I am programming a 16f877 with PicBasic at the moment programming size is just over 4500 words, I use Bonny Gijzen Pic Prog.. and the JDM programmer all seems to work OK .
As I write the prog I keep testing what I have written erasing the PIC and reprogramming. But something strange appears to be happening.
I can erase/re-program perhaps 10/15 times all OK then for no reason everthing seems OK the PIC programs and verifies OK but does NOT WORK (Just as though it has not programmed) try a different PIC 16f877 works OK Let the first PIC rest ......back on its foil next day works OK.
Seems there is some problem with your programmer. Have you checked the programming voltage. Something of this sort happend with me long back while experimenting with my EPROM programmer. Whenever I tried to program the EPROM, something went wrong and it showed checksum error and failed in blank check. The very next day the same EPROM passes blank check! The problem was improper programming voltage. I had not calibrated the programmer properly.
Programming and programming technique are very critical. Once I read about an Candain Traffic Signal manufacturing company who lost order worth millions of dollars just because of using cheap EPROM programmer. The signals use to fail in freezing conditions and comapny could not find the exact cause of failure in time and lost the order. Later they found out but was too late for them. The page also listed the cause i.e. what happens EPROM cells with variation in temperature.
Luckily I found the same page again on google. Read it for more info.
**broken link removed**
i am a fan of the WARP13 programmer its a complete replacement for the PICSTART PLUS, and half the price, its good because any program that can use the PICSTART PLUS it works with...
Anyone know any cheap ICEs for the PIC16F87x range? because i am after one