In the programmer I checked MCLR as "ON". At least I assume I did since a checkbox when checked usually means "ON" not off.

I also chose the internal clock.

I put it on the breadboard with +5v through 4.7K resistor to the MCLR pin and everything worked.

The way I read that statement it means that if MCLR=ON then the internal clock is off. Without a clock nothing would run so is there another type of clock that runs the program?

Just to experiment I tried programming the chip with MCLR=OFF and that also worked (didn't need the resistor on power on that pin - I could actually let it float for the experiment). If I had it "ON" and didn't give it power the program wouldn't run so I think I understand the on/off part of it. Clock issue is still foggy.

Bart