were just two.

K.R.

MindMan

Hello Drew2u,

All OS upgrades are done in dL mode.

If you have a USB to serial adapter please read the information on the thread USB -> Serial adaptors ...
http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...hread.php?t=37

If none of that helps then follow MindMan's advice and try it on a pc with a true RS232 serial port.

I also like MindMan's idea of starting a list of USB to Serial adapters that do and do not work.

Best regards,
theRock

PS I have posted version 2.5.1 of the session editor...
http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...?p=475#post475

Luckily I had another machine, and using an actual com port got everything working.
:banana:

Thanks for all the help. That includes the person on the phone over at Mindmodulations who went above and beyond in helping me out.
:eusa_clap:

I guess the usb serial cable was at fault, although it had managed to succesfully move some sessions earlier in the day... Very tricky.

I'm looking forward to chatting with everyone more as I get into it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BillGillies

There seems to be some disagreement/confusion as to whether PC or dL mode should be used. Just for the record, my original problem had nothing to do with USB. I used the original serial cable. I hope to hear from Mind Modulations soon that a replacement Proteus is on its way to me....

---

Even if using a real COM port / serial connection, things might go wrong with a 2.3 editor. As this editor is history I won't explain. But this only applies to editor 2.3.

Give it one more try with editor 2.5.1. (newest one) and do this action before transfering first a new OS into the Proteus and then maybe some sessions: Make the editor force the speed of the connection as slow as possible. I.e. "serial port / change transfer rate".

Install the newest editor and try and upload the OS that comes with that editor.

K.R.

MindMan

Well, to add the confusion, I was definitely able to upgrade mine in DL mode once I moved the cable to a machine that had an actual serial port.

I'm running 2.5 now, and I've been very happy with it.

I received my replacement Proteus from Mind Modulations today. Ater an initial scare when I switched it on and the dreaded dL started flashing it settled to inform me that I was still with OS 2.3. I downloaded the latest Editor 2.51 from here and with some trepidation installed it on my Proteus. Mission accomplished! It's taken a while but it gave me the opportunity to get into some technology-free meditation again.

Thanks to Mind Modulations and to everyone here who contributed.

Peace.

Hey there, I just turned on my Proteus and it is in dL mode and won't come out. I have never downloaded anything, so I am not sure what is going on. We just changed the batteries. Can someone tell me what to do about this?
Thanks!
Float

That's disconcerting indeed! I'll send you a PM.

Robert

I hate to be the one to bump up an old thread, but a friend has had a proteus since 2003 he believes, we just pulled it out of the closet and were going through the modes. It got stuck in DL flashing. Cannot find the Usb cable(still looking)

The original Proteus did not come with a USB cable. You can purchase the recommended (and inexpensive) USB cable from Mindplace.