Arduino Mega 2560 on Windows 7 not working.

[mwvuyk]

Hello,

My laptop (a Lenovo T420 ThinkPad with Windows 7 32 bit) does not recognise my Arduino Mega 2560. There is, however, a blinking red light and a constant red light. I am using a cable to connect the Arduino to an USB port, however no matter which USB port I plug it in, (ones on the left, the back, the front) it always shows up as an USB2.0 Serial under "Other Devices" with a yellow triangle with an ! over the icon, and when I try to install the driver software, pointing it to the arduino\drivers directory, Windows reports that it cannot find any drivers for the software. In the Arduino programming software, I have tried uploading to COM3 and COM4, however neither of these work. I have also tried using my desktop, however it has the same problem. If anyone has any suggestions what to do, or if I need to provide any more information/screenshots, please tell me! (I have tried googling the problem and following their suggestions, but that hasn't worked.)

[ChilliTronix]

Post a link to where the board came from so that we can advise on the correct drivers for your board.

[mwvuyk]

http://aliexpress.com/item/Promotion-Sale-ATMega2560-1PCS-Mega2560-ATmega2560-16AU-Board-1PCS-USB-Cable-NEW-mega-2560/830305641.html?recommendVersion=1

[ChilliTronix]

Well, if it claims to be an Arduino (as opposed to a clone or compatible) then it is a fake...

However it appears to use the standard chips and so should work with the Arduino drivers.

What do you get in tools->port without it plugged in and with it plugged in?

[Jantje]

I have an old arduino mega 2560 and a new windows 8.1 (64 bit) with the exact same issue.

As far as I know it is a genuine arduino and I bought it in a genuine shop. I never had issues with it on xp or linux.
I have 2 devices under "other devices" and when I try to install the driver (I tried both devices with the same result) it states no drivers have been found just like with mvuyk.

The only googled advice I think that may help is the "install unsigned drivers" but that seems a bit harsh to me.

Advice is welcomed.

Best regards
Jantje

PS ports is empty

[ChilliTronix]

You need to use unsigned drivers on Windows 8.1.

On other versions go into the unknown device and tell it to use a specific driver. Then go and select com port, Arduiono LLC as manufacturer and pick from there.

[Jantje]

You need to use unsigned drivers on Windows 8.1.

Will there ever be signed drivers included with the arduino IDE?
I mean are you saying arduino IDE does not support windows 8.1?

[ChilliTronix]

Will there ever be signed drivers included with the arduino IDE?
I mean are you saying arduino IDE does not support windows 8.1?

I have no idea. I do know that it costs money to get drivers signed.

[Jantje]

I contacted support and they stated that in 1.6.1 all drivers are signed.
They adviced to try both exe and zip
I can't test till friday.