Problem solved! I just succeeded in building/loading the wildly popular 'Hello World' to my PIC18F4550 using MPLAB IDE and MPLAB C18 and the repaired Pickit2. Many thanks again to everyone that helped me with getting this done, I hope you guys are just as knowledgeable when it comes to programming!
A few thoughts on my experiences so far...
1. DO NOT (under any circumstance) buy anything from
www.Futurlec.com if you expect you might need any level of support (above very basic) with your purchase. If you were born programming PICs and the like you are going to be Ok, otherwise you might set yourselves up for disappointment as most of their kits come with minimal to no documentation. They don't have a phone apparently (in the 21st century) and their support email inbox is full. You have been warned.
2. Buying something on eBay that is advertised as an easy fix, doesn't necessarily mean that is actually the case especially if we're talking SMD components. Be prepared
.
3. Building the interface cable between a Pickit2 and a board with an ICD2 connector is fairly easy and costs about $2 and 20-30 minutes of your time if you're a beginner like me and don't have a crimping tool of any kind. And getting it done sure beats paying Microchip for their interfacing kit!
4. If you're looking for any electronic components in the Toronto/GTA area, the Creatron Parts store on 255 College Street is a great place to find almost anything. It's actually at the top of my list for now.
That's about it, I hope some of you will find these bits useful sometime. I am going back to programming my PIC, and in the meantime I'll keep lurking on this forum. Good luck everyone with your projects!