What exactly is the impact on functionality of all this resistor
swapping around? Do you have posted anywhere the details and impacts
of the other planned changes?
Rick
On the SMSC we will be adding a 10K resistor to ground. Adding R219 reverses the polarity of the TXER signal inside the PHY, so instead of it being pulled up, via the internal pullup resistor, it will need to be pulled down. At that point we can reinstall R219. Adding the pulldown to pin 18 requires a PCB change.
Gerald
Rather than removing R219 entirely, might there be a greenwire mod that could be applied to effect pulldown vs pullup?
Eric
You could try tacking a 10K resistor to ground from pin 18 of the SMSC. But, if you mess up the part while doing it, then you will need to get it replaced via an RMA and there could be a charge associated depending on how bad you messed it up. If you end up lifting a pad, then the board is toast,
Gerald
Is there still a chance for a software fix or is the PCB change the
only option?
Eric
I can’t be sure, but so far the SW team is at a loss on how to fix it in SW. I think the total solution is a PCB fix. But, if you remove the resistor, then it will work the same as the A3, so there is no loss of function or features. The Yellow LED will be off at 100M. The resistor was added to make the Yellow LED come on at 100M. Without it, it is the same as Rev A3.
Gerald
Ethernet now working just fine after removing R219. I used small
splinter/nail pliers to pry it off carefully and it detached easily. I
recommend using a magnifying glass for precision.
Has anyone been able to get the ethernet port working without using DHCP or is the R219 resistor solution the only way to get it to work?
Thanks
Does anyone here know if there is a way to get the ethernet work (via
static address or other means) that doesn't require modifying the HW?
There is no SW workaround for this issue at this time and I do not expect there to be one.
Gerald
This is the only solution that works at this time. I do not expect there to be a SW solution.
Gerald
As mentioned in previous posts, you can do "Power on" (5V plugged in)
reboots until it works (use "reboot" while logged in in serial
console). For me it worked like every 3 reboots. DHCP or fixed IP is
independent from the issue as far as I could read and test: once
ethernet HW works, both static and DHCP should work. Make sure you use
Conman (http://www.gigamegablog.com/2012/02/06/beaglebone-linux-101-
assigning-a-static-ip-address-with-connman/) to make a static IP stick.
Not sure if anyone else has posted this, but for those not too
comfortable with removing R219, here's a video demonstrating a few
methods of doing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak30G-shiYY
I have Rev A4, and removing R219 worked good here also.
As one of the nervous type, I jumped in and did this a couple of nights. It was easier then I thought. I used a pocket knife and it came off WAY easier then I thought it would.
That is a disappointing message.
Is it a hard physical problem with no possible software solution, or
is it going to take too much time and resources (cost) to complete a
software solution?
I just received an A4 from Adafruit and am kinda bummed to find that a
key component, Ethernet, is not working.
Pat
See the link below. And no there is no SW solution at the moment and I do not expect one as it is related to an area inside the PHY that has no SW access from the processor. In other words there is no register in the PHY to write to to fix it.
http://circuitco.com/support/index.php?title=BeagleBone#Known_Issues
Be sure and watch the video. It is very easy to fix.
Gerald
FWIW, I just went through this procedure with a pair of tweezers,
using the video as a guide. It was very easy to do and it fixed the
ethernet problems on the Beagle Bone that I just got today.
-Tony
I've just received my BeagleBone yesterday evening so I'm still in the
process of exploring the beast.
I received a A4 revision board, so no 'out of the box' 100mB ethernet
connection.
This mod of adding a 10k resistor really works well!
I soldered a tiny thin wire from pin 18 of the LAN8710 SMSC chip to a
10k SMD resistor which soldered to the unused ground pad of C146 which
is inline of pin18.
This way the yellow LED functionality is like intended.
Thanks Gerald for the tip!
John
Rev A6, which is in the works, will have the 10K integrated. Untill then, the LED will be off for 100M operation.
Gerald