Although the Eleven, EtherTen, EtherMega and USBDroid don't require actual drivers, Windows does require
an information file to be loaded so that it knows to treat them as Serial Port devices. Note that Linux and Mac OS X do not require anything extra to be done: they will install
automatically on the first connection.
This Windows file is named "Freetronics Eleven.inf" and can be downloaded below.
Please note if you're looking for the LeoStick Windows USB Driver please go here instead.
Installing this inf file is a once only requirement, Windows will retain
it for future use.
Installation steps:
- Download the "Freetronics Eleven.inf" file to your computer and note
where it is located, we will show Windows where this is located shortly.
Firefox (and maybe other) downloaders please note: Sometimes Firefox inadvertently puts an extra .txt extension on the end of the filename and Windows won't pick it up as a .inf driver file extension.
The same file in zip format can be downloaded from here and unzipped locally if you have any issues with the browser renaming the file.
- Connect your board by USB to your computer. You will see a message
that the driver installation failed, as Windows doesn't yet know about
the new inf file.
If the wizard window opens, you can Cancel it.
- Next, we're going to open Device Manager.
- Click on the Start Menu, select Run..., type in devmgmt.msc and
press Enter.
The devmgmt.msc above is the quick way, there are other ways to get to Device Manager via the Control Panel > System, or right-click My Computer and select Properties, Hardware, Device Manager and so on.
- Look at the "Other Devices" entry. Your "Eleven" or "EtherTen" will be listed
there with a mark against it until we show Windows the inf driver file from
above.
- Right-click the "Eleven" entry, and choose "Update
Driver..."
- Next, choose "Browse my computer for Driver Software".
- Lastly, in the Browse window, navigate to the folder where your "Freetronics Eleven.inf" file is located.
- Follow the remaining prompts and Windows will install this inf file. It will not be required again as Windows remembers its application.
The Eleven, EtherTen and USBDroid, having bootloaders compatible with the Arduino Uno, are selected in the
Arduino IDE as "Arduino Uno", and Tools > Serial Port will have a Serial
Port entry ready to be selected. The EtherMega should be selected instead as "Arduino Mega 2560" in the IDE.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy your boards and many projects!
