Simplest 128 atmega programmer
Atmega 128 is like other AVR microcontrollers. They are ISP – is in-system programmable. Earlier I wrote an article about AVR ISP programmer where 74HC244 buffer is used. Using buffer is safer for your AVR.

But what if you need 128 atmega programmer without any parts, then you can connect your microcontroller directly to LPT port or use protection resistors (220R) just in case. of course circuit works without resistors, but you put your LPT port at risk.
Just connect GND, SCK, MISO, MOSI and RESET to adequate LPT pins and you can program atmega’s flash memory without removing it from socket. Programming software can be PonyProg
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July 16th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Thank’s for your information. It’s a good web (with a spirit of Ubuntu)
October 6th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
“device missing or unknown device(-24)”
massage is displayed
“ignore” not fix it
Plese help.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Doe’s your PonyProg settings look like:

November 14th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/pio5438/128.jpg
I had try the programmer but cannt work?
What I missed??
January 9th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
did it work or not
July 26th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
[...] Really simple AVR ISP programmer for ATmega128 – uses just parallel port and a few resistors [...]
August 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Can i use that for atmega8 ?
August 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
yes you can. it works wit all AVR microcontrollers that support ISP programming interface.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:03 am
I made a simple serial-port isp programmer. The control lines are the same,i just use a tri-state buffer to “protect” the avr. (It’s working because I’ve successfully tested it with 90s2313)
Then I connected it to mega128: miso/mosi lines connected to chip’s E1 and E0, reset pulled-high (10k), 8mhz crystal (22pF capacitors), sck, every gnd and vcc connected (i also connected agnd)
Reading failed (invalid signature)…
I examined the datasheet carefully and noted PEN\ pin… It says it should be kept low for spi programming…I tried to program the chip both ways (PEN\ untouched, and holding it low) but none worked. however ponyprog atmega128 connection schematic doesn’t mention any connection to this pin. I would like to know what’s the correct configuration…
btw…the distance between the programmer and the avr is about 20cm of ordinary wire.. (with a breadboard in the middle of the way…) can it interfere?
Thank you!
August 4th, 2008 at 7:20 am
For Atmega128 The MOSI/MISO pins are PE0 and PE1 for data in SPI Programming mode. Look in Atmega128 datasheet page 304.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:35 am
yes…i said that on the first msg(pins E1 and E0)…. i double checked it again, and It keeps unworking.. what can it be?… I shorted the crystal connection… (the 10mhz crystal was 20cm away from the chip).. can it be an “isp-unprogramable” chip? or is the chip damaged anyhow?
August 5th, 2008 at 1:01 am
btw…can the avr get damaged by a static discharge? I have always handled it by hand…i noticed that when i hold the device on reset, some IO pins remain high….that isn’t normal, is it?
October 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Can i use that for atmega32 ?
October 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Of course you can. It is same ISP programmer for all AVR microcontrolles.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
i get “device missing or unknown device(-24)†with exactly the same circuit as above and the powerlines.
i got atmega162 and im using lpt1 (with reset inverted)
tnx
amir_am0002@yahoo.com
October 18th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
i now stuck at writing program part.
i tested the probe and it is fine.
then i try is it can detect my chip, then i click read device, and it can run.
then i open my hex file, when i press write , and it stuck and my pc hang at there, any steps i done wrong or …any step i miss it?? thx for last msg reply since the last msg b4 i post is on august,..very happy..thx
March 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
LPT pins 20 : 25 should be connected to ground. I’ll test that.
March 29th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
hi guys..
want to ask ur favour..can u give me the spi connection circuit of atmega 16 using ps2 joystick?
May 4th, 2009 at 6:33 am
hi guys.. i’ve also tired this technique.. but not working. Ponyprog says error (-24) device not found. anyupdate?? what have i done wrong?? idea ? i’m using ATMEGA32L PLZ PLZ PLZ help.. i need it very badly.
May 8th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Working from first try with ATMEGA 8/8L
Thank you.
Lucian