Thanks for the feedback.  There doesn't seem to be any problem with the
7805, which is indeed a 7805 and is properly connected.  My voltmeter
confirms that it is outputting 5V.  (Until I connect the 16F877, at which
point the voltage drops significantly, as if due to a short.)  To be sure,
I replaced it with another regulator (a LM2940), and nothing changed.  And
the VDD and VSS pins are properly connected.  I've tried connecting pin 11
to +5, 12 to GND; pin 32 to +5, 31 to GND; and both 11 and 32 to +5, 12 and
31 to GND.  All configurations have the same effect:  The chip draws about
an amp and heats up.  It really is like there is an internal short between
pins 11-12 and 32-31.  But I'm quite baffled what would cause such a thing.
Maybe I unknowingly sparked it, and the surge caused a short of some kind?

Jake

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