Unable to communicate with ePaper - Probably my error

Question

I have tried to run the Arduino ide for the ESPaper unit. I keep getting messages that it is having problems

uploading to the unit. I have attached the error message. Please let me know what I am doing wrong so I

can use it.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Arduino: 1.8.5 (Windows 10), Board: "Generic ESP8266 Module, 80 MHz, ck, 26 MHz, 40MHz, QIO, 2M (1M SPIFFS), 2, v2 Lower Memory, Disabled, None, Only Sketch, 115200"

C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\arduino-builder -dump-prefs -logger=machine -hardware C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware -hardware C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages -hardware C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\Documents\Arduino\hardware -tools C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\tools-builder -tools C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr -tools C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages -built-in-libraries C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\libraries -libraries C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\Documents\Arduino\libraries -fqbn=esp8266:esp8266:generic:CpuFrequency=80,ResetMethod=ck,CrystalFreq=26,FlashFreq=40,FlashMode=qio,FlashSize=512K0,led=2,LwIPVariant=v2mss536,Debug=Disabled,DebugLevel=None____,FlashErase=none,UploadSpeed=115200 -ide-version=10805 -build-path C:\Tmp\arduino_build_79331 -warnings=default -build-cache C:\Tmp\arduino_cache_640228 -prefs=build.warn_data_percentage=75 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-lx106-elf-gcc.path=C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp8266\tools\xtensa-lx106-elf-gcc\1.20.0-26-gb404fb9-2 -prefs=runtime.tools.esptool.path=C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp8266\tools\esptool\0.4.13 -prefs=runtime.tools.mkspiffs.path=C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp8266\tools\mkspiffs\0.2.0 -verbose C:\Users\Paul's-i7-Torbo\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp8266\hardware\esp8266\2.4.1\libraries\esp8266\examples\Blink\Blink.ino

Board generic (platform esp8266, package esp8266) is unknown

Error compiling for board Generic ESP8266 Module.

Answer 1

It looks like you have not installed the ESP core support, go to tool, then boards, then manage and type in the search box esp you should see the option to install the required support or the version of your current install that needs to be 2.4.1

Comments

According to the site:

WiFi epaper display kit contents
2.9″ ePaper display and ESP8266 Wroom 02 WiFi MCU on an integrated module
Acrylic cnclosure
CP2102 based USB-to-Serial converter to load applications onto the kit
600mAh LiPo battery with JST connector (internal)
USB cable

So, I am really confused. Is it an ESP8266 as it says on the website or is it actually an ESP32?

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Hi Paul
It IS ESP8266. Why do you think it might be ESP32? Also at the time of compilation the IDE doesn't know which device you have. I don't 100% agree with G6EJD's analysis since the log messages show that you actually have at least partially installed 2.4.1 ("esp8266\hardware\esp8266\2.4.1"). I suggest to do two things: uninstall the ESP8266 support and install it again. Maybe there was a problem during the first installation.
If that doesn't help enable "Show verbose output during compilation" in the user settings and post the log output here again. The only real error message is "Board generic (platform esp8266, package esp8266) is unknown" and that doesn't help so much. Another question: were you trying to compile the blink example?

Oh and one more point: you didn't even get to the part where you communicate with the board. To test if that works you can open the serial monitor and press the reset button on the module. You should then see some output in the serial monitor window. It might look like garbage but this is expected since you probably don't have the right baud rate set...

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https://www.espressif.com/en/products/hardware/esp-wroom-02/overview

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Thanks! I will remove and reinstall the ESP8266 and see what happens.  I have seen the module reset when I pressed the two buttons but never been able to communicate with it.
I'll reply later today (here in California) but it will be tomorrow AM in your area.

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Instead of just deleting the library for the esp8266 I removed the total arduino ide and reinstalled it. I then updated the library but it still acts the same. I get some output on the serial monitor. I will try loading it on a linux virtual machine to see if it's just a windows quirk later on this evening (-7 GMT) and give you an update.

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I think you should go through these steps to find the problem:
1. Start the IDE and select the UNO board type, load the basic Blink sketch, compile the code - succeeds?
2. Follow one of the many ESP install tutorials
, e.g.: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/how-to-install-esp8266-board-arduino-ide/
3. Select the ESP8266 D1 Mini board type, compile the Blink code - succeeds?
4. If you get this far then you can download all the libraries needed for the colour weather station.
5. If all of this fails, then suspect an interaction with your Virus Checker, or your Firewall is not allowing access to the external support needed by the IDE. In both cases they need to allow access and pass-through respectively.

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Also I suggest you turn the compiler preferences back to the Default setting.