>David,
>
>   Not that it is any consolation but I am looking at 3 PIC16C62A/JWs
>   out of a group of 5 that I had been using.  These 3 all mysteriously
>   got code protected.  Even though I have been especially careful and
>   am using a Microchip Promate programmer, it still happened.

I understand that on HC705 series any code protection is via EPROM bit,
I infer that code protection on PIC is via a fuse and therefore cannot
be erased by UV ?

Does this also apply to the flash parts - wouldn't it be more efficient
that the code protection be via EPROM type bit anyway ?

Are there any moves by microchip (hi guys) to change to EPROM bit ?

And in any case since I hear that all code protected PIC parts are just
as easy to read as the code protected motorola parts - wouldn't it be
logical that a code protect chip could be erased and reused ?

Rgds


Mike