Microchip released a New version of Pickit2 software Ver2.6

[mvs sarma]

Perhaps many would be interested in a new version of Pickit2 software with .net inclusive.
it is Ver2.6

can be had from here
https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/PICkit 2 v2.60.00 Setup dotNET A.zip

 

[demestav]

Because I was wondering what is changed I thought maybe more people are interested on this info.

This is from their release doc

-----------------------------------------------------------------
3. Release notes V2.60.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------
New Features:
-------------
> Low Voltage Programming mode support
Low voltage programming mode (LVP) is now supported for all
PICkit 2 supported devices which feature this option. Refer
to the device datasheet and programming specification for
information on the LVP programming mode.
LVP programming mode is enabled by the menu
"Tools > User LVP Program Entry"
This can only be enabled in Manual Device Select mode. When
enabled, the text "LVP" in red will appear above the Device
select combo-box.
For devices using the PGM pin in LVP mode, PICkit 2 ICSP
connector pin 6 AUX must be connected to the device PGM pin.

NOTE: LVP mode may only be used with devices that *already* have
the LVP configuration bit enabled. Blank devices always have
the LVP bit enabled.

NOTE: For PIC24F--KA-- devices, this option becomes
"Tools > Use High Voltage Program Entry"
This mode MUST be used with PIC24F--KA-- devices that have the
MCLR pin disabled (used as IO) or PICkit 2 will not be able to
detect or program the device.

NOTE: LVP may be used with PICkit 2 Programmer-To-Go. Enable
"Tools > User LVP Program Entry" before starting the
Programmer-To-Go wizard.

> New Configuration Word Editor
The editor dialog is opened by clicking on the "Configuration"
text nest to the configuration word values in the main PICkit 2
display.
The editor allows editing of the individual bits in the
configuration words, but the user must reference the device
datasheet for the meanings of each bit.
The PICkit 2 software does not contain a database of the names
of the configuration bitfields and the meaning of their values.

> New menus Tools > Display Unimplemented Config Bits
This menu allows the user to choose how unimplemented
Configuration Word bits are displayed. In previous versions,
unimplemented bits were always displayed as '0' value. This
did not always match the way MPLAB IDE displayed these "don't
care" bits.
Options are to display as '0' (default), as '1', or as the
value in the imported HEX file / as they were read from the
device.

> Faster PIC18F6xJxx, 8xJxx programming times

> In Manual Device Select mode, PICkit 2 will now verify the
Device ID of the target device matches that of the selected
device. If no device ID is detected, an error is generated.
If the Device ID of a different device is detected, the name
of the matching device will be shown.

NOTE: To turn this feature off, edit the pickit2.ini file and
change the entry for DVER: to N. Ex
DVER: N


Bug Fixes:
-------------
> Fixed some instances of the PICkit 2 software hanging on Reads,
during Verify, or Blank Check with some chipsets.

> When importing a hex file, PICkit 2 should no longer warn when
unused configuration words (with no implemented bits) are not
contained in the HEX file.
The exceptions are some dsPIC30F words that contain reserved
bits. The warning may be ignored for these cases.

> Fixed an issue when programming PIC24FJ appplication code that
self-modifies program memory. Such code should no longer cause
Verify during a Write operation to fail.

> Baseline and Midrange checksums should now be computed correctly
when Code Protect (CP) is enabled.

> Fixed an issue where the silicon revision was sometimes
displayed with junk in the upper word of the value.
NOTE: silicon revision display is enalbed byt adding the INI
file value "REVS: Y"

> Alert Sounds will now point to the correct location for the
default sounds if the software is not installed in the default
location.

> Fixed an issue with the progress bar display during writes
and verifies when using the PE with PIC24 and dsPIC33 devices.

> Fixed an issue where "Tools > Use VPP First Program Entry" may
not have had any effect in Manual Device Select mode.

> Fixed an issue where the "Fail" alert sound was sometimes played
when downloading a memory image to Programmer-To-Go even when
the download was successful.

> When Manual Device Select mode is active, the entire Programmer
menu is no longer inaccessible when no device has been selected.
This allows Manual Device Select mode to be exited without
having to select a device first.

 

[Pommie]

I wonder if this release will suffer the same problem as the last one. When I got the last one it was a version ahead of MPLAB and so when I switched between the two it always downloaded the Operating System. The problem fixed itself once the new version of MPLAB was released.

Mike.

 

[mvs sarma]

I wonder if this release will suffer the same problem as the last one. When I got the last one it was a version ahead of MPLAB and so when I switched between the two it always downloaded the Operating System. The problem fixed itself once the new version of MPLAB was released.

Mike.

MPLAB also new version is there!
Ver8.20 with Pickit3 incorporated.

 

[Gayan Soyza]

I still don't much like the boring user interface of MPLAB editor.

 

[mvs sarma]

I still don't much like the boring user interface of MPLAB editor.

btw, how do we set a bit high or low as input while using MPLAB simulator?

 

[3v0]

btw, how do we set a bit high or low as input while using MPLAB simulator?

You have to create a stimulus workbook. Either it is to complex or I am too lazy to detail here. Read the help and ask question if you get stuck. Maybe in a new thread.

 

[mvs sarma]

You have to create a stimulus workbook. Either it is to complex or I am too lazy to detail here. Read the help and ask question if you get stuck. Maybe in a new thread.

Thanks for the direction 3v0 ! I shall manage the rest.

 

[AtomSoft]

Thanks for the info on the update. I usually check every once and a while for new appnotes and stuff. Maybe there should be a sticky for when every microchip and other companies have a update available.

 

[arhi]

just to note that with pickit2 v2.6 and mplab ide 8.20 many uC's (24FJ64GA002 for example) are no longer beta supported with pickit2 (yellow dot for programming & debugging) but "fully" supported (green dot)... I used to had problems (every few times it fails to program 24FJ64GA002, every few times it misses the breakpoint while debugging .. etc.. - all this solved now) .. be sure to upgrade firmware in your pickit2 when you upgrade to 2.6 and 8.20

the mplab ide looks the same (boring non intuitive win3.0 like), the only thing I noted is pickit3 compatibility, and bug fixes.

 

[mvs sarma]

Thanks for the info on the update. I usually check every once and a while for new appnotes and stuff. Maybe there should be a sticky for when every microchip and other companies have a update available.

very correct . but there appears some problem as per the post in the forum copt attached here under Quote

"[/I][/B]There seems to be a problem with the website updating. The new version can be downloaded directly from these links:

PICkit 2 V2.60 Install

PICkit 2 V2.60 Install with .NET Framework"
I have not put the hyperlinks here