How to fix dead atmega and attiny avr chips

Atmega fusebit doctor, as name says it, device for repairing dead Atmega and Attiny family AVRs by writing fabric fusebits. Most common mistakes or problems are a wrong clock source (CKSEL fusebits), disabled SPI programming (SPIEN fuse) or disabled reset pin (RSTDISBL fuse). This simple and cheap circuit will fix you uC in a fraction of a second.

If in first case we can help ourself with clock generator, then in 2nd and 3rd cases bring uC back to life is impossible with standard serial programmer. Most of people do not decide to build parallel programmer because its inconvenient and its cheaper and faster to buy new uC.



Project site - how to fix AVR fusebits

Step 1 Sockets

This circuit use the high-voltage parallel and serial programming method. Atmega8(doctor) has saved in it’s memory signatures of 96 (so far) AVR Atmega and Attiny uC’s, just put your dead avr in socket, press the START button, and enjoy your good-as-new processor.

There are three slots on board, for most common AVR’s, pins compatible with: DIP28 Atmega8, DIP20 Attiny2313, and DIP40 Atmega32 compatible processors.

There is also an extra goldpin connector with all signals so you can attach adapters:
-the "#1 HVPP adapter" with DIP20-B Attiny26 and DIP40-B Atmega8515 compatible
-the "HVSP adapter" for tiny DIP8 Attiny13 and DIP14 Attiny24 compatible.
-your own adapters for other types of processors, in trough-hole or surface-mounted, you can use the breadboard for this – just connect signals to correct pins. How? Check your AVR datasheet, go to “memory programming” and then “parallel programming” – check the signal names, all signals are described under the DIP40 slot.

Comments

[avrguy]

http://www.microcontrollerprog.com
under $30, not worth to build one yourself.

[chaserled]

under $30 i rather buy one hv programmer can also fix fusebit under$40

[doduta]

The firmaware is a fake !
The sotware size is to big to flash memory ,ATmega8 ,12Kb .
Exemple :
atmega_fusebit_doctor_2.01_BETA.HEX = 21KB
atmega_fusebit_doctor_2.09_m168.hex =31 KB

If use first-release-03-05-2010 ,the microcontroler ATmega 8 is blocked !!
i d'ont recomand to test this softawre ,only scop of autor is to damage your microcontroler !!
Be carefull !!

[manekinen]

Go and learn some basics, and stop discredit yourself.

600 comments on project site are also faked?

And BTW, 2.11 firmware and 2h PCB are available, it seems that there are no more bugs at all :) Version 2.1x brings new feature, you can send your own fuses etc to uC trough terminal.

It supports 145 chips now.

Also, PCBs will be available to ship worldwide :)

Sorry for not posting news here, got no time :(

[artuhm]

I tried it but doesn´t work, the green led is on but i can´t see the repaired atmega8 with avrdude.

[manekinen]

Update your hardware and firmware (2.08 will be available today on project site) and then reply if it worked. I assume that you use 2.03 and you do not written eeprom file properly.

Also, to be up to date with updates - http://twitter.com/manekinen

[Crashcompie]

Nice, i was looking for something like this. keep it up!.

[frollard]

Nice chip fixer! I can't say I muddle with the bits in the chips all that often, but if I did this would be a handy time and dollar saver :D

[Nerdz]

Very good job, the PCB looks excellent. I never could get my silk screens to turn out that good when I ironed them on.