[HELP] RCX Software

[Azzepa]

I recently managed to get hold of a couple of old RCX bricks, and some older stuff as well. It looks as if it is bits and bobs of the sets 9725, 9794 and 9701. I don't think its all there, but a quite considerable lot is.

Unfortunately, It didn't come with much of the original documentation, and no software CDs for the RCX. I currently run Windows 7 64bit, and have no idea whether it is compatible anymore. Is it still possible to use it, or does anyone have any experience with this?

Also, I was thinking of using NQC with it, but it isn't very clear as how to get it up an running. Anyone know anything about this either?

Bascially, I don't know really what I have got hold of here, I only have experience with NXTs, so just need a little help with getting it up and running, and what I can do with it. Just a few pointers. Sorry if it's unclear.

Thanks,

~Azz

Also, I may be able to get pictures of what I've got later, I'm trying to organise it at the moment. It's a mess

[DLuders]

This Brickfactory.info webpage has some of the missing Lego Mindstorms RCX and NXT software CDs that you need. They are all free downloads.

Brickset.com has some of the documentation. Type the set number in the top-right corner of that website, then click on the "Parts" tab (below the big set title in red), and wait for the parts images to load. Try Bricklink.com and use its dropdown "Catalog" function to find the set's Parts Inventory (such as this one for the 9701 Control Lab Building Set). This may be easier to use than Brickset. Alas, the printed Building Instructions booklets are not available from this Lego Customer Service webpage , but 9701 has images posted via this Brickfactory.info webpage (use the dropdown to find the set number range).

Your Mindstorms sets look like they were meant for school classes:

Edited October 28, 2012 by DLuders

[Azzepa]

This Brickfactory.info webpage has some of the missing Lego Mindstorms RCX and NXT software CDs that you need. They are all free downloads.

Brickset.com has some of the documentation. Type the set number in the top-right corner of that website, then click on the "Parts" tab (below the big set title in red), and wait for the parts images to load. Try Bricklink.com and use its dropdown "Catalog" function to find the set's Parts Inventory (such as this one for the 9701 Control Lab Building Set). This may be easier to use than Brickset. Alas, the printed Building Instructions booklets are not available from this Lego Customer Service webpage , but 9701 has images posted via this Brickfactory.info webpage (use the dropdown to find the set number range).

Your Mindstorms sets look like they were meant for school classes:

Thanks for that, looks very useful. I got some images of what I got, sorry if they come out blurry.

I was also slightly disappointed that the 9701 didn't come with the control panel, or whatever it is.

[DLuders]

It looks like you could build some of the wonderful Lego Mindstorms RCX creations built by "Philo" (Philippe Hurbain) on his website. Even though you have the older RCX 1.0 bricks (with their external power jacks), you could download the legacy Mindstorms SDK2.5 software that he saved on this webpage. Philo wrote that it "....includes RCX2 firmware (firm0328.lgo) that gives more capability to your RCX (even older versions)."

[Philo]

And for programming RCX, I recommend using NQC/BricxCC!!!

[Azzepa]

It looks like you could build some of the wonderful Lego Mindstorms RCX creations built by "Philo" (Philippe Hurbain) on his website. Even though you have the older RCX 1.0 bricks (with their external power jacks), you could download the legacy Mindstorms SDK2.5 software that he saved on this webpage. Philo wrote that it "....includes RCX2 firmware (firm0328.lgo) that gives more capability to your RCX (even older versions)."

Looked through there, some very interesting things to build there! Thanks!

And for programming RCX, I recommend using NQC/BricxCC!!!

Yes, I was looking into that, although I am running Windows 7 64bit, and cannot get anything to work at the moment. Got the programs, can't connect the RCX bricks. I only seem to have USB towers, and of course, they only work with 32bit Windows 7.

Is there any other way to get them to work, or am I going to have to investigate using Linux? If I do, I might have to go and set up dual boot for my computer. Not fun

I am finding surprises though, found a "sound siren" in the box, never knew these existed. Google holds all answers though

and now some lights! Glad I found this lot

Still seeing if I've got the temperature sensor anywhere...

[DLuders]

RJMcNamara.com has a detailed solution for running the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (RIS) on Windows 7 machines. However, he says that there are no known 64-bit Windows 7 drivers available for the infrared tower. However, there is a remark at the bottom of

that says "I've been able to get the USB driver to work on a Win 7 64 Bit machine by installing Oracle Virtual Box and installing a Win 7 32 guest OS inside of it. FYI Virtual Box allows you to run virtual machines on one computer so for example I can run Linux, Win XP, Win 7, etc... at the same time my Win 7 64 bit OS is running."

Edited October 28, 2012 by DLuders

[Azzepa]

RJMcNamara.com has a detailed solution for running the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (RIS) on Windows 7 machines. However, he says that there are no known 64-bit Windows 7 drivers available for the infrared tower. However, there is a remark at the bottom of

that says "I've been able to get the USB driver to work on a Win 7 64 Bit machine by installing Oracle Virtual Box and installing a Win 7 32 guest OS inside of it. FYI Virtual Box allows you to run virtual machines on one computer so for example I can run Linux, Win XP, Win 7, etc... at the same time my Win 7 64 bit OS is running."

Yes, I had seen that, but it didn't really help me much. I can't get anything to work, and I'm really going to have to seriously think about switching to a Linux dual boot system in order to get it to work. I am either seriously missing something here, or that there is absolutely no way at all to get an RCX to work with Windows 7 64bit, even without the IR tower? This is starting to get really frustrating

[Toastie]

Hi Azzepa,

share your frustration. But you need the RCX computer IR link to make things work. First you need to download some firmware, e.g. the "latest" RCX2.0 firmware from last century ... Now, can you get hold of an old IR tower, the one with the RS232 serial port? If so, do you also have access to an RS232 - USB converter? If so, I'd download the BricxCC package and try that out. It for sure works with 7/32bit (what a surprise), but as far as I understand the RS232/USB converter should take care of the 64bit issue, since the dumb serial tower device is happy with what it gets through the wires ...

Regards and good luck,

Thorsten

[Azzepa]

Hi Azzepa,

share your frustration. But you need the RCX computer IR link to make things work. First you need to download some firmware, e.g. the "latest" RCX2.0 firmware from last century ... Now, can you get hold of an old IR tower, the one with the RS232 serial port? If so, do you also have access to an RS232 - USB converter? If so, I'd download the BricxCC package and try that out. It for sure works with 7/32bit (what a surprise), but as far as I understand the RS232/USB converter should take care of the 64bit issue, since the dumb serial tower device is happy with what it gets through the wires ...

Regards and good luck,

Thorsten

Yes, it is rather frustrating, but to be perfectly honest here, why spend money on it when I can dual boot my computer to get it to work without having to spend anything extra. And its probably quicker as well, than waiting for parts orders to come through. I'm thinking now I'm just going to dual boot with either XP 32bit, or Linux (probably Ubuntu) to get around this problem. I'm slightly leaning towards Linux, its slightly easier and quicker to install, and can be useful. Only problem here is that I'd have to build Bricxcc from source to get it to work. A job I don't particularly fancy doing, even as a bit of a programmer as well.

Thanks a lot for all you help. Hell, maybe even if I get it working some day, I might make a guide here for anyone else that comes into these damn problems. I wish I could find a useful one all in one place.

[Toastie]

Azzepa,

fair enough. It would be nice if you could share your results here. Since I am lucky to have the serial tower, the USB/RS232 thingy, and the beautiful RCX1.0 (with power jack as you have), I will ask my daughter if I may install some software on her W7/64bit laptop and let you know as well. My laptop is running XP, I am getting too old I guess ...

Regards,

Thorsten

[Azzepa]

And a year and a half later, I found these again, dusted them off and set about getting them to work.

5 hours after that, I had them running off my Windows 8 64bit machine (while using a VM). Was a lot of surfing the net, looking for files, patience, frustration, patience and more patience.

Would there be a demand for a tutorial on how I set these up for anyone else who has problems with them and no access to the Serial Towers? Save them the horrible time I had with these.

Maybe now I can build some of Philo's creations and maybe some of my own. Might even be able to get my school to let me loose on their 8 (if not more only counted these loose in a tub) old RCX units and kit. Don't think they know how to get them to work at the moment.

P.S: Sorry for the bump

[DrJB]

The only way I found to use my 64-bit Windows 7 PC with the RCX is ... by installing a VM (Virtual machine). Is that what you did as well?

[Azzepa]

The only way I found to use my 64-bit Windows 7 PC with the RCX is ... by installing a VM (Virtual machine). Is that what you did as well?

Indeed. As far as I'm aware that's the only way to get them to work on 64 but machines. I have had the idea of using DOSBox to try amd install and run the software and drivers, since ir emulates 16bit hardware. I'll investigate and see if it works.

[Raf23]

Azzepa or DRJB - would please you post some details on how to get the RCX working on a VM?

I have and RCX 2.0 set and trying to get it to work. Last attempt was using a Win 8.1 64 bit with an Hyper-v Win XP VM. The RIS software install fine in the VM but I can't get the Tower to work.