Yup, trying to program using ICSP. I'm not using the PCD and PGD lines for anything other than ICSP. When you say switch the MCLR line, what do you mean?

I can put the PIC into the demo board but it was a PITA to solder on my circuit board. As far as minimums, you only need to power the VSS and VDD lines, as well as route the correct pins to PCD, PGD and MCLR.

In reference to the MCLR, I followed the Microchip schematic for the 18F87J50 demo board with a slight deviation. They have VDD---> 15K ohm--->820 ohm--->pin 9 (MCLR). The point between the two resistors has a 10nF cap to ground, which I believe is only for the switch to manually reset the PIC.

I have VDD----->12K ohm---->pin 9 (MCLR). I have a .1uF cap to ground at the MCLR input.

When I attempt to program the PIC, the MCLR line drops to ~.5VDC, which is just about the same as the demo board.