Having failed to programme an ATtiny85 using the Tiny AVR Programmer (see earlier post) I followed (exactly!) the instructions in https://circuitdigest.com/microcontroller-projects/programming-attiny85-microcontroller-ic-using-arduino
to try to programme the tiny85 using an UNO R3. Having first uploaded the ArduinoISP sketch (ensuring correct board selected) and then connected the tiny85 to the UNO the "Blink" sketch was opened - automatically in a NEW IDE window - the board selected as ATtiny25/45/85 and port set and Programmer as Arduino as ISP when uploaded the error message was "A programmer is required to upload", surely the UNO having had ArduinoISP downloaded should be the programmer.
I'm using IDE version 2.2.1, however I have also tried it on an older version 1.8.19 and thank goodness it works on that (which is on my laptop, not the desktop pc)
So my question is why does it not work on the 2.2.1 IDE version? Is there anything else that I need to update?
Can I get earlier IDE versions i.e. 1.8.19 to download to my desktop?
Hi @robert_david. Due to the configuration of the board you are using, uploading must be done using the "Upload Using Programmer" feature instead of the more common "Upload" feature.
Please select Sketch > Upload Using Programmer from the Arduino IDE menus.
Hopefully this time the "A programmer is required to upload" error will not occur and the upload will be successful.
If the upload still fails, add a reply here on this forum thread to let us know.
Arduino IDE 1.x has a feature that allows boards platform developers to configure the board definition so that the Arduino IDE "Upload" button triggers an "Upload Using Programmer" operation instead of a "Upload" operation as usual. This is useful for boards that always require an "Upload Using Programmer" operation due to not having a serial bootloader.
Unfortunately that "Upload Using Programmer by default" feature hasn't been added to Arduino IDE 2.x yet. This deficiency is tracked by the Arduino IDE developers here:
If you have a GitHub account, you can subscribe to that thread to get notifications of any new developments related to this subject:
Yes, the download links for Arduino IDE 1.8.19 are listed on the official "Software" page here:
Many thanks for an excellent explanation. Unfortunately a family problem means I do not have time today to follow your advice. I will asap and report back.
ptillish, Arduino team,
Having sorted family problem I have now had time to folow your advice - which works! So many thanks.
I have noted the other points (fault tracking by Arduino developers) and getting updates via GitHub
Many thanks for a very well considered and constructive reply.
