2. Now start the software on the computer by opening the Javelin Stamp IDE program.

3. Connect power to the RoadRunner control board. You may use wall power or battery power.

4. Now turn on the RoadRunner To do so, place the switch into the NC position. The light should go on. (UNPLUG THE MOTORS FROM THE MOTOR OUTPUTS. REMEMBER THAT SOMEBODY MAY HAVE PROGRAMMED THE ROADRUNNER BEFORE YOU AND THAT THE PROGRAM MIGHT TELL THE ROADRUNNER TO MOVE. THEREFORE, BE READY TO STOP THE ROADRUNNER IF IT STARTS TO MOVE. THE SAFEST THING TO DO IS TO SIMPLY UNPLUG THE MOTORS FROM THE MOTOR OUTPUTS)

WARNING: DISCONNECT MOTORS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS!!!

MOTOR OUTPUTS WITH NO MOTORS PLUGGED IN

5. Now it is time to test the connections. To do this we will check to see if the computer can talk to the RoadRunner To do this go into the JAVELIN STAMP IDE program. Now, on the file menu click on project and then select identify...

Note that different computers have different COM ports. Usually the COM port that you will be using will be COM1, thus COM1 is usually the port that you need to look at. If your computer has two serial ports then your robot may be plugged into COM2. Some computers are set up differently but this is a rare occurrence.

If everything is OK you will get the following message from the JAVELIN STAMP IDE program. Note that if you have a device such as the RoadRunner connected to a serial port then you will get a Loopback Yes on that serial port. If the device is on you will get an Echo yes from the device. Also if the RoadRunner is connected to the serial port you will see Javelin listed under the Device Type if the RoadRunner is turned on.

If you get the following error message then it is likely that the robot is not on, or that it has no power.

If you get the following error message it is likely that the serial cable is not connected.

Once you have completed this step, proceed on to the next part of the lesson.