Since I own MCSP (I forgot the included bootloader....), I give it a try.

I'm using a PIC18F2431 and here is my blinky:

Code:
DEFINE LOADER_USED 1

#CONFIG
 __CONFIG _CONFIG1H, _OSC_IRCIO_1H & _FCMEN_ON_1H & _IESO_OFF_1H
#ENDCONFIG

OSCCON  = %01100000 ' set INTRC to 4 MHZ

MAIN:
    Toggle PORTA.7  ' LED
    pause 500
    goto MAIN
END

What did I do then?

1.- I flashed my PIC via PICKit3 with le bootloader file from MCS ("18F2431_04.hex") and checked if it was really there; yes, it is in the PIC!
Name: bootloader in PIC.png Views: 4481 Size: 77.8 KB
...the rest of the code is way down in the memory - but it is there!


2.- I realised this serial programming circuit:
Name: prg_circuit.png Views: 4922 Size: 16.8 KB
My FTDI cable is plugged in my PC and is "COM3".


3.- I launched the Loader from within MCSP and loaded my "Blinky_18F2431.hex" file previously compiled:
Name: loader.png Views: 3324 Size: 20.9 KB


4.- When I clic on "Program" in the Loader, I get following message:
Name: error loader.png Views: 3330 Size: 3.7 KB


Since I couldn't make it work, I tried to connect a button between MCLG and GND to make a "manual" reset but it doesn't help either.

There seems to be nothing to configure in the FTDI chip to activate/deactivate the RTS pin so I admit it is working.

Any clue what I'm doing wrong or missing?