Pickit 3 failed to program

[Michael]

George --
How do I download pickit3.exe?

I went to tools on both mplab and the ipe and see download plug ins but don't see anything.

Google search shows a site for download that looks shady.


thanks

[Dave]

Michael, I have been using the 16F1847 for the past few years with the PicKit3 and PicKit4 as well as the ICD3 programmer's from MicroChip with there software and have had NO problems at all...

[mpgmike]

It just occurred to me that the really old PIC16F chips have an issue with the Vpp/MCLR voltage. As I recall, putting a 100 ohm resistor between the Vpp pin and the PICKit3 was a work-around.

[Michael]

It just occurred to me that the really old PIC16F chips have an issue with the Vpp/MCLR voltage. As I recall, putting a 100 ohm resistor between the Vpp pin and the PICKit3 was a work-around.

I have MCLR_OFF and using all of porta as outputs. MCLR has always confused me so simply, what should I be doing?
I have some 16F1847 coming today, so that's the chip I'll be using (same pinout as 16F88).

I need to get these things set up right for the peace of mind nothing in configuration is an issue. Also, new pickit3 coming today.

So, do I simply tie a 100 ohm to Vdd? Designate MCLR_ON? Do I set up the MCLR pin as an input?

You guys will have to forgive me but I'm an occasional user and all these setup details I don't retain.

[towlerg]

@michael PicKit3 GUI version http:// http://ww1.microchip.com/dow...on%20v3.10.zip , google PK3CMD.EXE for the command line version. Even better buy PickitPlus, it's well worth it.

[mpgmike]

In a previous post the question was posed, where to buy? I searched Microchip's site for PICKit3 and it appears they have discontinued selling it. There are probably many in inventory at DigiKey and other vendors. Their flagship programmer is now the PICKit4:

https://www.microchip.com/developmen...tails/PG164140

Their cost leader is the Snap programmer costing around $15 US.

https://www.microchip.com/developmen...tails/PG164100

[Michael]

Disregard post above about mclr.

What I need to know is this --

I've always had mclr tied to Vdd through a 4.7K with my earlier stuff but now with this 16F88 or 1847 I see the mclr is also porta.5 which has me thoroughly confused about the importance of mclr in the first place.

Right now I have all pins on porta as outputs.

?? what should I be doing? I can lose the porta.5 as an output if need be.

[Michael]

sorry about all this mindless gibber jabber. ran into this which clarifies much in plain english --
https://www.theengineeringprojects.c...-pic16f88.html

and wow, pretty nice site I've never seen before. !

[mpgmike]

Early PIC chips had a dedicated RESET pin; MCLR. Later they allowed that pin to also work as a generic digital input, giving it a name (like RE3). I am not aware of ANY PIC that allows the MCLR pin to be configured as an output. As a caveat, I do know of someone that was able to finagle the MCLR pin to act as a very low current output using the Weak Pull-Up function by turning it on and off.

[towlerg]

Most "modern" PIC devices allow MCLR to be turned off by setting the appropriate bit in config fuses. This pis should be used as an absolute last resort as loads will potentially upset ICSP.