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[on:]

So I've got a few AVRmega168 in DIP packaging to easily make my own circuits w/out having to solder surface mount things. Is there any way I can use the ICSP programmer interface to upload programs created using the Arduino enviroment?

[Reply #1 on:]

sorry, I am confused as to what you want to do here... can you be more specific?

You have dip Atmega8's and would like to use the ICSP interface to.... ??

[Reply #2 on:]

How would I go about programming an ATmega168 with the Arduino bootloader using the ICSP interface?

[Reply #3 on:]

ah ok -- you want to burn the Arduino bootloader onto the Amtega8 through the 6 pin ICSP?

Atmel makes two commonly available programmers: the  STK500, a sort of development board, and the smaller AVR-ISP programmer.

A cheaper option is to build the parallel port programmer described on this page.

It's all covered here, on the bootloader page.  

[Reply #4 on:]

If you have an Arduino board you can use it as an ISP programmer for other boards or just the ATMega168 processors.

http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1165363464/6
http://tinker.it/now/2006/12/04/turn-arduino-into-an-avr-isp-programmer/

[Reply #5 on:]

I've build a serial ICSP programmer, and I can flash my ATmega168 chip with programs I've written and compiled using avr-gcc. The issue I'm running into is that it appears the provided bootloader code on the arduino bootload page appears to only be for the ATmega8, or can I just use a program like avrdude to flash the ATmega168 with the provided bootloader hex file? Or if I can't use the bootloader code on the ATmega168 can I then just write programs using the Arduino IDE and then upload the compiled .hex file without issues?

[Reply #6 on:]

User bigfun is selling Atmega168 with the arduino bootloader. So it is possible. Check this thread:
http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1159499314

can I then just write programs using the Arduino IDE and then upload the compiled .hex file without issues?

Yes, you can use Arduino sketches without the bootloader.

http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/AtmegaStandalone

"If you have an external programmer you can burn sketches to the Arduino board without using the bootloader. This allows you to use the full program space (flash) of the chip on the Arduino board. It also avoid the bootloader delay when you power or reset your board."

http://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/Programmer

[Reply #7 on:]

Thanks, this was just what I was looking for. From the look of things all I need to do is set the right fuse bits on the ATmega168 and then upload the right .hex bootloader file. Hopefully this all will work for me, I'll give it a try tonight when I get home.