Using a NodeMCU-mini with Thonny

[MMliam]

I've flashed micropython to two NodeMCU-mini's using Thonny, but have been unable to get the REPL. Repeating error messages keep occuring in the Shell.

FOR EXAMPLE:
load 0x3ffe8400, len 664, room 0
tail 8
chksum 0x01
csum 0x01
Fatal exception 0(IllegalInstructionCause):
�pc1=0x4020a04c, epc2=0x00000000, epc3=0x00000000, excvaddr=0x00000001, depc=0x00000000
ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,6)

load 0x40100000, len 32652, room 16
tail 12
chksum 0x19
ho 0 tail 12 room 4
load 0x3ffe8000, len 1012, room 12
tail 8
chksum 0x15
load 0x3ffe8400, len 664, room 0
tail 8
chksum 0x01
csum 0x01
Fatal exception 0(IllegalInstructionCause):
�pc1=0x4020a04c, epc2=0x00000000, epc3=0x00000000, excvaddr=0x00000001, depc=0x00000000
ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,6)

Has anyone on this forum had success with a NodeMCU-min using Thonny?

Mike

[scruss]

Are you sure you've flashed the right firmware? Boot messages that include Fatal exception 0(IllegalInstructionCause) suggest the firmware doesn't match the hardware.

There are a couple of boards I've seen sold as "NodeMCU Mini": one looks like a regular NodeMCU board, the other more like the WEMOS Lolin D1 mini or Adafruit HUZZAH ESP8266. Which one do you have?

[MMliam]

Hi,
This is what I'm investigating now. I've be using builds created by Glenn20 quite successfully in ESP-01, 01S, 12E & 12F modules. The NodeMCU-mini uses a 12F. But, I'm about to download a version recommended for the NodeMCU.

Thanks for the reply, I would appreciate any other thoughts you have.
The board is referred to as a NodeMCU-mini wireless D1.

Mike

UPDATE:
Loaded the build various sites recommend for the NodeMCU-min (esp8266-1m-20220618-v1.19.1.bin)i; here's the result from the Thonny shell:

load 0x40100000, len 30720, room 16
tail 0
chksum 0x90
load 0x3ffe8000, len 996, room 8
tail 12
chksum 0x80
ho 0 tail 12 room 4
load 0x3ffe83f0, len 1080, room 12
tail 12
chksum 0xf5
csum 0xf5
Fatal exception 0(IllegalInstructionCause):
�pc1=0x4020a04c, epc2=0x00000000, epc3=0x00000000, excvaddr=0x00000000, depc=0x00000000
ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,7)

As you can see not much difference. It's possible the boards I currently have are just NodeMCU-mini knockoff's and are defective.

Mike

[scruss]

The fact you're getting something hints there's a microprocessor behind there.

Have you tried completely erasing the flash first? Also, I find using esptool.py a little more useful for uploading firmware to esp8266 boards than Thonny: the latter hides too many error messages.

It sounds like it's a D1 Mini clone (is it squarish? If so, it's a D1 Mini clone). I've lost count of how many of these I've programmed successfully. Maybe your one is unwell?

[MMliam]

Hi,

Thonny actually uses the esptool for flashing and programming. I have loaded the esptool on my PC, but as yet haven't used it.

The module does have D1 stamped on it (for what ever that's worth); it measures 1.4" x 1" (or 3.5cm x 2.5cm).

BTW: I have another interesting issue. I have ESP-01 and ESP-01S modules, both have 1M Flash. I can have the 01S flash it LED that's on pin 2 (GPIO2), but if I try the exact same code [with the exception of changing the pin to 1 (Tx)] on the 01 it trashes the flash. I have to re-flash microPython to the board. Have you ever come across that issue?

Mike

[Christian Walther]

Have you tried different flash modes? Some boards and flash chips need a different setting than the default.

[MMliam]

Yes, I tried all four flash-modes offered by Thonny; it didn't make any difference.
BTW: I also tried nodemcu-pyflasher; https://github.com/marcelstoer/nodemcu- ... r/releases

[scruss]

Thonny actually uses the esptool for flashing and programming. I have loaded the esptool on my PC, but as yet haven't used it.

Yes, I know, but it hides most of the error messages. Running from a terminal allows you to see the full horrors. Plus (iirc) it shows you the detected flash size. At the very least, it'll give you some error messages to search for.

[MMliam]

scruss,
Referring to the D1 mini, you said:

I've lost count of how many of these I've programmed successfully.

Did you use Thonny to flash them; or just the esptool?

BTW: Some boards have a switch that puts it in to flash-mode; the mini only has a reset. How is the unit put in flash-mode? Also I've used this device:


It has a flash momentary-switch, but I've never had to use it with Thonny to flash any ESP8266 modules.

Why do some information sites refer to putting a unit in flash-mode, when it doesn't seem required in all cases; how is the D1 mini put in flash mode?

Mike

[MMliam]

scruss,

Well, I tried reprogramming the NodeMCU-mini using the esptool; it erased without errors, it programmed in v1.19.1 of micropython. I then ran Thonny to see if I get the REPL. All I got was the same repeating garbage, then Thonny tries several times for REPL, then disconnects.

Basically, I got the same results with using standalone esptool as I got with Thonny.

Mike