removing the bootloader process

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Software Troubleshooting
1

I have made a few sketches with my arduino and I would like to place my project on it's own board. I understand that I need a 16Mhz Crystal and 2 22pF caps, a pull up resistor on the reset pin, and that's it. (my project doens't communicate with a serial device)

So, I know it is possible to save loading time and space by removing the bootloader and writing to the chip via the ICSP port (the 6 pin header) My question is how do I get my sketch (written in C with the arduino IDE) burned on a ATMEGA328P with no bootloader. I understand that once this occurs, the ICSP will be the only way to reprogram the chip unless a bootloader is reinstalled.

The other question is...

Is the above possible with the printer port DIY programmer? on this site? (the one that consists of 2 470 ohm resistors and a 220 ohm resistor, not the one with the chip)

2

If you have an ICSP you can write your sketch to FLASH using that at any time. Just point the ICSP programming software to the HEX file generated by compiling your sketch.

You can also change the fuse settings with the ICSP to jump to your program directly upon reset instead of to the (nonexistent) bootloader.

I don't know which printer-port DIY programmer you're referring to...sorry.

3

What RC said plus:

I was unable to get that simple parallel programmer to work so I just went with this programmer USBtinyISP AVR Programmer Kit (USB SpokePOV Dongle) [v2.0] : ID 46 : $22.00 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits.

Works great. Can work with the Arduino IDE or standalone with either command line AVRDUDE or as I use it with a windows GUI wrapper that then runs AVRDUDE.

Having a programmer gives you the most flexibility when using stand alone AVR chips and the ability to re-flash the Arduino bootloader if necessary and lastly change any AVR fuse settings as needed for non standard applications (internal clock, WDT, etc)

Lefty

4

Thanks guys, i am looking into this more. I built the DIY programmer thing but i havent tried it yet. lets see if i can link you guys to it.

this is the one: anyone use this?

5

Yes, that's the one that wouldn't work for me. Did some research and seems that the design is sensitive to the specific parallel port drivers and receivers that one might have on their PC. Other designs use an external driver chip and might be more reliable. However the low cost of the USBtinyISP programmer and it's proven operation saved me a lot of time and headaches I think :wink:

Lefty

6

I see...

well, im still looking into this. I have some chips coming and I know how to upload sketches, but i think i can use avr studio to write to the chip. (i think)...this is a first for me, so, i hope it works

7

Usually, I just box it up using one of these. A bit more expensive, but if you factor your time into the equation, I consider it a push.

http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=1075

As Lefty stated above, get yourself Lady Ada's USBTinyISP. Invaluable for working with Atmels in general, and Essential for Arduino.