Thomas,

I have a few ideas.  Perhaps they have been suggested already but it
won't hurt to mention them, yes?

1)  Are you sure that you are burning the __CONFIG bits in XT mode?  I
once set the _CONFIG bit in my assembler but found that my programmer
software overrode these choices.  Once I used the appropriate
checkboxes  on the programmer driver software everything worked.  I
also once had problems because the directive __CONFIG in MPASM starts
with *two* underscores.  I seem to remember my fuses not beig set
correctly due to that.

2)  You didn't mention capacitors.  Does the ceramic resonator you
have, have internal capacitors?  If so, what size?  (They should be
between 15-33pF)  If not, are you hanging a 22pF (or so.  This seems
to work the best and be the most popular size) to ground off of both
OSC1 and OSC2 pins?

3)  And, I COULD BE DEAD WRONG, but if I were going to look for a
crystal or ceramic oscillator operation with a scope probe, my first
thought would be that the probe would load the oscillator down and
stop it, thus seeing nothing.  My try would be to look at pin 15
(OSC2) as that is the output of the PIC's internal inverter circuitry.
 If any of the PICsters out there have an opinion on this, I would
like to hear it.

4)  If you are worrying about the `84 being broken, why not place a
canned oscillator into OSC1 (no connection to OSC2).  This eliminates
all kinds of possible problems and would tell you quickly if the PIC
was working.

I hope some of this helps.  Keep us informed.

==
Michael

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When the way of the Tao is forgotten, kindness and ethics must be taught.
Men must learn to pretend to be wise and good.  --  Lao Tzu
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