I bought the freeduino kit from nkc assembled it and plugged it into the usb port. I get three solid led's and one blinks, but the computer doesn't detect that it is even there. I've tried three computers and 4 usb cables on every usb port on every computer. There is nothing showing up in device manager and i've even tried installing the drivers then plugging in the freeduino. I've also had my solder joints and the smt chip inspected by someone that solders for a living(10 years) and can't can't find anything notably wrong. I'm just out of ideas, and really wanna get this thing going so i can get started on a reprag. any help or suggestions? could it just be a bad ftdi chip?
my computers are a dell inspiron 6000, 1100, dimension 4550, and an hp something(never really use it).
OK as a friend of mine said fault finding remotely is like having a massage by telephone.
So the LEDs are on so you have USB power. However, the clincher is that nothing shows up in the device manager. Remove the Atmel chip so that doesn't complicate things and concentrate in getting the USB to serial chip going first.
Check that it is the right driver for the device you are using and the OS. I am assuming this is XP. Until you see it show up in the device driver nothing else is going to work. If you could borrow some other Arduino you could check out the installation of the software. However, my bet is on the construction, it is easy to get solder shorts that get covered up by the chip if you are new to soldering. Also check that the FTDI chip is the right way round.
Finally if that doesn't work then you will have to get an oscilloscope and see if signals are getting to the device, there could be a problem with the socket.
Best of luck.
okay i tried what i could of that and it looks like something is up with the ftdi(which came already soldered) or possibly a short under the usb socket. If it isn't the usb socket i may just send it back and see if they can figure it out. Unfortunately, i don't know anyone with an arduino.
Unplug everything and try applying some heat on each leg of the FTDI chip, just 1-2 seconds is enough. If the problem persists, then send a high resolution picture to orders@nkcelectronics.com of both top and bottom side of the board.
I think i figured it out. The ftdi chip gets really hot pretty quickly. so with my limited knowledge of electronics i'm assuming a short on it somewhere. this is kinda fun finding the problem.
I just wanted to let everyone know that NKC is a really great company and has helped me out a lot through my personal e-mail. I'll definantly be doing business with them again. I'm hoping they get some nema 23's... hint hint
