- No bootloader delay when booting.
- Can use the serial port for something else without having to disconnect it to upload.
- Faster.
- Don't have to worry about which bootloader (OPTIBOOT?) and version (today v4.4) to install.
- Can use all of the flash space on the ATmega.
This is based on http://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/Programmer which is dated.
Here are the steps which you only have to do once:
- Close the Arduino (arduino.exe) software.
- Locate your boards.txt file. On windows it is C:\arduino-1.0\hardware\arduino\boards.txt depending on where you
installedunzipped the Arduino download package. - Add the following code to the top of the file. Save and start arduino.exe.
##############################################################
avrispmkii328.name=-- AVRISP mkII - ATmega328 --
avrispmkii328.upload.using=avrispmkii
avrispmkii328.upload.maximum_size=32768
avrispmkii328.upload.speed=115200
avrispmkii328.build.mcu=atmega328p
avrispmkii328.build.f_cpu=16000000L
avrispmkii328.build.core=arduino
avrispmkii328.build.variant=standard
##############################################################
Now you will have a new option under tools->board menu:
Simply select that option to upload your sketch with the AVRISP.
Few things to remember:
- You need external power to upload sketches. This is a little different because normally, the USB cable connected directly to the Arduino board during uploading powers the board.
- When you update or reinstall the Arduino software, your boards.txt will be overwritten. Just bookmark this page for the future.
- Once you upload any sketch, the bootloader is gone until you put it back.
- You will want to burn the bootloader once to new chips to set their fuses.
To put the bootloader back or to install it for the first time on a naked chip:
- Setup the AVRISP mkII just like you would to upload a sketch.
- Open the Arduino software.
- Select Tools-> Board and select the board you have connected.
- Select Tools -> Programmer -> AVRISP mkII.
- Select Tools -> Burn Bootloader.
Hopefully, this will save you a bunch of time while playing developing with the Arduino!
Thanks.