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LM317 is a linear regulator, so it's power dissipated limited, forget to put a heat sink on it and it goes up in smoke, not so good for a hobbyist that doesn't know it. The ATX power supply takes care of all the nasty details for you for a basic +5 +12 -12 supply.
I've just started with PICs. Bought a cheap 100USD laptop, Pickit 2 programmer and got FREE microcontroller samples from 'sample dot microchip dot com.' It's all free except for the programmer. Bye.
Is a Tektronix TDS-220 Digital Oscilloscope a good buy at $600?
Why use your main and expensive PC to program PIC's? Better to lose a $100. laptop than your business end of computing.
Yes and if you use a USB based programmer the chances are closer to none.I guess my point was, it is nicer to use an expendable PC for projects than your main use computer. I am sure the odds of frying a PC are slim, rather than just an interface card, but why chance it if not needed?
Why use your main and expensive PC to program PIC's? Better to lose a $100. laptop than your business end of computing.
I've used ATX supplies in a professional lab environment. One advantage is the other engineers are less likely to steal them.
Why would you lose your computer? Is it possible to damage your computer when programming PICs!? If so, do the programming kits such as Junebug and PICkit2 come with some sort of "fuse" to prevent damage to your computer? If not, then I guess I will have to whip out my 9 year old Gateway desktop computer that has been accumulating dust in the corner of my room
Henry, ATX supplies are short circuit protected. I've never tested the +3.3 volt lines on mine, but tested both the +12 -12 and +5 main lines. I've plugged an RS232 board accidentally inverted into my PC, so it's 24 volts, power supply 'clicks' and humms in shutdown but no damage to any circuits. I wouldn't rely on it for 'serious' current limiting, but for a hobbyist it's wonderful.
I didn't say anything about the ATX bursting in flames
Why did you have to buy a $100 laptop to program a PIC?