> I am bulding a pic programmerr and was wondering how is it possible to detect
> when the device is inserted incorrectly, i.e. wrong way round or not aligned
> with pin one.  Any body got any idea how this is done?

My preferred approach is to have a programmable supply with 3 settings
(off, low-current, and high-current), and to have the data wire from
the PC wired such that the PC can pull weakly high or down.  If when I
try to read back memory address zero the PIC outputs active data when
and only when it should, then I assume the PIC is inserted correctly.
If not, I shut off the power.  Even twelve volts, if current limitted
to a couple of mA, isn't likely to hurt the PIC in the short time it's
applied.