Installation
Please install the most-up-to-date software: http://arduino.cc/en/main/software
Installation instructions for your operation system: http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage.
We are using the arduino nano, which is one of the "older" versions of Arduino.
1. Download software
Download the software to your computer. Choose your operating system: Windows installer or Mac disc image. This might take some time depending on your network speed. Please use the latest version from the Arduino website directly.
For Windows
Instructions: http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/Windows
For Mac
Instructions: http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/MacOSX
2. FTDI USB Drivers drivers
Drivers are available here for both Windows and Mac: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Most issues when you try to select the USB ports (see below) will be with the FTDI drivers not being installed correctly. Restart your computer after you install the driver. If Arduino is still not recognized, try a different USB port.
3. Launch the Arduino Application
Windows: Go to the installation folder and double-click arduino.exe.
Mac: search for the Arduino application or Applications - Arduino.
4. Select your the Nano
You'll need to select the entry in the Tools > Board > Nano and Tools > Processor > ATMega328
5. Select your COM Port
Windows: To identify the COM Port, with the USB cable connected from the computer to the Arduino board note all the COM Ports listed. Then disconnect the USB cable from the computer and see which COM Port disappears. This will be the one you will check to use for connecting the Arduino to your computer. Select the serial device of the Arduino board from the Tools > Serial Port menu. This is likely to be COM3 or higher.
Mac: the serial port will show up as dev/tty/xxxx-xxx-SPP.
7. Getting Started
Follow instructions here for your first Arduino code.
8. Updating from previous versions:
Summary of changes in Arduino 1.0
When using older libraries, rename WProgram.h to Arduino.h.