blueroomelectronics
Well-Known Member
I've built dozens of PIC circuits and used both the ICD2, PICkit2 and clones such as mine IE Junebug, Inchworm and if it's connected correctly it'll work no problem. You may have a flaky programmer but since you're using a PICkit2 it has many methods for testing the PGC/PGD & VPP outputs (all built into PICkit2 standalone software which as 3VO stated you should be using)
All PICs will program sans crystal or clock source (unlike AVR ICs) so you don't need much except +5, GND (plus 0.1uf decoupling caps), PCG, PGD & VPP a small pullup ~22K on MCLR might help.
All PICs will program sans crystal or clock source (unlike AVR ICs) so you don't need much except +5, GND (plus 0.1uf decoupling caps), PCG, PGD & VPP a small pullup ~22K on MCLR might help.