*Update - Bit of a long read but turns out all that was missing was a pull up resistor on the reset pin (thanks to CrossRoads for pointing it out)
well I have exhausted my google searching and now desperately need some guidance.
I have made a "breadboard" arduino, using an ATmega328 with the preinstalled bootloader, uploaded my sketch using a FTDI chip and everything worked a treat. however now I'm having issues uploaded sketches using FTDI.
it keeps coming up with the error:
Sketch uses 1,186 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.
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x73
Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.
and instead of the lightning fast flashed of the Tx/Rx lights on the chip I just get 3 flashes
now this first happened when I tried to hook up and LCD to display serial commands, so rather stupidly I assumed it was the LCD I hooked up and spent hours taking bits apart, reconnecting and trying again with the same outcome. because the upload worked the first time that I tried it with the blink sketch I didn't think I had an issue with the hardware. but after copious amounts of googling I started to think there may be an error with the FTDI chip, yet as far as I can see that is working fine.
I have done a loop test and all is ok. I have also double and triple checked the connections to ensure everything is connected right.
I have tried old FTDI drivers, and the most recent ones but always the same result.
I have also tried old arduino IDE's and the most recent one but yet again the same result.
I am making sure I am checking the com ports and always using the right one when I try.
I have tried changing the assigned com port
I am also ensuring the correct board "Uno" is selected. out of frustration I have tried some other boards too
There is a cap between the DTR and reset pins
I have tried changing the baud rate in device manager to "115200" I read this somewhere
I have also tried with a identical FTDI chip (generic red with FTDI232 printed on the back, and an adafruit cable with the same results)
I have tried with another ATMega328
If I enable Verbose upload this is the response:
Sketch uses 1,186 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.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/bin/avrdude -CC:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/etc/avrdude.conf -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM5 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Users\gary\AppData\Local\Temp\build0bece372e97d7941b22ec0961b1b91fa.tmp/Blink_quick.ino.hex:i
avrdude: Version 6.0.1, compiled on Apr 15 2015 at 19:59:58
Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, http://www.bdmicro.com/
Copyright (c) 2007-2009 Joerg Wunsch
System wide configuration file is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/etc/avrdude.conf"
Using Port : COM5
Using Programmer : arduino
Overriding Baud Rate : 115200
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x0e
avrdude done. Thank you.
Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.
now here's the kicker...every now and again when the planets align my those magical lights on the FTDI chip will flash with all their might and the sketch will upload! But this is very rare. I can't seem to find a reason for it to randomly work either. It happens when I don't touch anything except leave every thing plugged in from a failed attempt and just press upload again 10 minutes later. this is leading me down to a software issue and hopefully not anything wrong with the wiring. my gut is starting to make me think there is something wrong with avrdude.exe, but I'm not entirely sure why and I'm now out of any ideas, would love to hear from someone a little bit better at this stuff than me (I am a novice learning as he goes)
and finally a picture of my little setup
