Jim Robertson wrote:
> The 16C84 dataEE erase was wrong (missing begin programming command)
> and the 16F84 code protection bits "mask" value was wrong. They are two
> that come to mind.

That wasn't any of the ones I found since I never implemented algorithms for
those chips.  I finally remembered to look for my notes and only found one
such issue written down.  In the PIC16F62x programming spec, DS30034D, page
12, Section 3.3 Disabling Code Protection, Step 1.  It says to issue a Load
Configuration command with a data word of 0.  My notes say that this is
wrong and that the data word really needs to be 3FFFh.

This isn't exactly the symptom you described, but I would be suspicious of
any data word not being 3FFFh on any erase on PIC 16 parts.

> A lot of work and experience went into this
> investigation. Your reply made it look like it was
> a wasted effort and everybody knew already. I spend at least 30 hours
> (unpaid) and then gave away my
> findings to all my competitors.

So don't do that then.  If you give out hard won information publicly, you
have to expect competitors might make use of it, or even hear that others
already knew about it or at least aren't too surprised by it.  On the other
hand, you get to look like the expert.  Only you can judge these tradeoffs.
Nobody is forcing you either way.  In any case, you live with the
consequences, both good and bad.  Getting upset about the bad ones is
pointless.

I've chosen to make all my host software and the complete EasyProg design
including firmware public while not disclosing the ProProg design and
firmware.  The host software and EasyProg firmware has already been used
with competitor's hardware, but I don't have a problem with that.  I knew
this was a possbility when I released it, and shouldn't have done so if I
didn't want that to happen.  I actually view it as a good thing, since in
the long run I think I will derive benefit from it.


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