Quote Originally Posted by comwarrior View Post

Two solutions i can see...
1) find some other windows 7 compatible software...

2) my laptop has win xp but the serial port is +- 5V and not 12V thus does not have the correct voltage. can i connect an external battery to the JDM to bring the programming voltage up? if so, where to connect it and what voltage do i need?

Any help appreciated... Thanks
Or Option 3 - buy a USB programmer !

Googled around and there are loads of options and priced from $20usd upwards. If you want to have some real fun and have around $120usd - then look at an EasyPic board - has built in programmer, LCD, switches and a host of other goodies for development all on one easy to configure board.