Arduino on a breadboard unrecognized

Trevader24135 · March 8, 2016, 2:53am

I'll get right to the point. my arduino should arrive any day now, but I wanted to build an arduino on a breadboard. It flat isn't working when I try to upload sketches with the IDE. it gives the following error:

avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "\.\COM1": The system cannot find the file specified.

there some pictures of my setup as is.

My parts list is as follows:

1x270Ω resistor for LED
1xLED
2x22 PicoFarad ceramic capacitors (pins 8+9, 8+10)
1x16 MHz crystal oscillator (pins 9+10)
1x"5 pin usb-ttl converter" (TXD + Pin 3, RXD + Pin 2, 5V + VCC (pin 7), GND + GND (pin 8 ))
1xTactile Switch (between pin 1 + gnd)

I have no clue what to do or what the problem may be. I've tried pressing the tact switch connected to reset at multiple points before, after, and during the upload process, but the error never changes. I wish I had gotten a 6 pin USB to TTL version, but I only have this 5 pin veresion which has no DTR. what can I do to fix this?

IonaLighthouse · March 8, 2016, 3:28am

Looks like fun! I hear you have an awesome uncle!

CrossRoads · March 8, 2016, 3:33am

Connect Rx to Tx, Reset on the 328P to Gnd.
Open the serial monitor and type, it should echo back. If not, fix your driver problem.

CrossRoads · March 8, 2016, 3:42am

You're also missing
0.1uF caps from VCC & AVCC to Gnd, and from Aref to Gnd.
10K pullup resistor from Reset to +5.

Trevader24135 · March 8, 2016, 3:58am

CrossRoads:
You're also missing
0.1uF caps from VCC & AVCC to Gnd, and from Aref to Gnd.
10K pullup resistor from Reset to +5.

wait, lemme get this straight. I need to put .1uF caps between VCC and GND, AVCC and GND, and Aref and GND?
I don't have any .1uF caps, will any other sizes work? are they essential to communicate? because I'm not even communicating.

CrossRoads · March 8, 2016, 4:07am

Yes. You haven't seen any of the bare minimum designs that have been posted?

Example: this one does not have the Aref cap because the analog inputs weren't being used.

CrossRoads · March 8, 2016, 4:09am

Pin 7 & 20 should be connected here as well, or at least have the same Net name on them.

CrossRoads · March 8, 2016, 4:12am

They are essential for stable operation, especially with a 16 MHz clock running.

Trevader24135 · March 8, 2016, 5:12am

allright, I updated my ftdi drivers and now I am getting this error:

Arduino: 1.7.8 (Windows 8.1), Board: "Arduino Uno"

Sketch uses 1,030 bytes (3%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32,256 bytes.

Global variables use 9 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2,039 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2,048 bytes.