My ESP-12F does not work with 1v95 and latest master

[espruino-discuss]

Posted at 2017-12-18 by SergeP

while it seems it works good with 1v94. It looks like 1v95 is too big and so writes wifi data to area with its code.

I have just bought a few ESP8266 boards and try to use them the same way as Puck.js (I have a few)
If I use 1v94 (for 4 Mb boards), it works.
If I use 1v95 or latest file in ...../master, it works too but until poweroff. It works also after turned on (not sure about every time), but only if no wifi config is saved.
If I call wifi.save() my boards stops working after power off, there are many unreadable symbols on COM port, and after reset to boot mode esptool.py verify_flash shows that area of espruino_esp8266_user1 is broken.
It looks like it writes wifi data to area with code.
By the way, it is impossible to upgrade 1v94 to 1v95 via WIFI - wiflash.sh says "Error flashing espruino_esp8266_user2.bin: firmware image too large"

[espruino-discuss]

Posted at 2017-12-19 by Polypod

which files did you use ? the _4mb version does strange things for me too. The basic package (without _4mb) works better on my esp8266 4mb.

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Posted at 2017-12-20 by SergeP

I used _4mb version. I did not know if another one works with 4Mb boards, thank you. It is my first attempt to use ESP8266. In any case, 1v94 looks to be enough for my current goal - to let my children to control 8212B LED string using Blockly.

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Posted at 2017-12-21 by Wilberforce

@MaBecker

Have you noticed that the 1.95 bin is any larger than the 1.94?

I'm wondering if the checks for sizes are not quite right and the current images are too big?

Do some feature needs to be dropped off, or the optomiser options changed?

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Posted at 2017-12-22 by superjamie

I have this problem too with espruino_1v95_esp8266_4mb_combined_4096.bin.

I can flash the 4M image to my 4M NodeMCU, and reboot it as many times as I want, but as soon as I do a wifi.save() then reboot with require("ESP8266").reboot() then I get a serial console full of this over and over:

Fatal exception (3): 
epc1=0x401000b8, epc2=0x00000000, epc3=0x00000000, excvaddr=0x401000df, depc=0x00000000

The wifi data is stored at the end of flash, so I thought it may be the end of my 4M flash was faulty, however I've tried pretending the flash layout is 2M and 1M with:

esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 40m --flash_mode qio --flash_size 2MB 0x0000 "boot_v1.6.bin" 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin 0x1FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x1FE000 blank.bin

esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 40m --flash_mode qio --flash_size 1MB 0x0000 "boot_v1.6.bin" 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin 0xFC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0xFE000 blank.bin

and neither of these fixed the problem.

I have tried both the combined image and the indvidual images as above, neither worked.

I have tried the previous versions:

• espruino_1v94_esp8266_4mb_combined_4096.bin
• espruino_1v92_esp8266_4mb_combined_4096.bin
• espruino_1v93_esp8266_4mb_combined_4096.bin

and all of these worked fine.

So it seems there is some regression between 1v94 and 1v95 which breaks wifi save or load on ESP8266 4M.

It might be worth noting that both MicroPython's boot/main files and Arduino sketches work fine on my board, though as I understand they don't store anything at the end of flash.

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Posted at 2017-12-22 by Polypod

Hi,
Where did you find command line addresses for the 4mb_combined ? I wanted to try it too, but didn't find the instructions.

On my esp--12E, esp8266 4mb, I uses this image http://www.espruino.com/binaries/travis/master/espruino_1v95.13_esp8266.tgz, installed with

python esptool.py --port COM18 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 80m --flash_mode dio --flash_size 32m 0x0000 boot_v1.6.bin 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin 0x3FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

No problem saving code or saving wifi. Works perfectly, or almost, sometimes It freeze when I reset.

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Posted at 2017-12-22 by superjamie

I just had a guess based on other instructions like MicroPython. Turns out it works fine:

esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash --flash_size=detect 0 espruino_1v95_esp8266_4mb_combined_4096.bin

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Posted at 2017-12-22 by tempos

I have the same issue too. Any solution of it?

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by Polypod

Hi, I tried with the same file and command line. I got the same problem: after I save wifi and replug, the led is continuously lit and the board only say garbage. The combined version 512 don't work at all, at least on my esp8266 4mb.
I didn't even know about this combined release, before this post. The normal not "combined" version, i.e with separate files, works much better, and I am still using it. Not a solution, but a workaround.

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by tempos

Thanks for your response. I can't even get esp-12 starting after flashing. It constantly reboots with "combined" as well as with normal version. Will try to add capacitor between Vcc and Gnd as the last hope...

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by Polypod

@Tempos, that's strange for the normal version, mine is also an e12. Which command line did you use for flashing the separate files ? It happens only with the v1.95 or also v1.94 or c1.93?

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by tempos

@Polypod, I'm using such command:

esptool.py --port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART --baud 115200 write_flash \
  --verify --flash_freq 80m --flash_mode dio --flash_size 4MB \
  0x0000 "boot_v1.6.bin" 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin \
  0x3FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

This happens with the 3 latests versions

I'm using esp-12e with this adapter

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by Polypod

I see no reason why it doesn't work. Maybe the adapter. I use a nodemcu version with a different adapter (http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_406735_1.jpg)

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Posted at 2017-12-23 by tempos

I wondering if anyone at all was possible to run espruino on general esp8266 module.
Anyway @Polypod thanks for help!

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Posted at 2017-12-24 by Ollie

@Tempos It is possible. Many have run it on bare boards even the ESP 8226-01.

It is a while since I have used on ESP8226 (certainly I've not tried any >1.9 binaries) so can't offer much constructive help.

But, things to try if you have not already:-

1. Run "erase_flash" first. This always seemed to help get a clean flash of the binaries.
2. Wiring. A couple of gotchas for me: "CH_PD" needs to be pulled high (3.3v) and GPIO 0 needs to be high for normal use but pulled low (GND) for the purpose of flashing. Also your need that capacitor you say you will try. Otherwise the power to the board from your FTDI style adapter just is not stable enough. These are a couple of annoyances you don't need to consider with Node MCU.

You may have all this hand, but if not hope it helps.

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Posted at 2017-12-24 by Planer

Same problem...
1.95 not work after wifi.save() and reboot

1st erase flash command line:

python esptool.py --port COM7 erase_flash

2nd flash esp12 4mb command line:

python esptool.py --port COM7 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 80m --flash_mode dio --flash_size 32m 0x0000 boot_v1.6.bin 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin 0x3FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

or

python "../esptool/esptool.py" --port COM7 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 80m --flash_mode qio --flash_size 4MB 0x0000 boot_v1.6.bin 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin 0x3FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

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Posted at 2017-12-27 by @MaBecker

@wilberforce,

Yep: Espruino firmware is getting larger with every release.

That is why there is a BOARD=ESP8266_4MB

// used code to connect and save
var Wifi = require('Wifi');
SSID='YOURSSID';
SSIDPASS='YOURSSIDPASS';
Wifi.connect(SSID, {password:SSIDPASS}, function(err) { 
      if (err === null){ 
        console.log('Connected to AP YOURSSID');
        Wifi.setDHCPHostname(Wifi.getAPDetails().ssid.replace('_','-'));
        Wifi.stopAP();
        Wifi.setConfig({powersave : 'none'});
        Wifi.save();
      }
 });

press your reset button and then

 _____                 _
|   __|___ ___ ___ _ _|_|___ ___
|   __|_ -| . |  _| | | |   | . |
|_____|___|  _|_| |___|_|_|_|___|
          |_| http://espruino.com
 1v95.3469 Copyright 2017 G.Williams
Espruino is Open Source. Our work is supported
only by sales of official boards and donations:
http://espruino.com/Donate
Flash map 4MB:1024/1024, manuf 0xe0 chip 0x4016

>require("Wifi").getIP();
={
  "ip": "192.168.194.121",
  "netmask": "255.255.255.0",
  "gw": "192.168.194.1",
  "mac": "5c:cf:7f:c1:12:0b"
 }

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Posted at 2017-12-27 by @MaBecker

the flashsize 4MB_c1 is the key :-)

   esptool.py --port <your port> --baud 460800 write_flash \
    --flash_freq 80m  --flash_mode qio --flash_size 4MB-c1  \
    0x0000 boot_v1.6.bin 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin  \
    0x3FC000  esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

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Posted at 2017-12-27 by Planer

@MaBecker,
Bingo, it's works well)) Thanks!

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by DrAzzy

Hm, I don't seem to be able to get 1.95 to work on my ESP12F's either. I'm flashing with

Z:\ESPTOOL\espruino_1v95_esp8266_4mb>..\esptool.py --port COM3 --baud 115200 write_flash --flash_freq 80m --flash_mode qio --flash_size 32m 0x0000 "boot_v1.6.bin" 0x1000 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin  0x3FC000 esp_init_data_default.bin 0x3FE000 blank.bin

It works for the first time I start it, but wifi.save() then a power cycle, and it spews output on serial at an unknown baud rate. I tried 32m-c1 (though I don't know what this does, and never had to do it before) and 32m-c2, and got the same results. 4MB-c1 as suggested by MaBe was rejected by esptool. What am I doing wrong?!

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by @MaBecker

I guess you have a older version of esptool.py, I use esptool.py v2.1.

32m-c1 or 4MB-c1 creates a flash map 4MB 1024/1024, this allows to flash larger bin files

Check issue 1294 for the latest issue with 1v95 on ESP8266.

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Attachments:

• 4MB_1024:1024.JPG

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by DrAzzy

In your last comment on that issue you say it's a flash speed issue - can you elaborate? If that's the case, why wasn't it a problem before?

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by @MaBecker

@drazzy tried to, check updates in issue 1294

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by DrAzzy

Thanks - so it's just a matter of binary size? The key size seems awfully close to 512kb... I wonder if something else needs to be aware of the different flashmap?

Anyway, is RELEASE=1 not used for the version in the download package?

Towards the shortterm problem, do you happen to have a RELEASE=1 binary that you could share? I don't have an ESP8266 build environment set up, and I'd really like to take the new 1.95 features for a spin.

Thanks!

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Posted at 2018-01-03 by @MaBecker

Anyway, is RELEASE=1 not used for the version in the download package?

Yes, this is set for the distributed build , so choose the one from the official download page

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Posted at 2018-01-04 by DrAzzy

That's what I've been using - and it works until it gets powercycled, and then it fails....

What baud rate is the debug output it's barfing coming out at?

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Posted at 2018-01-04 by @MaBecker

choose this statement http://forum.espruino.com/comments/14021236/ to flash the distributed firmware from directory espruino_1v95_esp8266_4mb

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Posted at 2018-01-10 by DrAzzy

Thanks, it seems to be working now. I still feel almost certain I flashed it using the same files and same command, and had it not work previously.

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Posted at 2018-02-06 by Planer

hi, i whana try flash my esp8266_4M over wifi, but how add 4MB-c1 parameter on command line from file wiflash.sh?

sh wiflash.sh 192.168.1.3:88 espruino_esp8266_user1.bin espruino_esp8266_user2.bin
Flashing user2.bin

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Posted at 2018-02-06 by DrAzzy

I don't think you need to specify that when flashing over wifi (my understanding is that it continues using whatever settings it was last manually flashed with) - just like you don't specify 4MB when flashing over wifi.

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Posted at 2018-02-06 by Planer

yes. At first attempt unsuccessed flash it whas problem by wifi connection. Seccond attemp it is successful. Thanks

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Posted at 2018-02-07 by @MaBecker

Yes, ota.c reads the used flash map and saves the upload files at the specific address.

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Posted at 2018-02-07 by DrAzzy

Does this mean that one can t do Wi-Fi update from ones that use 4MB to 4MB-c1?

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Posted at 2018-02-07 by @MaBecker

Correct, wiflash.sh sticks to flash map used with esptool.py.