Hi Everyone! Some newbie questions :-)

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for a few hours now. It looks good. got a few questions though.

I've never used pics or anything before, but i want to get into them (the 16f826), i've designed a circuit (really simple blinking led), and now want to build it, but my questions are:

My Programmer: http://www.adteknik.se/english/mp35ser.htm
Only says it does PIC16F628 -- maplins only has PIC16F628A will this be ok???

I'm still not sure if the chips run from AC or DC??? If DC, what is the best way to make them run from a 9v battery? (i've read they need 5v) how do you make the 9v down to 5v

I've tried using "@ __config _INTRC_OSC_NOCLKOUT..." code, but it wouldnt complie with this, so can i just set the tick box on my programmer to "int RC 1/0" or "int RC0" to make it use the internal oscillator?

Thanks so much everyone!

Regards,

628 or 628a have some difference, if the device list don't contain the 16f628A and there's no update, you can still try... but i doubt it will work. But there's probably some other software who support this type of programmer.

WinpicProg, PonyProg, IC-Prog

MAYBE............

PIC really run on DC. the datasheet tell you the voltage range.

To use them with a 9V source, you need a voltage regulator... something like the old and popular gandpa 7805, lm7805, ua7805

@ __config _INTRC_OSC_NOCLKOUT will work ONLY if you use MPASM to compile your code. have a look to this eternal thread bellow...
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=543

Hi,

You can use and program a 16F628A instead of a 16F628 ... but not a 628 instead a 628A.
... Due to enhanced memory ( programming algorithms sped up !!! )

Alain

PS also ... you can program an old 16C84 ( hi,hi ) selecting 16F84 ( not A !!! )

Something that helped me early on, and its going to seem odd, is a book about basic stamps. The reason I suggest a basic stamp book is they cover everything from basic electronics all the way to serial communications. The code is very close the PICBasic. Most of the PICBasic books expect that you know electronics and circuit design.

"Programming and Cutomizing the Basic Stamp Computer" is a good one.

Hi Ben

Always TONS of good and usable info and programming enlightments on the Parallax site ...

Alain

Son what you need to do is plug your Microchip's Vdd to local electricity network and Vss to ground of the network. It will work more faster then any microprocessor; Believe me non try that before

Oh come on be nice to the new ppl. Don't scare them away by giving bad info. ;)

thanks for the replies guys!

Made my first circuit, it went great :)

Moving on to more advanced stuff now.

Cheers.