Can't program a breadboard arduino

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Troubleshooting
1

I built an arduino on a breadboard by following this tutorial:

*Not allowed to post links.. I'm sure you've seen it before. Its on the arduino website

I bought the FTDI Basic 5v breakout from sparkfun hoping I could program it but I have yet to have any luck.

I set my board as "Duemilinove w/ Atmega328"
Chose the correct com port.

Tried to upload the blink program but it failed:
avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_disable(): protocol error, expect=0x14, resp=0x51

I have the rx of the breakout hooked to tx of the atmega and tx of the breakout to rx of the atmega. I have also tried rx-rx and tx-tx. No luck

Then I have dtr hooked up to the reset pin and power and ground hooked up to the breadboard.

The led on my breadboard lights up so I know there is power.

This seems like a fairly simple task. Hook it up and program but it isn't.

Also is the atmega328 w/ arduino bootloader from sparkfun preloaded w/ the blink program? If it is.. im not blinking.

Is this problem common? Could it be that my atmega isn't preloaded with the bootloader?

EDIT: Okay.. if I don't pull both capacitors coming off the crystal to ground then the led blinks faster and faster and then turns off.

2

The auto reset doesn't always work with the ftdi cable. Try using a button to manually reset. Search the forum, there are probably hundreds of posts about it.

Edit: Just reread your post and saw you are using the sparkfun board but it is still probably a reset problem.

3

I followed this tutorial to the letter:

Even if I just put power to the breadboard my led attached to pin 13 blinks slowly, then the blinking speeds up, and then it shuts off altogether.

Is there something missing in the tutorial because I have every part, put it together. I have checked the chip orientation and its correct.

Does anyone know what's wrong?

4

I think the increasing blink rate is the signature of the new bootloader used on the chips, so if it is doing this it seems that the chip is ok.

Maybe somebody else can confirm the bootloader blink pattern?

5

Okay, got it working. I emailed sparkfun and they said that the blinking I was seeing was correct.

The FTDI was another matter though. Finally I unhooked the DTR and just hit the reset right as it said compiled and the program went on.

Not a huge problem as the breadboard arduino is going to be used for more permanent projects but it still would be nice to have auto reset.

Thanks for your help

6

I had this issue and someone mentioned adding a capacitor to the board, I think with the reset button. I can't find the very old post on this and don't have the details as I don't do standalone anymore.

I was able, using this comment, to upload without a manual reset.

Sorry for the minimal details.

Summoning the gods ... Is there a way to add a capacitor in the breadboard version to fix the reset issue?

7

In order for auto-reset to work, you need to put a .1uF capacitor between the FTDI's DTR pin and the reset pin. Then it will work.

8

Thank you for doing a reply with the details needed. Saved that for future reference this time.

9

Wow works like a charm!

I just happened to have 1 .1 uF capacitor laying around.

10

I just happened to have 1 .1 uF capacitor laying around.

I'm glad you found useful work for that lazy, lay around, do nothing cap. :wink:

Lefty