OK Quick question.
If I already have a code installed on the Arduino Mega, and it sends data to and from the serial port USB com1 for example.
Do I need the Arduino IDE installed in order for this to work in the app I've created??
Hopefully that made sense??
If not I can try and clarify further with any questions.
Thanks.
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Thanks @spycatcher2k
That probably explains why no matter what USB I connect the Arduino too it's not being read.... I tried all of the ports and I would have thought one of them would have to be read as COM1, which is what I have the Arduino default to in our app.
So I do need to install the Arduino IDE in order to have the drivers??
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spycatcher2k:
No - the drivers are available separately, but without knowing what model (Clone or original) I can't give more that that.
Well The Arduino Mega is one of the ones you get off of eBay...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-Compatible-Atmega2560-16AU-CH340G-ATMEGA-2560-R3-Board-Mega2560-R3/400935362320?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Knightriderguy:
Well The Arduino Mega is one of the ones you get off of eBay...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-Compatible-Atmega2560-16AU-CH340G-ATMEGA-2560-R3-Board-Mega2560-R3/400935362320?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
The "official" boards use an FTDI chip, so the drivers would be from FTDI. This board, from what I can tell, uses the infamous CH340G from WCH (the smt chip near the usb port). As the chip maker's website is all in chinese, I can only attempt to get you to the right page... Here is the link.
Thanks @Perehama
I see what you mean.... "Infamous" lol I like that 
But if I was to just install the Arduino IDE it would work too right?
I was just trying to have a little installed on the Mini PC as possible
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spycatcher2k:
No! The Arduino IDE does not ship with the Chinese clone drivers!
That's odd because On my alien ware steam machine I have just the Arduino IDE installed and it works just fine one there, our app is able to read and send to the Arduino with no problems.??
Just Google CH340G or Arduino clone drivers, and you can find a myriad of folk with your exact problem. They will have links to the drivers and instructions in English. You don't want to install Arduino, from what I gather, and doing so will likely not solve your problem.
Perehama:
The "official" boards use an FTDI chip,
No. The original Mega with ATmega1280 had FTDI, but Mega2560 boards have ATmega16u2 (R3) or ATmega8u2 (R1/R2).
oqibidipo:
No. The original Mega with ATmega1280 had FTDI, but Mega2560 boards have ATmega16u2 (R3) or ATmega8u2 (R1/R2).
Perehama:
Just Google CH340G or Arduino clone drivers, and you can find a myriad of folk with your exact problem. They will have links to the drivers and instructions in English. You don't want to install Arduino, from what I gather, and doing so will likely not solve your problem.
Well, I'm just basically trying to limit the amount of applications I have installed on the mini PC for our project.
But on the Alien Ware Steam Machine where I've been doing most of the development the Arduino Mega runs just fine, but I figured that was because on that machine I have the Arduino IDE installed??
But on the Cenava Mini PC I don't...... so that was why I was basically wondering if I needed the Arduino IDE Installed or if there was some other options.
oqibidipo:
No. The original Mega with ATmega1280 had FTDI, but Mega2560 boards have ATmega16u2 (R3) or ATmega8u2 (R1/R2).
Forgive me for this.... but I'm still a little confused as to if I need to install the Arduino IDE or if I just need the drivers in order for the USB port to read the Arduino Mega board with the code already uploaded to it from my other computer.
Like I say I'm just trying to install as little as possible on the mini PC we are using for our project.
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Ok Thanks @spycatcher2k,
I was not sure 
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