Hi Squibcakes-

Yes, on your suggestion I downloaded Winpic800 and you're right - about 3 to 4 times faster. Also allows programmming of code only, data only, or config only which is really useful. Am using it full time now. Tks for the suggestion.

I'll have a go at a '628A this weekend & see what happens. On the other side, I must have reprogrammed one '873A at least 24 times today, not one failure. Could it not be that the '628A is more sensitive to a slightly low VPP than the others? As far a I am aware, VPP should be 13.5v, but most workable (not laptop) RS-232 "12V" levels seem to be a little below that - mine is only 11.8v & it still works.

regards

Angus