<p>If you managed to blank and install a bootloader, via the ISP pins, you <em>should</em> be able to install Marlin the same way. If you don't have a USB port, then you don't really need the bootloader - the bootload is only used for the USB port.</p>
<p>From <a href="https://docs.arduino.cc/retired/getting-started-guides/ArduinoISP/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Getting Started with the Arduino ISP</a></p>
<blockquote>
<h4>Uploading a sketch</h4>
<p>The Arduino ISP programmer can be also used to load sketches on the AVR-based Arduino boards or on other AVR microcontrollers supported by the Arduino software.</p>
<p>Uploading a sketch using the standard procedure needs the presence of the bootloader. Instead, by choosing the external programmer as option to upload a sketch will upload the sketch using the entire flash memory space. This may be useful if need more space for the sketch using the memory used by the bootloader.</p>
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: Remember that if you overwrite the bootloader you won't be able to upload other sketches by clicking on the upload button in the Arduino IDE. If you want to use again your Arduino as before, you have to burn the bootloader first.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-29T11:53:38.657Z
2024-07-29T11:53:38.657Z
Greenonline
<p>We have an old Ender-3, and the board is numbered 1.1.2. We're trying to update the firmware, but there isn't a USB port (the previous owner seems to have desoldered the USB port?!) so we're figuring out how to do it by the ISP pins and/or SD card. Using the ISP pins on the board and an Arduino, we've successfully blanked it and put a bootloader on, but we have no idea how to put the OS (Marlin) on now. We can only find versions of Marlin as far back as 1.1.4 as well.</p>
<p>Apparently you can't upload the OS via SD card on 8-bit printers, which the 1.1.2 is. Is there a way to do it using the ISP pins or over the SD or something? I'd rather not have to solder a surface-mount USB port to damaged pads on the motherboard without proper surface-mount facilities...</p>
<p>We also have 4.2.2s which I've uploaded OSes to without issue.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-13T06:54:41.323Z
you can use a regular iron to surface mount a microusb header, especially one that's already been used (pre-tinned). there's only 4 traces to connect, so even if damaged, you can follow them back and vampire to another exposed pad, like 5v from the voltage regulator for example. in fact, it doesn't even need to be on the PCB; keep the bodge wires short and manually run 4 24awg wires to the various connection points on the PCB and usb connector. that should last enough to re-upload.
dandavis
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-13T13:50:39.227Z
@dandavis we're trying to solder to the surface mount pads right now and it's very difficult to get the heat on all the pads at once. we don't have a heat gun to hand so we might need to get/borrow one...? it doesn't help that it's been used because the pads seem damaged
onepo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-13T21:19:26.270Z
you don't have to get them all at once, one finger at a time works, as does copious solder. You can clean it up at the end with solder braid/wick, or just a stripped stranded copper wire, like you might use for speakers, to soak up an extra solder.
dandavis
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-15T05:43:53.730Z
good idea; we'll have a go on monday and let you know, thanks :)
onepo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-18T22:05:41.593Z
Any news? If it doesn't work, might be a good excuse to get a new/better main board. That's what i did after fixing it twice...
dandavis
<marlin>
How to upload firmware to 8-bit Ender-3 1.1.2 without USB port
onepo
# How to upload firmware to 8-bit Ender-3 1.1.2 without USB port

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-10-12)

We have an old Ender-3, and the board is numbered 1.1.2. We're trying to update the firmware, but there isn't a USB port (the previous owner seems to have desoldered the USB port?!) so we're figuring out how to do it by the ISP pins and/or SD card. Using the ISP pins on the board and an Arduino, we've successfully blanked it and put a bootloader on, but we have no idea how to put the OS (Marlin) on now. We can only find versions of Marlin as far back as 1.1.4 as well.

Apparently you can't upload the OS via SD card on 8-bit printers, which the 1.1.2 is. Is there a way to do it using the ISP pins or over the SD or something? I'd rather not have to solder a surface-mount USB port to damaged pads on the motherboard without proper surface-mount facilities...

We also have 4.2.2s which I've uploaded OSes to without issue.

**Tags:** marlin

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: you can use a regular iron to surface mount a microusb header, especially one that's already been used (pre-tinned). there's only 4 traces to connect, so even if damaged, you can follow them back and vampire to another exposed pad, like 5v from the voltage regulator for example. in fact, it doesn't even need to be on the PCB; keep the bodge wires short and manually run 4 24awg wires to the various connection points on the PCB and usb connector. that should last enough to re-upload.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 we're trying to solder to the surface mount pads right now and it's very difficult to get the heat on all the pads at once. we don't have a heat gun to hand so we might need to get/borrow one...? it doesn't help that it's been used because the pads seem damaged  
> **username_1**: you don't have to get them all at once, one finger at a time works, as does copious solder. You can clean it up at the end with solder braid/wick, or just a stripped stranded copper wire, like you might use for speakers, to soak up an extra solder.  
> **username_0**: good idea; we'll have a go on monday and let you know, thanks :)  
> **username_1**: Any news? If it doesn't work, might be a good excuse to get a new/better main board. That's what i did after fixing it twice...  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-07-29. Score: 0

If you managed to blank and install a bootloader, via the ISP pins, you *should* be able to install Marlin the same way. If you don't have a USB port, then you don't really need the bootloader - the bootload is only used for the USB port.

From [Getting Started with the Arduino ISP](https://docs.arduino.cc/retired/getting-started-guides/ArduinoISP/)

> #### Uploading a sketch
>
> The Arduino ISP programmer can be also used to load sketches on the AVR-based Arduino boards or on other AVR microcontrollers supported by the Arduino software.
>
> Uploading a sketch using the standard procedure needs the presence of the bootloader. Instead, by choosing the external programmer as option to upload a sketch will upload the sketch using the entire flash memory space. This may be useful if need more space for the sketch using the memory used by the bootloader.
>
> **NOTE**: Remember that if you overwrite the bootloader you won't be able to upload other sketches by clicking on the upload button in the Arduino IDE. If you want to use again your Arduino as before, you have to burn the bootloader first.


---

