LCDInfo.com

well, i got the vfd and the case, but it does not work.

the characters do not show up, instead some fugly looking character comes up. i can take a picture if you like.

the cursor then blinks for a while as it should. any ideas? what can i do to get this to work?

it works with their "smartie.zip" program, but i'm sure this isn't as good as lcdinfo. any suggestions?

I think the problem could be that RW (LPT14) pin is not driven in the LCDInfo driver at the moment. Like reported here: http://www.skippari.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=382

Maybe the problem isn't this after all as you get something on your display. The timings might be the problem also.

I'll see what I can do.

this smartie 5.2 program seems okay, but its not completely flexible. Are there any other programs I should be looking at?

Basically, my desires are:

foobar 2000 stats (being able to format $artist, $title, $timeleft, $timeelapsed, $album)

temperature for boston

mbm case/cpu temps



As of right now, smartie only seems to be able to do the last one, though i'm sure weather will work. its winamp stuff doesn't seem very flexible.

Can you please supply me with your wiring?

It is possible that if is connected to another pin that is hi by default the lcd will not work!!! I dont know if it will show anything if that is true?

Hopefully it is only wiring but then again, it might also be my driver!!!

Hope we can fix this soon

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Rudi Grobler

http://ahanix.com/support/vfd.html i did not change the wiring, i just plugged it in.

since my VFD works with Smartie 5.2 software, i'm assuming it should be able to work with LCDInfo with the same wiring.

I think I found the problem!! It seems that smartie is using ping 14 as the R/W line and I use it as the E2 Line. So if the lcd size is set to 4 line lcd (eg. 40x4) it will chip select the second hd44780 controller via your R/W pin.

Solution:

1) Ground R/W line
or
2) Set LCD size to 2 line (eg. 40x2)

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Rudi Grobler

Another solutions is a driver change. The following pins is available to use in the driver:

Strobe (pin 1)
Line (pin 14)
Init (pin 16)
Select (pin 17)

I currently use Strobe as E1, Init as RS and Line as E2!

One way to solve this is to make it selectable, and then change E2 to use Select and that will leave the Line pin free!

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Rudi Grobler

i didn't quite follow that. what do I have to do to get this to work in software?

Sorry, I know my english is not always up to scratch. If your lcd is only a 2 line lcd, eg. 2x16 or 2x20, etc. Setting the size in the setup window might solve your problems? If you can solder the wires, the best option is to solder R/W line to ground. The third option is for me to change the driver and by devault not use pin 14 for E2. There is one line still open so I can use that. I will try to make the change, but if possible, try to use option 2 (Ground your R/W line)

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Rudi Grobler

uh, i'm not messing with my lcd. i'm not the best solderer, plus the lcd already works with smartie software, so a software fix for this should be possible

any updates? i'd really like to use LCDinfo instead of smartie. My only option is to wait for a driver hack?

Ill try to post one today... sorry for the delay!!!

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Rudi Grobler

heh, you're silly... you don't have to apologize to me, you're the one doing ME a favor. thanks for your help