12F629 Trouble

[shahidali55]

I finally got my 12F629 working.
I googled for hours but didn't get any instant solution.
Later i read that VPP should be applied before VDD (from the datasheet).
On this basis, i modified my programmer using only one more component.
This enabled my old programmer, which has no VDD control, to program the VPP before VDD chips.
Its a really simple solution, but so many people are spending so much cash buying new programmers and stuff. I Don't understand why people don't look at the datasheets.

[mister_e]

well because people buy real programmer and don't have those issues

[shahidali55]

But mister-e the so called "un" real programmer that i have costs only a tiny fraction of the real programmers. And it does the job well.

[skimask]

....tiny fraction....

PICKIT2 cost = $40 (give or take)

JDM style programmer = (tiny fraction) * PICKIT2

Time spent building a JDM style programmer = Insert hours and cost/hour

3 days of posts and time lost due to not being able to program a chip plus time searching for the solution and implementing that solution = (calculate what your time is worth here)

Being able to program a chip with an inexpensive programmer and knowing that it'll work the vast majority of the time = Priceless...

....And it does the job well.

Or does it?

[T.Jackson]

EPIC by MELABS is very good I've found. Quite inexpensive and always able to deliver the goods. Supports a huge range of PICs - if not almost all of them, 9 out of 10 stars from me.

[mister_e]

<table><td></td><td>BK Precision 844A ALL THE WAY! Expensive, support several thousands of EEPROM type, brand, model, MicroController as well.

Device list... the latest on their site... not sure if it's the real updated one
http://www.bkprecision.com/download/...on/844Adev.txt

You buy one, and it fit everywhere, everyday, never fail. Look only the Microchip section... EEPROM, HCS, MCP, 10F,12F,16F,18F, Dspic... they are all there... just PIC24 is missing in the list</td></table>

If you just program PIC... maybe it's way too much, but the day you want to test-drive something else... you have it.

Around 4-5 years ago, i paid 500-600 CAN$ for that, still working, always new device, support ICSP and have a Ziff socket on the top...

Assuming 500$, it's about 100/year ('till now), 8.333/Moths, ~0.27$ /day.

Do the same for a PICKIT2 after ONLY 1 year...
40$/12/30=0.11$ come on, you spend more than that only in taxes when you buy a coffee...

As skimask said, include your wasted and lost time to build and debug one... no hard decision. I'm from another planet and old school... i know

Nice alternative, Of course PICKIT 2, Melabs EPIC, and maybe those from MikroElektronika... i like their EasyPIC, BigPIC, DsPIC dev board so far...

[skimask]

BK Precision 844A ALL THE WAY!

You had me sold awhile back. I'm keeping my eyes out for one...
Someday...