Hi Darrel,

I meant to mention that I had tried that as well.
So the analogue supplies are connected, I've tried with MCLRE_ON and _OFF, I've tried with RB5/PGM pulled down to Vss. No joy.

There seems to be a lot of noise floating around the net with people having trouble programming this PIC.

It looks like I might be having to give MC some money

Andrew