unknown port [solved]

[dlutolf]

when I try to program my device (WebPlatform from dangerousprototypes.com), I get the error "unknown port"

OS: gentoo
kernel: 2.6.37-rc1-00027-gff8b16d
mono-version: mono-2.8.1-r1

command I run: (in a little script to make it easier)

Code:

#!/bin/bash
FILE=/home/dave/dt/locmon/hals/web_platform/uIPStack/output/uIPStack.hex
cd "/home/dave/PIC2/PIC/ds30 Loader/bin"
mono ds30LoaderConsole.exe --port=/dev/web_platform --baudrate=115200 --file=${FILE} --device=dsPIC33FJ128GP204 --write-program "-q=a;b"

notes on the above:
- I tried with and without the -q flag
- the documentation says I can execute ./ds30LoaderConsole.exe directly,
however this fails (invalid executable format). need to run through mono
explicitly
- /dev/web_platform is a symlink (made dynamically with udev) to /dev/ttyUSB0.
same behaviour if I specify /dev/ttyUSB0

general notes:
- I find it irritating to have the "clear screen" command sent to the console
- GUI does not work at all on my system. last time I tried display was messed
up, now I just get an empty window

now, the full output of the run:

Code:

Loading external device database...file not found: /usr/bin/devices.xml
Falling back on internal device database...353 devices found
Parsing hex-file...
    File timestamp: 17.12.2010 15:54:26
    Validating hex-file...ok
    Hex-file successfully parsed

    15308 program words found in 241 rows
    0 Eeprom words found
    4 config words found

File:      /home/dave/dt/locmon/hals/web_platform/uIPStack/output/uIPStack.hex
Device:    dsPIC33FJ128GP204
Port:      /dev/web_platform
Baudrate:  115200  


Press any key to begin download



Initiating download...Port class instantiation failed: Argument cannot be
null.
Parameter name: type
    Unknown port: /dev/web_platform
Press any key to continue

any ideas?