Matrix Orbital Corp

Hi guys,

I recently purchased the 4x20 LCD screen while it was on sale at MO for $50. The hardware seems to work perfectly, but I've been having some trouble getting the software configured. First of all, there wasn't a serial number (or any other number) written on the CD I received, so I'm assuming that I'll have to purchase LCDC on my own.

Secondly, while working with the 30 day trial version, I have been unable to take advantage of all four rows of characters. It currently only utilizes the top two rows. The software can't seem to automatically detect the screen, so I manually set the driver to use either the plain 2041 or 2041 Rev 1-5 (not sure which is most appropriate) on COM 1. Either setting still only gives me two lines.

LCD Smartie uses all four lines, but none of the internet functions work so I would prefer to use LCDC. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Sam

Free LCDC registrations only come with the MX2 range, nothing else. What "Definition file" have you got selected in the "Configuration" screen? The lcd2041 is for one of the 20x4 screens but they do do a few. When you go into the "Screen builder" and select any screen, at the bottom select the "Lines" and see if all 4 are there. I suspect that the screen file you loaded is only a 2 line one and not one to utilise all 4 lines.

Thanks Mat, I cleared up the problem. I was working with screens pre-made for the MX2 and didn't realize it.

One more question, however. Should I be using the LCD2041 or the LCD2041 Rev1-5 definition file? I'm currently using the LCD2041 file, but I was wondering what the difference was and how to determine which one I need.

There should be a rev number on the back of the LCD, I think the only difference is that the rev1.5 board has variable brightness backlight.

To the left of the DB9, if it's a rev 1.5, it will be written including the year 2003...