Arduino Mega 2560 AVRDUDE Timeout Error

Projects Programming
1

I am trying to load "Blink" onto my new Arduino 2560 (using a a Mac with OSX), and I keep getting the following timeout error:

Binary sketch size: 1602 bytes (of a 258048 byte maximum)
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_getsync(): timeout communicating with programmer
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout
avrdude: stk500v2_ReceiveMessage(): timeout

This is driving me crazy, and I cannot find any forums with answers to how to fix this. I have tried the "push the reset button right as you attempt to upload the program trick," but that is not working either. Any insights?

2

Does uploading an empty sketch work?

3

No, uploading an empty sketch does not work either. If it is totally empty it won't compile, and if I just have empty "void setup(){ }" and "void loop(){ }" I get the same avrdude timeout error.

4

Another few more interesting notes:

  • I get the same error using the Uno
  • I get the same error if I try to upload the program without the USB cable plugged in
  • If I plus the USB cable in and try the "Upload Using Programmer" option, I get this error: avrdude: usbdev_open(): did not find any USB device "usb"
5

Do you have the correct serial port selected (Tools menu)?

6

Problem solved!

I had selected tty.SerialPort instead of tty.usbmodemfd121

Whoops. Thanks for your help.