>One can connect input pins to VCC or GND, with as thick and as carefully
>routed tracks as the real VCC and GND pins.  Won't help too much though.

If you aren't driving too much load, it IS possible to run the PIC using
data pins to provide power sink/source.

You _could_ make a PIC look like a 74-series device by making RB.7 and RC.3
power and ground respectively.

        movlw   1xxxxxxxxb      ; 1 ==> power pin
        movwf   RB
        bsf     RP0
        movlw   0xxxxxxxxb      ; x = whatever you need, 0 = force output
        movwf   TRISB
        bcf     RP0

        movlw   xxxx0xxxb       ; 0 ==> ground pin
        movwf   RC
        bsf     RP0
        movlw   xxxx0xxxb
        movwf   TRISC

        ...

Your chip is now using specified pins as power!

Andy

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Andy Kunz - Statistical Research, Inc. - Westfield, New Jersey USA
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