Starting with PBP: how to restart with PBP today

[CipOne]

Sorry for the question, the answer to which should be locked at the beginning of the forum for all people returning after so many years.
I have PBP installed on an Operating System, which no longer starts, but I can access the contents of the Hard Disk.
I intend to use the old 14 and 16 series PICs.
What is the best configuration to use today with PBP (Pro/Contro) ?
- Operating System
- PBP version
- Editor
- Programmer/Debuger
- etc..

I should already have everything: Pickit, ICD, Real ICE, the activation for MicroCode Studio Plus 5.0, the activation for "PBP-4-UP" from Oct.2011 (but I don't understand which version it is)

How can I recover the activation keys, installed in the PC that no longer starts?

[Demon]

Have you tried contacting MeLabs support? Or asked on their forum (the answer might be already posted, maybe in FAQ?)

You still have access to the email address you used when buying PBP?

[HenrikOlsson]

The licence allows you to install on 3 computers. If you uninstall PBP from a machine you can use the license manager to reclaim/release/recover that instance of the license but in your case, where the machine doesn't start, you need to contact MeLabs. This applies to PBP3, if the version you have is older than that then I don't remember and you should consider upgrading to PBP3.

Any Windows version should work.
If what you have is any PBP3 version then I suppose you're good but I'd consider upgrading to the latest. If you're still on 2.x then consider upgrading.
I have no idea what you mean with Pro/Contro
MicroCodeStudio works fine for me (used to have issues with it crashing not for years now).
Personally I use PICKit3 with the Microchip IPE software for programming. Hardware level debugging with PBP is, unfortunately, useless.

[CipOne]

Anyone who can tell me the configuration you use?

- Operating System
- PBP version
- Editor
- Programmer/Debuger
- etc..

[Ioannis]

As Henrik posted, you can use PBP in any operating sytem.

But you have to use MPLABX 5.35 and not any newer than this.

I use Pickit2, Pickit3 programmers with the Standalone PickitPlus software for these programmers by Anobium https://pickitplus.co.uk/Typesetter/

Another programmer I use especially when I need serialization of the chips, is the Elnec BeeProg 2

https://www.elnec.com/en/products/universal-programmers/beeprog2/

Code is written on Microcode Studio Provided by the PBP.

The chips are configured by the Stand Alone Microchip Configurator.

Ioannis

[CipOne]

Thanks for the instructions.
Does everything work with Windows 11 pro?

[rsocor01]

Thanks for the instructions.
Does everything work with Windows 11 pro?

Like they told you already, it works with any new operating system. I personally have PBP3 installed in Windows 10 and 11 laptops. It works great with both. I strongly suggest that you upgrade to PBP3. If you can find the email with the proof that you bought an older version, I believe that you get a discount for PBP3.

[CipOne]

As they told you already, I bought the "PBP-4-UP" update in 2011; I have the activation code, but I don't understand why it's called that, if it's an update to PBP3 (3.09 or 3.010?).
I remember that I had abandoned everything because I always encountered new problems with MPLABX.
Thanks for the directions.
Now I'll try to install everything on a new partition with Win10 pro 64bit

[rsocor01]

There is no such thing as "PBP-4-UP". Here is a version history of PBP.

https://support.melabs.com/articles/pbp-version-history

[CipOne]

There is no such thing as "PBP-4-UP". Here is a version history of PBP.

https://support.melabs.com/articles/pbp-version-history

9956

this is the email with the activation for "PBP-4-UP", received in 2011 with the activation key...

[Ioannis]

Maybe this was internal name of thew updates.

But the known version were the ones posted by rsocor01

Ioannis

[richard]

four work station license ? pbp ver unknown

[rsocor01]

If you bought it in 2011, it is probably version Pbp 3.0.1 the gold edition. See the version history link I posted above. The PBP-4 is probably some code you needed to enter when activating it.

[Acetronics2]

Ioannis is right on this one ...

dated 05/08/2011




Activation information:

Order#: 3xxx2

Code:PBP-4-UP

Name: PBP Gold Edition UPGRADE

Activation: xxxxxxxxxxxx

Other: (PBP Gold)

Activation Serial Number for PICBASIC PRO Compiler:

[rsocor01]

Maybe this was internal name of thew updates.

But the known version were the ones posted by rsocor01

Ioannis

Ooh, I see. That makes sense.

[CipOne]

9959

Thanks to everyone for the help and I update the post:
I finally managed to repair Windows XP, blocked since 2016, containing PBP (PBPX 3.0. 7.4) and MicroCode Studio (MCS+ 5.0. 0.5), which now work perfectly.
Now I intend to install the entire environment (PBP, MCS, MPLAB) on the Notebook with Win 11 pro.
The internet functions work (tracert and ping), but of course Win XP does not allow navigation.
What is now the procedure to recover the license installed on XP?
Do I simply have to uninstall the 2 applications with the internet connected?

[HenrikOlsson]

In your PBP installation folder you should have program called meLabsReg.exe and document called melabsreg.pdf - check those out. But again, the license allows you to have PBP activated on up to 3 machines so unless you already have it on 3 machines I'd get it working on the new machine first and THEN try to deactivate on the old one.

[Acetronics2]

In your PBP installation folder you should have program called meLabsReg.exe and document called melabsreg.pdf - check those out. But again, the license allows you to have PBP activated on up to 3 machines so unless you already have it on 3 machines I'd get it working on the new machine first and THEN try to deactivate on the old one.

AND ...

Once you have launched meLabsReg.exe in the old Win XPmachine ... you will see your activation Key number !!! ;)

just copy and paste it into your Win11 installation ( need to run meLabsReg.exe on the W11 computer )

Alain

[CuriousOne]

And another bug with PBP and Win 10/11.

If you have MicroCode Studio open and you decide to create new folder somewhere in %USERDATA (this applies to my documents, onedrive, desktop, etc. All locations under your user profile) and save your .pbp there, you will be able to do so, but that file won't compile - you will get error "Source directory is read only". To avoid that, create that folder NOT from microcode studio, but from windows explorer.

[Acetronics2]

And another bug with PBP and Win 10/11.

If you have MicroCode Studio open and you decide to create new folder somewhere in %USERDATA (this applies to my documents, onedrive, desktop, etc. All locations under your user profile) and save your .pbp there, you will be able to do so, but that file won't compile - you will get error "Source directory is read only". To avoid that, create that folder NOT from microcode studio, but from windows explorer.

not a bug ... just a Windows " feature " !!!
just have a look to the folder properties, and may be just untick the ... " read only " option ...

PBP or Microcode studio do not have to be blamed here ... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
as some other programs ( whatever dedicated to ) do not work when installed into those folders ...

Alain

[CuriousOne]

You can't "untick" that option in windows, because windows does not consider read only attribute on folders, only on files. You can google this - it was discussed many times.

[Acetronics2]

You can't "untick" that option in windows, because windows does not consider read only attribute on folders, only on files. You can google this - it was discussed many times.

Works for me in a sub-folder of the " My files " folder ... but not in " My files "

[CipOne]

I tried to install the MicroCode Studio Plus 5.0 license on the Windows 11 NotBook, purchased in 2014, but I get the error "the product key entered has expired".
The old installation, on Windows XP, still works.
Any suggestions to recover it?

[Acetronics2]

I tried to install the MicroCode Studio Plus 5.0 license on the Windows 11 NotBook, purchased in 2014, but I get the error "the product key entered has expired".
The old installation, on Windows XP, still works.
Any suggestions to recover it?

Melabs still sells licences ... so, you could drop a line there.

But looks there's only one installation per code ... ( I got the same screen as you, trying to install MCSP on my XP computer )

BTW, in my " codes box " I found two different bills from D.Barker ; one bought in 2013 and one in 2018 ... so there must be an update circa 2018 !!!

Alain

[CipOne]

Have you tried contacting MeLabs support? Or asked on their forum (the answer might be already posted, maybe in FAQ?)

You still have access to the email address you used when buying PBP?

this is the unpleasant response from Melabs:

Hello
These activation codes from MicroCode Studio are only valid for one year from date of purchase and allow you to install it during that period. There is a free version that comes with our software but if you wish to install the Plus version you will need to log into your account and purchase a "refresh" key at a discounted rate. The discounted rate will not show up unless you log into the account that the full version was purchased under.

Personally I don't like this commercial policy:
after having just purchased the latest update of PBP 3.1.6.4, I discover that I have to purchase the old version of 5.0.0.5 MCSP again... :(

[richard]

after having just purchased the latest update of PBP 3.1.6.4, I discover that I have to purchase the old version of 5.0.0.5 MCSP again..

what do get out of mcsp thats of any value over plain mcs , the code level debugger is a joke and basically useless

[CipOne]

what do get out of mcsp thats of any value over plain mcs , the code level debugger is a joke and basically useless


After the MCSP installation error, I am stuck with MicroCode Studio version 5.0.0.5
If it is not essential to use the Plus version, I will follow your advice.

I have installed MPLAB X IDE v5.35
And I have the configuration

9961

Can I start playing? :)

Thanks to everyone for the valuable advice.

[HenrikOlsson]

Yeah, that sort of policy sucks. I don't mind paying for good stuff but I don't like having to pay for the same thing more than once. And don't get me started on subscription licenses...

I've bought MCSP twice, it will not be a third time.

Looks like you're good to go!

[Acetronics2]

As the Mecanique site is Off ... the question is ...

Will MCS(P) be updated in the future ??? End of life product like PBP :frown: or MikroElektronika compilers ???

Good Question, ehhhh ...

[HenrikOlsson]

I think we all know the answer to that.
It's not been updated in like a decade so why, and for what reason, would there be any updates in the future?

MikroE abandoned their "legacy" compilers and went subscription with their Necto Studio (which i C only). They claim 'free for non-commercial use' but they could of course change that at any time and lock you out and if you don't start paying.

Today, if you want BASIC, I think Proton/Positron is the way forward.
It seems to be actively developed and maintained, supports 8 and 16 bits chips, local variables and functions (or procedures as they call it) and is only $€£40. Damn, now I want to try it out...

One should learn C once and for all...

[CipOne]

9962

Update for future group members who have my problems:
I managed to install my MCSP license, changing the Win 11 system date to the license period, with an active internet connection :)
Hope it stays working...

[HenrikOlsson]

Nice! You bought and payed for it, you should be able to use it.

[CipOne]

Which programmer do you recommend for working as a MCSP?

[Acetronics2]

9962

Update for future group members who have my problems:
I managed to install my MCSP license, changing the Win 11 system date to the license period, with an active internet connection :)
Hope it stays working...

Thanks for the tip ...

Works fine for me ( XP )

for programming Chips, the simplest might be PicKit 2 or 3 ( using Pickit Minus Updates )...
ICD2 only works with XP ...
ICD4 only works with MPLABX IPE ...

for the fun ... Picstart plus still works fine using MPLAB 8.92 ... ;) ( XP or W11 !!! )

[Ioannis]

Besides Proton Compiler, there is also Great Cow Basic that is promissing too.

As for programmers I have a professional Elnec one for many chips, not only PIC.

But also daily I use Pickit2 or Pickit 3 with a stand alone Interface the Anobium Pickit Plus that is supported and includes new devices in the updates https://pickitplus.co.uk/Typesetter/

The MPLAB IPE is really a pain for me... Was very happy that I found the stand alone application that gives life to Pickit 2/3 devices.

Ioannis

[Demon]

I use the MeLabs USB programmer, with backup PicKit4.

Latest PBP and MCS+.