Technoclub logo

TechnoClub Rover 6 Picaxe Rescue remedies.

Here is a collection of common problems when trying to connect your Picaxe to a PC or laptop. Most faults can be cured by double checking the components, soldering or wiring.

This website maybe have some answers to your PICAXE questions.

1.1          Difficulty in finding correct “COM port” number

Make sure the download cable driver has installed OK. The instructions at

http://www.PICAXE.com/Getting-Started/Driver-Installation/  are relevant to this project.

To see which port the Rover6 is on, repeatedly plug and unplug the USB cable, and watch which port appears and disappears in the list.

1.2          Error: Can’t open port COM(number).

  1. USB cable not plugged in.
  2. The wrong COM port selected. Check “Device manager” for the right COM port number. Once installed, plugging in the Rover6 should make its COM port number appear in the list.
  3. Debug or Analogue function has caused Windows to add a new  COM port, connected to a non existent device . In “Device manager” check “Mice and other pointing devices” for a Microsoft Serial Ballpoint, then disable (not uninstall) it.

1.3          Error: Hardware not found on COM(number)!

  1. Sometimes an electrical fault on the PCB
  2. The Debug or Analogue function has caused Windows to add a new  COM port, connected to a non existent device, then stolen the port from you!  In “Device manager” check “Mice and other pointing devices” for a Microsoft Serial Ballpoint, then disable (not uninstall) it.
  3. This can be caused by the PICAXE being too busy, so link the “reset” pads on the Rover6 with a paper clip, start a download of a simple program, when it “searches for hardware” release the link.

1.4          PICAXE editor freezes.

This can happen when using Debug function in the program. Unplug the USB, add a delay such as Pause 100 in the code loop, re-connect the USB and reprogram.

1.5          Where can I find help on PICAXE commands?

An up to date source is here  http://www.PICAXE.com/BASIC-Commands

PDF of the manual is at  http://www.PICAXE.com/docs/PICAXE_manual2.pdf

The user forum is here   https://PICAXEforum.co.uk/