Ok guys, this is pretty embarrasingā¦ But tonight I started triple checking everything, desoldered a bunch of components to make sure they were correct andā¦ Well, turns out one of the pins on my ATMEGA socket was bent when I put it inthe first time, and so, wasnāt soldered properlyā¦ I had to desolder the entire socket and take it out to fix the pin (what a nightmare). Good thing is that my Makerbuino now works! Yay!
1 Like
Okay @bitfogav , hereās my recordings based on what you asked me to provide:
8 7 - 3.29v
8 1 - 3.26v
22 21 - 3.29v
22 20 - 3.29v
screen - 3.92v
I also tried putting the micro controller back in again (checking all pins) but no luck.
Thanks.
Hi @bitfogav
Just tagging you again in case you missed my last msg containing the voltages. Appreciate youāre busy so just making sure.
Thanks.
@tommyph1208 great stuff, glad you got your makerbuino working 
@amilanvega Sorry for getting back to you late but Iām back at work this week so donāt get much time.
Youāre voltage results are perfect!, shows your microprocessor and screen have got power and grounds.
Iāve had another look at youāre makerbuino images and I canāt see anything wrong. The only thing I cant see is the solder joints underneath the screen for the microprocessor connector?.
Can you remove the screen and check the solder joints and double check all the other solder joints too, if you have too maybe run the soldering iron over them all again with some solder just to make sure?.
The only other things that are left is the connections between the microprocessor data lines and the screen, or even the software loaded onto the microprocessor?.
But there is also the possibility that after all this the microprocessor or screen could be faulty.
1 Like
Thanks again, @bitfogav.
Iāve taken some more detailed pics of the soldering points without the screen attached:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YcmVTWsb8rqnbW9f1
What would then be my options for testing the connections between the MP data lines/screen, the software, the MP itself or the screen itself?
Lots of people seem to be posting on the forum saying that MakerBuinoās contact is very bad.
Thanks for the images. Looking at the one with the pic connector, this solder joint doesnāt look right?
1 Like
My first build Saturday evening went well, failing around 20 hours later. This was rectified with the C button. However, I have built my second unit tonight, and it does not boot up. Voltages to the micro and LCD are good. However, there is no 16MHz sine wave on each side of the crystal on this non-functional board. The working board has a nice 16MHz sine wave on each side of the crystal.
It would appear that my microcontroller is not functional, or maybe not programmed.
1 Like
You could try putting the ATMEGA chip into the other unit, this way you can ensure the chip is functioning. My best guess would be the crystal component itself is broken, Iām sure if you ask the makerbuino guy he can send you replacementsā¦ or you could grab them at a local hardware store.
1 Like
Swapping the micro over between the working and non working devices was going to be the next thing I try (will do that when I get home tonight). That will tell me if the fault stays with the board, or moves with the micro.
Well, I have some good news and some bad news. the good news is that my second board and components is fine. The bad news is that the microcontroller is faulty. The fault moved with the microcontroller.
I will send an email to Albert and tell him the bad news.
1 Like
Let Albert know and Iām sure heāll send you a new one.
2 Likes
@wojtek and @bitfogav, thank you for your effort and helping @amilanvega out!
I really appreciate the effort youāre putting into this and your activity on the community forum.
@tommyph1208, I am really glad that your MAKERbuino is working and would love seeing it work (pics or it didnāt happen )
Iāve spoken with @Eddie and will send him a replacement micro this Thursday.
@amilanvega, please donāt give up, we will help you build your MAKERbuino.
What is the status of your build? Have you managed to make something work in the meantime?
1 Like
Hi! I have the same problem as @amilanvega, only difference is that i have different measurements. My multimeter showed around 2.7v. Is this high enough voltage? Is microcontroler in inventors kit loaded with software or do i have to program it?
Thanks!
The microcontroller SHOULD be loaded with software to at least see something (see screenshot above your post for an example) BUT some microcontrollers have been reported not to be loaded with software on these here forums.
If you have an Arduino Uno you could test your microcontroller and your screen, check out one of my earlier posts:
@Gemberkoekje, correct, there is a certain number of units with blank micros due to a production error weāve made. Iāve explained the cause of this in this topic:
@tommyph1208, your MAKERbuino is looking super-duper, youāve just earned a āMAKERbuino makerā badge!
Iāve spoken with @pow33 about the issue. In the end, it turned out that there was a problem with the screen, not the microcontroller.
@amilanvega, we are still waiting for your reply. Please update me with a status of your build
A package arrived in the mail today. Itās my replacement micro.
Thanks for the extras. I really appreciate it. This is just another example of the manufacturer going out of their way to make it right for their customers.
Will try it out tonight, and customise my makerbuino with the extras.
2 Likes
@Eddie, congratulations!
Your MAKERbuino looks super-duper
I am really glad everything works now. Youāve just earned a couple of snazzy badges!
If you need anything else, feel free to send me a message.
@amilanvega, did you manage to make some progress with your build?
1 Like