Table of Contents

6.3 Troubleshooting USB Connection / Firmware detection

There are few reasons that can prevent you from connecting to your OpenBuilds BlackBox.

Typically, it would result an error:

ERROR!: No Response from Controller - See https://docs.openbuilds.com/doku.php?id=docs:blackbox:faq-usb-connection-failed for troubleshooting information. Closing port COMxx

The following steps outline a troubleshooting procedure, based on the most likely cause, to help you determine the cause of this problem:

BlackBox is thoroughly tested in the factory. If its no longer working , its very likely either section 6.3.1 (damaged controller) or a problem with your computer (Sections 6.3.2 to 6.3.5)


6.3.1 Incorrect Wiring

Incorrectly wired accessories can short out power rails (for example V+ to GND), Inputs or Outputs that can prevent the controller from booting up.

Disconnecting everything except USB, should be your first test to resolve the “No supported firmware detected” error. You can selectively reconnect devices until the issue reappears to eliminate sections of your wiring to find the root cause

IMPORTANT WARNING:Note that some wiring mistakes can cause irreversable damage! In that case removing the short circuit may not help if it has already caused damage. Do investigate it though as not resolving the cause could destroy a replacement controller.

If you encountered any wiring issues or scenarios that could have damaged the controller, its always best to disclose it right away.


6.3.2 Make sure you are connecting to the correct port

On your computer there may be more Serial devices (for example Bluetooth Serial ports, other serial devices that you may have connected, etc) other than the BlackBox. The easiest way to make sure which of these devices is your BlackBox, is to look at the Serial Log while you connect, and disconnect the USB cable. The Serial Log will show the connect/disconnect events that updated the list of available ports. If there are more than one port in the list, you can deduce which is the BlackBox by paying attention to which device disappears from the list when you remove the USB cable, and subsequently reappears when you connect it:

In the example above, we can see that the BlackBox would be COM3, because it comes and goes as we connect/disconnect the BlackBox USB cable. COM5 stays, so must belong to some other device.

Windows User's Note: Your COM port numbers will very likely differ: Windows assigns Port numbers to new devices in sequence.

6.3.3 Check Device Manager

Check your computer's Device manager and make sure there are no yellow question mark, exclamation indicators, etc and that the BlackBox is present under the Ports section


6.3.4 Update Drivers

Make sure you are using the latest Device Drivers:

Checkout https://docs.openbuilds.com/doku.php?id=docs:blackbox-x32:install-drivers


6.3.5 Computer problems

The problem could be related to your computer


6.3.6 Contact the OpenBuilds Partstore

If the above fails to correct the issue, contact the support team at the OpenBuilds Partstore for further assistance: http://support.openbuilds.com/support/tickets/new