My arduino mega doesn't run programs anymore. I have an arduino mega and a usbasp from ebay. I removed the bootloader to make space for a large sketch some time ago, and it was working after that, but now, if I try to upload a sketch via the usbasp, it doesn't run. I tried burning the bootloader again, but it fails (verification error) and the pin 13 led blinks twice quickly, then pauses for half a second, and repeats. It doesn't show up in the list of ports on the arduino software. How can I burn the bootloader successfully/get it to run programs again? BTW, I'm on a mac.
I tried burning the bootloader again, and now the L led just flashes every 2 seconds. My computer still can't see it, and the usb chip is getting very hot.
Any time you have chips or components getting very hot that is a strong sign that something has been damaged and burnt out on the board. Unless you are very experienced with electronics and soldering/desodering SMD components then I would suggest just getting a new board.
The old chip "Can" be removed with an X-acto knife.. I don't recommend it unless you are very skilled (I would need the PCB layout too) and you have done it a time or two. I also usually try one on a def board first.. Sometimes unfortunately the PCB will peel too. This came up infrequently in my last line of work but it was always a challenge.
If you look you might find a no-name clone (one W/O the Arduino Logo, I found a Nice Leonards with a blank PCB) it isn't illegal to make Arduino's. It is however Illegal to put "Arduino" on it in such a manner as to make it look like it was MFG'd in Italy By Arduino. You can find all that is required to make any of the Arduino products. Gerber files RS 474 or firewire files and a schematic. All the MFG files are there.
tried connecting directly to the 8u2 chip via the icsp and reflash the chip, avrdude says:
avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: error: programm enable: target doesn't answer. 1
avrdude: initialization failed, rc=-1
avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions
avrdude: Device signature = 0x000000
avrdude: Yikes! Invalid device signature.
avrdude: Expected signature for AT90USB82 is 1E 93 82
avrdude: NOTE: FLASH memory has been specified, an erase cycle will be performed
To disable this feature, specify the -D option.
avrdude done. Thank you.
so I'm pretty sure the 8u2 is fried
edit: The 3.3v pin is at 2.1v, so pretty much confirms it.
any way I can keep using the arduino with icsp?
edit 2: I cut all the traces around the 8u2, effectively removing it.
3.3v is working again for some reason, but the software uploaded with usbasp still doesn't work.
I just had that same kind of problem. On one board with an FTDI and on another with 8u2. I don't know what broke, either it was the mini-USB or FTDI/8u2.
I built an ICSP cable and uploading via that works. Phew, almost lost two cheap clone boards there.
The down side is, that you'll need an extra Arduino to be used as "Arduino ISP" or some kind of special cable/device.
