AVR Programmer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2013, 04:06:14 pm
content: Hello ! I'm not decided what AVR programmer to buy . I found something : Pololu AVR USB Programmer . Is good for something , or you can recommand me one better ? But no more expensive than 20$

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2013, 05:33:08 pm
content: Quote from: bogdan2013 on February 01, 2013, 04:06:14 pmLet's see. It's compatible with STK500 and offers a TTL-level serial port. Should be ok for tiny and mega.

author: UPI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2013, 05:41:08 pm
content: I use a Pololu AVR USB Programmer for ATmega328P based devices with AVR STudio 5.1 and it all works well.

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2013, 06:21:04 pm
content: Thanks ! I will try it

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 04:44:06 pm
content: I bought it and I have a problem : the red led is blinking . Avrdude say something about "timeout" and Atmel Studio 6.0 say "Unable to connect to tool STK500" . All drivers was installed .

author: selkathguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 05:32:40 pm
content: Quote from: bogdan2013 on February 06, 2013, 04:44:06 pmHmm, I hate to be the one to say this, but this is why I bought an official Atmel programmer like the AVR Dragon. If you're going to be programming AVRs for as cheap as possible, I wouldn't go below that. Time is valuable to me so I would rather not spend all the time trying to figure out the requirements and details of a third party programmer. If you're programming PICs use the PicKit, etc. The Dragon is only like 50 bucks, and you've spent nearly half that. It is worth saving up for if you can't afford it yet. It allows you to do pretty much everything you need to do on the chip right over USB and works with Atmel Studio seamlessly and other external tools as well.More importantly, more people will be able to help you out with the facets of the Atmel programmers than with a Pololu programmer. Again the Dragon is what I use and it was only like 50 bucks. I am new here as well so take what I say with a grain of salt.

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 06:20:56 pm
content: A solution , something ?

author: UPI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 06:32:55 pm
content: Have you tried the FAQs?http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1300/faqsAre you seeing the Com Port listed in Device Manager? You should be using the one that is listed as "Programmer" if I remember correctly.BTW - The Pololu will not power the target. You should power up the target before connecting the Pololu to it.

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 06:45:07 pm
content: I use Windows 8 . I will try to power-up my mega32 with a DC PSU and i will reply if working or no .

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 08:18:11 pm
content: Still nothing ...http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4476/33548113.png

author: DaveHardy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 08:26:40 pm
content: You might not like my answer, but I suggest using AVR Studio 4. It is a lot less complicated. Also, if I remember correctly, ISP frequency should be about 1/8 of your microprocessor clock. Most PSU's under light load will read over 5v too.

author: UPI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 08:27:33 pm
content: I see you have it set to COM 2. Is that where the Pololu shows up in Device Manager?Did you do an "Add Programmer" first?

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2013, 08:42:59 pm
content: Yep . I found the problem : the cable ( pins ) . Now another problem : avrdude : "ser_open(): can't open device "\\.\COM2" : Acces is denied . "On AVR Studio say to upgrate the firmware , and when i try to upgrade firmware "No AVR Tool connected ...."

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 12:09:57 pm
content: are you in australia? if so I'll happily send you an stk500 I have spare. send me a PM if you are interested. I'll even pay for shipping (if you are in australia).

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 12:51:54 pm
content: No , I'm from Romania ...http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6337/15653535.pngand on avrdudehttp://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8802/31194580.png

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2013, 01:23:31 pm
content: Don't waste your time in command line third party software... pay the fifty bucks for an AVR Dragon or ISP programmer and download AVR Studio 6.

author: bogdan2013
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2013, 06:21:02 pm
content: I found the problem : was from that RESET pin . It works great !