I think this might help from the guide.
“Error #3: After uploading a new script, if you see the following message: >>> Ready to download this file,please wait! … download ok os.listdir(‘.’) Traceback (most recent call last): File “”, line 1, in NameError: name ‘os’ isn’t defined Or this message: >>> Ready to download this file,please wait! … download ok os.listdir(‘.’) OSError: [Errno 98]
It means the new file was uploaded to your board successfully. You can notice that it printed the “download ok” message. Press the ESP on-board “EN/RST” button to restart your board and re-run the new uploaded script from the beginning.”

When I press the RST  button I just get a garbled error message. Still can’t get the ESP8266 to blink.

Hello Austen. To simplify first, can you just try with one ESP8266? I have a couple of questions:

• Make sure you have your Arduino IDE closed or any program that might be using the ESP8266 COM port
• Did you flash the MicroPython firmware using uPyCraft IDE successfully?

Thanks!

Thanks Rui for your interest
Yes, I believe , to both of your questions above
Everything looks good right to the last step of the blink program
I  get
download OK
exec(open(‘main.py’)read()globals

>>

I then press STOP
Then press RST and everything goes wrong
I get 

>>r|||$| d#| and a whole lot of garbage with no blinking of the on board LED. Could it possibly be the actual ESP8266 is faulty. Perhaps I should buy another.

But why won’t serial port open for my ESP30?

Hello Austen, both the ESP32 and ESP8266 print a bunch of gibberish on boot up (it’s not because of MicroPython), but you can ignore those details.
To answer your question:

• If you upload a script with  uPyCraft and you see the message “Download OK”, it means the file was uploaded successfully.
• After that, you don’t need to press STOP, if you just RESET your board it should work and start the project.

To me it looks like it’s working your ESP8266, but I’m not sure why it’s not blinking the LED. Which board are you using? Can you post a link, please?
Thanks for your patience and I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.

Hi Rui
Did what you suggested but no luck.
Get download OK
When I press reset get one line of jibberish with the last line saying
MicroPython v1.9.4.8-ga9a3caad0 on 2018-05-11;ESP Module with ESP8266
as well as go to Micropython help
 
My ESP8266 is an Ebay chinese clone vendor DOIT.AM
but I have tried other models and no success. My ESP 32 will not allow the serial port to open at all.
Tried re downloading Python and the microPython IDE but still no luck.
If others can get it to work must be something I am doing wrong but just can’t work it out.
Regards
Neil Austen

Hello Neil, can you post a link to where your board was purchased? It might be using a different GPIO as the on-board LED… Because it should be working according to you’ve done.
After pressing the RESET button, it’s normal to print that gibberish (it’s the default ESP8266 boot up message).

Hi Rui
I can’t give you more info on my 8266 other than the above. However I can’t get micropython to work on several other 8286 or 32. Please don’t spend any more time on this, as I am now working on your esp32 and arduino course. This is much more enjoyable for me as everything works so far!!
Just one last thought re micropython (and I know nothing about this). Could it be that the download of Python  is the problem. The download instructions you gave just download the Python 3.7.2 set up. Is this enough?. You can’t click on this Python setup  and get to a terminal page etc

In the next eBook update, we will publish alternative method to program the ESP32/ESP8266 with MicroPython. We’ll also be adding extra troubleshooting tips, so it’s hopefully easier to follow.

(Most of the problems I’ve never experienced myself, but since many readers are helping and posting questions, we know what we need to improve.)

I don’t think so, I think your Python installation should be setup. I think there’s just a small step that is missing that causes problems flashing MicroPython firmware… I also don’t think it’s a problem with your boards… If they work with Arduino IDE, they should work with MicroPython.

Thanks for your time! Regards,

Rui