[USB-Blaster Problem] DE2-115

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

I recently have uploaded my circuit onto my board via ASP and it runs indefinitely. Now whenever I plug the device into my computer, the USB blaster will not show up. Has anybody experienced the same problem before with the DE2-115 board?   Are there anyways to reset the program memory/board?  Thank you.  Regards, Jun D. Ouyang

[Altera_Forum]

The USB-Blaster circuit is independent of the logic running in the FPGA, so the USB-Blaster should just work. 

 If you start Quartus, is the USB-Blaster detected? (I guess not, since you are having trouble).  What does the Device Manager (Windows) or lsusb (Linux) show for your attached USB devices?  If the USB-Blaster does not appear, but an FTDI USB-to-Serial device does, then perhaps the EEPROM on the USB-Blaster was somehow corrupted. The EEPROM is easy to re-program if that is the case.  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  The USB-Blaster circuit is independent of the logic running in the FPGA, so the USB-Blaster should just work.  If you start Quartus, is the USB-Blaster detected? (I guess not, since you are having trouble).  What does the Device Manager (Windows) or lsusb (Linux) show for your attached USB devices?  If the USB-Blaster does not appear, but an FTDI USB-to-Serial device does, then perhaps the EEPROM on the USB-Blaster was somehow corrupted. The EEPROM is easy to re-program if that is the case.  Cheers, Dave  --- Quote End ---    Hello Dave, Thank you for the reply. By FTDI USB-to-Serial device, do you mean the USB port next to the USB Blaster? If so, yes, it does show up, just not USB Blaster. So this mean my EEPROM is corrupted? Can you shed some light on how to reprogram it? Sorry, I am new to FPGA boards. Thanks :D

[Altera_Forum]

I apologize for the quick re-posting. When I am in Linux, lsusb showed up with no changes whether I disconnected the device or not. As for windows, whenever I plug it in, it shows, "Unknown Device" in device manager. What is going on with my board? Is it a hardware failure? 

 Thank you again.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  When I am in Linux, lsusb showed up with no changes whether I disconnected the device or not. As for windows, whenever I plug it in, it shows, "Unknown Device" in device manager. What is going on with my board? Is it a hardware failure?  --- Quote End ---   That does sound like a hardware issue.  The general rule for hardware problems is;  1. Check power supplies 2. Check clocks  So, go look at the DE-115 schematic and start checking the power supplies.  Actually, in your case, first check the DE-115 with a different PC, just in case the one you are using has a bad USB connector.  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  That does sound like a hardware issue.  The general rule for hardware problems is;  1. Check power supplies 2. Check clocks  So, go look at the DE-115 schematic and start checking the power supplies.  Actually, in your case, first check the DE-115 with a different PC, just in case the one you are using has a bad USB connector.  Cheers, Dave  --- Quote End ---    I have tried on other's PC, the same "Unknown Device" issue prevails. I am now looking at the schematics right now. At the same time, I have also contacted terrasic support, I hope I can get a technician to fix it if it comes to the worst scenario.  Thank you for your time.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  I have tried on other's PC, the same "Unknown Device" issue prevails.  --- Quote End ---   Ok, at least that confirms the hardware has an issue.  Do you have a USB-Blaster stand-alone cable? There is a JTAG header on the board. Try connecting directly to that and detecting the JTAG chain. You will have to consult the DE2-115 User Manual to see if there is a switch setting or jumper that needs to be changed to select the JTAG header.  Cheers, Dave