> 1) How can i identify if a Pic or any other known chip > is not correctly placed in the zif socket > (i.e. reversed or completly not in the socket)? The data returned will be all zeros instead of (all ones || a mixture of zeros and ones). Try it some time - put a PIC in backwards and read it. Andy ================================================================== Andy Kunz - Montana Design - 409 S 6th St - Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Hardware & Software for Industry & R/C Hobbies "Go fast, turn right, and keep the wet side down!" ==================================================================