Standalone ATMEGA328: Verification mismatch on random byte on -subsequent- uploads only

Question

I have an Arduino Pro Mini as an ISP programmer with the ArduinoISP sketch running on it (19200 baud), and an addition in boards.txt that has a 'Standalone ATMEGA328 8MHz Internal' entry that specifies 8MHz and a bootloader file, along with some other things.

I'm trying to upload a simple blink sketch to an ATMEGA328 (not 328p, though the issue persists with that board as well) with no external components (internal clock)

The Problem

I can flash the bootloader no problem. I can also upload code the first time just fine. The problem is when I try to upload any different code after the first time, it gives a verification mismatch error at a seemingly random byte, complaining that 0xsomebody != 0xsomeotherbyte (also seemingly always different). This usually causes the sketch the stop working, and the LED to behave erratically.

IDE Verbose Outputs

Verbose output for burning the bootloader

Verbose output for first upload of simple sketch: basically Blink.ino

Verbose output for second upload of modified sketch: changed first delay to 1200 (side note: uploading an identical sketch doesn't give the verification mismatch error)

Verbose output for sufficiently different sketch (four digital writes, ie heartbeat example)

The Sketch

void setup() {
 pinMode(6, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
 digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
 delay(1100);
 digitalWrite(6, LOW);
 delay(400);
}

Bootloader Files

This is the boards.txt entry that I'm using:

##############################################################
atmega328bb.name=ATmega328 on a breadboard (8 MHz internal clock)
atmega328bb.upload.protocol=arduino
atmega328bb.upload.maximum_size=30720
atmega328bb.upload.speed=19200
atmega328bb.bootloader.low_fuses=0xE2
atmega328bb.bootloader.high_fuses=0xDA
atmega328bb.bootloader.extended_fuses=0x05
atmega328bb.bootloader.file=atmega/ATmegaBOOT_168_atmega328_pro_8MHz.hex
atmega328bb.bootloader.unlock_bits=0x3F
atmega328bb.bootloader.lock_bits=0x0F
atmega328bb.build.mcu=atmega328
atmega328bb.build.f_cpu=8000000L
atmega328bb.build.core=arduino:arduino
atmega328bb.build.variant=arduino:standard
atmega328bb.bootloader.tool=arduino:avrdude
atmega328bb.upload.tool=arduino:avrdude

I've added this entry to Users/me/Local/Arduino/packages/arduino/hardware/avr/1.6.17 as well as Program Files(x86)/hardware/arduino/avr

Here's the HEX file for the bootloader incase that's useful as well

The Programmer

Here's a schematic of the programmer:

Schematic-Programmer ISP-Header

The solder jumper 'CAP1' is soldered closed.

And the connections to the ATMEGA328

schematic

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

And lastly, a photo of the setup: PCB-Programmer

Thanks in advance

• James Waldby - jwpat7: Bootloader specs might be relevant – generally, bootloader files set the fuses as well as loading boot loader code. ¶ For an ArduinoISP question, I'd expect to see details of what you do to keep the Pro Mini from resetting, wiring diagram, photo of setup, and verbatim pastes of commands you entered and responses you got. Figuring out ArduinoISP problems can be difficult even with all info available first hand; trying to do it at second hand without details isn't worthwhile, IMO.
• Orotavia: Thanks for the info! I've edited my original post to include hopefully all relevant information about my problem.

Answer 1

I got some help from someone today. I oversaw a small detail when using the Arduino IDE with an ISP programmer: Hold shift when uploading to target the MCU at the end of the line rather than the MCU in the programmer.

So yeah, I hold shift when clicking upload and everything works great now. Sometimes it's the simplest things you'd never expect.