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--- firmware_install [2026/07/19 13:35] – created walkeradmin
+++ firmware_install [2026/07/19 16:05] (current) – [Quick Test] walkeradmin
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-====== Waveshare RP2040 Zero ======
+====== Firmware Install ======
 <color #db5f0b>Jul 2026</color>
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@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===== Introduction =====
 \\
-The R
+The firmware installation is pretty simple, but it's a manual process, unlike the RPi Pico where Thonny can do it for you. First we need to get the lasted firmware file, you can get this from the link below.
+https://micropython.org/download/WAVESHARE_RP2040_ZERO/
+Note: this firmware is for the Waveshare (or compatible) RP 2040 device. I am using a Tenstar RP2040-Zero from AliExpress, and this firmware works with that.
+\\
+\\
+<color #ed1c24>***NOTE*** You can use the Raspberry Pi Pico Firmware, but if you do things like the NeoPixel will not work.</color>
+\\
+\\
+Download the latest .UF2 file (at time of writing <color #ed1c24>WAVESHARE_RP2040_ZERO-20260406-v1.28.0.uf2</color>)
+\\
+\\
+While holding down the BOOT button, plug the board in to your computer USB, a window will open.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :waveshare-firmware-install-001.png?600 |}}
+\\
+Copy the downloaded firmware file to the window that just opened.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :waveshare-firmware-install-002.png?800 |}}
+\\
+Once the file is copied, the RP2040 will automatically reboot.
+\\
+\\
+Once the unit reboots, it will come back and the onboard LED will be illuminated White (or a very light blue, not sure).
+\\
+\\
+{{ :waveshare-firmware-install-003.jpg?400 |}}
+\\
+\\
+That is the firmware installation complete.
+\\
+\\
+----
+==== Quick Test ====
+When the firmware was installed, a file called main.py was created, and when the RP2040 rebooted, this file ran at boot.
+\\
+\\
+This is what causes the LED to end up a white colour. However, if you press the RESET button, the device will reboot and you will see the code main.py does a bit more.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :rp2040-neopixel_edit.mp4?480 |}}
+\\
+Here we can see that the LED flashes from Red to Green to Blue, then goes to a static White.
+\\
+\\
+----