Can't get ESP8266 working I have received an ESP8266 (ESP-07) Wi-Fi module from DealExtreme (Link: http://bit.ly/2dFJdxE). 
It is a 4-pin module with the following pins: RX, TX, VCC and GND.
The module has a switch so you can switch between the following modes: Program &amp; UART. The module also has a RESET-button.
Here's a picture of my module:

I've connected the module to my Arduino Uno like this:
RX > RX,
TX > TX(TX>RX &amp; RX > TX, like mentioned in manuals, results in no connection),
VCC > 3.3v (not using any level shifters because the module has on board level shifters),
GND > GND.

I found a lot of manuals to test the module, but apparantly I can't get my module working. I am using Windows with the Arduino IDE. 
The boards mentioned on the manuals/tutorials also seem to differ from my module because most of the manuals are talking about a board that has 8-pins (with an extra GPO0, GPO2 CH_PD and RST pin).
I've tried to upload the BareMinimum sketch to the module, which only finishes uploading if I disconnect and reconnect the 3.3v input that's feeded to the ESP-board when the Arduino IDE says "Uploading...... " while the ESP-board is in Program-mode.
I have installed the ESP8266 library within the Arduino IDE and the Generic ESP8266 Module is selected.
Then when I open the serial monitor in the Arduino IDE, to test the AT commands (on different BAUD values), it does not respond (neither in Program-, nor in UART-mode).
Strange thing is when I keep the serial monitor on at 74880 BAUD (and UART-mode on the module) and I push the RESET button on the module, it gives the following message:

ets Jan  8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,7)
ets_main.c 


I've tried several things.  But none of them seem to work; like trying to flash new firmware (for example 'v0.9.5.2 AT Firmware.bin' and 'esp8266-2016-05-03-v1.8.bin') with esptool.py with the following command:

esptool.py -b 115200 -p COM3 write_flash 0 FIRMWARE.bin


It says that the writing is finished and no errors appear after running the esptool. This is what is printed + command that is used:

esptool.py -p com3 -b 115200 write_flash 0 firmware.bin
esptool.py v1.2-dev
Connecting...
Running Cesanta flasher stub...
Flash params set to 0x0000
Writing 520192 @ 0x0... 520192 (100 %)
Wrote 520192 bytes at 0x0 in 44.2 seconds (94.1 kbit/s)...
Leaving...

A strange thing is when I open the serial monitor in the Arduino IDE after that moment (without resetting the module/unplug from 3.3v or change to UART mode), it keeps printing the following at 115200 BAUD:

Fatal exception (28): 
epc1=0x4000228b, epc2=0x00000000, epc3=0x00000000, excvaddr=0x000000b5, depc=0x00000000


I even tried it with the erase_flash before and 0x00000 instead of 0. Also tried to run the command with a variety of flash_sizes (with the command --flash_size=Xm).
Esptool looks like the only tool where I can flash new binaries successfully, tried some others that where on some manuals but without success.
When I run esptool.py -p flash_id 

I get the following response:

Connecting...
Manufacturer: e0
Device: 4014

Who knows how to fix this problem so I can send AT commands to the module through the serial monitor in the Arduino IDE.
Thanks in regards (this is my first post so if some things are unclear, please let me know)
Edit: Note that I have to disconnect and reconnect the 3.3v to the module EVERY time to successfully run a command (like write_flash, flash_id et cetera). Also tried connecting it to 5v and using an external power supply next to the USB.
Personally I think using an ESP as a interface for an Arduino is backwards and the Arduino ought to act as the interface to your devices for the much more powerful ESP.

I think you had a board that was configured to work as a interface between serial and Wifi, not as a normal board.  I'm pretty sure that you have now shagged it totally by trying to write programs to it.  However you might be able to recover it if you can find the original program and upload that to it.  You don't need the ability to program and ESP-8266 in the IDE to use this board, you can not upload sketches to it, you can't access the GPIOs.

I think you should just be able to slide the switch to "program" power the board up and type AT commands via a terminal emulator to set the board up and then power down, slide the switch back to UART and away it goes.  As to the Tx and Rx pins, that depends on weather its saying "this is the Rx pin" or "this is the Rx connection", you'll get it right second time :)

If you want a ESP8266 try AliExpress they cost between £1 and £2 and I've never had any problems, probably because they were made in China.