FTDI <=> Arduino Pro Mini

[jocke4u]

@gregl
I just had to do a quick test and it seems that I have similar problem.
Tested all 5 pro minis I have with the same result

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x01

[hek]

Are you guys saying they ship pro minis without any bootloader onboard?

[jocke4u]

@hek said:

Are you guys saying they ship pro minis without any bootloader onboard?

I have no idea but @gregl suspect that.

[gregl]

@Hek - yes i think so.

I did not purchase mine from one of your "store" vendors...

[hek]

Ok,

Well... if anyone experience this from one of the recommended sellers let me know.

[gregl]

No luck - i am able to upload the Optiboot bootloader to them no problem,
but i cannot program ( upload a sketch) with any of my ftdi programmers.

I found this thread, same issue but with 3.3v - i had a quick attempt but i dont think its much different to what i was doing uploading (successfully) the optiboot bootloader.

Spent enough time on this junk....ill just stick to using Nano's...

Good luck!

[bjornhallberg]

Thanks for the warning. All the Pro Minis I've bought from Ebay / Ali have been the standard clone version thankfully and they have all worked out of the box, at least the way I've wired them. I did start out with the useless Silicon Labs CP2102 programmer because I didn't do my homework (the one where you have to solder a super-small wire from the chip or hold down the reset button manually). Not saying this would work here, there seems to indeed be something wonky with the Funduinos:
Sparkfun: Arduino Pro Mini 3.3v and FTDI 3.3v upload errors

For reference (the exact same APM board most of us have as well):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vawhrr4COjI
(or: don't do what I did - avoid non-ftdi programmers)

[jocke4u]

@bjornhallberg
Thanks for the info/video, I will do another try before they go the same route as for @gregl ....trash bin :-1:

@hek I also have bought these from another Aliexpress supplier

[jocke4u]

I did the FTDI loop back test and so far I see the programmer doesn't work so ordered the one referenced on MySensors

[bjornhallberg]

Seems you have the same programmer as I have though. But I guess you could have gotten a faulty one.

In retrospect I should have gotten one with a 3.3V/5V jumper instead of solder pads. Not that I need 5V.

[jocke4u]

FYI
I today received the new FTDI programmer referenced on this site (http://www.ebay.com/itm/320907184616) and now it works to program Pro Mini's :)

[daulagari]

@jocke4u Looking at the first picture of this thread it looks to me like you did not make a selection between 3.3 V and 5 V on your FTDI adapter.

You need to connect either the 3.3 V pad with the middle pad or the 5V pad with the middle pad.

[hek]

@daulagari

Yep you're probably right. Nice spotted!

[gregl]

i think on mine the solder pads are bridged... but i will check.

[jocke4u]

@gregl said:

i think on mine the solder pads are bridged... but i will check.

I am pretty sure it's the same (5V as default) for me but will double check.