The first thing I do when running these 'toolbar rich' programs is close them all. Rarely do I need something so often that 'going to the menu to select it' is a hassle, so, I prefer the increased headroom for code space. Guess what? The only toolbar thing not duplicated on the menu bar is 'target device'. I see in the registry that my 16F506 is specified, yet when I close everything and start again from scratch, it's not used to make a default selection. You know, a little 'get-it, string-search and set-listbox-index' would've been a nice touch.
Anyway....
Thanks. It's going to take some getting used to - like a 'double-clutching bulldozer operator' who gets into an electric car that has the 'ON' switch in the seat - it feels weird to 'not do something'.

While I did look at 16F506.INC early on I only recalled that it made a selection between the 'M' and the 'P' versions - didn't notice/remember that it also made the presumptive decision to set the fuses. Now I know.

BTW, the M16F506.INC is lacking the
EC_OSC equ 0FF80003h ; XXXX XXXX X011
in it's config definitions.

ALL is now well. I hope to be able to take the load off you guys one day and solve some problems myself.:-)