Getting Started with an Arduino

             Hello Guys,In this tutorial I am assuming that you own a Arduino UNO. I will show you how to connect your Arduino board to the computer and test it with a simple sketch.

1)Get your supplies Ready:

So what do you need to get started 

1. Arduino board
2. USB cable(Type A to Type B)
3. Laptop/PC
4. Arduino software (IDE)

Download software: Arduino IDE 1.0.5

      Now install the Arduino software in your computer.

2)Connecting the board & Installing Drivers:

 Connect the Arduino board with your computer using the USB cable.A green colour LED will glow indicating the power is on.

 Now you should install the drivers which will allow your computer to interact with your board through USB port.

Installing Drivers in Windows:

   when you plug the the arduino board to the computer a found new hardware wizard window comes up.

   Anyway windows will fail to install the drivers automatically.

Don't worry Just follow the steps below.

1. Click on the Start Menu, and open up the Control Panel.
2. While in the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security. Next, click on System. 
3. Once the System window is up, open the Device Manager.
4. Look under Ports (COM & LPT). You should see an open port named "Arduino UNO (COMxx)". If there is no COM & LPT section, look under "Other Devices" for "Unknown Device".
   
5. Right click on the "Arduino UNO (COmxx)" if not "Unknown Devices" port and choose the "Update Driver Software" option.
6. Next, choose the "Browse my computer for Driver software" option and click on let me pick the file(ref:pic 6)
   
7. Now click Have a Disk  .
8. Finally, navigate to and select the driver file named "arduino.inf", located in the "Drivers" folder of the Arduino Software download (not the "FTDI USB Drivers" sub-directory). If you are using an old version of the IDE (1.0.3 or older), choose the Uno driver file named "Arduino UNO.inf"
   
   
9. Windows will finish up the driver installation from there.

3) Uploading your First sketch

      Open the arduino software you have downloaded by double clicking on the arduino icon.

                       Now its time to test your board

Step 1: 

Click File -> Example -> Basics -> Blink

Step 2: 

Click Tools->Board

Choose the Right board which you are using from the list of available boards.

Step 3:

Click Tools ->Serial port

Choose the Correct serial port for your board.To know the serial port of the board you can check it in Device manager Under Ports (COM & LPT).It is usally com3 or higher.

Step 4:

Now its time to check your board with an blinking led sketch.

Compile the Blink led program after it click the upload button 

Wait a few seconds - you should see the RX and TX leds on the board flashing. If the upload is successful, the message "Done uploading." will appear in the status bar.

A few seconds after the upload finishes, you should see the pin 13 (L) LED on the board start to blink (in orange). 

If it does then wow congratulation's you have tested your Arduino board and it works fine.

I knew your are too happy after your first hands on experiance with Arduino.

This is just the beginning subscribe for more tutorials!!