Dead Duemilanove

Development Tools IDE 1.x
1

Hi I picked up a TCS230 sensor the other day and was trying to get it to work with my Duemilanove, I was not having much luck at all, I tried the example code from http://www.geeetech.com/wiki/index.php/Arduino_TCS230_Color_Recognition_Sensor_module

I tested the code but could not get it working correct, it would not see red at any point, and could not see the reading correct from the green and blue.
THEN ... Some how, without changing a thing I killed my Duemilanove. It started to stop talking via USB/serial back to the PC then it would start again, and so on.
Then it just stopped and I can not get it to work at all now, I get a power light, but will not let me upload anything to it from the PC.
I have another one, "but not to hand" but I do have a Mega to hand as I have heard I could reload the bootloader if this is the trouble.

So any advice/help would be great on the Duemilanove, I'll ask in the correct place about seeing if I can get the TCS230 working.

Thanks

2

So i'm not a real expert on this, I've only got into because both of my Arduinos died in a similar manner and now I'm trying to find a solution. What happens with the upload, does an error pop up or does the upload freeze?

So what you should do is in your Arduino IDE go to File --> Preferences ---> turn on verbose output during upload. (i'm assuming your sketches compile fine) and copy-paste all the garble you get here.

After that, I can help you with reprogramming the bootloader through your mega.

3

Hi thanks for your help, I'm trying to upload the example code blink, so it compiles fine, the output of the upload is:

avrdude: Version 5.11, compiled on Sep  2 2011 at 19:38:36
         Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, http://www.bdmicro.com/
         Copyright (c) 2007-2009 Joerg Wunsch

         System wide configuration file is "C:\Users\Richard\Desktop\Arduino\arduino-1.0-windows\arduino-1.0\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf"

         Using Port                    : \\.\COM1
         Using Programmer              : arduino
         Overriding Baud Rate          : 57600
avrdude: Send: 0 [30]   [20] 
avrdude: Send: 0 [30]   [20] 
avrdude: Send: 0 [30]   [20] 
avrdude: Recv: 
avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00

avrdude done.  Thank you.

Do you think if I burn a new bootloader onto it, that it will work again?

4

Is COM1 the port you normally use to upload to the Duemilanove?
Before you upload the code, look in the IDE menu Tools | Serial Port and see which ports are available/visible.

One thing that might have happened is you shorted something out on the board which might have blown something critical on the board, in which case it's toast.
But a short can also trigger the USB fuse which then disables the COM port in Windows (although it may depend on your windows version - I know WIN 7 will do this). If that's the case you have to unplug the port, and if it's on a hub unplug that too. Then plug it back in again.

Pete

5

Yes COM1 is the only port I use, my laptop has no other serial ports (a part from COM4 when I use my MEGA i dont know why its like that)

Nothing had shorted out, as nothing had changed, it was talking back to my pc when it felt like it after I uploaded the colour sensor code, it was a weird one, I am currently using Win 7, and it shows the "usb to rs232" when plugged in.

Thanks

6

richard1982:
Yes COM1 is the only port I use, my laptop has no other serial ports (a part from COM4 when I use my MEGA i dont know why its like that)

Nothing had shorted out, as nothing had changed, it was talking back to my pc when it felt like it after I uploaded the colour sensor code, it was a weird one, I am currently using Win 7, and it shows the "usb to rs232" when plugged in.

Thanks

Try to change the port. In devices and printers in Win 7 search for something like FTDI or COM, properties, then Hardware and find for some control panel with bauds and other settings from the FTDI driver.

It is very weird that your duemilanove uses com1 because that port is usually reserved even if there is no physical port in the PC.

7

I understand what you say,
But I remapped it to COM1 to make it easier to find, my bluetooth is set to 2 and 3. that's why my mega would be 4

thanks

8

Try changing the chip?

9

What do you use for the pointing device for the IDE/Windows/GUI? Usually the pointing device is COM1 and the interupt hit COM1 on a poll, your connection will be lost. If you have both pointing device and Arduino on COM1, maybe a different IRQ for each device? COM2/4 would still be the best bet, if they are not currently in use.

10

Hello,

My laptop has no serial ports at all, my mouse (touch pad) is a PS2, I have checked and double checked, the port is 100% COM1, the port is not the issue, I have bought another chip to swap with the Duemilanove but that will not be with me till tomorrow the earliest, and I will let you know how it go's, other then that, how can I flash a new bootloader ?

Thanks

11

This wonderful site and code is how I did it.

12

Thanks gauravg11
The good news was the programme loaded onto my mega fine, but ALL I got was ...

Atmega chip programmer.
Written by Nick Gammon.

I tried to continue by sending G over serial comms but nothing, and if I reset the board, I get the same message load.
So I'm guessing that the chip in the duemilanove is totally dead, My new chip has not turned up in the post as yet, but when it does, I'll replace the chip and let you know what is going on with the board.
Thanks

13

Oooww...yeah, that Atmega is bricked. You might have over-currented with your sensor circuit. You'll have to double-check the circuit to prevent popping your new chip.

14

Hi,
My new chip turned up this morning, I have just plugged it in and its all working fine.
I did notice I ordered the wrong chip, I got myself a Uno chip, but its working fine in the board, can I change the bootloader to Duemilanove?
Thanks

15

richard1982:
Hi,
My new chip turned up this morning, I have just plugged it in and its all working fine.
I did notice I ordered the wrong chip, I got myself a Uno chip, but its working fine in the board, can I change the bootloader to Duemilanove?
Thanks

You can, but why bother? The Uno bootloader takes up less memory space and uploads sketches faster. You just have to remember to select the Uno board type in the IDE before uploading.

16

please correct me if I'm wrong but I asked awhile ago and I was led to believe the Duemilanove was the best, also I've noticed that the digital fade does not work on the build in LED (pin 13)

17

richard1982:
please correct me if I'm wrong but I asked awhile ago and I was led to believe the Duemilanove was the best, also I've noticed that the digital fade does not work on the build in LED (pin 13)

The Uno is just the latest version of the standard 328P based arduino board and it replaced the Duemilanove. There was a change to the chip used for the USB serial converter and as said the bootloader is smaller and works faster on the Uno. There is no reason that digital fade should not work identical on a Uno as on your Duemilanove, the problem if real is elsewhere.

Lefty