Known Errors

Problem: The Arduino IDE crashes under Linux, especially when I upload a Sketch

Description

The IDE randomly crashes, usually after uploading a sketch.

Solution

No solution so far. The problem occurs even with the latest 1.0.6 and the Beta. Our guess is that the problem lies somewhere in the Java RXTX implementation.
Sorry for that, nothing we can do about it.

Problem: The USB port of the BRIX₂ changes after I upload a sketch.

Description

The portname changes, for example from /dev/ttyACM0 to /dev/ttyACM1 after uploading a sketch.

Solution

There is no real solution for this. The reason is that BRIX₂ is reset after the upload process by the IDE. This happens to make sure your sketch starts properly. However each reset of the module leads to a disconnect and connect on the USB port. The operating system does not free the USB ports immediately after the disconnect. So when BRIX₂ reconnects, the old USB port name is already taken and the operating system chooses a new one. This way it can happen that the port name toggles for example between /dev/ttyACM0 and /dev/ttyACM1. Depending on the timing of the whole situation or your operating system, it might not change at all, or all the time or get a completely new port all the time.
Sorry for that, nothing we can do about it.

Problem: BRIX₂ does not show up as a USB device anymore when I plug it in.

Description

Problem: My sketch does not upload anymore.

Description

All of a sudden, sketches can no longer be uploaded anymore. Sometimes the BRIX₂ does not even show up on the USB ports at all. This is most likely caused by a broken bootloader. Some sketches can break the bootloader at runtime, by writing data to a memory location which is also used by the bootloader code. This means you can write a sketch that basically bricks your BRIX₂. (see http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=141812.0)

Solution

Now there are two possibilities:

1.: When you disconnect the BRIX₂ from USB and turn it on, it shows the blue breathing pattern on the LED

You're in luck! Try this: Turn off BRIX₂ and connect it to USB. In your Arduino IDE, go to File->Preferences and enable verbose output during upload. This allows you to see what's happening during the upload in the console (The black part with white/red text on the bottom of your Arduino window.) Now try to upload a sketch. At some point, Arduino will try to access your USB port repeatedly. There will be something like PORTS {} / {} => {} in the console. That is when you turn on the Module. It might take a little practise to get the timing right, but if you do it right, there is a good chance that the sketch will upload.

2.: When you disconnect the BRIX₂ from USB and turn it on, it directly starts the sketch (or does nothing)

You need to press the reset button. The problem is that no recent BRIX₂ module has such a reset button. But we offer you Extension Modules with reset buttons that you can easily use. Just contact us and we will help you. Once you have your reset button, turn on your BRIX₂, connect it via USB and press the reset button right after you clicked "upload". This should do the trick.