Hi Dave,

Thanks for the tip. I have now tested the RS-232/USB converter as you suggested with Auto, 19,200 bps and 115,200 bps. About one attempt in 10 gets through in Auto or 115,200 bps. None has worked at 19,200 bps.

I get from 1 to 6 green 'progress' squares then MicroCode Loader hangs. After a Ctrl/Alt/Del the Task Manager shows MicroCode Loader is not responding.

I suspect that different USB/RS232 converters have different internal or end-to-end delays and although a converter may be able to sustain high speeds, long delays might run foul of some MCSP timing assumptions.

I still cannot get the ASUS or the Sony VAIO to program a PIC 18F4620 using PBP 2.50b and provided with MCSP 3.0.0.5.

Still hopeful.
BrianT