is it possible to get optiboot working with atmega8(ng) by just editing 1.6.5 boards.txt or platform.txt? im hoping recompiling the ide or a new core is not necessary.
ps not concerned with file size or flashing bootloader right now but just a quick fix to get around the 10sec delay of the stock bootloader. simply changing baud didnt work.
There is an entry for atmega8 with the recent Optiboot package under 1.6.5. Install the package, and make sure you use the correct boards.txt that ships with the package (there are 2, the default is for 1.0.X iirc). Tools->Board, select "Optiboot on 28-pin cpus", then under Tools->Processor select "atmega8". Choose the appropriate frequency under Tools->CPU Speed. Note: I don't have an Atmega8 to test, but the Optiboot folks likely have tested functionality.
i see no entry for "optiboot 28pin cpu" in default tools/board for 1.6.5. where is the other boards.txt that has that? it is not in hardware/arduino/avr.
Download Optiboot (like I said, install it). Don't use the ancient (many years old!) version that ships with the Arduino IDE (well, it works fine for the Uno, and that's about it).
Unzip to {sketchbook directory}/hardware/optiboot/. You should see the /bootloaders folder and other folders inside {sketchbook directory}/optiboot/optiboot/. Yes, Doubly-deep optiboot names, it won't work with 1.6.X otherwise.
Rename{Sketchbook directory}/hardware/optiboot/optiboot/boards.txt to whatever (boards-1.0.6.txt is good, or boards.old, or whatever you want), then rename boards-1.6.txt to boards.txt. Should be good to go once you re-launch the IDE.
ahhhhh.... works perfect. thank you. not since bill perry fixed avrdude for me was their such a boost in our productivity. never having downloaded opti git before didnt realize there was a new boards.txt in there. i always used the ide boards.txt and started with lst file using assembler for my various modifications.
your help is greatly appreciated. many happy faces on this end.