A couple of weeks ago I posted about a problem I was having programming an Arduino Pro Mini. I tried everything - but then figured out (by examining the pins) that I just had my Sparkfun FTDI Basic Breakout board attached the wrong way.
Today over in the Sparkfun forum another user had the same problem. It turns out that a photo on this page
shows the FTDI board attached incorrectly. That's what fooled both myself and the other guy today. Is there any way to request that photo be replaced with one showing the board attached correctly?
I spent quite some time double checking my connections and power supply, before it finally dawned on me that the markings on the board differed from those on the photo.
Could have easily fried the mini, if a bit more current had been available.
Thankfully, when I reconnected according to the board markings, it worked... but never the less I did not use that mini in my finished project, for fear that the damage may show up later.
It now resides in my junkbox for occasional use. A sort of sacrificial lamb.
I wonder how many experimenters have gone through this, and how many have been discouraged from using Arduino because of it?
Not at all the same thing, but when I got my first Arduino (a diecimila) it wouldn't program, and I just put it aside for over a year untouched. Later I discovered that all I had to do was download a more current version of the Arduino environment. Now I'm a fan, but I was pretty close to just forgetting about the thing altogether.
Sorry about that guys. The photo was correct for the version of the Pro Mini I was using at the time. Apparently the header switched directions at some point and I didn't realize it. I'm updating the photo now.
By the way, Mike, I doubt there's any problem with the Mini that you have thrown into your "spares" bin. I've been using mine (the one I had plugged in wrong) quite a bit, and pretty much put it through its paces without any trouble. I wouldn't be too worried about damage to that board.