Frustrated with 18F87J50

[Darrel Taylor]

Darrel - I didn't have the cap on the MCLR originally. If I understand you correctly, I can get rid of the cap and the smaller resistor and just use 12K ohm?

Yes, the pull-up resistor is all you need.

Regarding the AVdd and AVss pins, I didn't see anywhere in the datasheet where it states you have to have it connected even if you don't use the analog pins. I may have missed it but I didn't see it mentioned.

Look in the Programming Spec., Table 2-1 PIN DESCRIPTIONS (DURING PROGRAMMING):, Note 1: "All power supply and ground pins must be connected, including analog supplies (AVDD) and ground (AVSS)."

This couldn't have damaged the PIC, could it have?

Unlikey, but you never know.

Lastly, on my Vcap (pin 12) I have a .1uF ceramic cap to ground. Is this an issue?

Recommended Vcap is between 4.7 - 10uF.
See datasheet table 28-4: INTERNAL VOLTAGE REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Added: Table 2-1 in the programming spec. also says VUSB should be tied to VDD during programming.

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