USB + Serial Backpack Kit with 16x2 RGB backlight negative LCD (item 784) not displaying full ine of text

[darrenw]

I have purchased the USB + Serial Backpack Kit with 16x2 RGB backlight negative LCD (item 784) from Adafruit, followed the assembly and test instructions successfully.

I can successfully connect to it with a Windows machine through USB using RealTerm and LCD Smartie. The issue I have is that it only displays text in the first column, the remaining columns remain blank.

Is there a setting I need to make to have it use all 16 columns to display a line of text?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Make sure you have the right LCD setting in the LCD Smartie setup.

[darrenw]

I have been using the matrix.dll, is that correct?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Matrix.dll should work. You also need to specify thye correct screen size.

[darrenw]

Thanks for the response. The size was set to 2 X 16 (there is no option for 16 X 2). I have tried changing most of the settings with no resolution. All other functions appear to work perfectly, such as adjusting the contrast, brightness and turning the backlight on and off. Could it be faulty?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Sounds like possibly a defective display. Contact support @adafruit.com with a link to this thread and ask for a replacement kit.

[banjax]

Defective? It's displaying the whole of the text, but scrolling bottom to top just in the first column.

[banjax]

I guess I should probably add that when powering on, it displays text on the full screen just fine. I went back over my solder joints, thinking maybe there was a cold solder point, but everything looks good.
Also, I can turn the backlight on and off, but not change the color.

[darrenw]

Thank you for your assistance, I have made contact using the address provided.

[adafruit_support_bill]

It's displaying the whole of the text, but scrolling bottom to top just in the first column.

That wasn't how you described it in your initial post:

The issue I have is that it only displays text in the first column, the remaining columns remain blank.

[darrenw]

It's displaying the whole of the text, but scrolling bottom to top just in the first column.

was not my post, it was from another user. However it does equaly describe my issue.

[adafruit_support_bill]

was not my post, it was from another user.

Sorry, I didn't notice the hijack there.

However it does equaly describe my issue.

If it were a soldering problem, you would not be seeing text on the display consistently - if at all. I suppose it is possible that the problem is on the PC side and the wrong command sequences are being sent to the backpack. You might try just sending plain text to it and see how it behaves then.

[darrenw]

I have tried sending text from RealTerm with the same result that I get from LCDSmartie. Sending hex commands appear to work fine (although I have not tested them all).

[adafruit]

do you mind posting up a photo of what you're seeing? its fairly easy to update the firmware on the backpack if necessary - we did test it with Smartie so not sure what would be amiss

[darrenw]

Please find attached sequential photos displaying a line of text sent from LCDSmartie (sorry about the quality, but they are good enough to see the problem). If this can be fixed by a firmware upgrade, that would be a great result.