Please let me know if there is a more appropriate forum for this post. I am running into some road blocks in order to move to candidacy. The deadline I have is at the end of the summer. Now I have worked very hard on learning relevant technology and preparing prototypes. As far back as a year ago my advisor brought up a platform during our conversations. I focused on it, and was able to interface with it. I hoped to be able to write a paper about added functionality to this subsystem. He then told me that the subsystem was not exactly what he was after. He asked me to focus on another platform; all along he was very careful not to approve the specific development board I nominated. I figure it may have been because he was waiting for the end result. So I bought the platform, which is a development board, and created the necessary build environment. Then I ran into an issue; after discussing it with the board vendor I found out there is a manufacturer flaw. Turns out the vendor tested the board with a previous support component, and latest version which I purchased is not compatible. For some oddly reason, they have not sent me the older version yet. I have tried several times to change advisors, but it is my suspicion that those efforts are being sabotaged by my advisor. On an occasion one of the other professors told me that I have done well, and he suggested some activities and areas of focus for me. But a couple of days later he told me that he cannot support me. I have approached the graduate office to ask for a 2nd extension, but they tell me that I need the support of an advisor. I think I can escalate the issue regardless. I want some advice from the group. What type of activities do you suggest? Where should I look and who will be my advocate here? I do realize school policies are different, but if you give me some ideas, I can see what I can do.

I'm a bit confused by your post. What exactly is the problem here? Your advisor won't let you apply for your candidacy upgrade? Have you asked him why?