Howard Winter wrote:

>On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 08:24:24 -0800, Bill & Pookie wrote:
>  
>
>>...
>>If all else fails, "Don't Do That!". or put a finger shield over the chip.
>>    
>>
>
>Or glue some really sharp tacks, point-upwards, to the top of the chip.  Dispels static charges, and seriously 
>discourages people from touching it!  :-)
>
>Cheers,
>
>
>
>Howard Winter
>St.Albans, England
>
>
>  
>
sorta like a lightning arrestor, Howard? hehe.

I think this is being caused by an electric field imposing its minor 
effect on
the innerds of the PIC. The finger against the insulator forms a... 
capacitor.
Having troubleshot a few problems like this... you might make sure your
device is properly bypassed, and make sure ALL  GND pins are connected
and all VDD pins are connected. The device  might work, but in a sorta funny
way, if a few are missing...

--Bob

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