Hi!

> > On a 16F872, and 16F84 for that matter, I've gathered
> > that MCLR should be connected to Vdd during normal

From Microchip doc DS39582A, page 146 (16F87XA manual):

"The behavior of the ESD protection on the MCLR pin differs from
previous devices on this family. Voltages applied to the pin that exceed
its specification can result in both RESETS and current consumption
outside device specification during RESET event. For this reason,
Microchip recommends that the MCLR pin no longer be tied directly to
Vdd. The use of a RC network ... is suggested"

The figure of the RC network is a resistor to Vdd, >= 1K, and a cap to
Vss of 0.1uF (not critical it says).

Cheers,
Diego.

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