Arduino Nano - Unknown USB device

Question

I just bought an Arduino Nano v3.0 (compatible? +- 5$) and I cannot connect it to my computer (Windows 8.1 64bit, Arduino IDE 1.6.8 installed).

The Arduino was bought as a clone but shows GRAVITECH.US on the front. It has a FTDI FT232RL chip (1412-G B8908572) on the back.

When connecting the Arduino the power leds burns the TX and RX led flash a few times (really shortly) and then die. Then the yellow L leds blinks once per second continiously.(power to the Arduino comes from the USB cable, not from external power)

In the system tray I get a message saying

"The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, 
and Windows does not recognize it."

In the device manager I get a node under Universal Serial Bus Controllers:

Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed).

When examining the properties of the device, the device-status is:

Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)
A request for the USB device descriptor failed.

• I tried to reset the device
• I tried different USB cables
• I used another Windows 8.1 PC without Arduino IDE installed
• I used an old XP computer

All give same error.

I read about the bricking of clones by the recent FTDI drivers... I downloaded the FT_Prog tool V3.0.60 to check the PID, but the tool simply does not find the Arduino...

I'm out of ideas... does anyone have some left?

Thanks in advance!

Michiel

Answer 1

I found the issue! There is a bug in the Arduino hardware: https://ketturi.kapsi.fi/2014/04/how-to-fix-moody-arduino-nano/

You need to bridge pins 25 and 26 of the FTDI chip (located at the back of the Arduino) to ground the pin 26 TEST signal. If I connect these pins then it works just fine!

• Chris Stratton: It would be good to summarize the key point - bridging pins 25 and 26 of the FTDI to ground the pin 26 TEST signal, rather than relying on a link for the key element of your answer.
• mvermand: Thanks for the advice, I added the comment to my solution.

Answer 2

I've had this issue before. You can try reuploading the bootloader. If that doesn't work, maybe try re-installing the drivers.