Re: Arduino won't connect to computer

Same thing happened to me after 2 days (Uno R3). I was running off a 9v supply. I had plugged it in several times and the sketch would run every time. I let it run for about 8 hours for two days in a row. I plugged it in the morning of the third day and the sketch wouldn't run. I brought it back to the PC for troubleshooting and the USB LED (orange) wouldn't light and the computer never found the board. I think the ATmega16U2 chip lost its marbles.

If the light doesn't flash is there a problem with the ATmega16U2 chip? My computer won't find my Uno R3 any more. The green power LED lights (on USB or 9v supply) but the orange transmit light won't. I can't talk to the chip if the PC won't connect, right? I'm a ME and this computer science stuff is new to me.

My computer stopped recognizing my Uno R3. The orange LED by the ATmega16U2 chip won't light. It was running fine on 9v power supply. I unplugged it over night and plugged it in the next morning; sketch would not run. Took it back to the PC for trouble shooting; green light but no orange light. IDE does not assign a port, not showing up in device manager, etc.

scookson - connect Reset to Gnd - is USB recognized then? If yes, try the Loopback test in the software question section.

scookson:
If the light doesn't flash is there a problem with the ATmega16U2 chip? My computer won't find my Uno R3 any more. The green power LED lights (on USB or 9v supply) but the orange transmit light won't. I can't talk to the chip if the PC won't connect, right? I'm a ME and this computer science stuff is new to me.

Instead of tagging the same thing on everyone else's thread, why not start your own - you might get a response then.

@scookson, please do not cross-post.

Sorry for cross posting. It seems that connecting the reset to GND did not work. Next?

If the operating system does not produce the "device insertion" sound when you connect the Arduino there is no "next". All the symptoms point to this...

I think the ATmega16U2 chip lost its marbles.

Or a loose / defective USB cable.

Odd thing: on another computer there is a device insertion tone ("unknown device - ready to use" pop-up), but the device is unrecognized and the port also does not show up in the device manager.

Assuming the chip is bad, new board? How did I damage the chip on this board? I was driving a transistor controlling a 12v source to a solenoid. I had a led and a diode in parallel with the solenoid to monitor the circuit and protect from flyback when the field in the solenoid collapsed.

Any insight is appreciated.

Were you rubbing a cat up against a balloon whilst doing a fiery dance in nylon pants during a thunderstorm?

scookson:
Odd thing: on another computer there is a device insertion tone ("unknown device - ready to use" pop-up), but the device is unrecognized and the port also does not show up in the device manager.

Did you install the driver?