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Breadboard Programming for PIC16F877A

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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.
 
Have you got the latest firmware loaded into your PicKit2, i had a few problems with some chips when I first got it, but now I check about once a month for updates and never had a problem since.
 
yah,
App Version: 2.55.01
Device File Version: 1.53.00
OS Firmware Version: 2.32.00
is that right?
 
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yah,
App Version: 2.55.01
Device File Version: 1.53.00
OS Firmware Version: 2.32.00
is that right?

By the way, did you check the Vdd enable, so that it is not in external Vdd and the PICKIT2 supplied Vdd to the F877A?

how about the PICKIT2 troubleshoot results, along with actual measurements on the 6 pin connector?
 
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Checked already. I tried with and without the Vdd checked. Troubleshooted the Pickit2 using DMM without any errors. Maybe I'll call my local Microchip technical support and pay them a visit. Will update this thread again.
 
It's never a bad idea to load PGM pin to GND, in many cases, this prevent odd programming results. Pretty sure Microchip ICSP guide explain that somewhere.
 
noted. Anyway, I've found out the problem. It's due to broken wires. I re-wired the wires on the breadboard and it worked fine. Should have taken this point into consideration.
 
noted. Anyway, I've found out the problem. It's due to broken wires. I re-wired the wires on the breadboard and it worked fine. Should have taken this point into consideration.
This is a lesson you will not forget. If things do not work always check the connections with a ohm meter.

Now drop and do 100 pushups for wasting our time :)

3v0
 
This is a lesson you will not forget. If things do not work always check the connections with a ohm meter.

Not to muddy the water, but you should only use an Ohm meter to check the wires in low current applications (eg signal wires). When you move onto switching larger loads drawing a few Amps through a wire you should start measuring the voltage drop on the wire, as an Ohm meter will tell you the wire is OK even if just 1 single strand is still intact - but the circuit will still fail when you put it under load.
 
You are right, but we are in the micro controller forum. Perspective.

Not to muddy the water, but you should only use an Ohm meter to check the wires in low current applications (eg signal wires). When you move onto switching larger loads drawing a few Amps through a wire you should start measuring the voltage drop on the wire, as an Ohm meter will tell you the wire is OK even if just 1 single strand is still intact - but the circuit will still fail when you put it under load.
 
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Yeah 3v0, I agree - i wasnt having a go, just pointing out that *when/if* the OP moves on to higher current devices, he keeps this in the back of his mind.
 
This is a lesson you will not forget. If things do not work always check the connections with a ohm meter.

Now drop and do 100 pushups for wasting our time :)

3v0
LOL .... 100 pushups.
Yeah, he /she would never have that level overconfidence. I feel that the gauge of wire used for interconnection on the SSBreadboard matters
any lower dia wire, people might have this trouble of loose or intermittent connections. Recently I came across another case where he traced out a faulty transistor of a newly assembled PIC Programmer(base-collector junction was Open). He struggled for almost a week.

Perhaps not the wiring alone, even the components being used need to be checked for their correctness. I know of cases of wrongly coded resistors. and the ICs are re-branded like TBA810 power amplifier chip re names as TDA1044 ( a vertical oscillator chip in B&W televisions.
 
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can i able to connect the pickit 2 to pic16f877a when it has supply from external source(in my circuit) to program?
 
You should have started a new thread instead of adding to one from 2008.

Yes you can. Both MPLAB and PICkit2.exe have setting that tell the PICkit2 that the target has its own power. I think the default is to check for target power and use it if possible.
 
You should have started a new thread instead of adding to one from 2008.

Yes you can. Both MPLAB and PICkit2.exe have setting that tell the PICkit2 that the target has its own power. I think the default is to check for target power and use it if possible.

thanks 3V....................
can u give me the connection details pls..............
 
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