>
> > > http://www.xs4all.nl/~wf/wouter/pic/wisp
> >
> > I don't think so. This Wisp is a traditional programmer that in fact
> > utilizes a programmed PIC16F84 to do its job. It has a full programmable
> > power supply, a Vpp generator. It's kind of like embedding RomZap in a
> > separate chip along with a high voltage supply.
>
> I agree. I'm working on a WISP-compatible 16F877 bootloader, so the same
> DOS command line tool can be used wth either the WISP programmer hardware
> (for 16x84's) or the 16F877 resident loader. But of course the question
> still remains how to get the loader into the 16F877.

I love it when the developer comes online and interacts with us.

As I was trying to describe earlier it is possible to build a traditional
type programmer using only the serial port. The basic game gameplan is
to use one of the RS-232 output control pins as the data input into the
PIC (to RB7) (through a 1k resistor) and the transmit pin as the clock (RB6).
Also you tie the data pin to one of the RS-232 inputs.

To program set the clock to 115200 BPS and send a zero byte to clock in/out
the data.

Since the bootloader will have the part and the MAX232 already the only real
addition is the wiring to RB6/RB7 and the 1K resistor. It should be possible
to stick a header between that wiring and the processor pins so that when
the header is in place it does as tradition program and if not it'll do a
bootload.

I haven't tried this method but I've seen a couple of designs that programmed
16F84's with the process.

BAJ
>
> Wouter
>