Mr. Marley wrote: > The only lights which come on when I plug in the power supply (with or > without chips) are the PWR and +5 leds at the top. Normal behaviour. > [...] read off a blank 16f84 chip. I wasn't sure if I was getting > an accurate reading, (0000 all accross with chip inserted) so I tried > reading without the chip inserted in the ZIF and got a different > reading of 3FFF all around. Sounds good to me, though I haven't verified the numbers. Make sure the program/run switch is in the program position while you do it. > What is the big switch for? Enables programming of the chip. > Why do the vpp and vdd LEDs blink rapidly when I read off the chip > using ProPic? Because the PC is turning those lines on and off rapidly. This is normal. > If this is plugging into the LPT port, why does it work with a serial > cable? Serial cable is not really much different to parallel cable. They are just wires. As long as the right wires are present, all will work. > What is the db9 connector for? Once you do write software for the PIC, this connector is so that you can talk to it from your computer or some other machine using the serial port. You can ignore it for the moment. > Why did I receive a 30 pin male strip of jumpers with the kit? > Where does it go? Pass. I didn't get them. Probably goes to the far right of the board. > Last but not least, it read the above info during my little read test > with the max232 chip in place, do I have to remove it to use the kit as > a programmer? I've heard such rumours, but I never had any trouble programming chips in either the ZIF position or the first SIMM position with the MAX-232 chip in place. I would pull it out until you intend to commune with a PIC by serial. > I just wish the Wirz kit came with a more user friendly [...] Ah, think of it as a challenge. > >for how to join the Simmstick list server chat group. > I joined last night, but it didn't seem like I received anything from > it today. It isn't as noisy as The PIC List. More focussed. Still a good place to ask, but don't hold your breath. > (Actually, is it possible I got 18 volts somewhere? The AC adapter I > got with my Kit is rated at 16 volts.. is there any component there > that could actually boost it abit more? cause I think I saw 18 volts > for a split second somewhere). Yes. The AC adapter, although rated at 16 volts, may well be generating more. And anyway, when you stick that AC through the bridge rectifier into a capacitor the DC voltage you get will be larger. 18 sounds quite reasonable under the circumstances. This voltage is the one across the big capacitor near the regulator. > Uhmm I read this on the Dontronics page too, but unfortunately, I don't > have any 9v batteries in the house and didn't feel like trodding > through the cold to get some :) Cold? Oh, right, a northerner. It's summer here. In that case, I would have used a small value resistor, like about 220 ohms, in series with the power from the adaptor. This will most likely let all the LEDS light up, but will not allow sufficient current to flow to destroy things. your mileage may vary; check Ohms Law. > I would too, if I knew how :) Is there a version of the above two lines > for the really electronically impaired so I could try it? Take too long to explain. ;-) You've tested ability to read a PIC, now try writing one. If you can then shut everything down, bring it back up, and read what you wrote, then I'd claim success. > Thanks for your time and the warp speed of your last reply! It's daytime here. If you are lucky, you get a response by mail within a minute. I use IRC as well, if you are desperate. Nick Quozl on mpx.sydney.oz.org -- James Cameron (cameron@stl.dec.com) OpenVMS, Linux, Firewalls, Software Engineering, CGI, HTTP, X, C, FORTH, COBOL, BASIC, DCL, csh, bash, ksh, sh, Electronics, Microcontrollers, Disability Engineering, Netrek, Bicycles, Pedant, Farming, Home Control, Remote Area Power, Greek Scholar, Tenor Vocalist, Church Sound, Husband. "Specialisation is for insects." -- Robert Heinlein.