Hi there,
Like a few others on the list, MPLAB started giving errors when trying to
program any device. Nothing in the setup of MPLAB or PicStart+ had changed
but would do the famous "Check serial/power..." dialog box. After a lot of
stuffing around I checked the PSU (Microchip switchmode type in plugpack
style box). It read spot on 9Vdc but I swapped it for a spare that hadn't
been used much (Microchip switchmode inline type) and problem was fixed !
Both are rated at 100-240Vac but I don't think they last too well over here
on 240Vac all the time. I recall that I had a similar Microchip PSU from a
16B1 kit turn up its toes a few years ago. Thought this may help some of the
other frustrated PicListers out there.  :-)   BTW, the other thing to check
with newer motherboards is to set the comms parameters in BIOS to specific
values. There seems to be a problem when settings are set to "auto". These
settings are accessed via the "integrated peripherals" section in BIOS.
Regards...
_________________________________________________________________
Dave Duffy      Audio Visual Devices        E-mail: AVD@uq.net.au
Phone: +61 7 38210362                   Facsimile: +61 7 38210281
Unit 8, 9-11 Trade Street, Cleveland, Queensland  4163  Australia
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