arduino stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding error

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

In Debian squeeze and Ubuntu you may get an error like this while trying to upload your program…..To fix this error

First install arduino software with all its dependencies from the package manager

Next, we’ll get a compatible (2.2pre2-3 or newer) version of librxrt-java to allow Java to handle the I/O (rx/rt);

you can check the files at this link

http://ftp.debian.org/debian/pool/main/r/rxtx/

Now download the file

Now add yourself to the ‘dialout’ group:

and log out and log back in, or reboot.  This is necessary for access to the serial (USB) port.

download the Arduino software, with it’s recent 1.0 release, from the Arduino.cc website.

We extract that software, enter the folder, and run the software:

Plug in your Arduino board via USB to your computer, wait a few seconds to register the new device, and again launch the Arduino software:

Go to the Tools menu, Board submenu, and select whatever your board is
Finally, again click the Tools menu, Serial Port submenu, and select correct device.

Now try uploading….. 

Happy Hacking