KK2.0 firmware flashing instructions, step by step. v1.1 - v1.6

[rokit5]

KK2.0 flight control board.
Flashing the new firmware.

You';ll need the USB programmer installed with the correct driver to do the next steps:

Programmer:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21321__USBasp_AVR_Programming_Device_for_ATMEL_proccessors.html

Windows 7 driver:
http://www.protostack.com/download/USBasp-win-driver-x86-x64-ia64-v1.2.4.rar

Plug your Programmer onto your KK2.0 FC board with the ribbon cable pointing across the board.
Pin 1 on the plug indicated by an arrow should be plugged onto the MISO pin.

Ensure the Jumper on the programmers board is on, that provides power to the KK2.0 board.
Once plugged in correctly the KK2.0s back lit LCD should be on.

Sometimes Windows 7 needs to be shown where to find the correct driver for peripherals so follow the steps below if any error messages pop up when your trying to use the programmer:
.Click the start button (bottom left)
. Right click on Computer and select Manage.
.From the left hand list select: Device manager.
.There you should see: Other Devices with an icon below called USBasp.
.Right click on the USBasp icon and click: Update driver software...
.Click browse my computer for driver software.
.Click browse and select the: usbasp-windriver.2011-05-28, from where ever you have saved it and then ok.
.Click next, a warning message may appear because windows doesn';t recognise the driver supplier but install anyway.
Then click close.

Back in the Device manager you should now have an updated list that now has: Libusb-win32 devices.
Your all done.


Theirs a few things you';ll need to do before using the Flash tool to update the KK2.0 firmware to V1.5.
Some have a problem with using the kkMulticopterFlashTool script file (once clicked it flashes a command window up on your screen and disappears) 

It';s most common on a 64bit machines, it could be caused by the wrong Java version installed.
Solution:
Manually download Java from here.
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Make sure you select the correct bit version. A 32bit web browser will only download a 32bit version of Java, a 64bit version may be needed for the flash tool to run correctly.

Download, if you haven';t already, the kk flash tool from here:
http://lazyzero.de/en/modellbau/kkmulticopterflashtool

The KK2.0  firmware v1.1 - v1.5 can be downloaded from here, but the tool will automatically search the internet for the latest firmware:
http://code.google.com/p/kk2-0/downloads/detail?name=KK2_1V5.ZIP&can=2&q=
V1.6 can be downloaded from here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5799951

KK flash tool settings.

1.Choose the programmer should be left.

2.Choose your controller: HobbyKing KK2 (32kB flash)

3.Flashing firmware tab selected,   
.Firmware, top field you should select: KK2 from list, bottom field you should select: KK2.0 V1.5 by KapteinKuK.

4.To the right hand side of the firmware fields you';ll find a BLUE and a GREEN icon. Once all the relivent Controller and firmware information have been selected, its time to let the tool do its thing.

5. Click the GREEN icon and the tool will start the flashing. 

The instructions above should be used as a guide only and some steps could differ.

I hope this helps and I also hope that the links work for everyone, if not just copy and past into your web browser and it should take you straight there.
I';m sure I';ve covered everything but if you feel you can add to any of the steps, feel free. 

[Ross]

You can get run in for firmware flashing you know
Good info though!

[rokit5]

The post above is purely for reference only. lol 

[Gaza07]

Well done rokit5 that should be very helpful to other people wanting to flash their KK2 boards, I';ve made it a sticky topic so it always stays near the top in this section 

[rokit5]

Just checked the usbasp link and there seems to be a problem with it, use this one instead:
http://www.protostack.com/download/USBasp-win-driver-x86-x64-ia64-v1.2.4.zip

[QuadBod]

Try this instead (saves all the Java shenanigans):

http://extremeelectronics.co.in/avr-tutorials/gui-software-for-usbasp-based-usb-avr-programmers/

Works great for ESCs too.

[dp106]

Just flashed and worked a treat, instructions were very helpful thanks 

[AKA Biggles]

Hi Rokit,
I bought one of the boards you see in the pic....



I tried your guide, but I don';t see where I link the power that you mention....  I';m not getting any backlight up on the KK2.0 board.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Biffa]

The programmer can attach to the board two ways, have you tried it the opposite way around?

[AKA Biggles]

The socket on the ribbon cable was too big to allow it to connect to the KK2, so I used two servo extension leads, making sure of the orientation and following the connection instructions. There seemed to be a certain risk in reversing the cable, so that was not tried. The cable connector will only fit one way round on the programmer board, and there is a red marker on one side of the ribbon, which I assume to be pin one?

[Biffa]

My programmer has no markings at all.

When I have used it I could never remember what was the right way so it was trial and error, but I have not damaged anything having it on the wrong way.

I thought something was wrong when I first did it and the board didn';t light up, flipped the connector around and it worked.

[AKA Biggles]

Thanks for that, I';m starting to feel a bit stupid now. I reckon I should have used a meter and buzzed the leads through. Still, I';ll do that as soon as I get home in a couple of weeks'; time.

[camerart]

Hi,

How can I tell which fesion of software is on my KK2 board, I bought it from Hobby king a few months ago?

Cheers, Camerart.

[Biffa]

Hi,

How can I tell which fesion of software is on my KK2 board, I bought it from Hobby king a few months ago?

Cheers, Camerart.

When the board boots up the software version will flash up briefly on the screen.

[reck]

Try this instead (saves all the Java shenanigans):

http://extremeelectronics.co.in/avr-tutorials/gui-software-for-usbasp-based-usb-avr-programmers/

Works great for ESCs too.

This is the route to go... installed on my Windows 7 pro laptop without any issues and dead easy to use. No messing with Java, and it also works on Linux. My USBasp was from Fleabay.. 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290927870577

This is what I did -
1) Install the software on PC
Plug in the USBasp into your USB, it should glow blue if it is alive. Ignore any attempts that Windows has to install drivers for it.

Run the downloaded setup exe (I used extreme_burner_avr_v1.3.2_setup)  to install the software, follow instructions on screen, it installs the drivers for you. Cancel any Windows efforts to do the same. The driver process seems to take some time, you may need to fire up task manager to see what is going on.

2) Get your new flash firmware
Download the hex file you want to flash from (I';m repeating the bit above to save you paging back  )
Latest versions up to 1.5
https://code.google.com/p/kk2-0/downloads/list

Version 1.6
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5799951

Version 1.6++
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1899326

Hefnycopter
http://code.google.com/p/hefnycopter/downloads/list
(If you';re using this, you won';t be needing to read this post  )

3) Prepare your board
Disconnect anything that you can, certainly all the ESCs (M1 thru M8 on the board) , and I disconnected the receiver as well.

Now connect your USBasp six pin cable header to the KK board, there is a six pin programming header the same shape. If it is plugged into the PC, the board will power up when it is connected the right way round. Don';t worry if you put in in the wrong way, it just won';t power up. If you';ve got your voltage alarm set up the board will beep furiously as soon as it starts up (it will of course be getting 5V from the USB not 12V from your lipo) so the first thing you';ll need to do on the KK is navigate to the miscellaneous settings and set it to zero.


4) Program it
Fire up the program, you';ll see an error message flash up where Avinash obviously hasn';t put a picture in the right place before he compiled the code, click okay to ignore the popup. There are no help files, but it is very easy to use.

First, go the Chip menu and set it to Atmega 324PA

Now, just for safety sake and to check that you are communicating with the board just go to the Read menu and choose ';Flash';. It will then download the Flash... then go the the Read menu and choose ';EEPROM';. You can then save these settings to your PC with the File/Save option so that you have a copy of everything should you need to go back to them.

And finally...  open the Flash file you want to burn. Then go to Write/Flash and you should see the board being flashed.

Check the version number on restart on the controller and don';t forget to reset your voltage alarm!

Easy peasy! Thanks QuadBod 

[rsmith21]

Just completed the flash from 1.2 to 1.6++ , when auto level is off there is a constant beep every 2 secs or so, anyone know what that is.

RTFM its the lost alarm, I have it set on a 3 position switch, SL, Lost, OFF 

Just in case anyone else does the same I';ll leave this here :)

[Apollo]

Hi,

I have a strange problem flashing my KK2.0 board. I bought a cheap Usbasp programmer from eb*y with 10 pin ribbon cable and wired the appropriate pins from programmer to board with jumper cables.
But when I connect programmer to usb port the board powers up and after couple of seconds it goes to ARMED mode and red led on board is lit. If I connect the buzzer/speaker to the board it beeps like crazy.

Probably this is not normal?

BTW: The board seems to work properly though when not trying to flash.

Thank you!

EDIT: Oops, just seen the sticky post about cheap usbasps. Might be programmer';s fault.

[Riggsbie]

Awesome guide, just went through the process in 5 minutes.....

Have never done it before, follow this guide and it just works !!!

Thanks a lot !!

[QuadBod]

This is the route to go... (I used extreme_burner_avr_v1.3.2_setup) 
Easy peasy! Thanks QuadBod 

Don';t thank me - thank the developer! Actually, don';t just thank him - consider giving a small donation. $5 or $10 is nothing compared to what we spend on the physical components for our hobby, and yet for however many tens or hundreds of hours must have been spent developing this, he';s had what, half-a-dozen donations?

Anyway, stepping off my high horse for a second  :lipsrsealed, glad this helped, and sorry it took a bump for me to see and respond to your post.

[guest325]

I';ve just updated my kk2 with 1.6 firmware using a combination of the op plus this:
http://www.flitetest.com/articles/how-to-kk2-0-firmware-update-windows
I got my USBASP device from here:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=290927870577
It was an easy process and took me all of 10 minutes to complete, just got to finish my build off now - some wiring needed and a bit more fettling on my frame.
To complete the information on this it was done on Windoze XP SP3 running inside VM on Fedora 19.

[Supernova]

Hi All,

Just a quick note of thanks for this thread. Complete newbie to quads and just flashed my KK2.1 board first time - no problems, no drama.

Just a few things worth noting from my experience:
1, I initially tried to use the Extreme AVR Burner tool. However, the correct chipset for the new version KK2.1 was not listed (atmega 644pa) so I didn';t progress any further.
2, However, having already installed Extreme AVR Burner, when I came to install the Lazyzero KKmulticopter flashtool, all the correct drivers were already installed - I love it when a plan comes together 
3, My KK2.1 FC is the hardcase version with the remote removable display/progamming thingy! The hardcase on the FC does not allow quite enough space around the ISP pins to connect the USBISP 6pin connector. After a little fettling of the case the connector now fits like a hand in a glove.
4, I used a USBISP programmer bought from Squirrel Labs (UK company). It worked like a charm and seemed to be a well made bit of kit. The version I bought included an extension ribbon cable and a little HW 6pin converter. I have absolutely no connection with Squirrel Labs, so I am happy to provide the details of what seems to be a little UK business doing things very well (mod -  am I allowed to do that?)

Link to programmer: https://www.squirrel-labs.net/usbasp-usbisp-avr-programmer-cable-6-pin-converter-arduino-kk2-0-multiwii.html

Again thanks for this useful thread. And here';s to my first (minor) success in the world of quad building 

Cheers

[Hands0n]

I have absolutely no connection with Squirrel Labs, so I am happy to provide the details of what seems to be a little UK business doing things very well (mod -  am I allowed to do that?)

Link to programmer: https://www.squirrel-labs.net/usbasp-usbisp-avr-programmer-cable-6-pin-converter-arduino-kk2-0-multiwii.html

Again thanks for this useful thread. And here';s to my first (minor) success in the world of quad building 

Cheers

Of course you are    And thank you for sharing that little gem. 

kkmultikopter tool is most definitely the tool of choice at this time.  Once installed correctly, with the correct version of Java, it works a treat. 

Interesting your comments about the fit of the keyed 6-pin connector to the KK2.1N case.  I didn';t have that trouble, but its worth knowing for others. 

[Jadsons95]

when I called my KK2.0 plate for the second time she was well as image , someone could help me