> Stef, I hope you do have decoupling cap(s) (at the very least one 100nF) > on the power pins directly at the target chip? hi Wouter, I didn't .... ... I shouldn't know an elegant way with a 40 pins ZIF socket, where pin assignments continuously change ;-) I could make a special flatcable ... ... but a tested with the "bad" chip, and 100nF + 10uF directly on the chip pins, doesn't change anything, the only thing that helps is preloading zeroes !! cheers, Stef -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist