# Olimex AVRISP programmer won't enter programming mode.

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/olimex-avrisp-programmer-wont-enter-programming-mode/31602>\
**Category:** MicroMod\
**Tags:** avr-atmel\
**Created:** [September 21, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/olimex-avrisp-programmer-wont-enter-programming-mode/31602 "2015-09-21T15:47:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![noobay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/919ad9/32.png) [@noobay](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/noobay)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/olimex-avrisp-programmer-wont-enter-programming-mode/31602/1 "2015-09-21T15:47:37Z")

</div>

Hello, I’m new here 🙂

So I have my Olimex USB([https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8702](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8702)) programmer that is connected to an Atmega8-16pu via a 6 pin connector without an external oscillator, and with external power to the circuit from a wall-plugged ~120VAC to 5VDC USB converter.

it worked completely fine using AtmelStudio 6.2, i managed to program it and modify the circuit until(after a day or two of successful operation) I suddenly saw the message -

"Unable to enter programming mode.

Failed to enter programming mode. ispEnterProgMode: Error status received: Got 0x80, expected 0x00 (Command timed out)"

Steps I took to fix the problem were:

\*I removed all the connections to the MCU except for the programmer’s,

\*I double checked the pins

\*Replaced the chip with another atmega8-16pu

\*reflashed the Programmer’s firmware

\*I went to AVR freaks, I was told to remove the programmer’s driver from my PC, restart and replug+reinstall the driver,

so I did, it didn’t work.

I am lost ☹

What might be the cause of it? how can I check for the cause?

Thank you in advance! :geek: