I have a genuine arduino mega and I’m getting an error code: failed to load .
I have used this previously on desktop and laptop computers with no problems
with ver. 1.8.5 .
The sketch i’m testing it with is the simple blink example in the ide.
It connects to the USB ACMo port ok but when I load the sketch from the ide it nearly completes
in the status bar, then the error comes up.
Has the bootloader or main chip gone west?
I have tried to reburn the the bootloader using the onboard pins with a usb/programmer device
which has been used on other things and works ok.
The reason i’m asking if it was a aftermarket copy i wouldn’t mind throwing it but being an orginal
trying to save the expense…
Is the unit cooked? 
Any help would be appreciated ,
Cheers albert
Arduino Mega 2560 communication won't upload
Hey Albert,
Hopefully we can figure out what has happened, are you about to post what the content of the error that comes up is?
Cheers Clinton
takes a little while then :-
avrdude stk(500): timeout.
error uploading etc.
That’s about it.
I can identify the board using the IDE Get Board Info
and also get a tick for th USB Port connect ACMO/tty/ etc…
that’s about it?
I found an article that has listed a few of the things that could be causing the STK(500) error give them a try and let me know how you go. https://www.instructables.com/id/A-solution-to-avrdude-stk500getsync-not-in-syn/
Ok Clinton
I have done that . there is nothing plugged into the board
LED 13 on board lights up apparently according to possible solution
on the instructables, the booloader is ok.
I have tried a different IDE 1.8.5 which used to work…hmm
all the comms look ok I can see the RX Led flashing back
after the sketch fails to load but I never see a blink on the TX Led.
also I’ll keep searching .
Cheers so far
I got caught out by having the wrong serial port selected have you checked that? A lot of desktop PCs have the com header without anything connected to it. I had this problem trying to get a usb to serial connector working. 
Linux user:
Always worked as
Port: " dev/tty/ACMO (Arduino/Genuino Mega or Mega 2560)"
lsusb Bus 008 Device 003: ID 2341:0042 Arduino SA Mega 2560 R3 (CDC ACM)
==> rssi_level:2, rate_bitmap:0x000ff000
[15037.749425] usb 8-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 3 using xhci_hcd
[15037.851803] usb 8-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=2341, idProduct=0042
[15037.851816] usb 8-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=220
[15037.851823] usb 8-1.2: Manufacturer: Arduino (www.arduino.cc)
[15037.851829] usb 8-1.2: SerialNumber: 7533531343735160A1C1
[15037.852263] usb 8-1.2: ep 0x82 - rounding interval to 1024 microframes, ep desc says 2040 microframes
[15037.898490] cdc_acm 8-1.2:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
[15037.901330] usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
[15037.901334] cdc_acm: USB Abstract Control Model driver for USB modems and ISDN adapters
All ok sending end
cheers still searching here: )
Hey Albert,
It sounds to me like you might need to try re-burning the bootloader again. If you have another computer it’s always a good idea to try from another computer.
Cheers as well I have tried 3 all ends with tears Lol.
I’m of the view it’s the boot loader … so I’m guessing I have to try direct to the
Mosi …pins etc … again using other computers think I have tried with 1
see how I fare …
Thanks again
albert the quick