USB over current notice / not uploading

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Troubleshooting
1

hi,
I have a macbook pro
I'm using OSX10.5.8
Arduino 17
I have a DIY arduino using an Atemga8 on a custom board
I'm connecting to the computer with an FTDI cable to program

I made my (stand alone) device about a year ago and it's been working fine (and still works) but I want to update the code.

when I press the reset button I get a USB Over Current Notice (A USB device is currently drawing too much power. The hub to which it is attached will be deactivated)

I reset the PRAM.
and I reset the PMU

warning didn't appear immediately so I tried uploading but got the avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding warning.
tried a whole range of "push the reset button and wait x seconds before uploading" (x being -ve and +ve) but no joy

I have the correct board and serial port chosen

I went into the Arduino preferences file and changed the serial.burn_rate to 9600 (following the troubleshooting guide)
that didn't help either

any other suggestions or ideas?
or workarounds to reprogram my Arduino bootloaded Atmega8?

I really need to reprogram my device (quickly) so appreciate any input
thanks

2

i have the exact same problem and I just came on here to ask the same thing...

I'm using the Lilypad ATmega168 with an FTDI and Arduino 017. It seems fine on it's own, but as soon as I connect the Lilypad accelerometer, I get this same error about drawing too much current.
Any thoughts on getting around this?

3

Sorry to be such a pain but the warning means exactly what it says. There is too much current being drawn, and that is usually over 500mA.

So what is happening? You almost certainly have a short circuit, either in your accelerometer or the wiring up of the reset pin. It's easy enough to do and I did it myself recently.

But other than that there is no mystery - just a short. :frowning:

4

ok....
but the arduino is still running just fine.
will check with fine toothed multimetre
thanks

5

but the arduino is still running just fine.

Yes it will do. Any short will put the voltage at zero (or close to it) and so the Arduino and all the other stuff not actually causing the short will be fine.

Most shorts are faulty wiring so nothing much gets damaged if the USB can shut its power down before the regulators driving the power in the USB are damaged.