Otherwise, it doesn't touch the serial port until you press upload. The only they it might do in the background is poll for what serial ports are available. It is difficult to provide much help in that case. You're working with a board few people use and a USB to Serial chip even fewer people use. They are well tested and used by a large number of people. One suggestion might be an official Arduino board. Is anyone willing to suggest a product that I could use instead of this one? It is a simple 8-bit microcontroller board. This isn't a complex PC with hundreds of layers. The only "firmware" is the bootloader programmed on the ATmega328 and possibly the USB to Serial Chip, depending on which one is being used. It is a PCB with a USB to Serial chip, Voltage Regulator, and ATmega328. The "Arduino Technology" isn't that complex. I called it a "firmware upgrade" but the truth is I'm not sure if "firmware" is the right word. If so, then I think that means it’s a software problem, anything from the OS to the Arduino software. If not, then it’s not the hardware that’s giving me the problem. However I’m starting to wonder if I did do that would I have the same problem as I’m having now. I was able to hack the v1.0 software to make the Keyboard routines visible but I don’t want to have to do that again. I don’t want to go back to v1.0 of the software because I need the Keyboard routines. Most of the Arduino things I’ve seen online require an experienced hardware guy to build around them.
Is anyone willing to suggest a product that I could use instead of this one? My wish is that the device plug into my USB port without me having to to any hardware modifications like soldering or jumpers or suchlike, as I don’t have hardware tools. I’m new to Arduino technology so I’m not sure if it’s firmware, microcode, or something else. I called it a “firmware upgrade” but the truth is I’m not sure if “firmware” is the right word. But I got the old one upgraded anyway by the company and that one won’t work either now. By purchasing a new Stealthduino I wouldn’t need to apply the firmware upgrade.
But in any case I did install the drivers today and they made no difference. So if you think I need to install drivers, why weren’t drivers required under Arduino software v1.0? That is puzzling me. I’ve been using v1.0 for six months with no drivers and no problems. Nonetheless may I point out that drivers were never necessary under Arduino software v1.0. Nick you are a smart guy and I appreciate your help, and I’m sorry if I upset you.