I bought a blank atmega328 and want to upload some arduino code to it, but I never burned a bootloader to it. I've done this with an ATTINY85 before and thought it would be that same for the mega, but I don't have a selection under boards for just the atmega328 or can I find a place to download that either. I used this before to upload to the tiny85 http://highlowtech.org/?p=1229 Would I connect everything that same,to the respective pins, as found in his website and then just need the proper board to select?
I don't know where you live but in case you don't get it working maybe you can order one of these :
raschemmel:
I don't know where you live but in case you don't get it working maybe you can order one of these :
Atmega328 w/ Arduino UNO Optiboot Bootloader ATMEGA328P-PU - dipmicro electronics
I'm in America and in retrospect I should have paid a little more for the bootloader to come preinstalled. Then I suppose I could have just uploaded code and swaped chips.
Currently that doesn't solve my problem though, thank you for the advice anyhow.
Look the "arduino breadboard" example. There they explain how to add a board to your list which contains the core to a standalone atmega328p.
Or the other solution also explained there, is just burning the bootloader and then swap chips.
I found the link here
There is a note that says that won't work with a UNO, don't pay attention to it.
red913:
I bought a blank atmega328 and want to upload some arduino code to it, but I never burned a bootloader to it. I've done this with an ATTINY85 before and thought it would be that same for the mega, but I don't have a selection under boards for just the atmega328 or can I find a place to download that either. I used this before to upload to the tiny85 http://highlowtech.org/?p=1229 Would I connect everything that same,to the respective pins, as found in his website and then just need the proper board to select?
Just connect it up like you did for the Tiny85 then do "Burn Bootloader".
As shown in this tutorial:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/installing-an-arduino-bootloader
Are you already aware that the arduino uses SPI to load the bootlader from one UNO to another UNO ? (or to an ATtiny85) ?
raschemmel:
As shown in this tutorial:
Installing an Arduino Bootloader - SparkFun LearnAre you already aware that the arduino uses SPI to load the bootlader from one UNO to another UNO ? (or to an ATtiny85) ?
I was not aware of that and don't know what that means really. 
I'm trying to do the exact same thing but go error:
avrdude: Expected signature for ATMEGA328P is 1E 95 0F
Double check chip, or use -F to override this check.
Sorry to thread-jack....I was just thinking my solution might help you.
SPI connections
MOSI
MISO
SCK
SS
Isn't UNO as ISP programmer a SPI interface ?
red913:
Sorry to thread-jack....I was just thinking my solution might help you.
If you do that again, you certainly will be.