PIC16f877-20 to a PIC16f877A I/P Disaster

[woodygjw]

Hello andyf,

I may have an answer for you. Make sure that you compile your code for the PIC16f877A I/P, and also select this in the epic software. I duplicated your problem with a 16f873a. I compiled the code for a 16f873, then I set my programmer to 16f873a and loaded it into the 16f873a. I got the exact error that you got. So, check to make sure that your program is compiled for the PIC16f877A I/P and see if this helps.

Regards,

Greg

[andyf]

Hi Greg, thanks for the info, I did try that and still the pic didnt except the code.

I tried lots of things even testing the programming voltage was ok, I am begining to think the chips are duff but cant tell if its my version of epic and picbasic or duff chips. Just out of interest, what versions are you working with. you can reach me better at andyf97 at yahoo dot com.

Regards

Andy

[Mark Scotford]

I don't know the epic programmer/software, but I did take a quick look at the melabs web site, and it says that the 877A was not added till version 2.41 of the Epic Software, hope this helps.

[andyf]

Hi Mark, Iam using 2.45 albeit a beta version, I am wondering if beta = faulty

[JoseFausto]

I think the bootloader for PIC16F877A must be diferent, I tried with PIC16F877-20, and that works fine, But when I tried to use the same bootloader with PIC16F877A, I received message "reset required", I donot have harware problems, because is the same circuit, but only change the PIC, and I tried with diferents IC, for that I think the problem is the bootloader,
My question is: Exist a bootloader for PIC16F877A?

[mytekcontrols]

I couldn't help but notice that 2 different people kept talking about bootloaders. Just to set the record straight, I'm pretty sure we are talking about ICSP through the RB6, RB7, and MCLR pins and not about a USART style bootloader which is normally connected through the hardware USART pins RC6 and RC7.

[mugwamp]

I think your problem has to be some sort of config issue, Andy. I just spent a whole lot of time scratching my head because a 16F877 will accept an 8 Mhz Xtal as "XT", but a 16F877A will only accept the same clock rate as "HS". With data sheets in 230 page range, it seems like someone at Microchip could have taken the time to compile a short section in the "A" datasheet on the differences between the chips. I guess that would have made it too easy.