I have an application that needs 10 I/O lines and I was looking at the 16C505, which has 11, including multiplexed MCLR and OSC pins. From the data sheet it seems clear that I can easily use the MCLR line as a data line without worry, since I don't have a hardware reset button and would only tie MCLR high anyway, but I'm not completely sure about the OSC pins. My 99% guess is if I'm using a crystal (or certain other add ons) then I don't get I/O on those pins. Is that right? If so...(this is where I have to go back and read the manual but I'll ask just in case anyone knows offhand) my timing isn't critical, I just use crystals because it's habit (or design inexperience). What is the story on that INTRC, the internal 4MHz oscillator? Coincidentally my code is optimized with delay loops for a 4MHz crystal already, so if I wanted to use the 16c505, can I just turn on this internal RC and gain use of the OSC pins as I/O, and have a securely running 4Mhz chip? I'll be distributing products from this so that's why I wanted to be sure if I go and try using the RC, it will work longer than the first day I test it out... -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.