Hi, I need just a little more memory in my Nano. I came across this video on how to increase the flash memory in a Nano. Increase Flash Programming Memory for Arduino Nano? YES! - YouTube
The problem is that I don't have the same folders in the preferences directory as the guy in the video.
He has these folders.
I don't have the packages folder. I have this:
Can any one tell where my Packages folder is?
Thank you!
Your topic was MOVED to its current forum category as it is more suitable than the original
Which version of the IDE are you using and do you have any extra boards installed such as ESP8266 or ESP32 ?
Arduino Nano memory is the internal of the chip and cant be increased. You have to optimize your code instead.
In absolute terms you are correct. But for flash (what this tpic seems to be about)
I'm using version 1.8.13. I don't have any of those board install. Were you able to see that video? I want to know if it's true.
Thank you.
Hi, did you watched the video?
no, and most people here refuse to watch one unless it has information that can't be shown any other way
I asked about extra boards because the packages folder is where the extra board files are located. You don't have any which presumably explains why you don't have the folder
As to the video, I started to watch it but not for long. If I wanted to use the whole of the memory available on a Nano I would delete the bootloader by overwriting it by programming the Nano with a programmer or another Arduino
Presumably you have a reason for wanting more memory. Are you sure that your sketch is using memory as efficiently as possible ?
Why not post it here for advice ?
yes, it's true.
You dont need the Package folder, you dont need the video...
You can strip the bootloader with standard IDE menu functions.
Just write any sketch to your Nano with external programmer.
But be warned the fact that after that you cant upload the sketches with USB cable, only by programmer.
Note that unless you use something like the Minicore board files and select the "No bootloader" option then although the bootloader will be erased the fuses are not set to release the memory
yes indeed i forgot about that
You could consider other boards - The “nano every “ is pin compatible , has lots more memory and is cheaper to buy .
But as said there are ways to optimise your code , so it might be worth posting it up
You didn't tell us why you need more memory.
Efficient coding is the key.
The (F("") print macro could be a start.
Leo..
Or 3. You could just call it a different 328P Arduino that has its fuse set correctly for the smaller bootloader. Then you would get some additional memory. But not a lot. I think the Uno would work. But then you would have to remember that it's now an Uno as far as the IDE is concerned.
You would set the Board to Uno, then flash the bootloader. And presto - it's now an Uno.
Edit: You do need a programmer to do this - a real programmer or another Arduino set up to be a programmer. But first do a test compile of your code with the board set to Uno - to make sure you gain enough memory for it to work.
Maybe OP wants to load more than 2k into program memory.
Then nothing suggested will help.
Need to see the problematic sketch.
Leo..
Thanks for all of your help.
I think that I'll go with deleting the bootloader and overwriting it. I found a tutorial that explains it in a maner that's easy to follow. This makes the most sense. As far as the code is concerned. I started making camera sliders a few years ago and went to small shows and I got a good respones to my designs. That was before the pandemic. Anyway, I decide to get serious and put together an app for my sliders. I paid a colleges student to write the code and that's why I can't post my code. I hope you understand. The college student also helped me with my app and everything works perfectly. However, I need to make my control box smaller for the 16" siders and that's when started testing the app with the Nano. Everything was fine untill I bought new Nanos and the code wouldn't work with any of the new Nanos. It worked perfectly with the old ones, but not with any of the new ones. The only thing that could be doinging this, is the bootloader somehow taking up more space. (My coder and I came to the conclusion.) By the way, the sketch is 34.5 KB. He reworked the sketch and reduced the size of it and it worked, so that was the case. BUT, the sketch doesn't work as smoothly as before. It's not the same sketch. It does the same thing, but not in the same way.
Sorry for the long version, but everyone's been very helpfull so I thought I fill you in on how I ended up here. So thank you all and I'll post right after I get rid of the bootloader and upload the sketch with a programmer. Once again, thank....
Even if you remove the bootloader, such a sketch will not fit in any way.
The whole flash size of the Nano is 32 768 bytes
Do you mean the pre-compiled file size on your hard disk?
Did the student write the code with the small memory of an ATmega328 in mind.
Small things like.
int buttonPin = 9; // uses two Flash bytes and two program bytes
or (does the same)
const byte buttonPin = 9; // uses one Flash byte
could make a big difference.
Leo..
Are these genuine Arduino boards? Can you provide a link to the new ones? I got some boards advertised as nanos when I was starting out with Arduino but unbeknown to me at the time, they used an ATMEGA168 chip with less memory.
