Code programming error at 0000

[goldscott]

I've been trying to program the 16f84a with the epic plus and the zif adapter.
i'm using a 19.3V DC power supply with plenty of current.
I have a previously programmed chip that somebody gave me, and a blank chip as well. when i "blank check" the programmed chip, EPICwin says it's blank.
i get the "Code programming error at 0000" error when i try to program the blank one.

the only problems i can think of is that i'm using a 25 to 9 pin cable, and then and adapter from 9 to 25 because i don't have a male to female 25 cable.

also, there are 3 pairs of jumper pins on the zif, the bottom 2 are jumped, 8-18 pin, exactly how the zif adapter came in the mail.

i've tried programming the chips on the epic board without using the zif, but i get the same results...

any suggestions or help?

[Darrel Taylor]

The EPIC plus uses the parallel port (printer), and must have a 25-pin cable.

9-pin cables/adapters can only be used on serial (RS-232) ports.

You can purchase the proper cable from melabs for about 10 bucks.

http://www.melabs.com/products/accessry.htm#25

best regards,
Darrel

[yasser]

i have a problem to erase 16F877A.I programmed the pic and worked well but i wanted to change the code.when i wanted to programe 16F877a again with EPIC software this message show :" this is not blank " and when i chose erase from menu, show "erase completely" but when i check the pic is blank or not , show " this is not blank at 0000=248B"
and i couldent program again.
pls help me.

" my english language isnt very good.excuse me if i have some mistakes in the sentences."

[JDM160]

I am programming 100+ 16F767 and about 10% I am getting the Code programming error at 0000. Sometimes if I try several times, it will finally program successfully. Some of the pics just won't take the program and repeatedly give me this error. Does anyone know what the problem might be?

[sayzer]

Use an external power supply for the PIC.

By external I mean a separate power supply just for the PIC. Ex: 7805.

[JDM160]

Use an external power supply for the PIC.

By external I mean a separate power supply just for the PIC. Ex: 7805.

Thank you for your input. I am a little confused though. I am programming with the serial programmer using the latest software. The pic is not "in circuit," it is in the zif socket. The programmer is being powered by the 15V power supply that was provided with the programmer.

[shahidali55]

I'm having the same problem.
The IC (16F628A) sometimes refuses to get programmed...
Then after 2 to 3 tries it kicks back to life...
I tried fixing this problem, but now i've got so used to the "BUG" that i don't really mind it...

[prizepony]

I'm having the same issue programming a 16F877 PIC chip.
I'm using MicroCode Studio and EPIC Parallel Port Programmer.

I tried two different programmers and yet both the same issue.

Has there been any new info on this topic?

[tenaja]

Use a bootloader and never see the error again.

[prizepony]

Well, I've yet to have a successful program so I don't image programming a bootloader would be successful also.

Either way, what are some recommended bootloaders?

[srspinho]

Hi friend,

I´m using the MicroCode Studio circuit which is shown in their Bootloader´s help file, and it works perfect with my really old notebook.

regards

Sérgio

[mvs_sarma]

I'm having the same issue programming a 16F877 PIC chip.
I'm using MicroCode Studio and EPIC Parallel Port Programmer.

I tried two different programmers and yet both the same issue.

Has there been any new info on this topic?

the length of cable between the DB25 connector and the EPIC programmer matters. while the 7407 (better 74HC07) chip could be powered from the programmer board, it is preferable to shift it in to the body of DB25 connector. Thereafter take only those wires that are needed by the programmer. Thereafter the length of the few wires can also be optimized for proper functioning of the programmer.

Another observation- of course not related to but applicable to PICs as well, is to use a small resistor in series to the clock signal and have a 0.001(1KpF) capacitor to ground (or pin5)at the PIC socket.

Third issue is to have a 0.1uF capacitor across Vdd and Vss across the PIC socket.
With above mods, the programming becomes consistent & easier.

[Ed Kribbs]

I had the same problem using 16F688 and 16F876. The solution is to modify the memory burning time factor, "ProgTime".
go to:
http://www.melabs.com/support/epicini.htm
Read the general directions.
The directions say to modify epic.ini
I could not find any file by that name, but I did find a whole lot of files, one for each type of PIC chip in: C:\Program Files\melabs Programmer
named:
PIC16F84.EPC
PIC16F84A.EPC
PIC16F688.EPC .....
Choose the file corresponding to the particular type of PIC you are using. Edit the file using wordpad or whatever editor you like.
Modify the parameter ProgTime to a higher value. The directions in the URL named above say not to raise the time above 20000. I set mine to 10000 and that solved my "code programming error" problems. Trouble is, you have to edit every file for whatever PICs you are using. Pain in the ***, but it solves the problem.

Cheers and 73's
Ed Kribbs

[miragabe]

Hi there,
I'm a new user to the EPIC WIN software and previously thought I was successful in uploading a number of different programs from my windows XP computer to a PIC18F458 MCU using the software obtained from melab. However, after repeated use, I now encounter the error message: "code programming error at 0000", which, on checking the readme text information, refers to power supply issues to an actual programmer, or a low voltage pin not grounded. I grounded RB5 via a 100k resistor, unchecked the enable low voltage programming option, and the power supply to the board sits at the required 16VDc, but I notice the voltage on the MCLR pin is down to around 5V. I know this is the programming pin. What do you think could perhaps be causing this? Another thing, do you think modifying epic.ini as you have done, would assist my problem?

[shahidali55]

Hi miragabe,

In most programmers the MCLR pin will go to about 13 volts only during programming (for just a few seconds after clicking the program button). Are you able to program any other PIC or is it just a particular PIC18F458 giving trouble?

[miragabe]

Hi Shahidali55,
Thanks for your response. Been on this project now for quite some time, and needless to say it has been very frustrating. This is the first PIC I've been given to work with, to get a noritake VFD to come on. When I downloaded the EPIC WIN program and set the board and port voltages to 16V and 5V respectively, the programs uploaded, according to the run response; now it doesnt. The program bar tells me it erases and blank checks, but this error pops up on programming. Is there some kind of limit to the number of times the chip can be programmed? I would think not. I mean like I even rewired everything from scratch according to the program, powered up and still nada.
What do you make of that?
Dave.

[miragabe]

...Another thing, I monitored the MCLR pin while the blankcheck was taking place during programming, and it never got up to the 13 V expected; it stayed at about 5V.

[Demon]

I doubt you have hit a limit count, never heard of one for 16F or 18F PICs. You can always check the datasheet for your particular model. If there is a limit, it will be mentionned.

Totally wild guess, could this have anything to do with a write-protected chip? The first write went well and any further write is refused?

Robert