The PIC does not start its program.

[skimask]

Do you recommend soldering on a running system?

If it's only 5v and you've only got a PIC, an LED, a resistor, and the rest of the glue that goes with, sure...why not?

[Ted's]

It is not. Just look at the voltage levels being applied. There need to be outside devices which apply the voltage to the pic.

skimask, the main issue is that the device is not starting. I want to solely focus on that.

I know four main error sources: The pic's hardware, the pic's software, the quarz and voltage applied to vdd and vss.

Right now I suspect the quarz to be faulty.

[skimask]

It is not. Just look at the voltage levels being applied. There need to be outside devices which apply the voltage to the pic.
skimask, the main issue is that the device is not starting. I want to solely focus on that.
I know four main error sources: The pic's hardware, the pic's software, the quarz and voltage applied to vdd and vss.
Right now I suspect the quarz to be faulty.

Ok, fine. Let us know what you did to troubleshoot the problem and what you did to fix it.

[Ted's]

I replaced the quarz -> No change.

I saw some soldering issues, fixed them and connected some solder points with others having the same potential via wire to make sure that there are no facers. I measured using my multimeter and the connection was there. I switched on and again, nothing.

For other measurements refer to my previous posts in this thread.

[Ted's]

Some photos of the setup. Quarz currently removed.

[skimask]

Some photos of the setup. Quarz currently removed.

Wow! A bit of a mess to contend with...
Are you sure you don't have any unseen solder bridges anywhere?
Are you sure you don't have any open traces anywhere?
I see a LOT of little solder balls floating around the circuit board. Any shorts?
Invest in a small brush and some 'rubbing alcohol' and clean up that PCB.
How do you program the PIC? How do you know that you are actually programming the PIC?
Does it read back with the same code you programmed it with?
Have you even considered changing the program to the one I suggested? Or are you still running the same 'one-shot' 'turn the leds on once then turn them off' program?
Do you have a decent cap across Vdd and Vss on the PIC itself?
Is the power supply stable enough? Does it rise to +5v smoothly? Does Vpp come up to +5v before Vdd?
Do you have a 'solderless breadboard' to pull the PIC out of that circuit board and try it elsewhere?
Is the PIC installed in the correct orientation?

[Ted's]

How do you program the PIC? How do you know that you are actually programming the PIC?
Does it read back with the same code you programmed it with?

Exactly. I worked fine so far therefor there are no issues here.

Have you even considered changing the program to the one I suggested? Or are you still running the same 'one-shot' 'turn the leds on once then turn them off' program?

Yes, I have already considered your program and I decided to stick to my program.

Do you have a decent cap across Vdd and Vss on the PIC itself?

I just connected a 100nF capacitor in between Vdd and Vss. Nothing.

Is the power supply stable enough? Does it rise to +5v smoothly? Does Vpp come up to +5v before Vdd?

I am using a 13.8 volts dc regulated power supply aswell as 3 times 7805. One 7805 for the pic itself and two parallel for other items like leds.

Do you have a 'solderless breadboard' to pull the PIC out of that circuit board and try it elsewhere?

Yes. I just did. It is working there.

Is the PIC installed in the correct orientation?

Yes.