user57467: How can I get my programmer board/windows computer to recognize my board again. I am using the esp32 cam and have put two boards in a state where I am unable to flash them anymore. here is the error:
serial.serialutil.SerialException: could not open port 'COM5'WindowsError(2,'The system cannot find the file specified.')Failed to execute script esptoolthe selected serial port Failed to execute script esptool

I tried reinstalling the drivers and understand that the com port is a separate chip
https://gist.github.com/wybiral/2a96c1d1605af7efa11b690586c4b13e
Here is the sketch I used. I uploaded it using the dev module board setting as well as with 80mhz and 112500 speed. I uploaded with 3v and then provided 5v to the board to run the sketch. The sketch runs but prints out gibberish. 
Edit:
Here is a schematic of the board
https://github.com/SeeedDocument/forum_doc/raw/master/reg/ESP32_CAM_V1.6.pdf

user55698: This very much looks like the Serial-over-USB-Driver has chosen another port than COM5 on reconnecting the board. Assuming you are using the Arduino IDE, check whether COM5 still shows up in the Board -> Port menu -- or, in other words, go there and select the port that is listed there while the board is plugged in.
Usually, I'd expect this port to be COM3 on Windows, but that may change when you...

physically disconnect and reconnect the board too fast (i.e. the driver has not yet shut down the old COM port when a "new device on USB!" event comes in) 
still have the Serial Monitor open when disconnecting and reconnecting (because the driver cannot remove the virtual COM port device while the Serial Monitor has it opened, in which case the driver creates another virtual COM port device on a different number)
disconnect and reconnect while the esptool process is still working (same reason as above).

It also might help to enable verbose output for compiling and uploading (see preferences dialog in Arduino IDE).

57467: <p>How can I get my programmer board/windows computer to recognize my board again. I am using the esp32 cam and have put two boards in a state where I am unable to flash them anymore. here is the error:</p>

<pre><code>serial.serialutil.SerialException: could not open port 'COM5'WindowsError(2,'The system cannot find the file specified.')Failed to execute script esptoolthe selected serial port Failed to execute script esptool
</code></pre>

<p>I tried reinstalling the drivers and understand that the com port is a separate chip
<a href="https://gist.github.com/wybiral/2a96c1d1605af7efa11b690586c4b13e" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://gist.github.com/wybiral/2a96c1d1605af7efa11b690586c4b13e</a></p>

<p>Here is the sketch I used. I uploaded it using the dev module board setting as well as with 80mhz and 112500 speed. I uploaded with 3v and then provided 5v to the board to run the sketch. The sketch runs but prints out gibberish. </p>

<p>Edit:</p>

<p>Here is a schematic of the board
<a href="https://github.com/SeeedDocument/forum_doc/raw/master/reg/ESP32_CAM_V1.6.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://github.com/SeeedDocument/forum_doc/raw/master/reg/ESP32_CAM_V1.6.pdf</a></p>
 55698: <p>This very much looks like the Serial-over-USB-Driver has chosen another port than COM5 on reconnecting the board. Assuming you are using the Arduino IDE, check whether COM5 still shows up in the Board -> Port menu -- or, in other words, go there and select the port that is listed there <em>while the board is plugged in</em>.</p>

<p>Usually, I'd expect this port to be COM3 on Windows, but that may change when you...</p>

<ul>
<li>physically disconnect and reconnect the board too fast (i.e. the driver has not yet shut down the old COM port when a "new device on USB!" event comes in) </li>
<li>still have the Serial Monitor open when disconnecting and reconnecting (because the driver cannot remove the virtual COM port device while the Serial Monitor has it opened, in which case the driver creates another virtual COM port device on a different number)</li>
<li>disconnect and reconnect while the esptool process is still working (same reason as above).</li>
</ul>

<p>It also might help to enable verbose output for compiling and uploading (see preferences dialog in Arduino IDE).</p>
