My goal is if possible, to document the protocol used by this device and to help the open source/Linux community because they have always been less privileged. But this is hard work, the manufacturer should do this, but they are not interested, they only provide Windows support and if you have a major problem, like for ex. a firmware corruption then you must buy another device, they will not give you a new firmware, its a shame.
I don't think the manufacturer will ever release the protocol or open up to public, its like dog eat dog business in China, once opened wide, tons of this TL866 clone copies will flood the market like there is no tomorrow.
I talked with some guys from technical support ...........
Huh ? How ? Thru phone ?
radioman, share their support email please ? The one that replies.
And I assumed you were using English right ?
My request:
Hello! I purchased an TL866A from eBay and after changing from minipro software version 5.80 to 5.91 and after request from software to reflash internal firmware, the programmer is now dead. I think the internal firmware is corupted, device is not seen anymore by the software, and by the computer. The little yellow LED its not blinking anymore when I put the USB cable into the device. My request is if possible to reflash internal firmware (I had another tl866 programmer), because the USB method its not working anymore. I can't imagine how easy was to brick this $100 device. Just click reflash firmware, and after that the software hang's about 10 seconds and that was, not seen anymore as device by the computer.
Thank you for support!
Response:
The most likely cause is that the USB driver error, and so can not find the device.
Normal , even if the upgrade fails, you can refresh also.
put your device into another computer USB interface and give it a try, see the USB port does not respond?
Me again:
Well, first thank you for response, second, I tried this on three different computers and same result. Device is not seen by the computers, its not appears in device manager in any form. I tried even a Usbview utility and he's tell my that USB port is not used by any device. Its appears blank port. I tried another TL866 from a friend of mine an that is working properly, just this is has a problem. I notice at the working one when I put the cable in USB socket, the yellow led blinks. My TL866 do not blink the yellow led.
To resume: I have two TL866A.
device no 1 its working when is plugged in the USB port.
device no2 do not work, is appears like is not connected to the computer, only red led is light, the yellow led do not blink. This issue appeared after an failed firmware upgrade. What should I do next?
Their response:
Hi
You may remove USB driver, and restart windows.then reinstall USB driver.
When failed firmware upgrade it is allowed to reflash the firmware.
Me:
But the programmer is not present as USB device man, minipro software do not see the programmer. I can't reflash from minipro software. It is possible to reflash internal microcontroller by other method? I need the internal firmware of microcontroller to reflash manually via another programmer. Can you give me the firmware hex file? if you don't give me the firmware file then I drop the programmer to bin, and I will buy another TL866A, but what should I do if corruption of firmware will happen again? i'm not so glad to buy a programmer every 30 days. Why internal firmware is not well protected from corruption? in case of computer crash during flash upgrade, the programmer firmware will be overwritten and customers cannot do anything for device restoration. Who guarantee me if I buy another programmer it will not happen again? well questions and questions. I will be very glad if you will answer me to this questions, and tell me how to restore device in its working state.
Thanks for support again.
he:
As pic shown, the connection of a 100 ohm resistor, you can reflash
after the Upgrade is completed , and remove it.
Me:
OK, i soldered a 100ohm resistor between 3.3V and pin36 of microcontroller, it has no effect, same result, device is not seen by the computer. The red LED stay light, the yellow LED its not blinking. Minipro software not see the programmer, is not appearing in the device manager / UsbView. I think the internal firmware of microcontroller has been compomissed. What is the unsoldered J1 connector? its appear like a standard LVP ICSP programming interface. Bellow is the soldered resistor like you teel me:
So what to do?
Related to PicKit3 hex issue i will investigate, but from what you say me in PM most likely is a software issue. The hex file was tested on another TL866A and PicKit2, and worked.
Do you solder any connector on unpopulated ICSP?
Well done, this definitively is a firmware bug...