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I am A Newbie to Arduino

I have a Windows 7 PC. Last Time I bought an Arduino Uno Clone but after working for a day, it stopped detecting on the port. So I bought a new Clone Of different brand. Now I Want in which sequence should I install its drivers, Coonect it, Unzip Arduino IDE...Reboot??

I dont want a problem this time. Another question is Should I first connect the clone and then Install its drivers Or first install drivers and then plug the board? When Is the reboot required?

Product Link : https://m.ebay.in/itm?itemId=121708881208

Please Explain... Thanks In Advance

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1  
Tip: Don't buy an "Arduino" from someone that can't even spell "Cable". –  Majenko Aug 18 at 9:18
    
In $US, they are selling it for $7.64. This is indeed cheap. In english, there is a phrase; You get what you pay for. This means in this context, you are paying for low quality. If you can, try to but the real thing. –  PhillyNJ Aug 18 at 10:41

1 Answer 1

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I would like to start by pointing out that you are using a clone. The arduino IDE by default does not support clones. To be more specific, it does not contain the drivers for the CH340G so you will have to install this separately either ways

The reason your board got spoilt the last time definitely was not cause you did not install the drivers in the right order. It could be due to many reasons, few listed below:

  1. Poor PCB quality
  2. Humidity
  3. Cheap USB to UART converter.
  4. Short circuit in your connection

So what I recommend is the either the use of genuine arduino boards if you can afford.

Note: Most likely its only the USB to UART (CH340G) that has been destroyed, you could buy a hot air station and replace the IC, it is a much cheaper solution.

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The clone Uno probably cost $5. A hot air station would be more likely to be 10 to 20 times that much, plus you would need the replacement chip and considerable skill to change it over. –  Nick Gammon Aug 18 at 6:30
    
@NickGammon You do have a point, the only reason I recommended him to replace the IC was since he was getting into electronics he might as well learn to replace an IC. While we are here, have you had any experience with clones as to why the USB to UART chip tends to get fried easily? –  evolutionizer Aug 18 at 6:34
    
No, I don't know that. Possibly they are manufactured "on the cheap" and have lower tolerances. It might save a hundredth of a cent to omit, for example, protection diodes. It seems to work, people buy it, and you can always blame "user error". –  Nick Gammon Aug 18 at 7:19
    
I bought an Arduino Uno Clone - strictly speaking it should be a "Xxxx brand: (Arduino-compatible)". There is only one Arduino Uno, and that is the official one made by Arduino. According to the Arduino FAQ "Arduino" is a trademark of Arduino LLC and should not be used for unofficial variants.. If you mentioned the brand in your question, it might help other people's buying decisions in the future. –  Nick Gammon Aug 18 at 7:24

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