ICD Problems, wont communicate

[steve_h]

From Steve.

I did post something on a different section basically about the same thing.

using version 5 of flowcode, an EB006-00-8 , Flowkit, windows 7
using a PIC16F88 with the code as attached. Nothing connected to any PIC pins.

the code comprises of
ON bit 0 portA
delay for 1 sec
Off bit 0 portA
delay for 1 sec

all this is contained in a counting loop for 255 times


when compiling to chip.. success.
when trying to program the chip the unit displayed "Could not ID the chip"

then after several attempts it does eventually say success.

Then when I switch to ICD mode it then displays "ICD failed to communicate with the target device - check power"

So I do all this, recheck every thing again -recompile - reprogram.
it has worked about 4 times in as many days after trying hundreds of times.

When it did work, it worked...single step and running

Then I have done something different,, tried a different chip ie 16F688 or 18F25K22.
The K22 I haven't had any luck whatsoever, The 688 I have had a couple of successes with.

I then go back to the 16F88 chip and get it going so the ICD works,, I then try something else.

I insert another dead basic command like another Bit change on a port.

It then goes all pear shaped again and I go through all the above again, leaving me totally deflated as I cannot rely
on the unit. Looking on forums I don't see other people having issues like this.
I have been using PICs since the 16F84A was available and progressed to the PIC24 stage using microchip ass and PICKIT 2 and 3.

Basically Im trying to get the pic to do the 1HZ flasher routine and failing..

Martin was looking into this and he may catch this new thread,
(thanks Martin)
Anyone else have any suggestions.


steve. but going for Dinner now for a break :