Another Blinky Grid programming failure

[thoughtfix]

I sent this in a "contact us" Email, but am sending it directly too:

Hiya! I, too, have been having problems with my Blinky Grid detecting the end of the programming cycle. I follow the steps precisely and the programming appears to work, but the whole device just hangs at the end (with either LED 2 staying lit or the entire grid off) after the web page says it is completed. The button does nothing, but power cycling it brings it back to the Maker Faire/Maker Shed demo. Here are the troubleshooting steps I've taken:

- Remove ambient lighting. Adjust monitor brightness.
- Attempt using a different computer with a better GPU/monitor (Samsung S27A950D - 120Hz - probably fine)
- Bring the sensors in physical contact with the machine.
- Adjusting timing (with every one of these other steps)
- Zoom the web page way out so the programming squares are smaller (less chance of cross-light pollution)
- Verifying all component alignment.
- Fresh batteries.

Since the demo runs, button works, and programming appears to work until the end, I think it's either a software (web page) or firmware (grid chip) issue. Is it possible Maker Shed got a bad batch? I have access to an FTDI cable and THINK I can use my Bus Pirate as a PIC programmer - but never tried. What can I do next?

(Update: Tried from my iPhone too - even less luck.)

[layne]

Hey there, I just replied to your contact form message.

[RuntimeException]

Hi,
I have a very similar issue (The LED remain off) and I sent a message on Contact page but I haven't got a reply back. Could you please post the answer here?
Thanks

[layne]

There generally is no one "answer" to figuring out why a blinky won't reprogram. There are a bunch of things to try, and if troubleshooting doesn't work, we'll gladly send you a new kit.

RuntimeExpection, does your blinky work ok for displaying the pre-programmed messages? Do all of the LEDs light up for playback? When you enter into the programming mode, does the behavior of the blinky match what is displayed in our animated GIF of the programming process? If not, where do things start to differ from the programming guide?

[layne]

Also if you can take high-resolution photos of both sides if your blinky circuit board, that would really help us troubleshoot. Do you have access to a multimeter? What sort of computer were you using? LCD or CRT display? Did you try it in a dark room? Do you have another computer you could try using? What about a smartphone or tablet?