> 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.

I don't know anything about this particular programmer, but if it verifies
the chip correctly it's hard to believe the program on the chip is wrong.
I would therefore look for other sources of erratic behaviour.  Do you
have MCLR tied high?  Is the oscillator starting?  What kind of oscillator
are you using?  Are the power levels correct?  Is the PIC properly
bypassed close to its power/ground pins?


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