for/loop for a timer?

Is it possible to use a for loop to create a timer in software? It does not need to be very accurate. I cannot use timer0, timer1 or timer2 for I am already using them for user interface. See below of an example of what I am trying to achieve. It works but why will it not work correctly?

rx:
for i = 0 to 60000
timer = timer + i
pause 1
next i

if (timer == 60000)then
trigger = trigger + 1
timer = 0
endif

if (trigger == 1)then
trigger = 0
goto a2d
else
goto rx
endif

I am using a PIC16F876A @ 20Mhz. I know the instruction cycle is around 200ns and the pause is for 1ms. It takes 1000ms to equal 1sec thus 60000.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

What are you trying to achieve?... doing an AD conversion once per minute, otherwise keeping time in 1mS Steps?

CounterA var word

Loop:
For CounterA=0 to 60000
Pause 1
Next CounterA
Gosub A2D
Goto Loop

I am sending data out over the GPRS network to a webserver. One minute is the minimum for the timer! I would like to be able to increment trigger every time my loop reaches 60000 with trigger = trigger + 1. My thought is that I can set "if (trigger == X)" trigger with X = 1, 2 and so on... depending on the cellular sevice provided or customers request.

Hello Scott,

Scott>>I am sending data out over the GPRS network to a webserver. One minute is the minimum for the timer! I would like to be able to increment trigger every time my loop reaches 60000 with trigger = trigger + 1. My thought is that I can set "if (trigger == X)" trigger with X = 1, 2 and so on... depending on the cellular sevice provided or customers request.<<

Use Melanies Code, Unless you *must* use a interupt. Melanies code will give you 1 minute delay, it is much shorter.

Or you can use a another kind of loop:

Loop:
Pause 60000
Gosub A2D
Goto Loop

If you use a interupt, this is a poor way how to do it. PBP will not call the interupt until the Pause is over with. Unless you use a assembly interupt.

Dwayne