Burning the Bootloader without  AVR-Writer

cool :slight_smile:

now that I've just ordered an avr writer, I'll have two.

I'll give it a try as soon as possible ! This is really interesting stuff !!

kimio, this sems to work with an Arduino NG. The pinout is exactly the same so no changes needed.
I don't have any blank ATm168 (only a spare one with the bootloader already burned) so I haven't yet tried to upload the bootloader, but the first tests are ok, avrdude-serjtag returns 0x1e9406.
Thanks a lot man, now I can finally write any ATm168 with the Arduino only ^^

There was a mistake about writing the lock-bit in my Web page. I corrected it.
When you test please see the new page.
Regards.

Hi,

I have to do a rev B of the LEDuino ( http://siliconrailway.com ) board.

I have had this type of programming mechanism working on other things, particularly an ATmega128 based board. Would anyone care to comment on the desirability of including this as a feature on a new spin?

John

I saw this earlier on but didn't have any headers, so I bought some and was ready to go, to see that the page went down. Google has it in cache, but without the pictures and I really could use those, anyone got a different guide / mirror? (couldn't find them on google myself, but I did try)

That is pretty sweet :slight_smile: It would be cool if there was a "burn bootloader with avrdude-serjtag" arduino option.

the page went down. Google has it in cache, but without the pictures and I really could use those, anyone got a different guide / mirror? (couldn't find them on google myself, but I did try)

Ummm, FWIW the page is still there for me...

--Phil.

Well, I did not receive my blanck mega168, so I erased the only one with the bootloader that I had. Trying to upload from the Arduino IDE returned an error. Normal. I burned the bootloader with the avrdude-serjtag, it worked perfectly ^^

I think I'll soon try to burn a .hex file written with AVRstudio or other, to see if this works (don't see why it shouldn't), and I'll try to order some tiny13 and/or other avr chips, to try to use this programmer to burn programs on ohter chips ...

So, the only thing I can say : thanks again kimio ^^

Kimio : you might want to add your technique to the playground, on this page

There are still a lot of people asking about burning the bootloader, and a lot still answers with "you need to buy an external programmer"

Cheers

I tried your instructions yesterday since my Diecimila went dead (rapidly flashing LED L, bootloader not responding). Worked like charm! Thank you very much! I tried for hours to find a working solution for the FT232R bit-bang mode without success before coming across your page. Should definitely be mentioned on all the important Wiki pages.

I did it a bit differently that you suggest though: I soldered a female header into X3 so I can use the same cables I have anyway for working with Breaboards. The cables I connected to the 11-13 and RESET pins (reset pin is probably not really necessary since it's possible to use the auto-reset traces).

I had to call avrdude by hand though. Is there any documentation on the programmers.txt file? I couldn't figure out how to integrate the new programmer.

Thanks for the good work! Saved my day :slight_smile:
Greetings,
Sebastian

PS: I added a fourth wire to RESET after taking the picture:

Kimio : you might want to add your technique to the playground, on this page
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/Bootloader

There are still a lot of people asking about burning the bootloader, and a lot still answers with "you need to buy an external programmer"

Cheers

I wouldn't consider this as "hacking", but regular usage :slight_smile:

There's already a link to his site in the playground: Arduino Playground - AvrdudeFTDIBitbang

If he likes to add in depth explanations, I suggest to bundle it there and not split it to several different locations.
Or at least add crosslinks to each article.

Looks great- anyway this could work with a mac and a terminal?
If so Id love to hear it! Lots of folks who use arduino use it because its one of the few mac friendly micorcontroller systems out there....
Thanks!
Raphael

I used a Mac to flash my Arduino! Instructions work with very few changes. Can't remember exactly, but most likely you only have to adjust the device file used.

could you be a little clearer- for example are you using the terminal ?
R

Aaaah, that was rubbish, sorry. Now I remembered: I actually used Windows in a Parallels VM. Sorry for the confusion :slight_smile:

! ah you got my hopes up!

I use avrdude and the AVRispmkII (USB model) on Mac OS to burn bootloader to hand-built Arduino clones, as well as program Arduino derived circuits.

-j

I see, another piece of hardware- thats okay if necessary.
Im sort of new to all this,but can deal with the arduino interface- If I get that box, is it pretty straight forward to plug it into the arduino and burn the bootloader with it- I havent used the terminal before if thats necessary, but can follow instructions.

Question:
I just basically want to take the code I have written for the arduino and multiply it out to about 10 naked chips. and then embed them in a circuit. I wont need to talk to them later, or plug them into usb .
DO I still need to burn the bootloader?

Question2, Either if I have that box (the AVRispmkII) why dont I use it to program the whole sketch while Im at it-?- and skip the plugging it into the arduino at all (assuming it has a power supply and the crystal resonator and the caps required for the bare bones chip...)

Thanks!

You've got to get the program onto the ATmega somehow. It doesn't really matter if you burn the bootloader (with a programmer) or just burn the program, you've got to have a programmer to do so (unless you buy your ATmegas with the bootloader pre-burned).

For flight hardware, I like to burn the program directly without using the bootloader, so there isn't the remotest possibility that the bootloader could cause my device to hang. It also leaves a bit of program space free, which did matter for one system I built.

-j