Toying With Technologysm

 

Iowa State University

 

NQC On An iMac or iBook

 

1.   Installing a USB to Serial Converter - Serial Tower Only

     Installing USB Tower - USB Tower Only

2.  Installing Not Quite C - OS 7 to 9

     Installing Not Quite C - OS X

3.  Placing Firmware on a Computer

4.  You are now ready to program your RCX.  We suggest by starting with our Introduction to Not Quite C.

 

References

 

Installing a USB to Serial Converter - Serial Tower Only

Before using Not Quite C on an iBook a driver must be installed for the USB to recognize the USB to serial converter that communicates with the LEGO™ RCX serial tower - this is only necessary if you have a serial tower.  The converter may be purchased through Pitsco™.  The black serial cables that go from the tower to the USB to serial converters have been discontinued; however, you may purchase a USB tower from Pitsco™.

Obtain a CD with the drivers on it.  Once the CD is placed in the CD drive the directions are self explanatory.

After installing the drivers the USB converter may be plugged in and NQC may be opened.  Once NQC is opened the download preferences must be set; go to Edit, Preferences and choose Printer Port USB, and then click OK.  This will allow the computer to send programs to the RCX through the USB port.  Check this option when ever working in NQC. **Do not download anything unless this option is selected or the computer will crash!**

 

Installing USB Tower iBook or iMac - USB Tower Only

  1. Download:  Begin by downloading the following: USB Tower Drivers (available within the developers' package at http://mindstorms.lego.com/mac/default.asp )

  2. Folder:  After downloading you will find 2 new icons on your desktop.  The icon looks like a folder; inside the folder are the drivers for the USB tower (called GhostAPI 10122001), the other file may be deleted.  (You will need to “Unstuff” the file if only one was downloaded and it is a “.sit” file using Stuff It software).

  3. Moving Files:  Move the following files from the GhostAPI folder into the "Preferences" folder that is within the "System Folder" - GhostAPI, Port RS232 Classic, Port USB Classic, and Protocol Session Classic.

  4. Restart:  Now restart your computer for these files to take affect.

 

Installing Not Quite C© - OS 7-9

  1. Download:  Download this file (NQC version 3.0a4).  

  2. Folder:  After downloading you will find 2 new icons on your desktop.  The icon looks like a folder; inside the folder is the Not Quite C© software the other file may be deleted.  (You will need to “Unstuff” the file if only one was downloaded and it is a “.sit” file using Stuff It software).

  3. Moving the Folder:  The desktop is not a very convenient place for the folder; you may wish to move it.  To move the folder double click on the Macintosh HD icon, followed by the Applications icon, drag the NQC folder into the Applications folder.

  4. Making an Icon on the Desktop:   Now open the NQC folder by double clicking on it.  You should see a yellow icon that looks like the LEGO™ RCX.  Hold down the alt/option key on the keyboard and drag the icon to the desktop.  You should now have the icon still in the NQC folder and also on your desktop.  

 

 

Installing Not Quite C© - OS X

  1. Download:  Download this file (NQC version 3.0a4).  

  2. Folder:  After downloading you will find 2 new icons on your desktop.  The icon looks like a folder; inside the folder is the Not Quite C© software the other file may be deleted.  (You will need to “Unstuff” the file if only one was downloaded and it is a “.sit” file using Stuff It software).

  3. Moving the Folder:  The desktop is not a very convenient place for the folder; you may wish to move it.  To move the folder double click on the Macintosh HD icon, followed by the Applications icon, drag the NQC folder into the Applications folder.

  4. Making an Icon on the Desktop:   Now open the NQC folder by double clicking on it.  You should see a yellow icon that looks like the LEGO™ RCX.  Hold down the alt/option key on the keyboard and drag the icon to the desktop.  You should now have the icon still in the NQC folder and also on your desktop.  

Placing Firmware on a Computer

 

To understand programs and other information the RCX needs firmware, which is the equivalent to an operating system (i.e. Mac OS 9 or Windows 2000) on a computer.  

  1. Download:  Download this file by right clicking on the link then selecting "save target as." (Firmware version 3.28 - available within the developers' package at http://mindstorms.lego.com/sdk2/default.asp )

  2. Moving File:  Place this file within the firmware folder that is inside of the MacNQC software folder.

  3. First Usage:  If this is the first time you have used your RCX you will need to install the firmware on your RCX. 

  4. Tower:  Connect your Lego Tower to your computer using the serial cable.

  5. RCX & Tower:  Place your RCX in front of the tower (Infrared ports facing each other), turn the RCX on (the tower is automatically turned on by the computer the switch is for a high or low beam of IR - on serial tower only).

  6. Open Software:  Double click on the MacNQC icon (looks like the RCX).

  7. When you have successfully opened the MacNQC you will see a blank document.

  8. Path:  Goto Edit, Preference, then make sure that the correct port is selected for downloading.

  9. Download Firmware:  Goto RCX, Download Firmware, then locate the firmware file on your computer and press ok.  This will take up to three minutes.

  You are now ready to program your RCX.  We suggest by starting with our Introduction to Not Quite C.

 

 

 

References:

MacNQC, K. Robert Bate,  http://homepage.mac.com/rbate/MacNQC/index.html

NQC, John Hansen, http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nqc/

 

Special thanks to David Duke of CSSE Monash University in Australia for all the help with the USB tower.