Nicholas Irias wrote:
>
> More on the configuration:
>
> My programming leads are 22ga wire, about 18" (~1/2 meter) long.
>
> RB6 and 7 are used only for programming.
>
> RB3 is not used.  I have tried leaving it floating and also tying it to
> ground via a 1K resistor, but still get the same error message.
>
> I am not using the low voltage programming mode.
>
> MCLR has .01uF cap to ground.  It is pulled up to Vcc via a 47K resistor in
> series with a diode to allow MCLR to go to 13 volts for programming.


I think you have it there. You have a 470 ohm series
resistor and .01uF cap RC network. Bad. :o)
Try removing the cap totally (bst), or shorting
the resistor.

Microchip are sketchy about the actual timing
the Picstart uses for MCLR (RESET->VPP)
and I think the program and verify timings are
different. You may be getting good programming
and bad verifying. Either way you need to mod
that cap so MCLR can get to VPP very quickly.
-Roman

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