USBASP Bootloading a ATMega328p With a 8mhZ Internal Clock

What are we going to do is program an ATMega328P without an external crystal by using USBASP programmer and the Arduino IDE.
Why would we want this? It uses less components and gets up closer to knowing how to program with something like WINAVR and because programming is fun an addicting. Not everything runs on Arduino, but it is a great place to start.

I use an USBASP clone programmer from my local electronics store. I have read this same procedure can be done on and Arduino board, but i have not been unsuccessful at making that work.

Step 1: Connections

If you follow the ISP Header 6-pin and connect the
MISO to the MISO on the chip
SCK to SCK on the chip.
You get the idea.
You could do all this on a breadboard or you could use the avr target board fournd here.
Additionally you can get some good help here

The 6-Pin header is on the USBASP.

Step 2: Board Files

If your board selection does not look like mine where is says " ATMEGA 328 on a breadboard (8MHz internal clock) " then you need to install the board files i have provided.
Even if you do have the " ATMEGA 328 on a breadboard (8MHz internal clock) " showing but it is not working then you need to install my files.

The only difference is the last line. atmega328bb.build.variant=arduino:standard

Step 3: How Do I Install This File?

This where my files are. Hopefully yours will be simulare.
So to get to where we need to be,
Open up the:
Sketch book file
next Hardware
next Arduino
next boards
and you are there.
Open the boards file in notepad. Once opened you will need to go to the bottom and just copy and past my file there.
Follow the pictures please.
DO NOT forget to hit save !

Step 4: Installed Now What?

In the Arduino IDE, select the tools menu then Boards and make sure the ATMEGA 328 on a breadboard (8MHz internal clock) is highlighted.
Also in tools select the Programmer and choose USBasp.
Lastly in tools select Burn Bootloader and wait as it takes a minute or so.
We do not worries about what serial port because we are using this is USB and not serial.

Step 5: What Happened?

After pressing Burn Bootloader it will say " Burning bootloader ti I/O Board ( this may take a minute) at the bottom of the IDE.
Notice also at the bottom it also the 8MHz board selected.

Next after that is finished it will say " Done burning bootloader "

Possibly there will be some errors showing about sck period and update firmware.
This still works even if those errors are showing, ignore them.

2 People Made This Project!

Footleg made it!
RamakantY3 made it!

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12 Comments

BerkcanA

7 years ago on Introduction

Error while burning bootloader: missing 'bootloader.tool' configuration parameter

Any idea ?

RamakantY3

Tip 4 years ago

If you are on a Mac, remember to right click, show package contents in the Arduino in the downloads folder to get into the path for the boards. Txt

RamakantY3

4 years ago

Very good guide. Was able to make to work on a Mac using the Arduino ide. If someone gets the bootloader.tool or uploader.tool missing, simply use the avrdude value. The boards file has a number of examples, so copy from another section and change the name accordingly. It worked for me.