PICkit3 not programming

I built a ProPicII years ago and that managed to program and verify every chip I used with it, however the problem I had was with erase. Any time I used the ProPicII to erase a device it always left some of the config bits programmed thereby preventing further programming, not always, and not on any particular chip over another. I began blaming the software (ICProg) that I was using with it, and then the power supply for the programmer, and then the programmer itself, I must have changed all the transistors twice. It was unexplainable, I never did get to the bottom of it. I only had the programmer for quick and dirty work onsite because it was cheap and wouldn't be missed if stolen, but decided that a baby Xeltek was a better choice in the end. Never looked back since.

The PicKit 2 & 3 programmers are good at what they do, but they are classed as "development" programmers for a reason...
To be fair to them, I have never had any issues with either the PicKit 2 clone from Sure Electronics or Microchip's Serial Analyser that I own.

rgds

I got new one. Its working wonderfully. Also, the stuffs with capacitor isn't all important. The circuit runs fine even if I remove the caps altogether.
But its amazing to notice that PIC's can be dead, even when it can get programmed/read successfully. Moreover, I hadn't used the PIC in any real circuit, except some test circuit. What use can I make of the half-living PIC?

As you stated that it programs and reads perfectly, you could just use it as Flash memory, or snip off the pins, drill a wee hole in it at one end give it a quick file up. Then thread a keyring through it and and use it as a keyfob

I still reckon the chip might be saveable, although for the cost of the device, it's hardly worth the effort, get someone with a production programmer to properly erase it for you and give it one last try...

rgds

thecritic said:

I got new one. Its working wonderfully. Also, the stuffs with capacitor isn't all important. The circuit runs fine even if I remove the caps altogether.
But its amazing to notice that PIC's can be dead, even when it can get programmed/read successfully. Moreover, I hadn't used the PIC in any real circuit, except some test circuit. What use can I make of the half-living PIC?

Click to expand...

I saw what you really wrote, and how you exchanged what you wrote with your sleight of hand...