I’ve made a small program that can be used to upload your own *.hex files to arduino boards using the bootloader. That means you don’t need a flash programmer. I made it for my own use and found it pretty useful. So now I’ve made a more user friendly version..
To use it compile you’re code in something like AvrStudio. Then simply start XLoader.exe, pick a hex file and press upload. That’s it.
Good news it now also supports Arduino Uno.
Hope you find it useful… Please contact me about bugs or suggestions.
Finally XLoader is out of beta, thanks to Cameron for beta testing. It should now also work with mega2560.
@Cameron
I’m not sure the mail went out, some problems with the mail system. But it should be in your inbox
If you would like to make a donation, some bitcoins are always appreciated
My address: 1EB4ortk9maMyfPgifgBYSVMdMZWToQjbB
Hello! Thank You for the awesome program! Question: can your program pulse the DTR line or whatever on the FTDI chip right before it uploads? the reason is, due to the location of the arduino (deep inside my engine bay) it is A LOT of work to get the arduino to reset. I believe the arduino IDE pulses this line before, and after the upload. It would be AWESOME if you can do that… and if you do, please email me a donation link so i can show my appreciation
fwiw, I am also interested in the mega 2560 beta, as i’m about to start using those now that the mega1280 is not available
coooooooooooooooooooooool man
@Evan Richardson
As of now I don’t want to go open source, maybe in the future.
Yes it’s using avrdude it also helps you reset the Arduino and make life a little easier, then using Avrdude.
any chance of getting the source posted? I’ve been looking to integrate “firmware” updating in a dot.net app I wrote to control my arduino project, while I’m pretty sure your app is just feeding command line args to avrdude, would like to be able to confirm what they are. If not I understand. Thanks, and nice clean UI!
The solution is to use ‘arduino’ as the programmer when uploading to the Uno and using ‘wiring’ as the programmer when uploading to the Mega.
@quarters
Please tell me if it works…
It’s in the mail
@d
No it uploads the same way as the arduino software
You mentioned a beta version for the Mega 2560. Can you please send me a version? Thanks!
it does not overide the bootloader right?
I think I know what the problem is. If you would like to be a beta tester on this, give me your contact information and I’ll send you a test version.
I tried Mega(ATMEGA2560);m2560;115200 but the upload failed. It would be good if it worked. Very handy utility, especially if you dont want to share your source code.
@TK
You can try this (untested):
Open devices.txt (same folder as XLoader.exe) and add “Mega(ATMEGA2560);m2560;115200”
Now you can choose Mega(ATMEGA2560) in the drop down list. Please tell me if it works I’ll add it to the next version.
Hello, does this program also support the Arduino Atmega2560?
I always recive a upload failed message.
@Mark Windrim
I haven’t seen this before.. Try re-downloading the tool or check the downloaded file with the GPG-sign I uploaded. Are you sure .Net is installed correctly.
@tuti
Try changing port in device manger as i said. Also you can’t upload new code without a reset of the board first. Try a google search, this has been done before. Or try programming trough usb then use BT for comm.
I cannot get this tool to launch. It immediately crashes – Windows 7 Home Premium. Here’s the error generated:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
Problem Signature 01: xloader.exe
Problem Signature 02: 1.0.0.0
Problem Signature 03: 4e8a201d
Problem Signature 04: System.Windows.Forms
Problem Signature 05: 4.0.0.0
Problem Signature 06: 4da404ee
Problem Signature 07: 233e
Problem Signature 08: 5d
Problem Signature 09: System.ArgumentOutOfRange
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
@admin
I try on arduino software, arduino uploader and yourprogram. I connected tx,rx and power supply only. Should I wire sth else to rst port? I changed port com, for few seconds there is port in arduino settings, but it disapear and make error ‘there is no selected port – change port’.
Thanks for quick answer, this is very important to me.
@tuti
Try changing the emulated comport, you can do this in device manager. Are you using Xloader og arduino software to upload??
PS your arduino needs to be reset before the upload can happen.
hi,
how to check what uses com port??
i have a huge problem with my arduino. I want to upload program by BT module, but COM port which sends data is always in use by something so I couldnt set this port in arduino software and in uploader
please heeeelp
@BuFu
Have you tried just adding this to the “devices.txt” file in the Xloader folder. This should make XLoader compatible with your device…
@liudr
Glad to see you like it, I’ve seen quite an increase in popularity lately. As for the license I should probably include a license in the new revision. As for a quick answer, it’s free to use but please just post a link instead of posting the program.
@BuFu
Well I don’t have this board so I can’t test, but if it’s a clone of Arduino Mega it should work. If not please contact me and I’ll look in to it.
@BuFu
yaaaay! after i spent few hours (being a complete noob) i successfully uploaded the hex on my chipkit max32 arduino mega clone… i entered folder where arduino processing software is (mpide.exe) opened hardware/tools/avr then hold shift and right click, press Open Command Window Here and typed:
avrdude.exe -C ../etc/avrdude.conf -c stk500v2 -P COM3 -p pic32 -b 115200 -U flash:w:”C:\Users\Fr0sty\Desktop\Laser\simen-grbl-74576a8\grbl.hex”:i -v
succes!
Is there any chance you can make it compatible with chipkit max32 (arduino mega clone)
Great tool! I was able to upload to UNO a long program. Highly recommended! There should be a lot of people that want this program on arduino forum. Any recent posts?
BTW, the about says all rights reserved. So what is the license of the software to its users? Thanks.
Thanks a million that saved me from having to teach students Arduino framework as I want to teach them the assembly and dirty stuff first.
great program, really nice!!!
keep up the good work!
Thanks for all the input. I have not had much time for this lately, but I’ll look in to all your comments and make a beta version.
Hi,
Thanks for publishing the software, it became very useful to me. Working on Duemilanove (328) without any problem. As an advice you can change the status text (at bottom left corner) while starting to upload. It will be nice while tweaking the code where you need to upload over and over again.
Regards,
bekir
Hello,
I have a problem. we get a signal 79 after running.
And, RaiseException in from C:\\WINDOWS\system32\kernel132.dll
Any idea ?
Good evening
Uploads to Duemilanove (328) but will not upload to Uno.
@Matt
I had to use this to successfully send using AVRDude… I had to take out the baud rate parameter: -F -v -pm328p -cstk500v1 -P\\.\COM3 -D -Uflash:w:”C:myfile.hex”:i
I’m just tried with Uno as well, and received Upload Failed. Using the 328 and baud of 115200 as well. Any other ideas?
Parabéns pelo software.
nice tiny tool, works fine with my chinese duemilanove clone, thanks
I cant see why using Duemilanove/Nano (ATMega328) and baud rate 115200 should not work on UNO. Could you try running cmd and typing avrdude.exe to check what version you have?
I am currently testing it with Arduino Uno, but it returns “Upload failed”.
Using Arduino Uno (ATMega32) with original bootloader, USB cable on port COM10.
XLoader settings:
), no luck.
Duemilanove/Nano (ATMega328)
COM10
Baud rate 115200, tried also the original 57600 and even 9600
If you will modify the project and don’t have an Arduino Uno to test it, then I am willing to do it for you.
Yes it should work on UNO. But i dont have one to test on. Are you still having trouble?
Hello,
Thanks for this usefull utility. Is it working with arduino uno?
I tried it but it freezed and nothing happened.
Thank you very much ! and happy year !