I am having trouble using the Arduino as an AVR ISP "Device signature = 0x00000"

I want to use the Arduino as an ISP programmer (just for programming barebones ATMEGA using C) and I have the following problem. So I use the ArduinoISP code that comes in default with the Arduino IDE, upload the code, all good and then:

avrdude -p m328p -P /dev/ttyACM0 -c avrisp -b 19200 -B 6

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.06s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x000000
avrdude: Yikes! Invalid device signature.
Double check connections and try again, or use -F to override
this check.

avrdude done. Thank you.

As far as connections go, I don't think I made any mistake. I compare the datasheet of the 328P-PU and what I've done on the breadboard and I double-check the wiring to the Arduino and I fail to see a problem. I assume that using -F is unsafe. What should I do? Here is a picture. It's taken from my laptop so I apologize for the poor quality. http://i.imgur.com/4k4LRbK.jpg

I am a beginner in bash, programming and electronics so I apologize if I make any dumb mistake.

If you are configured as external clock:

image.jpg

Cannot tell if your breadboard is connect to the Arduino power supply correctly.
Some bread boards need jumpers in the middle each of the 4 power rails.

LarryD:
If you are configured as external clock:

Sorry for the silly question but how do I know if I have it configured as an external clock?

LarryD:
Cannot tell if your breadboard is connect to the Arduino power supply correctly.
Some bread boards need jumpers in the middle each of the 4 power rails.

There isn't any problem with what you said (I tried turning on a LED in various parts of the breadboard by connecting it to 5V and GND) but there is something odd going on that I can't explain. When I connect the power rail to the 5V on the Arduino, the hearbeat LED and the "currently programming LED" light up and all seems fine. But when I connect ground to to the Arduino's ground, no LED lights up. Is this supposed to happen or did I do something wrong?

I am limited with my ipad.
Move your circuit to the far left of your bread board.
Take a in focus picture showing all the wires.

Take a look at this link:

skart1:

LarryD:
If you are configured as external clock:

Sorry for the silly question but how do I know if I have it configured as an external clock?

Ask the person who sold you the chip.

Or...connect a clock and see if it suddenly starts working.

Apparently the chip was broken . I tried with another one and it worked just fine.
avrdude -p m328p -P /dev/ttyACM0 -c avrisp -b 19200

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.06s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f

avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK

avrdude done. Thank you.

Well thanks anyways guys, I'm thankful.