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Bootloading a barebones arduino

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  • NeverDieN NeverDie

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    Larson
    wrote on last edited by
    #9
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    • V Offline
      V Offline
      virtualmkr
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      1e08422e-b20d-4c87-ab11-f8f579bed317-image.png
      Uploaded with Crome and copied from clipboard.

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      • V virtualmkr

        1e08422e-b20d-4c87-ab11-f8f579bed317-image.png
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        L Offline
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        Larson
        wrote on last edited by
        #11
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        • L Offline
          L Offline
          Larson
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          This thread was opened to continue explore how to bootload a project that was giving me fits. The project is based on wonderful work of this thread by NeverDie. That thread explores the testing of many different radios all ridding piggy-back, one at time, on a custom barebones Arduino board using the Atmega328P chip. After building said barebones board, I am having difficulty getting the bootloader loaded on to the board. AlphaHotel has very generously offered some help in a private chat session. At this moment we have been trying to find the right driver for my 7-year-old USBasp V2.0 LC Technology programmer. Bootloaders are typically, I think, installed onto new 328 chips using the SPI interface that the USBasp, as opposed to using USBTTL converters using USART interface.

          There is some back story to the help session I’ve already received from AlphaHotel. I’m not going to discuss that history except to say that we tried to install a USB driver using zadig-2.7.exe. The driver we focused on was libusb-win32 driver. I think the challenge here is to get older hardware, such as the USBasp (x32), to work on newer (x64) machines like my newish Windows 10. Our efforts on loading the libusb-win32 driver did not work.
          Our newer effort focused on using libusbK as a driver. I found more success with that but no success yet on the barebones bootloader install. So from here, I’ll expose our help session in the form of a thread so that we can communicate and use PIC attachments while documenting the process for others.

          Using the libusbK I was able to get some success bootloading. The general idea was to update the USBasp driver, then to test the new driver by bootloading then programming a Nano. If that works, then try to do the same on the barebones board. Two SW methods of bootloadings were used: 1. By using the Arduino IDE environment (Burn Bootloader) and 2. The Windows CMD (Command) application. Here is a summary of my progress with pictures of screens that display the progress.

          1. Zadig driver installation of libusbK. Success!
            1ZadigInstal.jpg

          2. After unplugging and replugging the USBasp from the computers USB port - Device manager result:
            2Device Manager.jpg

          3. Arduino IDE Test of loading Blink to a Nano using “Upload Using Programmer” using USBasp. Success!
            3BlinkSuccess.jpg

          4. Command prompt and response with Nano Still attached:
            Command: avrdude -p m328p -c usbasp
            Response:
            Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.03s
            avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f (probably lgt8fx328p)
            avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
            avrdude done. Thank you.
            Success!
            4CMD_Command_Response.jpg

          5. Further Arduino IDE Test of USBasp to “Burn Bootloader” to Nano
            Success!
            5DoneBurningBootloader.jpg

          6. Fuse Settings, as shown above (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
            Success!

          7. Extended test: Try to Burn Bootloader to NeverDie’s barebones board (328) using Arduino IDE. Fail.
            7BurnBootloaderToBareBonesFail.jpg

          8. Extended test: Try to burn bootloader to NeverDie’s barebonds board (328) using Avrdude. Fail.
            8BurnBootloaderWithAvrdudeFail.jpg
            Given these last two failures on multiple tries, I’m thinking that I may have toasted the Atmega328p in the process of my soldering and bridge unsoldering. This was my first attempt for such a tiny SMD Atmega328p. I am very sure that I got the right orientation. Or, it could be that the Atmega328p that I purchased came from the bottom of somebody’s barrel.

          I continue to work on this and will post results here.

          OldSurferDudeO A 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • NeverDieN NeverDie

            This post is deleted!

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Larson
            wrote on last edited by
            #13
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            • NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDie
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by NeverDie
              #14

              For a "known good" starting point, you could pop the DIP atmega328p out of an arduino uno and practice burning your bootloader into that on a breadboard. If it gives you the same guff, then you know it's your procedure and not the chip that's at fault. Anyhow, as there's not really much that can go wrong, my WAG is that, based on @alphaHotel 's earlier comments requesting a reset-pin breakout (now baked into Version 3.0), it might have something to do with either the means or the assumptions under which your burner is accessing the reset pin.

              Myself, I burn the bootloader and fuses in one of those spring-steel clamshell chip holders:
              alt text
              before soldering it onto the board, so I can't say that I've already done what you are attempting to do. IIRC, they cost only something like $10, but I do understand that simply knowing that doesn't really help you in the moment if you don't have one on hand already and you simply want to push forward with what you've got.

              L 2 Replies Last reply
              1
              • NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDie
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                #15

                Confirmed. Looking at the schematic of an Arduino Uno R3 and its ICSP:
                alt text
                you need a direct connection to the reset pin on the chip. For that reason, you can't use the DTR pin to program it, because there's a capacitor in the way. So, that also confirms that Version 3.0 may be a worthwhile upgrade for people like you, thanks to @alphaHotel 's suggestion.

                NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • L Larson

                  This thread was opened to continue explore how to bootload a project that was giving me fits. The project is based on wonderful work of this thread by NeverDie. That thread explores the testing of many different radios all ridding piggy-back, one at time, on a custom barebones Arduino board using the Atmega328P chip. After building said barebones board, I am having difficulty getting the bootloader loaded on to the board. AlphaHotel has very generously offered some help in a private chat session. At this moment we have been trying to find the right driver for my 7-year-old USBasp V2.0 LC Technology programmer. Bootloaders are typically, I think, installed onto new 328 chips using the SPI interface that the USBasp, as opposed to using USBTTL converters using USART interface.

                  There is some back story to the help session I’ve already received from AlphaHotel. I’m not going to discuss that history except to say that we tried to install a USB driver using zadig-2.7.exe. The driver we focused on was libusb-win32 driver. I think the challenge here is to get older hardware, such as the USBasp (x32), to work on newer (x64) machines like my newish Windows 10. Our efforts on loading the libusb-win32 driver did not work.
                  Our newer effort focused on using libusbK as a driver. I found more success with that but no success yet on the barebones bootloader install. So from here, I’ll expose our help session in the form of a thread so that we can communicate and use PIC attachments while documenting the process for others.

                  Using the libusbK I was able to get some success bootloading. The general idea was to update the USBasp driver, then to test the new driver by bootloading then programming a Nano. If that works, then try to do the same on the barebones board. Two SW methods of bootloadings were used: 1. By using the Arduino IDE environment (Burn Bootloader) and 2. The Windows CMD (Command) application. Here is a summary of my progress with pictures of screens that display the progress.

                  1. Zadig driver installation of libusbK. Success!
                    1ZadigInstal.jpg

                  2. After unplugging and replugging the USBasp from the computers USB port - Device manager result:
                    2Device Manager.jpg

                  3. Arduino IDE Test of loading Blink to a Nano using “Upload Using Programmer” using USBasp. Success!
                    3BlinkSuccess.jpg

                  4. Command prompt and response with Nano Still attached:
                    Command: avrdude -p m328p -c usbasp
                    Response:
                    Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.03s
                    avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f (probably lgt8fx328p)
                    avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
                    avrdude done. Thank you.
                    Success!
                    4CMD_Command_Response.jpg

                  5. Further Arduino IDE Test of USBasp to “Burn Bootloader” to Nano
                    Success!
                    5DoneBurningBootloader.jpg

                  6. Fuse Settings, as shown above (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
                    Success!

                  7. Extended test: Try to Burn Bootloader to NeverDie’s barebones board (328) using Arduino IDE. Fail.
                    7BurnBootloaderToBareBonesFail.jpg

                  8. Extended test: Try to burn bootloader to NeverDie’s barebonds board (328) using Avrdude. Fail.
                    8BurnBootloaderWithAvrdudeFail.jpg
                    Given these last two failures on multiple tries, I’m thinking that I may have toasted the Atmega328p in the process of my soldering and bridge unsoldering. This was my first attempt for such a tiny SMD Atmega328p. I am very sure that I got the right orientation. Or, it could be that the Atmega328p that I purchased came from the bottom of somebody’s barrel.

                  I continue to work on this and will post results here.

                  OldSurferDudeO Offline
                  OldSurferDudeO Offline
                  OldSurferDude
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  @Larson
                  I'm impressed about how much you have done here. I have a suggestion though I will readily admit to being ignorant about a lot of things.

                  I have programed Arduino Nano's using the Arduino IDE ISP function. I had some with an old boot loader and some I just needed a touch more space. The programmed Arduino's are functioning as expected, so I don't think there's a problem.

                  I used this Arduino page and this youtube video to guide me how to program the Nanos. These tell you that you use another Arduino to function as the ISP and how to fashion a cable. (Judging from the discussion here, I'm sure this is not a problem for you.)

                  My question is, would this work to program a raw Atmega328p chip?

                  OSD

                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • L Larson

                    This thread was opened to continue explore how to bootload a project that was giving me fits. The project is based on wonderful work of this thread by NeverDie. That thread explores the testing of many different radios all ridding piggy-back, one at time, on a custom barebones Arduino board using the Atmega328P chip. After building said barebones board, I am having difficulty getting the bootloader loaded on to the board. AlphaHotel has very generously offered some help in a private chat session. At this moment we have been trying to find the right driver for my 7-year-old USBasp V2.0 LC Technology programmer. Bootloaders are typically, I think, installed onto new 328 chips using the SPI interface that the USBasp, as opposed to using USBTTL converters using USART interface.

                    There is some back story to the help session I’ve already received from AlphaHotel. I’m not going to discuss that history except to say that we tried to install a USB driver using zadig-2.7.exe. The driver we focused on was libusb-win32 driver. I think the challenge here is to get older hardware, such as the USBasp (x32), to work on newer (x64) machines like my newish Windows 10. Our efforts on loading the libusb-win32 driver did not work.
                    Our newer effort focused on using libusbK as a driver. I found more success with that but no success yet on the barebones bootloader install. So from here, I’ll expose our help session in the form of a thread so that we can communicate and use PIC attachments while documenting the process for others.

                    Using the libusbK I was able to get some success bootloading. The general idea was to update the USBasp driver, then to test the new driver by bootloading then programming a Nano. If that works, then try to do the same on the barebones board. Two SW methods of bootloadings were used: 1. By using the Arduino IDE environment (Burn Bootloader) and 2. The Windows CMD (Command) application. Here is a summary of my progress with pictures of screens that display the progress.

                    1. Zadig driver installation of libusbK. Success!
                      1ZadigInstal.jpg

                    2. After unplugging and replugging the USBasp from the computers USB port - Device manager result:
                      2Device Manager.jpg

                    3. Arduino IDE Test of loading Blink to a Nano using “Upload Using Programmer” using USBasp. Success!
                      3BlinkSuccess.jpg

                    4. Command prompt and response with Nano Still attached:
                      Command: avrdude -p m328p -c usbasp
                      Response:
                      Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.03s
                      avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f (probably lgt8fx328p)
                      avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
                      avrdude done. Thank you.
                      Success!
                      4CMD_Command_Response.jpg

                    5. Further Arduino IDE Test of USBasp to “Burn Bootloader” to Nano
                      Success!
                      5DoneBurningBootloader.jpg

                    6. Fuse Settings, as shown above (E:FD, H:DA, L:FF)
                      Success!

                    7. Extended test: Try to Burn Bootloader to NeverDie’s barebones board (328) using Arduino IDE. Fail.
                      7BurnBootloaderToBareBonesFail.jpg

                    8. Extended test: Try to burn bootloader to NeverDie’s barebonds board (328) using Avrdude. Fail.
                      8BurnBootloaderWithAvrdudeFail.jpg
                      Given these last two failures on multiple tries, I’m thinking that I may have toasted the Atmega328p in the process of my soldering and bridge unsoldering. This was my first attempt for such a tiny SMD Atmega328p. I am very sure that I got the right orientation. Or, it could be that the Atmega328p that I purchased came from the bottom of somebody’s barrel.

                    I continue to work on this and will post results here.

                    A Offline
                    A Offline
                    alphaHotel
                    wrote on last edited by alphaHotel
                    #17

                    Well done, forging ahead, @Larson. I wouldn't jump straight to trying to program a bootloader just yet though, we need to finish confirming communication with the chip and then if/when we get that going, look at how the fuses are set.

                    Looking at your post here, I believe you got these 328p's from Aliexpress (or similar). Did the listing indicate whether there was a bootloader or not? Bare chips, should be factory set to operate on the internal 8MHz oscillator, so that shouldn't be the problem. How many did you buy?

                    Based on your results above, at this point, it would seem that one of the following conditions exists:

                    1. There are solder bridges (shorts) somewhere - need to test with a MM in continuity mode, each pin with all other pins. Some should be connected (GNDs for example), but most should not.
                    2. The connections from your USBasp to the chip are incorrect. Again, you should be able to check this with a multimeter in continuity mode.
                    3. The chip is dead. (Long live the chip.)
                    4. The fuses are set to require an external crystal that doesn't exist. I just tested this by setting the fuses on my minimal 328P setup (see picture below). The result of which is that I now get the same error that you are getting. This is not likely the case for you but it is a possibility.

                    Here's a pic I just did checking continuity between the MISO contact on the USBasp and the corresponding chip pin on a minimal setup 328P for reference. Disregard that my multimeter is indicating no continuity, (my son took the picture at a bad time as I was making/breaking contact), you'll get the point of the shot though.

                    PXL_20220720_032211427.jpg

                    Also, take a close-up picture of the board/chip and post it here for us to see what you've got going on.

                    Carry on.

                    AH

                    EDIT: to add the 4th possible condition.

                    L 3 Replies Last reply
                    2
                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                      Confirmed. Looking at the schematic of an Arduino Uno R3 and its ICSP:
                      alt text
                      you need a direct connection to the reset pin on the chip. For that reason, you can't use the DTR pin to program it, because there's a capacitor in the way. So, that also confirms that Version 3.0 may be a worthwhile upgrade for people like you, thanks to @alphaHotel 's suggestion.

                      NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDie
                      Hero Member
                      wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                      #18

                      @Larson I just had an idea that might help you. If you have the Version 1.0 board, then before installing the capacitor on DTR, do a solder bridge across it instead. By doing that the DTR in will be directly connected to the reset pin on your chip, and you can use the DTR pin to gain access to the reset pin on the atmega328p. When you're all done with programming the chip and then later want to switch to using an FTDI to upload your scripts, then at that point you melt the solder bridge and install the capacitor.

                      Actually, the same would hold true on an Arduino Pro Mini, so if you wanted yet another possible way to practice on a "known good" platform, you could desolder the DTR capacitor, do a solder bridge, and you'd be all set to practice programming the atmega328p chip on it by using the DTR pin on the Arduino Pro Mini as the reset pin during your programming exercise. i.e. you'd solder bridge across capacitor C2 in this Arduino Pro Mini schematic:
                      arduino_pro_mini.png
                      https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/Arduino/Boards/Arduino-Pro-Mini-v14.pdf

                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • NeverDieN NeverDie

                        For a "known good" starting point, you could pop the DIP atmega328p out of an arduino uno and practice burning your bootloader into that on a breadboard. If it gives you the same guff, then you know it's your procedure and not the chip that's at fault. Anyhow, as there's not really much that can go wrong, my WAG is that, based on @alphaHotel 's earlier comments requesting a reset-pin breakout (now baked into Version 3.0), it might have something to do with either the means or the assumptions under which your burner is accessing the reset pin.

                        Myself, I burn the bootloader and fuses in one of those spring-steel clamshell chip holders:
                        alt text
                        before soldering it onto the board, so I can't say that I've already done what you are attempting to do. IIRC, they cost only something like $10, but I do understand that simply knowing that doesn't really help you in the moment if you don't have one on hand already and you simply want to push forward with what you've got.

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Larson
                        wrote on last edited by Larson
                        #19

                        @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                        Myself, I burn the bootloader and fuses in one of those spring-steel clamshell chip holders:

                        @NeverDie I just ordered one! Thanks. I didn't know these existed. Slick.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • NeverDieN NeverDie

                          For a "known good" starting point, you could pop the DIP atmega328p out of an arduino uno and practice burning your bootloader into that on a breadboard. If it gives you the same guff, then you know it's your procedure and not the chip that's at fault. Anyhow, as there's not really much that can go wrong, my WAG is that, based on @alphaHotel 's earlier comments requesting a reset-pin breakout (now baked into Version 3.0), it might have something to do with either the means or the assumptions under which your burner is accessing the reset pin.

                          Myself, I burn the bootloader and fuses in one of those spring-steel clamshell chip holders:
                          alt text
                          before soldering it onto the board, so I can't say that I've already done what you are attempting to do. IIRC, they cost only something like $10, but I do understand that simply knowing that doesn't really help you in the moment if you don't have one on hand already and you simply want to push forward with what you've got.

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Larson
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                          For a "known good" starting point, you could pop the DIP atmega328p out of an arduino uno and practice burning your bootloader into that on a breadboard. If it gives you the same guff, then you know it's your procedure and not the chip that's at fault. Anyhow, as there's not really much that can go wrong, my WAG is that, based on @alphaHotel 's earlier comments requesting a reset-pin breakout (now baked into Version 3.0), it might have something to do with either the means or the assumptions under which your burner is accessing the reset pin.

                          I've got some DIP 328's. Good Idea. I'll try that. Your V1 board has access to Reset. I used an alligator pin to clamp on to the mcu side of the reset switch. So far, I have connected that to the RST pin of the USBasp.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • OldSurferDudeO OldSurferDude

                            @Larson
                            I'm impressed about how much you have done here. I have a suggestion though I will readily admit to being ignorant about a lot of things.

                            I have programed Arduino Nano's using the Arduino IDE ISP function. I had some with an old boot loader and some I just needed a touch more space. The programmed Arduino's are functioning as expected, so I don't think there's a problem.

                            I used this Arduino page and this youtube video to guide me how to program the Nanos. These tell you that you use another Arduino to function as the ISP and how to fashion a cable. (Judging from the discussion here, I'm sure this is not a problem for you.)

                            My question is, would this work to program a raw Atmega328p chip?

                            OSD

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Larson
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            @OldSurferDude said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                            I have programed Arduino Nano's using the Arduino IDE ISP function. I had some with an old boot loader and some I just needed a touch more space. The programmed Arduino's are functioning as expected, so I don't think there's a problem.

                            I think I've read that Uploading Using Programmer will install your program, but NOT the bootloader so you end up with a little more room... but no bootloader for the next USART attempted reprogramming.

                            @OldSurferDude said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                            My question is, would this work to program a raw Atmega328p chip?

                            Yes, I think that is the aim: turn one 328 into an ISP programmer so that it can 'burn' another 328 via the ICSP connectors. And by 'burn' I mean either the bootloader program, or any other program of your choosing.

                            OldSurferDudeO 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • A alphaHotel

                              Well done, forging ahead, @Larson. I wouldn't jump straight to trying to program a bootloader just yet though, we need to finish confirming communication with the chip and then if/when we get that going, look at how the fuses are set.

                              Looking at your post here, I believe you got these 328p's from Aliexpress (or similar). Did the listing indicate whether there was a bootloader or not? Bare chips, should be factory set to operate on the internal 8MHz oscillator, so that shouldn't be the problem. How many did you buy?

                              Based on your results above, at this point, it would seem that one of the following conditions exists:

                              1. There are solder bridges (shorts) somewhere - need to test with a MM in continuity mode, each pin with all other pins. Some should be connected (GNDs for example), but most should not.
                              2. The connections from your USBasp to the chip are incorrect. Again, you should be able to check this with a multimeter in continuity mode.
                              3. The chip is dead. (Long live the chip.)
                              4. The fuses are set to require an external crystal that doesn't exist. I just tested this by setting the fuses on my minimal 328P setup (see picture below). The result of which is that I now get the same error that you are getting. This is not likely the case for you but it is a possibility.

                              Here's a pic I just did checking continuity between the MISO contact on the USBasp and the corresponding chip pin on a minimal setup 328P for reference. Disregard that my multimeter is indicating no continuity, (my son took the picture at a bad time as I was making/breaking contact), you'll get the point of the shot though.

                              PXL_20220720_032211427.jpg

                              Also, take a close-up picture of the board/chip and post it here for us to see what you've got going on.

                              Carry on.

                              AH

                              EDIT: to add the 4th possible condition.

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Larson
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              @alphaHotel said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                              I believe you got these 328p's from Aliexpress (or similar). Did the listing indicate whether there was a bootloader or not? Bare chips, should be factory set to operate on the internal 8MHz oscillator, so that shouldn't be the problem. How many did you buy?

                              Thanks for your post. I bought 5 of these 328s's from https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256802836313338.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.0.0.3f26f19cw3rLj0. Just reviewed the page and there is no mention of bootloader. I presume these are not bootloaded, but that wouldn't stop me from trying a good-old-fashioned Blink program via the USART port.

                              I checked for continuity bridges on adjacent pins. I'll do that again for regional pins. Earlier I found that detected bridges were visually evident. I now look closely, then test. I can't check USBasp connections enough - I'll do that again. Dead chip? Well, it could be thermally abused given my caveman skill. Fuse settings? Manufactures probably have to make assumptions on this and the prevailing one would probably be for a 16 Mhz crystal.

                              Sure, I'll take a picture and post. It is a rat's nest at the moment so I'm first going to solder on headers to make things clearer/cleaner to see.

                              Thanks again for the abundant help!

                              A 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                @Larson I just had an idea that might help you. If you have the Version 1.0 board, then before installing the capacitor on DTR, do a solder bridge across it instead. By doing that the DTR in will be directly connected to the reset pin on your chip, and you can use the DTR pin to gain access to the reset pin on the atmega328p. When you're all done with programming the chip and then later want to switch to using an FTDI to upload your scripts, then at that point you melt the solder bridge and install the capacitor.

                                Actually, the same would hold true on an Arduino Pro Mini, so if you wanted yet another possible way to practice on a "known good" platform, you could desolder the DTR capacitor, do a solder bridge, and you'd be all set to practice programming the atmega328p chip on it by using the DTR pin on the Arduino Pro Mini as the reset pin during your programming exercise. i.e. you'd solder bridge across capacitor C2 in this Arduino Pro Mini schematic:
                                arduino_pro_mini.png
                                https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/Arduino/Boards/Arduino-Pro-Mini-v14.pdf

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Larson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                I just had an idea that might help you.

                                Thanks for the thoughts. I have pretty direct access to the 328p's reset pin now by alligatoring on to the 328p's side of the reset switch. But... If I needed to connect DTR to Reset I think I would leave the capacitor in place and jumper from Reset to DTR. Soldering those capacitors into place is something I really don't want to relive.

                                @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                Actually, the same would hold true on an Arduino Pro Mini,

                                For a known good platform, I've been using the Nano because it has the ICSP direct access to reset. But I see where you were going with the ProMini. Looking at the schematic you attached, I see that direct access to reset exists on JP7, pin 10. That would do it, wouldn't it?

                                NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • L Larson

                                  @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                  I just had an idea that might help you.

                                  Thanks for the thoughts. I have pretty direct access to the 328p's reset pin now by alligatoring on to the 328p's side of the reset switch. But... If I needed to connect DTR to Reset I think I would leave the capacitor in place and jumper from Reset to DTR. Soldering those capacitors into place is something I really don't want to relive.

                                  @NeverDie said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                  Actually, the same would hold true on an Arduino Pro Mini,

                                  For a known good platform, I've been using the Nano because it has the ICSP direct access to reset. But I see where you were going with the ProMini. Looking at the schematic you attached, I see that direct access to reset exists on JP7, pin 10. That would do it, wouldn't it?

                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDie
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                  #24

                                  @Larson said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                  Looking at the schematic you attached, I see that direct access to reset exists on JP7, pin 10. That would do it, wouldn't it?

                                  You're right! I forgot about that pin. So on a pro-mini you would have easy-peasy access to the reset pin from the get-go. For that matter same thing on the Arduino Uno R3. You wouldn't need to pop out the DIP chip. You could practice programming it in-situ if you wanted to.

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                                  • A alphaHotel

                                    Well done, forging ahead, @Larson. I wouldn't jump straight to trying to program a bootloader just yet though, we need to finish confirming communication with the chip and then if/when we get that going, look at how the fuses are set.

                                    Looking at your post here, I believe you got these 328p's from Aliexpress (or similar). Did the listing indicate whether there was a bootloader or not? Bare chips, should be factory set to operate on the internal 8MHz oscillator, so that shouldn't be the problem. How many did you buy?

                                    Based on your results above, at this point, it would seem that one of the following conditions exists:

                                    1. There are solder bridges (shorts) somewhere - need to test with a MM in continuity mode, each pin with all other pins. Some should be connected (GNDs for example), but most should not.
                                    2. The connections from your USBasp to the chip are incorrect. Again, you should be able to check this with a multimeter in continuity mode.
                                    3. The chip is dead. (Long live the chip.)
                                    4. The fuses are set to require an external crystal that doesn't exist. I just tested this by setting the fuses on my minimal 328P setup (see picture below). The result of which is that I now get the same error that you are getting. This is not likely the case for you but it is a possibility.

                                    Here's a pic I just did checking continuity between the MISO contact on the USBasp and the corresponding chip pin on a minimal setup 328P for reference. Disregard that my multimeter is indicating no continuity, (my son took the picture at a bad time as I was making/breaking contact), you'll get the point of the shot though.

                                    PXL_20220720_032211427.jpg

                                    Also, take a close-up picture of the board/chip and post it here for us to see what you've got going on.

                                    Carry on.

                                    AH

                                    EDIT: to add the 4th possible condition.

                                    L Offline
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                                    Larson
                                    wrote on last edited by Larson
                                    #25

                                    @alphaHotel said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                    Also, take a close-up picture of the board/chip and post it here for us to see what you've got going on.

                                    Pictures are below. I should add that the ICSP 2x3 cable coloring is:
                                    Black - GND
                                    White - MOSI
                                    Red - VCC
                                    Brown - MISO
                                    Yellow - SCK
                                    Orange - RESET alligatored to bottom of switch.

                                    IMG_0001.JPG

                                    IMG_0003.JPG

                                    IMG_0004.JPG

                                    IMG_0005.JPG

                                    IMG_0006.JPG

                                    IMG_0008.JPG

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                                    • L Larson

                                      @alphaHotel said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                      I believe you got these 328p's from Aliexpress (or similar). Did the listing indicate whether there was a bootloader or not? Bare chips, should be factory set to operate on the internal 8MHz oscillator, so that shouldn't be the problem. How many did you buy?

                                      Thanks for your post. I bought 5 of these 328s's from https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256802836313338.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.0.0.3f26f19cw3rLj0. Just reviewed the page and there is no mention of bootloader. I presume these are not bootloaded, but that wouldn't stop me from trying a good-old-fashioned Blink program via the USART port.

                                      I checked for continuity bridges on adjacent pins. I'll do that again for regional pins. Earlier I found that detected bridges were visually evident. I now look closely, then test. I can't check USBasp connections enough - I'll do that again. Dead chip? Well, it could be thermally abused given my caveman skill. Fuse settings? Manufactures probably have to make assumptions on this and the prevailing one would probably be for a 16 Mhz crystal.

                                      Sure, I'll take a picture and post. It is a rat's nest at the moment so I'm first going to solder on headers to make things clearer/cleaner to see.

                                      Thanks again for the abundant help!

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                                      alphaHotel
                                      wrote on last edited by alphaHotel
                                      #26

                                      @Larson said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                      Manufactures probably have to make assumptions on this and the prevailing one would probably be for a 16 Mhz crystal.

                                      If it's straight from the factory, the fuses will be set to use the internal oscillator and there will be no bootloader.

                                      Looking at your pictures, the chip is well aligned and in the correct orientation. If you're confident in your connections and the USBasp is working well with the Nano but not this chip, then I suspect that the chip was destroyed while being soldered. The fuses-set-for-external-clock possibility is very unlikely and probably not worth the effort to try to test/debug/rectify.

                                      [Side note @NeverDie: I see that you used D20 and D21 to control the LEDs on board. You might want to make a note on the OpenHardware.io page that users will need to utilize either direct Port B manipulation or MCUDude's MiniCore to control those and no crystal can be added to this board (unless you hack the LED and resistor pads to do it).]

                                      @Larson, as you have a few more of those chips, I'd suggest putting this one aside for now and trying again (I'm assuming you have at least 2 other copies of V001 boards as OSHpark tends to sell them in 3-packs). If you want to hold off for a bit to wait for that cool clamshell thing, you might also want to consider ordering the V003 boards while you wait so as to avoid the problem with the traces under the battery holders.

                                      AH

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                                      • A alphaHotel

                                        @Larson said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                        Manufactures probably have to make assumptions on this and the prevailing one would probably be for a 16 Mhz crystal.

                                        If it's straight from the factory, the fuses will be set to use the internal oscillator and there will be no bootloader.

                                        Looking at your pictures, the chip is well aligned and in the correct orientation. If you're confident in your connections and the USBasp is working well with the Nano but not this chip, then I suspect that the chip was destroyed while being soldered. The fuses-set-for-external-clock possibility is very unlikely and probably not worth the effort to try to test/debug/rectify.

                                        [Side note @NeverDie: I see that you used D20 and D21 to control the LEDs on board. You might want to make a note on the OpenHardware.io page that users will need to utilize either direct Port B manipulation or MCUDude's MiniCore to control those and no crystal can be added to this board (unless you hack the LED and resistor pads to do it).]

                                        @Larson, as you have a few more of those chips, I'd suggest putting this one aside for now and trying again (I'm assuming you have at least 2 other copies of V001 boards as OSHpark tends to sell them in 3-packs). If you want to hold off for a bit to wait for that cool clamshell thing, you might also want to consider ordering the V003 boards while you wait so as to avoid the problem with the traces under the battery holders.

                                        AH

                                        L Offline
                                        L Offline
                                        Larson
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        @alphaHotel said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                        I'd suggest putting this one aside for now and trying again (I'm assuming you have at least 2 other copies of V001 boards as OSHpark tends to sell them in 3-packs).

                                        Thanks again. I will put this aside for a while... eldercare calls anyway. I'm going to order V3 boards and maybe have them fabricated too. The last picture is of the second OSHPark board and second 328p. So I'm down to three 328p's.

                                        I am indebted to this community and I thank everyone for the gracious help.

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                                        • L Larson

                                          @OldSurferDude said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                          I have programed Arduino Nano's using the Arduino IDE ISP function. I had some with an old boot loader and some I just needed a touch more space. The programmed Arduino's are functioning as expected, so I don't think there's a problem.

                                          I think I've read that Uploading Using Programmer will install your program, but NOT the bootloader so you end up with a little more room... but no bootloader for the next USART attempted reprogramming.

                                          @OldSurferDude said in Bootloading a barebones arduino:

                                          My question is, would this work to program a raw Atmega328p chip?

                                          Yes, I think that is the aim: turn one 328 into an ISP programmer so that it can 'burn' another 328 via the ICSP connectors. And by 'burn' I mean either the bootloader program, or any other program of your choosing.

                                          OldSurferDudeO Offline
                                          OldSurferDudeO Offline
                                          OldSurferDude
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          @Larson, you got me thinking and I reviewed the Arduino page on boot loading. It is pretty clear that the Arduino IDE can either load a program or a bootloader. The bootloader code that will reside on the target is part of the Arduino IDE. One only needs to select the Arduino type.

                                          On another note, I was thinking about trying this myself. I went to the link from which you ordered your ATmeg328P and found that the delivered cost (to the USA) was about the same as the delivered price for an Arduino Nano knockoff with bootloader already programmed. I add this information because there are those among us that do not have the skill and experience to do what you are doing.

                                          Personally, I think what you're doing is pretty awesome and I wish you success.

                                          OSD

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