Can't get started.

Development Tools IDE 1.x
1

Unless posts are held for moderation, the post I made about an hour ago didn't come through.

I don't know how to get past my initial problem. Hooked up the first simple device, a blinking LED.
on a Sparkfun kit.

I am using Win2k/Sp4. Software package installed without warnings or errors. USB cable, Driver 5.12600.0 installed, COM5 looks ok.
Modified program to change blink interval.

Diode blinks before any program is loaded, in sync with diode on UNO board.

Problem msg: Uploading to board failed, rc=-1

Error message: avrdude: stk500_getparm(): (a) protocol error, expect 0x14, resp = 0x41.

I have looked at the troubleshooting guide but didn't find antyhing I coud use.
During upload a couple of other diodes on the UNO board blinks and 'my' diode blinks in an odd pattern, befor it settles down to the default sequence.

It ends with 'initialization failed, check connections'

2

What model Arduino?

Try holding down the Reset button on the Arduino and clicking the Upload button for the sketch, the release the Reset button when you se the "Binary sketch size:" message in the sketch window.

3

Sorry, same problem. The board model is UNO SMD.

Rolf

4

If you have a genuine "Mad in Italy" Arduino Uno SMD the problem is probably the USB cable or the USB port on your computer.

If you have a Chinese "Designed in Italy" clone the problem is probably a faulty board. :slight_smile:

5

I found a solution: Running Windows 7 instead of Win2k. Had a problem installing a driver, the file(s) didn't show up on the Win7 drive but I found them on the Win2k drive.

I need a quick method of switching operating systems; I love Win2k and won't give it up! At 81, I don't have the time nor stamina to go the Linux route.

As a compromise, I might give XP another try.

That's all, won't be back unless I get a real problem.

Rolf