I am just starting out with PICs. I look in the FAQs and tried a Google/News search first, but I didn't see the answer. Here's my
problem.

Problem:
I am using the Olimex PG1 programmer on an Olimex P18B board, with a PIC 16F628/20. I am using MPLAB  and ICPROG 1.05A;  running on
Windows XP Pro.

As per the instructions, I told ICPROG that I have a JDM programmer and I enabled the Windows NT API. I have two undesirable
symptoms:

1) Sometimes I can program and verify the chip as expected, but sometimes (about 50%) it fails to verify; location varies.
2) Sometimes I program and it appears to verify, but the program doesn't run. Usually if I program the same hex file again, it
works. I have tried this several times with known good hex file, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't been able to
figure out what (if anything) I am doing differently in each case.

Sounds like a problem with the programmer to me, but I'm new to PICs so I would appreciate any suggestions.
Questions that I couldn't find answers for:
a) Is there any limit to the length of the serial cable between the COM2: port on the PC and the programmer? Mine is about 2m.
b) Is there a correct sequence for connecting/disconnecting the programmer, starting/stopping ICPROG, etc.?
c) Any suggestions on how to make the programming reliable?

Gavin

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