Micro Pro 16Mhz upload

Hi Can anyone help, I have made a small balancing robot using a Micro Pro 5v 16 mhz but when I try to upload the code i have problems. the code seems to load when the micro pro is removed from the small expansion board that houses an MPU 6050 and stepper motor drivers and the led's on the micro pro light and flash and the IDE says loading done. But if I try to upload the program with the micro pro fitted there are no LED's lit and the IDE says it can't find it. If I try and connect 5v to raw power there is 5v to raw pin on the Micro pro but no volts on VCC pin.

I have checked and rechecked all the sold joints and connections.

Thank Tony

Maybe the shield you are using also uses the same pins the Arduino does for USB connections.

Not really enough information eg schematic etc.

Thanks for the reply. I copied the expansion board design from Axel Brinkebys commons licence robothttp://axelsdiy.brinkeby.se/?page_id=1447 After messing about a bit more and changing the drivers It now seam to upload the tested code from A.B. But still it will not operate correctly. The problem I have is that when it completes uploading. the Micro Pro TX RX LED's are both on when usb is connected then go out briefly as it uploads but then come back on and stay on? As you can tell I am new to the world of Arduino and uploading code so any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Since you are so new, shouldn't you take baby steps first?

Such as uploading the blink LED example.

.

ballscrewbob:
Maybe the shield you are using also uses the same pins the Arduino does for USB connections.

It's a Pro Micro (32U4 based); I doubt the USB is available on any of the pins.

ieee488:
Since you are so new, shouldn't you take baby steps first?

Such as uploading the blink LED example.

Your probable right but I thought the idea of a forum was to share ideas and help each other

.

bigt55:
Your probable right but I thought the idea of a forum was to share ideas and help each other

And the advice offered is that you need to start at the beginning which every single person here has had to do.

Of course, you may be a genius. Then ignore us mere mortals.

.

ieee488:
And the advice offered is that you need to start at the beginning which every single person here has had to do.

Of course, you may be a genius. Then ignore us mere mortals.

.

then why did you not just say that instead of trying to show how clever you are.

bigt55:
then why did you not just say that instead of trying to show how clever you are.

I did write that first.

I have no idea what you are reading.

Let me help jog your memory.

Since you are so new, shouldn't you take baby steps first?
Such as uploading the blink LED example.

.

You're talking about a Micro Pro; I can only find a (Sparkfun) Pro Micro. If it's former, please provide a schematic of the board.

If it's the latter, is the uC board powered from the robot if it's installed and you try to upload? If not, you might be powering your motor stuff from the USB port and it might not be able to deliver enough power and the PC might shutdown the USB power and hence no reaction when connecting to the PC.

As ballscrewbob said, a schematic might be useful and information how it's all powered.

Thanks for your Reply, There is a Schematic in the web site link Mini balancing robot | Axel's DIY page I don't think it is a power problem as I have tired uploading the code with the motors disconnected. I am using a Pro Micro but it is not from Sparkfun. below is the schematic created by Axel Brinkeby and is commons licence

Does the robot work with the uploaded code? If not, I suspect some form of short on the 'motherboard'. And else I do not know.

it tweaks the stepper motors when you move it off balance but does not work really. I think I need to try a new Pro Micro and see if that is the problem. Thanks for your help anyway