ivp wrote: >> I guess the only other thing I can try before replacing the PIC is >> to add some debugging pin code, maybe to the UART ISR for >> starters >> =20 > > How about disconnecting the receiver until the PIC has stabilised, > or something like that. Might help identify where the problem really > is > =20 I'll give that a go tomorrow. The receiver output is full of random=20 noise when idle, but it is the same on all boards. As for power, there's not much to the circuit. A 12V battery via a=20 1N4007, into a 78L05 with a 100uF on the input. What's really odd about this is that replacing the chip fixed the=20 problem on the first faulty unit. Apart from those two units, all the=20 others work well. I'd bet money that replacing the PIC will solve the problem, but I'd=20 really like to know why before I do that. Since it is a TQFP package,=20 swapping them back and forth not an option. I do have brown-out detect enabled IIRC. The only other idea I have is=20 that the power-up timer is bad on some chips. Seems unlikely though. David... --=20 ___________________________________________ David Duffy Audio Visual Devices P/L Unit 8, 10 Hook St, Capalaba 4157 Australia Ph: +61 7 38235717 Fax: +61 7 38234717 Our Web Site: www.audiovisualdevices.com.au ___________________________________________ --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .