PICKit2 just crashes

[johnbond]

OK So the problem persists, and it also occurs with the PICKit 2 software (so it's almost certainly not PICBasic Pro). Ive done some testing and the PICKit 2 dongle seems to fail and remain a problem for a period of time, regardless of whether I reboot, unplug the dongle or whatever. It won't reset and work again until the power is removed, both from the board and the USB cable.

I suspect I have a dud PICKit 2 dongle. It'll take about a week to locate a new one and get it shipped to me (one of the sacrificed of choosing to live in a remote area).

Thanks for all your help BOB

and for information purposes - the DOS windows that open in Windows 7 are for mpasmwin.exe and pk2cmd.exe. These are probably C+ programs used by Microchip.

Kind regards again

John

[Archangel]

I have (successfully ?) crashed the PICKit2 on many occasions
What always causes my crashes are short circuits when using the PICKit2 to power my device. I then have to either check communication, reboot the pickit software, unplug the pickit from the usb or all three .

[johnbond]

Thanks Archangel, that helps reinforce my feeling that I have a hardware/dongle failure. Unplugging the cable and rebooting PICBasic don't help. I am using an existing PCB that works.

[Archangel]

I do not reboot PBP, I reboot the PICKit2 software after IT crashes. I think that is in there (either the operating system or PICKit2 software) to protect the USB ports from overload failure. Does it crash with only the PICKit2 attached and no demo board? A short will manifest as soon as you check the power on box in the PICKit2 programmers window.

[johnbond]

Thanks ArchAngel

OK So the whole system works well on my ancient Pentium tower running XP. This PICBasic software is neat! I have run 5 demos and reprogrammed the chip 30 or 40 times! Even the serial coms is working!

But the PICKit Dongle crashes on my Acer netbook model 751h running Windows 7. I notice that the mouse doesn't work on those 2 USB ports either. It was like that from new and there is something in the literature about it. Why can't you find something when you look for it.

I have some more head scratching to do...

I was born BC (before computers, 1952 and the IBM Aniac was made in 1953) so I can't use a touchpad. I have to have a mouse.

[johnbond]

This thread resolved!!!

The dongle then started doing the same thing on my old PC and I tried to order a 2nd PICKit 2 but there is no stock in South Africa. I opened the dongle up and ran a soldering iron over all the solder joints.


It seems to be working fine now.

Dwight gave a useful tip for PICKit 2 useds on one of the other threads. Keep the PICKit 2 software running in the background and use it to program the PIC. You have access to a lot more features that using the programming engine inside PICBasic Pro. (It is also easier to identify dud dongles!!!)

Thanks for all your help

John

[Archangel]

The connector gets a bunch of repetitive stress, I know I had to resolder mine a while back too.