> I am trying to program a chip, using a Tait style programmer. I have
> recently switched to a 18v/800mA wallwart (measures 24v on the DVM)
> instead of 2 9v batteries. I think this is enough power, I am seeing
> 4.5v on Vdd and 13.2v on Vpp. The problem is the only PIC I have is one
> I possibly cooked some time ago. The programming is _very_ erratic,
> predominantly failing with reading 0x3FFF for the device ID. Am I
> correct in assuming the PIC _is_ dead and the programmer is working? I
> don't want to risk cooking off another PIC (even a sample) and
> making/buying another programmer is prohibitive for my (very) meager
> project budget.

        Well, it's possible it still is the programmer. How long are your cables
between the programmer and the PC? What OS you running? Is there a setting
for slowing down how fast the PC is doing things? How long are the cables
between the programmer and the PIC?

> Also the only thing I have found different between the 16f627 (original
> chip) and the 16f627a (sample) is the programming algorithm, my
> understanding of the datasheet suggests that otherwise they are
> identical and meant as drop in replacements. Is this correct?

        Mostly yes. There are a few bug fixes and an additional minor feature on
the a part, however the different is zero from a firmware/plug in point of
view. TTYL

----------------------------------
Herbert's PIC Stuff:
http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/

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