External oscillator and startup

[RussMartin]

For one thing, we don't know which PIC you're trying to use...
Other than that, read up on the 'Power Up Timer'. 72ms of crystal-stabilizing-waiting bliss that should lay all of your worries to rest. It's always worked for me...

Thanks! Absolutely right--there it was, page 148, section 14.6, and page 184, Table 17-5, parameter 33. Even the stated (but untested) minimum of 28 ms is more than adequate!

I'm using the 16F87xA series.