Hi all, hope someone can provide some guidance.
I'm having an odd problem since I installed version 1.6.4 on my ubuntu 14.02 desktop. I was running 1.0.5 for the longest time and using a cp2102. I got pretty got at timing the manual reset with uploading sketches. In any case, I eventually bricked my cp2102 and ordered two FTDI FT232RL on ebay. While waiting for them I decided to install IDE version 1.6.4, since I was also using ESP8266 modules and was getting tired of lua. I eventually got my FTDI's, this is where the problems start. When uploading sketches all I get is the well known stk500_recv(): Programmer is not responding message. I am able to upload sketches to my ESP-01 without a problem, so I know the FTDI is working. All my arduino's are a combination of 3v3 and 5v Pro Mini clones. As a test I went back to IDE 1.0.5, as it was still installed, and I have the same problem with that now. On the odd chance I thought maybe the 5 arduino's I tried did not have the bootloader installed so I pulled a known good working arduino from a working sensor and no luck, same problem. I put the arduino back in the working sensor to see if the FTDI may have bricked it but it was still working. I thought maybe it was a problem with my desktop so I installed IDE 1.6.4 on my ubuntu laptop and the same thing is happening. Is it possible both FTDI's are the problem even though it can upload to the ESP-01? I am really at a lose. I am not new to this, I've been uploading sketeches for a few years now. Any help would be appreciated.
Mike
Try 1.0.6
I'm still using it with Win7Pro & FTDI chips, MrsCrossroads is using it with Win8.1 (until Win10 comes out anyway) with FTDI chips and Unos/Megas (16U2 chips).
Hi CrossRoads
Thank you for your reply. I tried this last night and it did not work. I also tried doing a loopback test on both the arduino and the FTDI and in both cases the test failed. I have a feeling both my FTDI's are bad.
Mike
mikecay:
Is it possible both FTDI's are the problem even though it can upload to the ESP-01?
Yes, I have the feeling the new FTDI isn't auto resetting the Arduino when programming. Try to upload a sketch again but this time keep the reset button of the Arduino pressed an release it the moment the compiler goes to "Uploading..." Does it upload now?
How are you connecting the FTDI to Arduino? Do you have a 0.1uF cap between FTDI's DTR and the Arduino's Reset pin?
That's not necessary because a Pro Mini had a dedicated pin for that with a build in cap.
Ok, forgot you had Promini's.
Try to upload a sketch again but this time keep the reset button of the Arduino pressed an release it the moment the compiler goes to "Uploading..." Does it upload now?
I tried that also but it did not work. Before using the FTDI I had a cp2102 and that was how I had to upload sketch's.
I can't help but think the problem is the FTDI, but the fact I can upload to the ESP-01 makes be question that also.
I will get another FTDI and a cp2102 and see what the result is.
Thank you for all your help and suggestions.
Mike
Instead of e-bay, buy a known good module from www.tinyosshop.com, that's where I get mine from. $6.90 plus shipping.
You said a loopback test. You connected RX of the FTDI to the TX of the FTDI and type something in the serial monitor?
Yes. What you type should echo back. If connected to the arduino while doing the test, then also connect Arduino Reset to Gnd so it cannot interfere.
buy a known good module from www.tinyosshop.com, that's where I get mine from
That is exactly who I got my FTDI from but I got it through e-bay. I got this one FTDI Basic Breakout 5V/3.3V With USB cable
You connected RX of the FTDI to the TX of the FTDI and type something in the serial monitor
Yes, I did the test and sent echo. It is my understanding I should be back eecchhoo but I only got echo.
I did the same test as explained by CrossRoads
If connected to the arduino while doing the test, then also connect Arduino Reset to Gnd so it cannot interfere.
I again sent echo and only got back echo. Please correct me if I am wrong but I should have received eecchhoo, is that correct?
If you only looped the RX to the TX with nothing else connected you should just see what you send. IF you sent "echo" the screen should read "echo". And if you remove the wire you shouldn't see anything. If that's the case, the FTDI is sending out serial data.
Is the jumper in the 5V position?
IF you sent "echo" the screen should read "echo".
In that case my FTDI and Pro Mini are working fine.
Is the jumper in the 5V position?
Yes it is.
I am really at a lose. My next step is to reinstall Ubuntu and then install 1.0.6. My problems seem to start when I installed 1.6.4.
Thank you everyone for your help.
Are there LED's on the usb-serial? Does TX flashes a couple of times when you hit upload? And does the on board LED flash when you hit upload (to let you know the device is reset)?
You say it started when installing 1.6.4 but I doubt that. I think it started when you bought new adapters 
I think it started when you bought new adapters
I originally thought that also but given that I can upload sketches to my ESP-01 modules and my lookback tests pass, what else could the problem be?
Are there LED's on the usb-serial? Does TX flashes a couple of times when you hit upload?
Yes there is a TX and RX led. When I hit upload the tx flashes for each attempt to connect the pro mini, I believe 10 times
And does the on board LED flash when you hit upload
no it does not flash. All I get on the pro mini is a solid red led ... no flashing what so ever.
Then I'm still pretty sure the serial part works fine but the Pro Mini isn't reset when you hit upload. Can you test the "hold reset button down until FTDI Tx LED start to flash"-methode again?
"hold reset button down until FTDI Tx LED start to flash"-methode again?
I did this a few times yesterday and no luck.
I also tried uploading the sketch using an UNO Rev 3. I remove. I removed the IC and connected the UNO and pro mini as follows:
uno - Pro Mini
5v - vcc
gnd - gnd
tx - tx
rx - rx
rst - grn
I got the same result. I also remove rst from grn and used the manual reset method and no luck.
I also tried to upload the bootloader to the Pro Mini using the UNO. I connected then as follows:
uno - Pro Mini
10 - rst
11 - 11
12 - 12
13 - 13
5v - vcc
gnd - gnd
When I upload the bootloader I get the Device signature = 0x000000 error.
I also tried using an external power supply and changed my jumpers, like many have suggested, but I still get the same error.
Mm, then I'm out of suggestions... It's so weird because the IDE is actual sending/receiving with the USB-Serial and if the TX light flashes when programming starts it is polling to check if the uC is ready... Why it doesn't respond, I don't know...
Are you sure the Pro Mini is fine? Because uploading the bootloader should also work...
Is it possible for you to test another PC? Reinstalling Linux is quite rigorous...