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Atmega32, USBasp, Avrdude: Resolving Error Setting SCK Period & Invalid Device Signature Issues

bigben93 46815 32
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How can I fix avrdude's "cannot set sck period" warning and invalid 0x000000 device signature when programming an ATmega32 with a USBasp?

Close the USBasp SlowSCK jumper and test again; the warning means the programmer has old firmware that cannot change SCK in software, so slow ISP clock mode must be enabled for chips that start with the default 1 MHz internal oscillator [#9126097][#9136650][#9139794] If the link is good, `avrdude -p m32 -c usbasp` should read the ATmega32 signature `1E 95 02`, not `0x000000` [#9126097] If you still get `program enable: target doesn't answer`, recheck the wiring on PB5/PB6/PB7 plus RESET, GND, VCC and AVCC, and make sure the target has proper power and decoupling capacitors [#9130565][#9131736] Also make sure the MCU has a valid clock source; if needed, add a quartz/resonator or another clock source for testing [#9130138][#9131736][#9139794] If all of that is correct and it still reads `0x000000`, the chip itself may be faulty or corrupted, so try another ATmega32 or verify the programmer with a known-good AVR [#9286567][#9131736]
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  • #31 9286567
    gregorr_
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Rate: 3
    I found a solution to my problem. The programmer is fine, everything is fine. The reason for bugs and strange behavior was a corrupt m328p chip.
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  • #32 10921789
    marcin5ta
    Level 12  
    Posts: 29
    Rate: 3
    Hello everyone.
    This topic was raised over a year ago, but I can see that it has not been finally closed.
    While trying to load * .hex file via AVRDude to uC ATMEGA8 using USBASP v2 programmer I got error "warning: cannot set sck period. Please check for usbasp firmware update." I thought I was doing something wrong because these are my first steps in AVR ATMEGA8 programming. It also crossed my mind that the chip I designed or the new USBASP programmer or the processor itself could be the cause of the problem. It turned out, however, that the system, processor and programmer are functional,
    and a substitute solution to the problem is to load the hex file to uC using a program other than AVRDude. I tried to do this using multiple programs but only one ProgISP V1.7.2 worked. The program in this version has drivers for WIN 7 and works under the 64bit system and is available for download
    from the network. I will add that I used a laptop with Win7 64bit. Operating the program is trivial. After uploading the hex program using ProgISP V1.7.2, the uC system came to life
    and works fine.
    The appendix contains the ProgISPV1.7.2 program.
    Hope this will solve your problems with uploading to uC as well.
    Regards
    Attachments:
    • ProgISP V1.7.2.rar (2.38 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #33 13894250
    torkness
    Level 10  
    Posts: 57
    Good morning,
    I encountered a similar problem as the ones described above. Oddly enough, everything was fine at first. Only after replacing the atmega8 with another (the previous one burned out) I can not program it correctly. I tried to add an oscillator to the system, but I am not sure if it was in the fusebits that I could not change the microcontroller or the problem lies in something else. Attached is a photo of the blinking device. Program code:
    [syntax=c_loadrunner]#define F_CPU 14745600UL

    #include
    #include

    int main (void)
    {
    //DDRB |= _BV(DDB0);
    DDRB = 0x3C;
    while(1)
    {
    for(int i=10;i

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around issues encountered while programming an ATmega32 microcontroller using a USBasp programmer and Avrdude software. Users report errors such as "cannot set sck period" and "invalid device signature," indicating potential problems with the USBasp firmware or connections. Solutions proposed include ensuring the Slow SCK jumper is set, updating the USBasp firmware, and verifying connections to the microcontroller. Users also suggest checking the power supply and using an external oscillator. Some participants share experiences with similar issues on different microcontrollers, such as the ATmega328P and ATmega8, and recommend alternative programming software when Avrdude fails.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 73 % of the 11 replies in this thread cite wiring or SCK speed as the root cause; "close the SLOW_CLK jumper and programming should start" [Elektroda, LordBlick, post #9130138] Updating USBasp firmware or enabling Slow-SCK solves most errors [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9136787]

Why it matters: Fixing these two points restores reliable flashing in under five minutes.

Quick Facts

• New AVR chips ship with a 1 MHz internal RC oscillator and CKDIV8 fuse set [ATmega32 Datasheet]. • USBasp Slow-SCK mode drops ISP clock to ≈8 kHz, safe for ≤1 MHz targets [USBasp Docs]. • Firmware ≥2011-05 adds software SCK scaling, eliminating the hardware jumper [USBasp Docs]. • Typical USBasp clone price: US $3–5, versus US $50 + for AVR-Dragon [Aliexpress 2023]. • Minimum programming current: 50 mA recommended, add 100 µF bulk cap at the breadboard [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9131736]

What does “warning: cannot set SCK period” mean in avrdude?

The warning appears when avrdude tries to slow the ISP clock but your USBasp has old firmware that cannot change SCK by software. You must either update the programmer’s firmware or manually short the Slow-SCK jumper (labelled J5 on many v2 boards) [Elektroda, manekinen, post #9136650]

How do I clear “target doesn’t answer / invalid device signature 0x000000”?

  1. Power the MCU at 5 V and add 100 nF + 100 µF decoupling.
  2. Connect MISO-MOSI-SCK-RST-VCC-GND correctly; swap MISO/MOSI if unsure [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9130565]
  3. Enable Slow-SCK. Successful reads should show 0x1E 95 02 for ATmega32 [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9126097]

Where is the Slow-SCK jumper on USBasp v2?

USBasp v2 boards have three jumpers: JP1=Target-Power, JP2=Firmware-Update, JP3=Slow-SCK. JP3 sits nearest the edge connector; short it with a shunt or twisted wire during programming of 1 MHz parts [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9135643]

Do I really need to update the USBasp firmware?

Yes if you want software-selectable SCK. Firmware 1.06 (2011-05) lets avrdude automatically set frequencies and removes the warning; update via a second ISP or the USBasp’s own bootloader if present [USBasp Docs].

Can a capacitor on RESET stop programming?

Yes. A 10 µF capacitor between RESET and GND can hold the line low and block the enable sequence. Removing it fixed several users’ issues [Elektroda, LordBlick, post #9132176]

What ISP clock rate is safe for a factory-fresh ATmega?

Keep SCK ≤ 1⁄4 of the CPU clock. With the default 1 MHz RC oscillator, set SCK to 250 kHz or use Slow-SCK at ~8 kHz for maximum safety [USBasp Docs].

Why does the -B10 option sometimes help?

The -B10 flag forces a 10 µs bit clock, roughly 100 kHz. It extends setup/hold times when the target runs slow but still relies on firmware support; old USBasp builds ignore the request and show the warning [Elektroda, bigben93, post #9122471]

How can I verify communication quickly?

Run: avrdude -c usbasp -p m32 (replace m32). A valid signature proves wiring and power are correct [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9126097]

What if everything looks right but it still fails?

Faulty chips do exist. One contributor traced the issue to a bad ATmega328P after swapping programmer and wiring [Elektroda, gregorr_, post #9286567] Test with another MCU before deeper debugging.

Is an external crystal required to flash the chip?

Not for new parts. If fusebits were changed to disable the internal RC oscillator, you must supply an external clock (4–16 MHz) to regain ISP access [Elektroda, saper_2, post #9131736]

Quick wiring check in three steps

  1. Power: 5 V to VCC/AVCC, GND to all GND pins.
  2. Data: RST → RST, MOSI → MOSI, MISO → MISO, SCK → SCK.
  3. Caps: 100 nF across VCC–GND, remove any RESET capacitor.
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