| Author | Message | ||
     Palex Rating: N/A |
Hello, I am a spanish VFX3d user from past October 2000. I have been working with my VFX3D in Windows 98 without any bug. But two days ago, the VFX control panel gave me the two next messages: Status(18): A bad checksum in the tracker's emprom's was detected... Status(99): VFX tracker is OFFLINE. Check conections/power/port settings... I have rebooted the machine and changed the ports and cables without successful. The control panel version is 2.0, and the port COM2. The calibration status bar is active when I connect the power of the box, but not yaw, pitch or roll is displayed. Please help me. I have writen also to IIS, but I think Steve is often over here. Thanks. | ||
| Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
This sounds like a hardware failure: in your message, you state the following error message: >Status(18): A bad checksum in the tracker's emprom's was detected... this means the flash memory in your tracker hardware (the EPROM mentioned in the message) has failed in some way. EPROM is a chip that stores data; your computer stores it's BIOS information on EPROMS. Either the chips are bad, the batteries in you tracker are bad, or the core instructions for your tracking hardware became corrupted. the bad Eproms explain the seccond error as well. the only way to fix your problem is to repair the eprom. there are a few possibilities to fix this: 1) if the EPROM chips in your tracking unit are okay, but the data inside is bad, you can wipe the eproms clean, and re-flash the chips.Your hardware can be re flashed using software and either an EPROM burner, or the PC (if the hardware is flashable by a port, which I believe you are able to do with the tracker.) 2)Are there batteries (power cells) in the tracker? if so, they may be dead, in which case, replace them, If the errors persist, re-flash the eproms. 3)I'm not familiar with the hardware, but you can probably get more information from the manufacturer on re-flashing the EPROMs. They may need to do it themselves, so, be sure and contact them about repairing your EPROM programming (and possibly the hardware). Most manufacurers will service the hardware for free. Hope this helps, -Eric L. | ||
| Palex Rating: N/A |
Ok Eric, thanks. I'm very surprised about the general tec missinformation on the Web sites of the hmds manufacturers in the low-scale prices (think about glasstron, i-glasses, inc. vfx3d, etc.). I think there are a large distance between the politics about software development for VR (vrml, mpeg4, Hanim, Mus, Avatars, games drivers, public domain sdks, etc.) and the hardware market. Whats the matter? Why the manufactures don't go quickly in making links to the software world? And what about sell but not inform? Sorry, it's a very fuzzy argument, and not generalized. But I think we need to push this market before we get very old for the VR. Thank you again. | ||
| Michal Husak Rating: N/A |
Hi Palex Are you working on some VFX3D application ? Do you find/test some non-game based software for VFX3D ? I am just develpoing code for Quickitme VR visualisation throw VFX3D ... | ||
| Palex Rating: N/A |
Hi, Yes, yes, I'm working also with the VFX3D. I think it has enough resolution and tracking capabilities to do interesting things. Really, we are a group of 5 people developing in week-ends (and not week-ends..). Our target is making "human-access" to data and knowledge. It sound a little bit boring, but we are very excited with the experience. If you want, mail me to palex@nexo.es ..Your work seems to be interesting... | ||
| Palex Rating: N/A |
...ohp, sorry, palexj@nexo.es | ||
| Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
I too have been working on virtual reality hardware and software. The main reason industry doesn't give VR a big push is due to the fact that the general public has not only lost interest, but also because most people do not understand the benifits of a Virtual Reality interface. Right now. Industry is swithching it's focus to wireless applications & networking. The next "Big thing" is wearable PC's, which draws some of it's inspiration from virtual reality, but is moe akin to merged reality (or Augmented reality) than anything else. This is primarily due to the fact that, when initialy introduced to the public, VR suffered from the lack of hardware performance, and high prices. because of this, VR has found a place in medicine, chemistry and high-end CAD applications, but not much else. However, nowadays we have cheap, high-powered PC's with inexpensive 3D rendering and visualisation hardware available at low costs, making VR appealing to many people again. the flame of innovation just needs to be re-lit. My current VR project, which I am tentatively calling "LUCID" is about 80% complete. I am currently debating wether my project has the potential to become a commercial endeavor. The goal of LUCID is to design and build an innexpensive VR solution (around $1000 US or less in cost). If the hardware is affordable, and the software is easily obtained (and inexpensive) then people will become interested in VR again, and god willing, I can start a buisness for myself again ^_- ...But for now, it's just a project. I will be posting links to my project's website as soon as it's ready. -Eric L. BTW, Palex, did you fix your tracker yet? | ||
| Michal Husak Rating: N/A |
Hi Eric I completly agree with your analysis. I hope that with the modern cheap and powerful HW will the VR make a comeback. What was possible for XXXX $ is now possible for XX $ ... PC are now beating the old expensive SGI used for VR aplications in the past ... The only thing witch is nessesery now is a cheap HMD with stereo - hi resolution display, 6 DOF headtracking + wireles connection with PC. I am just coding an scientific application for qunatum-mechanic forcefiled walk throw ... To be able to go throw the force fields is realy cool  . | ||
| Palex Rating: N/A |
Eric, No answer from IIS. This is the real state of the art... at the moment, one week of delay in my project. And from now on, at least two weeks for sending and receiving the HMD to and from NewYork, one week more? for repairing... I'm thinking in making my own hmd business (very far from my core)... I will send you an e-mail explaining you our work in this week. Michal, I sincerely hope you have the reason, but I think that in Spain (and other countries), the first interests about computer R+D are on the Internet business side, and the gov. help is very important in the beginnings. | ||
| Palex Rating: N/A |
Well, To be honest with IIS, I have written again today, and immediatly (now) have received the answer: "For some reason the EPROM in your HMD has been erased. We keep copies of this information here at IIS...I will immediately send you a program and new EPROM file that will rewrite the EPROM data" Then, may be not several weeks as I said. Palex. | ||
| Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
Can I diagnose hardware issues or what? ^_^ As soon as you get those files, you should be able to re-flash the EPROMS. I guess all my dabbling with hardware came in handy! -Eric L. |
