@hanktttop OK. I'm wading into this discussion without having a Cardputer!
My other ESP32-S3 and M5Stack Atom S3 and several StampS3s all work very well in my Arduino IDE environment. I also have a bunch of S3 products from a manufacturer whose name cannot be said. (coughs into hand...T-Display S3).
So I am familiar with this S3 series on a M1 iMac.
My iMac has two Thunderbolt ports and two USB ports. I used the USB ports just fine for M5Stack-pre-S3-models, but the S3 models wont even power up on USB, they need the Thunderbolt outputs.
So, get to the point, teastain.
Connection is VERY fussy and unpredictable with S3.
All of the M5Stack S3 products that I have seen have both of the necessary buttons available. The Cardputer even has them at the front(!) no need to remove the S3 or peel back the sticker on Cardputer. (in fact DO NOT remove the S3 with Cardputer!)
The GO button is actually GPIO 0 and is called 'boot'.
The 'rst' button is otherwise called 'EN' which cuts power to the core when pushed and resets when released.
Method 1 unplug the Cardputer from the USB, press and hold G0 (on the left side of the Cardputer, plug back in and release G0.
Method 2 while plugged in press and hold G0, press 'rst' on the right side, release 'rst', then release G0.
In both cases if your sketch does not boot up and run, it is recommended to unplug it and plug it back in to boot.

@mtylerjr The Core Basic has 15 GPIO peripherally arranged in the battery base, as well as generous grounds and voltage options.

@ajb2k3 I really like the idea of REPL !

MY(!) aging brain is resisting learning a new programming language.

In the (late) 70's I programmed in machine code and felt C was a "high level language".

I will investigate Python, could be fun!

Cheers to all.

@felmue "For testing integrity" I'm using the github EXT.IO Zip download and running the DIGITAL_INPUT_OUTPUT example right from there and then later from my Arduino directory, after checking that both Libraries M5Stack And EXT_IO are up to date.
Note, stubbornly I am using Arduino 1.8.19.
The Example would not run until I added Wire.begin(21, 22); delay(1000);
Seriously. I take it out and the sketch throws errors.
I am also disappointed that setPinMode "came and went".
I am becoming discouraged with M5Stack, unfortunately.

@ajb2k3 Sure, here it is:

Here is the full example for all ESP32s using the OV2640 camera in Arduino IDE
(in the IDE board selection choose M5Stack UnitCamS3)
Remember to edit the .ino file to include your WiFi credentials!

The full sketch is here:
 https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/tree/cf448906b3836fbe9368934713b697469254c62f/libraries/ESP32/examples/Camera/CameraWebServer

You can choose CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE, and apply a little tweak in camera_pins.h like this: 
https://github.com/m5stack/UnitCamS3-UserDemo/blob/main/firmware/src/hal/cam/camera_pins.h#L21

Also in the library used in your sketch
app_httpd.cpp
I had to change Line 77 from ('1" enabled) to ('0' not enabled )

#define CONFIG_LED_ILLUMINATOR_ENABLED 0   

Successful upload serial output reads like this:

20:48:24.952 -> E (516) esp_core_dump_flash: No core dump partition found!
20:48:24.952 -> 
20:48:24.952 -> ......
20:48:24.952 -> WiFi connected
20:48:24.952 -> Camera Ready! Use 'http://192.168.0.37' to connect

Hi, I have a Core Basic HVAC program communicating with two Stamps using ESP_NOW and they are physically close, but the idea was to not run messy cables! The ESP_NOW is peer to peer WiFi, but no login to the internet or even the WiFi router.
One Stamp reads the HVAC vent temperature and reports to the Core, which in turn calculates the damper vane angle and transmits that back to the very same Stamp connected to a 180 servo motor.
The other Stamp just operates one or two small under desk heaters as required, by the Core.
Hope this helps.
Terry

@coolman626 This is sadly a confusing aspect of Arduino IDE V2...a "feature" that guesses your board as a "convenience" and it's always wrong.

In the search box start typing M5Stack until you see your board!

Really no big deal!
-Terry

Not sure 'Who Cares' but The Internet, especially on WiFi, has been flakey recently.
I made a Arduino sketch for the StampS3 and an aftermarket OLED last week.
So I ported it over to a Stamp-PICO:
https://shop.m5stack.com/products/m5stamp-pico-mate-with-pin-headers
(Stamp-PICO require a separate Programmer.)

Also suggest The StampS3 (with built-in USB):
https://shop.m5stack.com/products/m5stamp-esp32s3-module

and the new very small mini OLED product.
https://shop.m5stack.com/products/mini-oled-unit-0-42-72x40-display

It is my first Dual Core sketch and I am now hooked.
It also made the porting much easier, just changed the graphics in the Core1 and left Core0 with the WiFi and Net tests unmodified.

(that is a Canadian Nickel 5cent piece!)

@lordryck They are called Grove and are the standard for most M5Stack products.

https://shop.m5stack.com/pages/search-results-page?q=grove cable

Also used by Seeed products.

They're JST connectors type 'HY2.0-4P'.

@sl4sh00 To put it into 'download' mode you can do as @robski suggested or:
Press and hold the G0 Boot button...while holding it in, press and release the reset button, THEN release the G0 Boot.
While doing this you can check the connection status in whatever burner app you are using.
Please tell us if you can see the connection status AT ALL, this would be helpful in solving your problem.

@sternj Well, the Arduino IDE ver2 IDE is very good.
Just type in C, C++ and download (it compiles automatically.)
This is NOT your grandad's Arduino IDE ver 1 !!!
Here is a sample program to test serial:

bool ticktock;  //declare ticktock as a boolean flag

void setup() {           //runs once on start up
  Serial.begin(115200);  //open the serial port for USB cable
  delay(500);
}

void loop() {            //runs in circles!
  ticktock = !ticktock;  //every pass through reverse the flag
  if (ticktock) {        //test current value of the ticktock flag
    Serial.println("tick");
  } else {  //prints one or the other to the USB port
    Serial.println("tock");
  }
  delay(1000);  //wait for a second and run again!
}

@sternj Hi!
You sound like you are too advanced for drag and drop.
I think you should stick to micropython for its range and flexibility.
Cheers.

@cryptospok

https://docs.m5stack.com/en/core/basic_v2.7

ESP32-D0WDQ6-V3
520KB SRAM,
Flash 16MB

@dnd3ch Most Unit style sensors have a compatibility section, down at the bottom of the sensor's document page:
https://docs.m5stack.com/en/unit/DLight Unit
Go down to the FAQ section near the bottom.

Having said that:
All of the unit sensors will work with any M5Stack controller.
The Dial is just a StampS3 for example.

The M5 core bases are another story and require research or asking here if they are compatible.

@kuriko Why are there 2 UIFlows?
What is the difference between UIFlow1 and UIFLow2?
I see the occasional reference of UIFlow3?

@Bipman What sensor are you trying?

@leo-ninja-turtle said in Unable to burn firmware for Core device:
Not sure what you mean by:

it came originally from the factory with UIFlow

@ivanurwin The ESP32 S3 series is difficult to get into Download Mode. Once you learn the trick it is not too difficult.
They work fine in Arduino IDE , once you get it into Download Mode.
Also check your cable, it may be only a charging cable with no comm capabilities.
It can also be a driver issue, be sure you have the correct USB driver in your PC.

@PhilB79 Can you upload a small Arduino IDE test file?
Like a generic serial monitor test?

@brrainz Which part number such as "U016" do you have?
There are several 'M5 Thermal (MLX90640)'