norns shield - final

alanza · 2023-12-13T14:00:43.494Z

A post was merged into an existing topic: norns shield

Oootini · 2024-01-04T11:25:27.089Z

Ta da!

fancsiko · 2024-03-12T19:55:14.307Z

hi everyone!
I have recently bought a norns shield 210330 PCB with SMD parts pre-soldered.
after some trial and error (not really pro in soldering, neither first timer, but probably this was the biggest project so far). Now everything is in place, and the norns starts up with the awake script (at the second startup it just directly goes to the main menu), but none of the encoders or buttons are working, or at least norns is not reacting to any of them… All parts have been ordered according to the BOM at github and octopart. Does anyone have any suggestion as to where to start looking for possible causes of this, where to start measuring at all? Thank you in advance.

edrapley · 2024-03-12T23:18:35.013Z

If you can add a picture of the solder joints it should be possible to diagnose any physical issues.

Pictures of the encoder and buttons plus the header that links the PCB and RPi would be a good start.

In general check out how to reflow solder because best case you’ve got some bad joints.

fancsiko · 2024-03-13T13:04:35.711Z

Thank you so much! so it turned out that I flashed the wrong image, and that seemed to cause most of the problems. However, the Pi header is not very elegantly soldered which causes some continuity issues here and there, but I’ll fix that hopefully.

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-13T15:05:40.724Z

A question that hopefully someone can answer. I’m have a Norns Shield, and want to get back to using it more, rather than get dusty on the shelf.
It’s currently running 210927 but every time I check it reports I can update to 240221, but never does, even though it downloads the script for it, installs it, then I restart and it’s still the same old one.

My question really is - is there any real need to update? And if so, any idea why it won’t install this update? I’m connected to my WiFi as it has downloaded some scripts to play with, so it’s not a connectivity issue.

Apologies if this is such a basic question that I come across as stupid
Thanks guys

charbot · 2024-03-13T15:21:23.438Z

There were a bunch of big changes at one point and beyond a certain release, if the current firmware is too old you cant do the update from within norns; rather you need to start fresh with a recent image file. back up your 'dust" folder and reflash your SD with the newest image.

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-13T15:29:36.926Z

Thanks, I seem to recall something like that actually.

Do you or does someone have any pointers as to how to begin doing this then please?
…ah, perhaps this is the place for the info, after all

norns: new image 220306 Monome

220306 disk image operating system: bullseye pi 4 support support for the new shield audio codec norns update 220306 immense thanks to @ngwese for detangling, testing, and automating so much of the complex kernel business. these efforts brought pi4 compatibility to the shield— and due to global shortages— this means that greg really made it possible for us to release more shields! full disk wipe required! save your files! before you jump in, be absolutely sure you’ve saved anything you don’…

radioedit · 2024-03-13T15:43:40.575Z

That’s the place yep!

robinrimbaud:

is there any real need to update?

The newest update has dramatically increased the screen refresh rate, which you’ll notice in the animation that plays during boot. It’s super smooth now. That’s quite nice.

But really the main benefit of updating is that scripts you install have access to the newest features. Most script authors assume that people are using the latest version, so if things aren’t working as they should in a script then a Norns update would be the first thing to suggest to fix it.

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-13T16:38:49.223Z

Well, I followed all the instructions. I flashed the SD card, put it back into Shields, powered it up.
It displays this screen only and you can’t access anything from it. None of the controls allow me to connect to anything, it’s just stuck on this screen. Hmm…

Nor is there the standard animation on booting up, it just lands on this window and nothing more…

(and yes, with the light on, it looks like SO dusty)

Anyone got any advice please

IMG_15461920×1920 396 KB

robbie · 2024-03-13T16:43:54.628Z

I’d double check you used the right image when reflashing the SD card.

robbie · 2024-03-13T16:48:28.193Z

Ah, for a shield you’ll need use these shield-specific images.

For your original 191106 shield you’ll need the pre-211028 version, and either the Pi3 (Micro-USB power cable) or Pi4 (USB-C power cable) image.

(The one you used is only for the monome-built norns.)

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-13T20:57:25.534Z

Much appreciated Robbie. That worked wonders.
Was a little quirky at first, but runs a lot quicker now it feels. Need to return to playtime tomorrow then.

Thanks again!

KHAGE · 2024-03-14T06:26:45.134Z

I look forward to finding out where your experiments with the Norns will take you…

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-14T12:38:49.370Z

Well, unfortunately it’s taken me nowhere since the screen is completely blank now. I shut it down last night, returned to it this morning and nothing. The red power light is on looking inside, the yellow one blinks but then nothing more.

It’s powered up with a mains plug but don’t know what to do now. Have looked through forums but can’t find any solution for this.

Oh dear…

tehn · 2024-03-14T12:43:21.020Z

i apologize for the trouble. you can get your shield up and running by following this:

norns: update 231114 Monome

my recommendation is that if the update fails, re-run the update. despite having a black screen, you’ll have wifi access. if you want to back up files, you can do this however you normally do it. running the update again means using ssh open a terminal ssh we@norns.local (type in password, “sleep” unless you changed it) cd update wget https://github.com/monome/norns/releases/download/v2.8.1/norns231114.tgz tar xzvf norns231114.tgz cd 231114 ./update.sh sudo reboot now i’d suggest copy/pas…

robinrimbaud · 2024-03-14T12:48:01.470Z

Scary as that seemed at first (Matrix style coding scrolling down the screen…) it seems to have worked!
THANK YOU!! Hope next time I switch it on I don’t need to do it again.

Thanks for being so speedy too!

audrey · 2024-09-09T21:24:25.648Z

hi there!

having a little issue-- my shield was functioning normally before suddenly shutting off the other night. i re-flashed the sd card (double checked the correct build, pi3, pre-rev211028). when plugged in, the screen stays black (or occasionally displays a pattern that looks a bit like tv static) while both lights do the normal thing but it never properly boots. i went through the troubleshooting docs but no luck. sorry if i am posting in the wrong place or anything like that but any help would be much appreciated!!

charbot · 2024-09-09T21:36:45.406Z

Can you access maiden via the web interface, or ssh into norns? That shouldnindicate if the software is working properly. It sounds like it could be a bad connection on your display. maybe check the solder connections on both the screen and the shield and that the pins and sockets are making good contact.

audrey · 2024-09-09T21:48:51.345Z

hi! thanks so much for the quick response!!!

was afraid that might be the the case . not able to connect via maiden or ssh. i will find some time to disassemble and look at the solder joints. ty!!