Hi Ardhuru,
Thanks for the tip but I am not sure I can use it. On a scope I can see Vpp jumps from zero to about 14 volts about 100 microseconds before switched Vdd comes up. Is that what you mean? I can't change timing inside the melabs U2 programmer.

I have tried powering the target PCB three ways.
One was to power the PIC via the melabs programmer Vdd line. They give a caution that current is limited but I am only powering the PIC chip and there are no other components on the board. The programming voltage reads 13.8 with Vdd 4.88.
Two was to power the PIC via switched Vdd. Again no other components on the board.
Three was to power the target board with the normal 5 volt supply and then attempt programming.

I am sure the target PIC is getting erased as I can do a READ and see all memory cells are 3fff.

When I hit 'program' the device appears to be taking code but on verify it gives me a 'code programming error at location 0000'.

I give up.

BrianT