Scheduler remote not updating 4xxx?

[XLCior]

Hi,

I bought a Roombe 4XXX back when they were new, and (8 years later) have just received the OK from Mrs. XLCior to hack it. It is from a date prior to SCI being included in the firmware. It would require a black OSMO, but I couldn't find a source, so I went ahead and bought a scheduler remote + cable. Here's where it gets interesting:

When I hook up the remote, it counts down from 100 as expected, and seems to successfully complete the update. When I hook it up to an Arduino (using a home-built cable), I get:

device-detect
2005-04-21

So it appears that the update was successful. (Also worth noting that I get the expected output from the Roomba when charging, so I have some indications that the cable and baud rate are working OK.) The problem is that when I send a "start" byte to the Roomba, i.e. 128 per the SCI spec and as further described at http://www.robotappstore.com/Knowledge- ... ba/18.html , the Roomba starts sending back random bits. It doesn't seem to honor any of the commands that I send. (Using an Arduino and appropriate sketches, not a direct connection to the computer.)

This leads me to wonder whether the scheduler remote update really enables SCI for my Roomba? Another funky thing is that if I re-connect the scheduler remote to the Roomba, it will again "update", i.e. count down from 100.

So is this a problem with my Roomba? Or am I just wrong in drawing the conclusion that the scheduler remote should actually perform the update? If the latter, anybody have ideas on where I might buy/borrow a black osmo?


Thanks,

XLCior

[mfortuna]

I am pretty sure the date displayed by the roomba indicates it does not have SCI capability. I believe the date is October 2005 or newer. I have a scheduler remote and that alone did not update my 400s to SCI.

[vic7767]

anybody have ideas on where I might buy/borrow a black osmo?

I offer the use of my personal Black or Blue OSMO Hacker modules. I require a hefty deposit that I later return most of once the OSMO is back on my storage shelf. You can either email me or PM me for the details.

[XLCior]

Thanks guys. I was afraid that might be the case. Now the $10,000 question is whether the fact that I've updated the firmware with the remote affects the osmo that I need...? Based on the sticker under the battery, I originally needed black. Would that have changed?

Vic: Thanks for the offer. I'll follow-up via email.

[vic7767]

The flashing of your Roomba with the scheduler feature has no effect on the hacker code that will be flashed via the OSMO.

[mfortuna]

The different OSMOs have to do with the amount of EEPROM in the roombas. Some Roombas have 128K and others have 256K. I am not sure why one OSMO couldn't handle both, i.e. why doesn't the 128K image work in a 256K part?

[vic7767]

I'll follow-up via email

I sent you an email response to your PM.

[Bpp]

Hello to all....I am new on this forum.

I am a bit confused with all those different versions.I have gray Roomba SE (is this discovery SE or not?) model 5210. What's the difference to other 4xxx roombas?
If I connect it to terminal via home made USB cable i get this as a response to 0x07 command...

Code: Select all

bl-start
2004-08-31-1548-L   
Roomba by iRobot!
MC9S12E128
2005-08-11-1707-L   
battery-current-quiescent-raw 537  battery-current-zero 523

...so it looks like my cable works OK in both ways, right? I'd like to use SCI commands to play with my BT module and android application. But the problem is that i don't get any response to SCI commands. Is my roomba without SCI support or am I doing something wrong?

[vic7767]

Yes, it appears that your cable is working. You can read more info about your Roomba date here:

viewtopic.php?t=2903

Your Roomba needs the OSMO hacker in order to utilize the SCI and send commands to it.

[Bpp]

Thanks vic7767! Looks like i need OSMO to use SCI...or maybe new robot.
But i am still confused about my roomba model number 5210 printed at the bottom of the "frame".

[vic7767]

International numbering seems to be different. The Roomba may be a 4210.

[luccianna]

to update a Roomba 4210 Discovery (4210 040830 0488) with a USB cable and a scheduler remote is that you just plug it in and the remote will do everything or is there something special that you need to do in order for the firmware to update?

[luccianna]

to update a Roomba 4210 Discovery (4210 040830 0488) with a USB cable and a scheduler remote is that you just plug it in and the remote will do everything or is there something special that you need to do in order for the firmware to update?

[vic7767]

There is a special cable that is connected between the Scheduler remote and the Roomba SCI port. The Roomba needs a charged battery installed then connect the Scheduler remote to the Roomba with the cable. Then power up the Roomba and observe the Scheduler remote display a countdown from 100. The Status LED will stop flashing on the Roomba and remain on and the Scheduler remote will display "Done". Then disconnect the cable, program the Scheduler remote and send the schedule to your Roomba via the IR.