Re: Xilinx legacy situation

Neil Glenn Jacobson wrote:
> 
> Tim Forcer wrote:
>>
>> Neil Glenn Jacobson wrote:
>>
>>> iMPACT (all versions, full or WebPACK install) has
>>> supported and does support download via Parallel
>>> Cable III (in fact, I have one on my desk
>>> and it works just fine) as well as configuration
>>> of legacy devices.
>>
>> Err, not the version embedded in Project Navigator.
>> ...
> 
> There are several issues worthy of note:
> 
> (1) You may have "old" Xilinx parallel port drivers
> ...
> 
> http://support.xilinx.com/xlnx/xil_ans_display.jsp?iLanguageID=1&iCountryID=1&getPagePath=16494

Tried that - and some variants.  No change.

> (2) You are using a "clone" of Parallel Cable III not
> the "real deal".  We have seen situations in which the
> clones are not quite clones and fail for a variety of
> PC-related reasons.

No difference between clone circuitry and "real deal" hardware.

> (3) You may need to set your BIOS to use the Bidirectional
> (rather than ECP or EPP) mode for the parallel port.

Hmmm.  Haven't tried this, but I'm reluctant to mess around in
this way, particularly as other parallel port stuff works OK (eg
Lattice ispVM downloader).

The first set of students do their first FPGA exercises today,
and we're using the kludge of Webpack iMPACT installation used
stand-alone.  This works.

For the future, we're looking at Another Company's product. 
Shame, as we have invested a lot in Xilinx over many years. 
(That investment of time, effort and money would not have been
possible or had any point without substantial support from
Xilinx' University Program, which is freely and gratefully
acknowledged.)

-- 
Tim Forcer               [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The University of Southampton, UK

The University is not responsible for my opinions