I'm able to connect to the ESP8266 through Esplorer, as far as I can tell, but I just can't do anything. None of the buttons on the Esplorer result in any response in the command/log window. Some tutorials say you need to restart the ESP8266 a couple of times for the connection to work, but still no luck.
Here's what I do:
1) connect the USB-serial interface to the PC (COM7)
2) start Esplorer
3) power on the ESP8266 (3.3v)
4) open connection on COM7 in Esplorer at 115200
this gives me:
PORT OPEN 115200
Communication with MCU...
and
Logging enable
LAFcom.sun.java.swing.plaf.windows.WindowsLookAndFeel
LAFcom.sun.java.swing.plaf.windows.WindowsClassicLookAndFeel
LAFcom.sun.java.swing.plaf.motif.MotifLookAndFeel
LAFjavax.swing.plaf.nimbus.NimbusLookAndFeel
LAFjavax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel
Load saved settings: Firmware:NodeMCU
Snippets: loading...
Snippets load: Success.
Set new color theme: Success.
Load saved settings: DONE.
Snippets: loading...
Snippets load: Success.
Scan system...
found last saved serial port COM7
Scan done.
Serial port COM7 save as default.
Baud rate 115200 save as default.
Try to open port COM7, baud 115200, 8N1
Open port COM7 - Success.
sending:<CR><LF>
5) click "FS info" button (just to try something), and this logs
sending:r,u,t=file.fsinfo() print("Total : "..t.." bytes\r\nUsed : "..u.." bytes\r\nRemain: "..r.." bytes\r\n") r=nil u=nil t=nil<CR><LF>
but no response
6) power cycle ESP8266 again...
when I turn it OFF, I get this logged:
PORT OPEN 115200
Communication with MCU...
Got answer! Communication with MCU established.
AutoDetect firmware...
Can't autodetect firmware, because proper answer not received (may be unknown firmware).
Please, reset module or continue.
turning it back ON has no apparent effect at all
7) and I'm stumped...