The flash parts can easily be erased and reprogrammed even if code
protected.  It's just that you can't read them or reprogram them until
you've erased the part.  The one time programmable parts can't be
reprogrammed even if they haven't been code protected (well, that's almost
true.. you can add code to parts of the chip that hasn't been burned the
first time, though probably not if its been code protected).  The windowed
parts are the ones that present a problem.  After you've code protected
them, they generally are done.  I've heard of some folks who've recovered
code protected windowed parts by leaving them in an eraser for 24 hours,
but I've not had any success with this... when I've accidentally code
protected a windowed part, I had to toss it.  Anyway, I suspect the
question was about flash parts, and in that case they can certainly be
erased and reprogrammed, even if code protected.... I do it all the time.

John Hansen


At 10:36 AM 1/19/03 -0500, Sid Weaver wrote:
>In a message dated 01/19/2003 10:10:45 Eastern Standard Time,
>w2rbn@PRODIGY.NET writes:
>
>
> > Can a PIC be erased and reprogrammed if the code protection bits have been
> > blown?  I looked for this info in the
> > various documentation files and could not find the answer.
> >
>
>Accordding to Microchip, the code protection bits are hidden under a layer of
>silicon and protected from light.  Once programmed, they can never be changed
>and no further programming of the PIC is possible.
>
>
>Sid Weaver
>W4EKQ
>Port Richey, FL
>
>--
>http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
>ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
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