HackerBoxes

https://arduino-esp8266.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Tinning the thin wire with solder can build it up so that it is easier to work with.Note that you can also use a "3.5mm Audio Breakout Module" and an uncut 3.5mm cable to "breakout" the audio cable pins onto a solderless breadboard. It requires more parts, but it is certainly "easier".

Yes, the tabs on the sides of the rotary encoder should go into the corresponding slots on the PCB.

We're looking into this for you to see if we can figure it out. Just as a random note, when a transistor is drawings too much current (overheating) it may likely be due to one of the resistors around it not being the correct value.

It's a single layer PCB, so you can basically see the schematic on the bottom side of the board. This schematic is from a slightly different version, but if you wanted to, you could start with this one and find the minor differences on your PCB.

We suggest a "CR1220 3V lithium button cell" in the instructions. Did that not work?

When debugging anything, always isolate as much as you can - divide and concur. For example here, it seems there is no power at the Pro Mini... How about at the PL2303 USB bridge module? Is the power LED on the PL2303 lit when you plug it into a computer? Try to disconnect the PL2303 USB bridge from the Pro Mini and check out the PL2303 by itself. LED now? Check the VCC coming off of the PL2303. If that is good then double check the wiring from the there to the Arduino and go out from the source step by step until you see where the breakdown is. Most likely something not connected.

True, but in this case it is just VCC with a typo. Some past versions have had the text oriented the other way around, so we are guessing that the confusion/typo was caused by the fact that an upside-down V looks a lot like an A to someone who does not normally use this alphabet.

The "ACC" pin is VCC. "ACC" isn't really a thing - probably just a typo.Here's a little FYI:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC_power-supply_pin

Those LED Matrix instructables are just for inspiration of ideas on what you might want to do with the LED matrix. Doing something cool with the matrix was intended to be sort of an "exercise to the reader." Give it a shot. If confusion prevails, we can post a specific example to build off of. :)

Here are a couple videos from Electro-Anarchy...Unboxing HackerBox #0008 - CLOCKWORKBuilding The Digital Clock from HackerBox #0008

Be sure to use the 5V from the PL2303 (not the 3.3V) also attach the to the VCC and GND the short edge of the Pro Mini (not the long side). Lastly, check the solder joints on the pins. Hopefully one of these will get you to blinking.

All of the PL2303 modules we sourced were made on the same production run. A given outdated driver install that flagged one of the PL2303 chips as "counterfeit" would have certainly had the same problem with all of them.Similarly, all of the Pro Minis that we sent out should be the same. Again, from the same recent production run. Can you share how yours looks different? It should have a white reset button (not that the color actually means anything) and the silk screen on the back should say "The Simple Arduino-Pro-Mini".Unfortunately, 99 out of a 100 problems with these Pro Minis are going to be related to soldering mishaps. They are pretty tiny and there are are a lot of ways for them to get messed up in that process - overheating, accidental splatter, cold j...see more »All of the PL2303 modules we sourced were made on the same production run. A given outdated driver install that flagged one of the PL2303 chips as "counterfeit" would have certainly had the same problem with all of them.Similarly, all of the Pro Minis that we sent out should be the same. Again, from the same recent production run. Can you share how yours looks different? It should have a white reset button (not that the color actually means anything) and the silk screen on the back should say "The Simple Arduino-Pro-Mini".Unfortunately, 99 out of a 100 problems with these Pro Minis are going to be related to soldering mishaps. They are pretty tiny and there are are a lot of ways for them to get messed up in that process - overheating, accidental splatter, cold joint, etc - even for those very experienced with soldering. Please shoot a note to support@hackerboxes.com so we can help you out!