well, if i get the second one going, i may send it to you if ya want... i really only need one, but its still easier and cheaper to get 2 made...

i have never tried microchips "free" trials before. i may have to do that and try a few of the different PICs.

i can program it, and it draws very little current, so i dont think the power pins are shorted. and if the I/O pins were shorted, i should still have voltage on my pin since im making every pin high.

the only problems i could see from shorting, is if i shorted an i/o to ground, and its pulled too much current. or if mclr is connected to ground or something else it shouldnt be...