A random guess - have you disabled the bluebooth interface on the NXT block?
 
Or have you tried a very simple program to verify the assumption that the irregularity roots from the NXT block, NOT from your robot?
 
For instance, use a known good cable (check the phone jack-like clip carefully and make sure the connection is secure and tight), connect NXT block to the motors without the tires and also connect a touch sensor and a light sensor. And then write a very simple program or create a sample program from Robot Educator. 
 
Does the battery contact pins work well with the rechargable? - you may temporaly install the AA batteries just for tesing
 
...
 
Let me know what you find out from the test.  Thanks.
 
Jin


--- On Tue, 11/3/09, Sherene Silverberg <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


From: Sherene Silverberg <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Programming/brick problem
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 1:45 PM


We're having a huge problem with our robot.


the programs are not downloading from the computer to the brick properly.   Despite the message on the computer saying it the program has uploaded, it is hit or miss if it does.


We're running firmware version 1.28 on Mac OS 10.5.8.


I've done the Mac OS 10.5 firmware fix as indicated here
http://mindstorms.lego.com/support/updates/.


The programs never run the same way twice. It's like the NXT brick has  a life of its own.  We deleted all the programs on the brick and then downloaded just one of the programs.  When we ran the program, it bore no resemblance to the one we uploaded.  Rather, it looked like another one on the computer that goes by a different name.


I thought to try to reset the brick but for the life of me I cannot find any reset button.  Apparently "The hardware reset button is located within the LEGO TECHNIC hole below the USB connector on the NXT brick.".


For the life of me, I cannot find this hole.


If I can't find a solution ASAP, I am going to pull the plug on the team competing.   We cannot waste any more hours trying to fix buggy Lego equipment.


Can anyone help me?  I'm at the end of my tether.


thanks


Sherene

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