# Maslow constantly being disconnected / unable to update firmware

**URL:** <https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014>\
**Category:** Troubleshooting\
**Created:** [March 30, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014 "2018-03-30T15:11:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 12\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/1 "2018-03-30T15:11:49Z")

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Good Morning!  
I woke up this morning and when booting up ground control I started getting the constant connect and then disconnect errors in ground control. I went to upgrade to firmware 1.10 but i’m getting the following error in the Arduino firmware updater. Is my Mega fried? Anyone else run into this and know how to resolve the issue?

Arduino: 1.8.5 (Windows 7), Board: “Arduino/Genuino Mega or Mega 2560, ATmega2560 (Mega 2560)”

Sketch uses 53666 bytes (21%) of program storage space. Maximum is 253952 bytes.  
Global variables use 1867 bytes (22%) of dynamic memory, leaving 6325 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 8192 bytes.  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_ReceiveMessage(): timeout  
avrdude: stk500v2\_getsync(): timeout communicating with programmer  
An error occurred while uploading the sketch

This report would have more information with  
“Show verbose output during compilation”  
option enabled in File -\> Preferences.

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/2 "2018-03-30T15:15:49Z")

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Just found this thead ~\_~ [Arduino Timeout Issue with firmware update](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/arduino-timeout-issue-with-firmware-update/2681/6)

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/3 "2018-03-30T16:31:34Z")

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Tried following things suggested in the other thread without any luck. Guess my board might be fried? Any ideas? I’ve tried using both Mac and Windows to update the Firmware but i’m unable to connect.

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/4 "2018-03-30T16:35:21Z")

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I’m going to go try and pickup a new board. Would this be compatible with the maslow board? [http://www.microcenter.com/product/486545/Arduino\_Mega\_2560](http://www.microcenter.com/product/486545/Arduino_Mega_2560)

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**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/5 "2018-03-30T17:33:39Z")

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That one should be compatible!

I wouldn’t give up on that board quite yet tho! It seems like the board is having trouble connecting over USB but it might be worth just prodding it and trying things like unplugging the shield, unplugging the Arduino, restarting the computer and having a fresh go at it

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**Author:** ![blurfl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/blurfl/32/9_2.png) [@blurfl](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/blurfl)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/6 "2018-03-30T17:47:39Z")

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The problem could be a damaged USB cable. Can you try replacing that?

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/7 "2018-03-31T15:27:28Z")

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Good Morning!  
I tried everything and finally replaced the Mega 2560 and i’m no longer having issues with connecting. However, i’m now having issues with calibration again. I switched up my setup to connect from the top of the sprocket to the sled and it’s not centering up in the middle of the plywood like it would before.

New setup:

 ![IMG_1068](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/0/056a0273c9feadff92a85e287aa38fe882dafa49.jpg)

It’s measuring out different distances when extending the chains:

Left Chain after extending:

 ![IMG_1063](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/6/651b8d8233d01d24e9caa1332a74473120e00852.jpg)

Right Chain after extending:

 ![IMG_1064](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/c/c6dd9db6972390f1c6c8906f44c86cee4cb1e99a.jpg)

When I extend the chains it lets out the chain length by rotating the sprocket counter-clockwise. (i believe that’s how it should work)

The sled is aligning off center to the right:

 ![IMG_1065](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/b/b9606493706a3ce72833527b57db18c3f6b39f33.jpg)

Anyone have any ideas? I’ve gone through calibration multiple times with the same results.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/8 "2018-03-31T18:53:20Z")

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Woah! I have not seen the motors extend different distances before. What do you see when you run the **Actions -\> Test Motors/Encoders**? A lose connection could cause that kind of thing

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**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/9 "2018-03-31T19:17:54Z")

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Thanks for the reply Bar! I got a direction 1 - Fail (attached screenshot). Do i just need to double check all my connections?

![Untitled](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/f/f42380e442c8cfc1eb7a486bd5a32fd3f8101ba9.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/10 "2018-03-31T19:19:04Z")

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That’s where I would look!

Especially since the failure is just in one direction it seems like a loose connection to me

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scott](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scott/32/4188_2.png) [@scott](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scott)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/11 "2018-03-31T19:19:49Z")

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Fixed! Thanks Bar! Really appreciate the help!

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**Author:** ![madgrizzle](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/madgrizzle/32/1372_2.png) [@madgrizzle](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/madgrizzle)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-constantly-being-disconnected-unable-to-update-firmware/3014/12 "2018-03-31T19:20:33Z")

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And double checked the secured-ness of your heat sinks while you are there.
