Just to clear this up I am using all decoupling that is needed and I am not
using the watchdog timer (the fuse is programmed to this effect).  I know
that porta and porte default to anologue inputs but when set as outputs does
this matter and would it affect other ports? The device is not a 74A.

I have had some success with more complex programs on the device since,
however, but the simplest programs don't seem to work still.  It could be
one of the other registers - mplab is not perfect.

Thanks for all the replys
                        Tim