Thanks for the advice, I have tried to program a 16f627a with winpic, no go the tests all work ok, voltages are ok when measured with a DVM, but reading back the results are all over the place, I just get verify errors on every word
I tried massive delays for clock and data, no help
I am using a very old tait programmer (7407 with pnp transistors) I think it may be time to "retire" it (in the bin!)
I may get the energy to build another zif-socket based programmer. Pommie, do you any sujestions for a good home-brew design with PCB layout?
To be honest, I would suggest building an ICD2 clone - you could quite easily build it with a ZIF socket, although the lack of seperate Vpp and Vpp40 switching (as in the P16PRO40) will mean you might have to mechanically switch for some devices.
Ok final update, after reading some of the posts here, I connected the programmer directly to the lpt port (i was using an extension cable..duh!) and I managed to program a 16f627a, in the same time as picstart plus takes
So all in all, although possible, with some agro, there is no benifit for me in using winpic, over the picstart (could not get ic-prog to work) , I only wanted to try and speed up the process
But thanks to every one who has helped, oh and thanks to the author of winpic, a very nice bit of software!!!!
So all in all, although possible, with some agro, there is no benifit for me in using winpic, over the picstart (could not get ic-prog to work) , I only wanted to try and speed up the process
The fastest programmer software is WinPicProg - as regards leads?, I've been running mine since the DOS days on a 2m lead to a switch box, and another 2m lead to the programmer!.
And what "flavour" of programmer interface are you using Nigel? I think the problem lies in the 10k pull up on the tait programmer for the data return, I think this is too high a resistance, and the capacitance in the cable may be messing things up....... Any thoughts?
And what "flavour" of programmer interface are you using Nigel? I think the problem lies in the 10k pull up on the tait programmer for the data return, I think this is too high a resistance, and the capacitance in the cable may be messing things up....... Any thoughts?
Ok, I have downloaded the beta version of WinPicProg and it programs 627a's and 818's great, very fast, and lovely
BUT if I select 16f73 or 18f442 the Vpp does not seem to operate on the programmer I can go into the hardware menu and turn the Vpp on and off with no problem, but it doens't want to play on these 2 chips if I try to program the part (i.e. the red light won't come on when programing)
Is this a "Beta" issue? if not, any Idea what I am doing wrong? I don't want to give up, now I am so close!
Ok thanks for the info Nigel, the f73 is programming nice and fast too now the 18f442 just seems to hang the programming software, not to worry tho, nice software! Thanks for your help!