Just to follow up on this thread...

> At 07:06 11/09/99 +1000, you wrote:
> >Bob Blick wrote, quoting Edson Brusque:
> >
> >>>   If I take the +5V and +12V (and GROUND, of course) from the PC
> >>> power supply and use it to feed the PIC in-line programmer board
> >>> (David Tait's SERPIC), can I cause any harm to the programmer, target
> >>> board or the PC?
> >
> >> 12 volts is not enough, you really need a little bit more.
>
> Right.

I thought for the EEPROM devices, 10+ Volts was good enough.  For EPROM
devices, 12.5+ Volts is required.

> >  Pity eh?  OTOH, if you use a programmer (Picstart or Warp) which
> >contains a switchmode converter to run from a 9V Plug Pack (Wall Wart),
> >it should work *great* from the PC power supply.
>
> Actually Paul none of the warp series of programmers have the switchable
> booster.
> All require 17VDC or 12VAC.

I got an email from a couple of people that used their PC's power supply for
my "El Cheapo" programmer.  Generally an unused diskette power connector was
used.

One guy managed to short out the +5 Volt line and burn out the PC's power
supply.  I imagine that the programmer board was thoroughly carbonized in
the process.

The PC Power supply, while just sitting there, should not be used for
powering your applications.

myke