BeagleBone Windows startup

[jdwbmc]

I’m having problems getting the BeagleBone to complete the processes needed to fully come up and run. My PC environment is Windows XP. I am connecting to the board through the USB cable included in the kit. I do not have a wired Ethernet network to connect to. From the README.htm file I have been able to:
1. Install the BONE_DRV.exe on Windows.
2. I can connect the BeagleBone’s serial console with Hyperterminal
3. I am able to logon as root

The problem comes when I need to launch the USB-to-Ethernet interface. The BeagleBone storage gadget shows up as “USB Mass Storage Device” on Windows. I stop that driver, but the “USB-to-Ethernet” interface does not automatically start. I do note that the C:\Windows\system32\DRVSTORE\linux_ and ftdibus_ directories exist.

I’m not quite sure what I am doing wrong so I can’t get to the next step and get the USB-to-Ethernet gadget running so I can go the web interface. Any suggestions?

Also, does a direct Ethernet connection to the board make sense? Which type of ethernet cable should I use? Thanks.

John

[adafruit]

hi there, your best bet is to check the beaglebone google group, they have lots of information there!

[jdwbmc]

I've tried there, but no response yet. The board looks very interesting, but if I can't get it going, I'm looking at an $89 electronic brick.

[adafruit]

we will be developing our own adafruit-style tutorials soon.

it unlikely that the 'bone is a "brick" - they are all tested before shipping. check the documentation and the group again. you might have to find a wired ethernet connection if thats what the documentation requires.

also give the group a few days, they're volunteer run

if they do not get back to you with a reasonable amount of time please let us know and we will assist you and see if we can escalate your post.

[jdwbmc]

I look forward to the Adafruit tutorials. Your tutorials were quite useful when I was first using the Arduino and your motor shield. These are now doing a fine job propelling a little robot of mine. While I had no expectation that the BeagleBone would be as easy to use as the Arduino, I had hoped that getting it connected and talking to my PC would be fairly painless. I have projects in mind that need more capability than I find in today's Arduinos. My current impression is that this product has plenty of potential, but today is "not quite ready for prime time". Adafruit has set a high standard for support and now I'm spoiled and have come to expect it for all products. I'll let you know if I hear of a solution from the BB group. If I do, I'll repost it here just to disseminate the knowledge. Otherwise I'll be back to ask about next steps. Thanks again for your help.

[rlroh]

I'm not sure what you mean by "I stop that driver". Did you try ejecting the beaglebone device from the the Windows Explorer (which is what works for me)?

root@beaglebone:~/test# ifconfig -a
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr D4:94:A1:38:9B:3E
inet addr:192.168.1.4 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::d694:a1ff:fe38:9b3e/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:2326 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:907 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:285400 (278.7 KiB) TX bytes:727912 (710.8 KiB)
Interrupt:40

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:10 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:10 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:841 (841.0 B) TX bytes:841 (841.0 B)

usb0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 3E:09:E0:1F:D8:C4
inet addr:192.168.7.2 Bcast:192.168.7.3 Mask:255.255.255.252
inet6 addr: fe80::3c09:e0ff:fe1f:d8c4/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:1295 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:570 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:159299 (155.5 KiB) TX bytes:722942 (705.9 KiB)

[jdwbmc]

rlroh,

Thanks. Your question was just the hint I needed. I had been stopping the USB connection using the icon in the system tray. It turns out that this is NOT the same as doing an ejection. I went to Windows Explorer and ejected the BeagleBone. That was just what was needed to start the “USB-to-Ethernet” gadget and install the drivers. I could then access the BeagleBone 101 presentation and the Cloud9 IDE. I was also able to run the "blinkled" application. I do find that I can't access GateOne. I get an error message saying this webpage has a redirect loop that resulted in too many redirects. Any thoughts on what is wrong here? Running ifconfig -a yields:

eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr D4:94:A1:37:71:11
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:221 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:33 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:57593 (56.2 KiB) TX bytes:11800 (11.5 KiB)
Interrupt:40

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:12 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:12 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:744 (744.0 B) TX bytes:744 (744.0 B)

usb0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 22:00:7E:49:D8:00
inet addr:192.168.7.2 Bcast:192.168.7.3 Mask:255.255.255.252
inet6 addr: fe80::2000:7eff:fe49:d800/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:4461 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:6322 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:694767 (678.4 KiB) TX bytes:6457322 (6.1 MiB)

John

[rlroh]

For me with Windows 7 32-bit, Cloud 9 works fine with Chrome & Firefox and both IP addresses but hangs with IE8.

[Chuckz]

we will be developing our own adafruit-style tutorials soon.

At what skill level do you feel the Beaglebone is at? What skill level will the Beaglebone be at if someone roots it?

I would like someone to post a memory map of the device if possible, please.

[adafruit]

we will be developing our own adafruit-style tutorials soon.

At what skill level do you feel the Beaglebone is at? What skill level will the Beaglebone be at if someone roots it?

it is an advanced product, for customers who are comfortable with script programming, linux and electronics.

I would like someone to post a memory map of the device if possible, please.

that would be the register list of the processor chip, check TI's website for it

[jdwbmc]

Though I'm new to the BeagleBoard, its clear that to get the most from this board, you'd best be familiar with embedded Linux development, tool chains, etc. The Cloud9 IDE with BoneScript is a start toward an Arduino like programming environment, but it has a ways to go. I'm sure it would benefit from many helping hands. The project would also benefit from pulling together the documentation into a cohesive whole. The system reference manual is a good document, but most of the information I'm trying to find is scattered across disconnected web pages. This board is well designed and has great potential, but a bit more work is needed to make this a board that can be easily adopted and implemented in projects.

[jdwbmc]

Since I've had problems getting all the software on the BeagleBone running correctly, I've done a set of experiments, trying 3 different images and evaluating the differences. Interestingly, the behavior of each image is different. The image Angstrom-Cloud9-IDE-eglibc-ipk-v2012.01-core-beaglebone-2012.01.11.img comes the closest to operating as advertised, but not quite. I'd like any insight anyone may have as to:
1) Why the images behave differently
2) What I can do to get all the software running as advertised

Below is the information from my experiments. Thanks for your help.

John


BeagleBone Startup Behavior

Base Platform
Windows XP SP 3
Intel Pentium M 2 GHz
2 Gb RAM
Browser – Chrome
Console Terminal - PuTTY
Wireless Ethernet connection shared with services turned on.
BeagleBone Rev A3


Image 1

Angstrom-Cloud9-IDE-eglibc-ipk-v2011.11-core-beaglebone-2011.11.16.img

Configuration
1. USB cable
2. Crossover Ethernet cable
3. 5V Power Adapter
Process
1. Plug in Ethernet cable
2. Power up card
3. Plug in USB cable once in normal blinking mode
Result
1. BeagleBone shows up as “BeagleBone Getting Started (E:)”
2. Can read files on E drive
3. Unable to connect serial console to BeagleBone
4. Web server inaccessible
Next Step
1. Eject E drive
2. Still Unable to connect serial console to BeagleBone
3. Web server inaccessible
Next Step
1. With the BeagleBone powered externally, unplug the USB cable
2. Reconnect the USB cable
3. Connect serial console and login
Result
1. BeagleBone 101 presentation runs at 192.168.7.2
2. GateOne DOES NOT RUN at https://192.168.7.2. First message – Security certificate not trusted. Select “Proceed Anyway”. Error message: “This webpage has a redirect loop”
3. Cloud9 IDE runs at http://192.168.7.2:3000
4. Console command “ifconfig” SHOWS NO inet addr for eth0.


Image 2

Angstrom-Cloud9-IDE-eglibc-ipk-v2012.01-core-beaglebone-2012.01.11.img

Configuration
1. USB cable
2. Crossover Ethernet cable
3. 5V Power Adapter
Process
1. Plug in Ethernet cable
2. Power up card
3. Plug in USB cable once in normal blinking mode
Result
1. BeagleBone shows up as “BeagleBone Getting Started (E:)”
2. Can read files on E drive
3. Unable to connect serial console to BeagleBone
4. Web server inaccessible
Next Step
1. Eject E drive
2. Connect serial console and login
Result
1. BeagleBone 101 presentation DOES NOT RUN at 192.168.7.2
2. GateOne eventually runs at https://192.168.7.2. First message – Security certificate not trusted. Select “Proceed Anyway”. GateOne begins to run.
3. Cloud9 IDE runs at http://192.168.7.2:3000
4. Console command “ifconfig” shows inet addr 192.168.0.193 for eth0.
5. PuTTY can connect for SSH session to 192.168.0.193


Image 3

Angstrom-Cloud9-IDE-eglibc-ipk-v2012.01-core-beaglebone-2012.01.27.img

Configuration
1. USB cable
2. Crossover Ethernet cable
3. 5V Power Adapter
Process
1. Plug in Ethernet cable
2. Power up card
3. Plug in USB cable once in normal blinking mode
Result
1. BeagleBone shows up as “BeagleBone Getting Started (E:)”
2. Can read files on E drive
3. Unable to connect serial console to BeagleBone
4. Web server inaccessible
Next Step
1. Eject E drive
2. Still Unable to connect serial console to BeagleBone
3. GateOne eventually runs at https://192.168.7.2. First message – Security certificate not trusted. Select “Proceed Anyway”. GateOne begins to run.
Next Step
1. With the BeagleBone powered externally, unplug the USB cable
2. Reconnect the USB cable
3. Connect serial console and login
Result
1. BeagleBone 101 presentation DOES NOT RUN at 192.168.7.2
2. GateOne still runs at https://192.168.7.2.
3. Cloud9 IDE DOES NOT RUN at http://192.168.7.2:3000
4. Console command “ifconfig” shows inet addr 192.168.0.146 for eth0.
5. PuTTY can connect for SSH session to 192.168.0.146

[adafruit]

Since I've had problems getting all the software on the BeagleBone running correctly, I've done a set of experiments, trying 3 different images and evaluating the differences. Interestingly, the behavior of each image is different.

at this point we suggest checking out the official beagle bone group:

http://beagleboard.org/discuss

there are a lot of engineers/staff from the beagle bone team. if they ultimately say it's a hardware issues we can work with your for an exchange of course.

thanks!
adafruit support

[jdwbmc]

I've been trying to get a resolution through the beagleboard discussion group for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I have not been able to resolve the ongoing issues trying to use the beaglebone. This is not a negative reflection on the fine people who freely support the many users of the board and who've tried to answer my questions. I've come to the conclusion that the people behind this board have limited experience in trying to implement it in different environments. If my PC was running Ubuntu or Windows 7, I suspect I'd be up and running by now. Those seem to be the more popular environments for using this board. Unfortunately, I'm constrained to using Windows XP and have no opportunity to change to one or the other environments. There seems to be little support for my environment. It doesn't appear that the beaglebone team is prepared to deliver that level of customer support. That said, I'm not sure what to do next since I find myself with a board that does not function properly with my environment. Unfortunately, neither the beagleboard or Adafruit sites provide any presales guidance on what environments are appropriate for use with this board. What are your thoughts on next steps?

[adafruit]

Sorry to hear that. The Bone is good hardware but the team is very small and I think it was a little too popular (its only been out for 2 months!)

You can always return the Bone to us for a full refund. Email support@adafruit with a link to this post!