I have a Mega 2560 and I installed the IDE on my Windows 7 PC with no problem.
The driver loaded OK and I found the Arduino was assigned to COM3.
I uploaded some sketches and all fine.
Then I ran the IDE again, loaded a sketch and it compiled but failed on upload saying the COM port was not available and select another but only COM1 was in the drop down.
I disconnected the Arduino and stopped the IDE. Then connected the Arduino and started the IDE. It worked for a while then did the same.
I tried reinstalling the Arduino driver. But after a while it lost the COM port again. And is still doing it.
Is this a known problem or unique to me?
Have I missed something in the installation?
Steve
Is this a known problem or unique to me?
Have I missed something in the installation?
This happens a lot in windows 7 especially if theres a loose USB plug on your PC.
After updating my windows 7 Ihave seen substantial repair now I dont encounter such problems a lot but still they happen rarely but they will keep on happening as the ATmega8u2/16u2 is loaded with a firmware that does all this communication its not essentially everything hardware functionality.
The best is the FT232RL sporting Arduino Deumilanove I have next to no problems with it as it employs a FT232RL serial to ttl chip and vice versa hardware support.
I see much the same at times (also Windows 7, but not sure if that is relevant).
Typically unplugging the Arduino and plugging back in and waiting for a few seconds sorts it out. However all the plug-unplugging will make any loose connections worse...
Strangely looking in System Manager shows the Port as present, just the IDE can't find it.... Also sometimes plugging it in does not show up in the UI, but System manager shows it (and you can hear the noise of a new USB connection). So Windows is recognizing it, but the IDE is not. (Strange).