Dreaded <target device ID 3FFF> - SOLVED

[Demon]

I asked this over at MeLabs; hopefully someone here knows the answer.

What I'm doing:
- I finally found my old U2 USB programmer so I thought I'd run some tests, I'm not going anywhere fast.
- using MeProg.exe:
- selecting PIC in dropdown list.
- clicking on PROGRAM / GET TARGET INFORMATION.
- keep getting that 3FFF error.



Using:
- Win 10-64bit.
- U2 USB programmer v4.67, firmware v6.5
- MeLabs 40-pin ZIF adapter and jumper cable (came bundled with programmer).
- PIC 16F877.



What I tried, always getting the same 3FFF error:
- the U2 programmer software/hardware at these up-to-date versions.
- the U2 programmer software/hardware at my settings from 15 years ago (U2 v4.32 FW v5.7).
- connected to blue SS USB port in front of desktop PC.
- connected to USB port at rear straight on motherboard.
- connected to self-powered USB hub.
- with "yet another" new PIC 16F877-20/P right out of my anti-static storage bag (I'm up to 6 of these 16F877 that don't respond).
- with 16F628, 18F4550 and 18F26K22.

Robert
"Out of ideas at this point"