Hi everyone!
Im new to Arduino so Im not sure if there actually is a problem with my board or is it just me.
So I bought an Arduino Uno clone. When I plugged it in with the usb the onboard led blinked rapidly for a second and then went on blinking on and off every second. I assume that is the blink sketch that might already be uploaded. The problem is that in the Arduino IDE (1.6.5) I cant choose a port. It shows nothing and also the computer thinks that there is nothing plugged into the port where the board actually is plugged in. Im running Win8 on one computer and Ubuntu 12.04 on the other one and the same thing, board powers on but there doesnt seem to be anything plugged in according to the system. Nothing shows up in Device Manager nor is listed in lsusb in Ubuntu.
When I try uploading it says:
Arduino: 1.6.5 (Windows 8.1), Board: "Arduino Uno"
Sketch uses 450 bytes (1%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32,256 bytes.
Global variables use 9 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2,039 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2,048 bytes.
avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "\.\COM1": The system cannot find the file specified.
Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.
This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
enabled in File > Preferences.
Ah yes, the board has an Atmega328P-PU chip and Atmega16U2. Ive done a bit of reading and of what I did read, it seemed that the 16U2 chip might not be functioning properly. So I tried to flash a new sketch on the 16U2 as described here Virtuabotix is under construction but got stuck on the part where I have to put the board into DFU mode. I shorted the two ICSP pins closest to the usb but nothing happened. The onboard led still blinked away like nothing happened and neither of the systems still recognised the board.
Ive tried changing the board type in the IDE to everything else and changed the usb cable thinking that might be it but with no luck.
Im pretty stuck here. Is there any other way of fixing this problem or should I get another UNO (genuine this time 
) and use that one to try fix it?
Thanks guys,
Siim