Chip Preparation

Follow these instructions to prepare your own modchip. If you prefer getting a chip that is ready to install, contact me. If I get enough requests I might start selling pre-flashed chip + leds for a nominal fee.

1. Download the Arduino IDE (latest stable version from https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software) and install it.
2. Download the MegaDrive++ sketch and save it in a directory with the same name in your Arduino sketch folder. If you have no such folder, run the Arduino IDE once and it will be created.
3. Select Open from the File menu and navigate to where you saved MegaDrive++.

From this point on, instructions vary depending on what board/chip you are targeting:

Full Arduino Board

This procedure is very easy to carry out. Actually, it takes more time to read through it than to run it! One of the reasons why I maintain an Arduino target is to enable anyone to program their own chips, even people who have never programmed a chip before: most Arduinos can be connected to the computer with a simple USB cable, so everything is pretty straightforward.

1. Make sure that the type of board in the Tools menu corresponds to the actual board you are using.
2. Connect your board through USB.
3. Select Upload from the Sketch menu.

If no errors show up, your board is ready!

Stand-alone ATtiny chip

If you are targeting a bare ATtiny chip you will need an ICSP programmer, or you can use an Arduino board following the instructions at https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP.

1. Install ATTinyCore: just go to https://github.com/SpenceKonde/ATTinyCore/blob/master/Installation.md and follow the instructions under Board Manager Installation. Make sure it shows up under Boards in your Arduino IDE.
2. Connect your chip through the ICSP programmer and select the right programmer type under Programmer in the Tools menu.
3. Select the right type of chip under Board in the Tools menu and set the following options:
   • Board: ATtiny XX Series (Depending on the actual chip you are using)
   • B.O.D.: B.O.D. Enabled (4.3v)
   • Clock: 8 MHz (Internal) BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS!
   • Chip: Choose the actual chip you are using
   • Port: Choose whatever port you connected your programmer to.
4. Select Burn Bootloader from the Tools menu. Wait for the Done burning bootloader message to appear.
5. Select Upload Using Programmer from the Sketch menu.

If no errors show up, your chip is ready!