Writing hex file with usb to serial and pony prog

[rox2007]

I am designing the photovore robot and got stuck while writing to the mcu. i am using a usb to serial cable to connect my avr serial dongle to the mcu but every time i try to write i get the common error 

"device missing or unknown device error"

can anyone help me please .
The connection to the mcu is correct. I dont know what i am doing wrong

[airman00]

using Vista?

[rox2007]

nope, i'm using XP and using a usb to serial cable.

[Admin]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=1116.0

[rox2007]

i am using the cheap programmer you suggested. and i looked aT th at post

[Admin]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_faq.shtml#circuit_debug

let us know the voltage results . . .

and if that still checks out . . . I suspect your usb to serial adaptor is causing the problem. I had problems with it and others have commented it is probably the cause of those problems.

[rox2007]

I. Checked the voltages, the voltages are correct the programmer is getting the right voltage, 5v. I think the cable is bad.  I might just get the expensive one

[gamefreak]

wait, check your reset wire, mine broke(took me a while to notice) and it said that error with a -24 after it.

[rox2007]

I guess I could try that. But what do you mean by rest wire. Thank you for your help.

[gamefreak]

sorry I mean reset wire

[Trumpkin]

mine said error -24 and i just had a bridge on the programmer header.

[rox2007]

i checked the reset wire and it was ok. i wanted to ask if the reset pin, on the atmega, should be connected to the ground if you dont have a reset button?

[rox2007]

Good News,
I got it to work.
i got a desktop and used the comport on it. i guess you cant use usb to rs322 cables. i read somewhere that it is best to use a pcmia card.
thanks for your help.

[paulstreats]

most usb to serial adapters only emulate the rx and tx pins of a serial port so if atmega programmers require the other pins then youre stuck