Arduino Uno not Detecting on Laptop

Question

I have an Arduino Uno. The story is I installed Arduino IDE and Drivers before even buying an Arduino Board. I used it a little and when I bought and connected an arduino board, I was unable to make it detect. I smacked a little usimg google and was able to somehow Fix this. but again another day, It worked a little and started creatimg problems. now its not detecting. Please suggest me a way To make it work... Should I format my windows 7 and Reinstall all the drivers as per rules?

• Nick Gammon: Is this a genuine Uno or a cheap clone? Should I format my windows 7 - no, I doubt that would achieve anything.
• Kumar rajit: Its a cheap clone. Can You suggset a measure to fix this ??
• Nick Gammon: Clones tend to need different device drivers than a genuine board. Did it ever work?
• Kumar rajit: when i first connected, it did not work. but i tried to make it work. and after 3 hours i could make it work. i tested blink programs and controlled a servo using diffrent sketches. but another day, its not detecting on my laptop. Last time I had uploaded Blink program. When i connect the board with computer, the 'ON' led and Onboard pin 13 LED blinks as per program. But my computer cant detect it at all.
• Kumar rajit: I installed the driver of that clone from that link but no effect

Answer 1

under the IDE make sure you have set the correct board and comm port. go to tools>>board then choose your board then tools>>Comm to choose the correct comm port.

is the IDE saying anything about having problems connecting to the board?

and no re-installing all drivers should not be necessary.

• Kumar rajit: When I goto tools >> comm The selection area is greyed and inactive. should i Try to Reflash the atmega ??
• Ximidar: That means it really isn't detecting the arduino at all. Try unplugging the arduino for about 3 minutes, then plug it back in on a different USB port. Is the arduino a genuine one or a clone? do you have a link to where you bought it?
• Nick Gammon: Slow down a bit. Don't reflash the Arduino. Don't re-install Windows 7. Do you want to change houses as well? Try to do some simple debugging. I don't understand this part: I smacked a little usimg google and was able to somehow Fix this.
• Nick Gammon: Please see Have I bricked my Arduino Uno? Problems with uploading to board.
• Kumar rajit: Yes, my computer is not detecting the arduino at all. Today, I re-installed Windows 7, but still not detecting. "I smacked a little usimg google and was able to somehow Fix this" means that when I got this problem, I searchd this on Googl and re-installed arduino drivers. It startd working but only for a day. Nxt day, Sam Problem. How Can I try debugging, as you said??