USB PIC programmer issues

[Malc C]

Long story, but in a nutshell:

Browsing e-bay I noticed a guy selling a USB PIC Programmer in kit form. He also stated that he could sell just the pre-programmed PIC and PCB's - so I e-mailed him for further details and it transpires that the programmer is in essence a GTP-USB-lite, but with his own PCB design. As I already had the files, including the HEX and drivers for this project I simply ended up purchasing the bare PCB.

I've since constructed the programmer which, from component identification is based on the attached schematic (only differences are that he uses two LEDs rather than a bi-colour LED, the trannys are BC547's, and the timing caps are 22pf not 15pf as shown). Now comes the strange part.

I hooked up the USB cable, the red LED (RB7) lit up and then went out as the green one (RB6) came on and windows found the new hardware, and on pointing it to the supplied drivers the installation was complete. It's listed in Device manager and there are no conflicts. So far so good !

I then hooked up a 16F84a and connected the ISCP leads via a jumper cable. Launched the version of winpic800 (3.55g) that came with the files and selected the detect device - bingo it came back with "16F84A" - performed a hardware check and it found the programmer and reported all was OK. - Excellent I thought all seems to be working fine.....

I then opened some hex for the target PIC and clicked on the program all button. It squirted the hex to the PIC so fast I hardly saw the progression bar (well its USB2 full speed device) - however it then got to 93% in varification and halted with an error - "No is answer of hardware" (the author is Spanish). From then on any attempt to communicate with the programmer results in the software not being able to open the driver, and I have to un-plug and re-plug in the programmer to reset it all.

So I checked the voltages:

Under normal conditions they are:
Vpp - + 0.01v
Vdd - +5.01v
data - +0.03v
clk - +0.02v

Programing:
Vpp - +13.88v
Vdd - +5.00v
data - +1.57v
clk - +1.4v

The strange thing is that once it's errored and even if you shut down the software, the programmer still retains the programming voltages.

I've tried several pics and they all do the same.

Does anyone have any ideas - or suggestions on things to try ? The fast replies from the vendor to my previous mails seemed to of stopped now..I'm hoping its just because he's gone out for the eveing, and not that he is ignoring my requests for advice !

[Malc C]

Problem solved... appears to be a problem with the chipset on my PC

[heliphil]

Hi

which one is it and does it do the 18F2550? as I need usb programmer for that chip

[Malc C]

Yes the 18F2550 is supported by this programmer.

I've attached the orginal files that I downloaded years ago before the plus version went commercial. If you contact Chris at CT Tuning (http://www.ct-tuning.co.uk/contact_us.php) he can supply you with a bare PBC or a complete kit for around £22

http://www.ct-tuning.co.uk/images/Picture%20131.jpg

The issue I had was for some reason it halts at varification which is down to the USB comms on my PC as it works fine on my Son's PC

[Malc C]

Here's the files including the HEX code for the 18F2550 if you want to make one yourself, obviously you'l need someone to program the PIC if you haven't got a programmer, or you can get a pre-programmed PIC from Chris

[Bearded Flyer]

Malc, if this is an ICSP programmer do you have to make up a separate 'holder' for each chip form factor or can you use a universal one? Also I have trouble re-programming 12f675 chips when using the internal osc and having MCLR disabled. The chip tends to start running the program and will not go into programming mode. Do you know if this programmer will handle this situation?

Thanks
Richard

[darkith]

Richard,

I used to have this problem a lot.
On some programmers, this can be fixed by cutting the trace that provides power to the PIC's VCC pin, and using a FET driven from MCLR to gate power to VCC. This way, the chip only gets power after the programming voltage is already present, preventing it from "booting" normally.

E.g. JDM "b"
http://users.tpg.com.au/btkelly/jdm_b.htm

IIRC, a few programmers have a software option to delay enabling VCC until after MCLR is asserted, but I've never used them.

David

[Malc C]

Hi Richard,

Not sure, the only thing I can do is hook it up to my sons PC and try it with a 12F675 and let you know how it performs, and get back to you.

[Malc C]

Well Richard the good news is that yes this programmer does indeed program the 12F675 PIC via ISCP :)

[Bearded Flyer]

David & Malc,
Thanks for the feedback I may have to try one of these :)

Malc - Did you find the reason why the programmer would not run on your machine? I would hate to buy one and not be able to use it.

Thanks
Richard

[MatC]

Hi Malc,
What's the chipset issue? Have you tried new chipset drivers? (Obvious I know).
/Mat

[Malc C]

Hi guys,

No idal why - My motherboard is an Abit NF7-S, and I have installed the latest drivers for it and itstill plays up. It also did a similar thing with a USB headseat which resulted in squeltch being transmitted when you spoke. I'm going to try and install a PCI card with more ports (and different chipset) to see if that makes any difference.

Tell you one thing, on my sons P4 (circa 5 years old) it was blindingly fast when programming compared to my serial JDM programmer.

EDIT:

The strange thing is that the USB mouse, printer, camera etc all work fine on my PC...

[rmteo]

Have you guys looked at these? They come fully assembled with USB, in-circuit debugging, software CDs etc. They sell for $40-$50 (maybe £20). Here is one source that has them in stock:
http://catalog.digikey.com/scripts/partsearch.dll?Detail?name=DV164121-ND

More info here:
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en023805

[Malc C]

Yes, I've seen them.. over here RS do them for £21 +delivery + VAT. for the basic programmer (The add on boards shown are extra). I was thinking of getting one, but then found the guy selling the PCB's for the GTP-USB programmer, and as I had all the parts in my electronic hobby box it meant I could build a USB Pic programmer for £5.... that was before I discovered the issues with the USB ports on my PC... now thats cost a further £7 !

[MatC]

Do those PicKit things just pictured work in the same way as the ICD and ICD2 things?
ie full in circuit debugging with the mplab IDE?
They are a lot cheaper, I'm thinking of getting one if they work properly... failing that I'll get an ICD-compatible pcb from elektor.

[Malc C]

Mat, not 100% certain but the link above does state


PICkit™ 2 Debug Express enables in-circuit debugging on selected PIC® microcontrollers. In-circuit debugging runs, halts and single steps the program while the PIC microcontroller is embedded in the application. When halted at a breakpoint, the file registers can be examined and modified.
The PICkit 2 Debug Express includes a development board with Microchip’s 44-pin PIC16F917 Flash microcontroller

So I would assume it does

[MatC]

Thanks... do you have an RS account? :)

[Malc C]

:) Oh yes !! :) :D

[hrmehta15]

In one of the earlier post following information was given but when I clicked on link to contact Chris it is a dead link. Please let me know where can I find programmed 18F2550 and the PCB for the USB programmer.

""" Yes the 18F2550 is supported by this programmer.

I've attached the original files that I downloaded years ago before the plus version went commercial. If you contact Chris at CT Tuning he can supply you with a bare PBC or a complete kit """

Thanking you.

[Malc C]

This post originated over a year ago and it looks like CT-Tuning have since stoped trading as their website has been off-line for some time now. You could try e-mailing sales@ct-tuning.co.uk to see if they have any kits left, or if they are no longer involved in this, if they could send you an image of the track layout so you can etch your own board

EDIT:
If you google gtp-usb you might strike lucky

[hrmehta15]

Thank you Malc C. I will try to contact them.

Have you used PICkit 2? Has any one have any opinion about it. If I buy PICkit 2 with Low Pin Count Demo Board which programs only 8/14/20-Pin DIP Midrange & Baseline MCU then how do I program other MCU?

Has any one build any 40 Pin ZIF socket based board which can program 8 to 40 pins MCU with PICkit 2? If yes, then I will appreciate if they can forward me the details. My email address is hrmehta15 @ hotmail.com (with out spaces).

Thanking you in advance.

With Metta.

[Malc C]

Metta,

With all due respect you will have to do some searching on the net and make up your own mind on what options you want to get if you opt for the PicKit2.

I own a PicKIT1 and although it is limited in the number of devices it can program has serverd me well. The picKIT2 supports far more devices and has lots of add on boards to make life easier if you don't want to use ICSP.

One thing for sure, you often never end up with just one programmer :)

[Janusz]

HI all !! http://www.fischl.de/usbasp/

[Janusz]

http://www.sprut.de/electronic/pic/projekte/brenner8/index.htm

[Malc C]

http://ali3nworld.blogspot.com/

features the gt-usb programmer

Janusz, we must encourage people to google :)

[Chippie]

http://ali3nworld.blogspot.com/

features the gt-usb programmer

Janusz, we must encourage people to google :)


Agreed...I may be the worst worlds programmer...links are priceless

[hrmehta15]

One thing for sure, you often never end up with just one programmer.

Hi Malc C - This has clear my mind very much. Since long I was trying to find a perfect programmer, but some has some benefit and others have some other.

I think I will also end up with coup of programmer and boards.

Malc - my last name is Mehta. Metta means thank you from bottom of my heart.
http://www.dhamma.org/

I will be staring with ...
1. PICkit 2 + Universal Programming Module (AC162049) + RJ-11 to ICSP Adapter(AC164110)

2. Derbot robot
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Partial-Kit-of-Parts-for-Derbot-Robot_W0QQitemZ270212511210QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3133 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


3. EasyPIC5 development board.
http://www.mikroe.com/en/tools/easypic5/

4. USB Programmer - if I get programmed 18F2550 and the PCB for the USB programmer.

Also thank you to Janusz, Chippie for you help.

Any information on
Has any one build any 40 Pin ZIF socket based board which can program 8 to 40 pins MCU with PICkit 2? If yes, then I will appreciate if they can forward me the details. My email address is hrmehta15 @ hotmail.com (without spaces).

With Metta,

Himanshu

[rmteo]

With the EasyPIC 5 board, you can program 8-40 pin PIC10/12/16/18.

[Janusz]

Hi all. Thi's is my homework allpic.

[Malc C]

Malc - my last name is Mehta. Metta means thank you from bottom of my heart.


Sorry for the confusion


I will be staring with ...
1. PICkit 2 + Universal Programming Module (AC162049) + RJ-11 to ICSP Adapter(AC164110)

3. EasyPIC5 development board.
http://www.mikroe.com/en/tools/easypic5/


With Metta,

Himanshu


Himanshu, to be honest I would go straight for the EasyPIC development board. This has a built-in programmer and will cover most of the PICs that a DIYer will use for most hobby projects. If I was just starting out this would be the route I would follow

[hrmehta15]

Thank you very much Malc, rmteo and Janusz for you very helpful suggestion. I have decided to go with EasyPIC5.

Janusz - If it is not too much of a trouble, can you please provide information on how those 8 to 40 pins sockets are connected to the programmer.

[Janusz]

Hi. Thi's (PCB) connected to the programmer.

[hrmehta15]

Thank you Janusz for your help and rapid response.

[dc812]

The PIC-PG2C available from Sparkfun Electronics will program this chip. It is a serial programmer, but I have successfully used it for a couple of projects.

DC


In one of the earlier post following information was given but when I clicked on link to contact Chris it is a dead link. Please let me know where can I find programmed 18F2550 and the PCB for the USB programmer.

""" Yes the 18F2550 is supported by this programmer.

I've attached the original files that I downloaded years ago before the plus version went commercial. If you contact Chris at CT Tuning he can supply you with a bare PBC or a complete kit """

Thanking you.

[hrmehta15]

Thank you dc812.

Can I use the socket part - PIC-PG2C available from Sparkfun Electronics to program a PIC MCU using PICkit 2?

[dc812]

You should be able to program it directly using the PIC-PG2C and either ICPROG or WINPIC software or use the included ICSP cable to connect to program it directly on your breadboard.

DC