PICKIT2 on MPLAB IDE or Piklab or any other IDE for development on a PIC18F2620

[ssylee]

I have been trying to use the PICKIT 2 programmer option within MPLAB
IDE, but it seems like the option to do so is disable as shown in
http://imagebin.ca/view/86lX0hhQ.html. I have also tried to update the
firmware of my PICKIT 2 separately on the software provided on the
Microchip website, but it keeps on freezing regularly every time I
have attempted to check my PIC18F2620 to see if it is empty (it's
brand new). The PICKIT 2 software is able to detect my programmer, but
that's about it. Does anyone know what I need to do to activate the
option to use my programmer straight in MPLAB?

I have also looking at open source options, i.e. using Piklab in
Ubuntu Linux for the development. I have looked at http://www.robh.nl/pickit2.php
but haven't tried it yet. Does anyone else have any ideas before
resorting to the hard way?

Thanks!

 

[Tom2000]

I have been trying to use the PICKIT 2 programmer option within MPLAB
IDE, but it seems like the option to do so is disable as shown in
http://imagebin.ca/view/86lX0hhQ.html. I have also tried to update the
firmware of my PICKIT 2 separately on the software provided on the
Microchip website, but it keeps on freezing regularly every time I
have attempted to check my PIC18F2620 to see if it is empty (it's
brand new). The PICKIT 2 software is able to detect my programmer, but
that's about it. Does anyone know what I need to do to activate the
option to use my programmer straight in MPLAB?

I have also looking at open source options, i.e. using Piklab in
Ubuntu Linux for the development. I have looked at http://www.robh.nl/pickit2.php
but haven't tried it yet. Does anyone else have any ideas before
resorting to the hard way?

Thanks!

Welcome to Microchip marketing. I bought a Pickit2, a while ago, to
perhaps replace my clunky old serial EasyICD2 programmer. They
advertised it as being able to program and debug "a selection" of
their chips.

It turns out that their idea of "a selection" was exactly two
processors. (It programs a few more than the two it can debug, but
the selection is very limited.)

After selecting Pickit2 as your programmer in MPLAB, go to the
Configure > Select Device menu. If the Pickit2 button is red, you're
out of luck for your particular processor.

These days, I only use the Pickit2 for 12F683 projects. It seems to
work OK for those. For anything else, I set up my EasyICD2.

Tom

 

[ssylee]

Welcome to Microchip marketing. I bought a Pickit2, a while ago, to
perhaps replace my clunky old serial EasyICD2 programmer. They
advertised it as being able to program and debug "a selection" of
their chips.

It turns out that their idea of "a selection" was exactly two
processors. (It programs a few more than the two it can debug, but
the selection is very limited.)

After selecting Pickit2 as your programmer in MPLAB, go to the
Configure > Select Device menu. If the Pickit2 button is red, you're
out of luck for your particular processor.

These days, I only use the Pickit2 for 12F683 projects. It seems to
work OK for those. For anything else, I set up my EasyICD2.

Tom

Thanks Tom. I found that it's quite tricky to know that I have to
configure the microcontroller in the devices configuration before I
realized that the only microcontroller it supports is my PIC16F690. I
have already contacted Microchip about it. Looks like I would have to
try the open source way or try to complete my SD card data logging
project on PIC16F690.

Stanley

 

[Tom2000]

Thanks Tom. I found that it's quite tricky to know that I have to
configure the microcontroller in the devices configuration before I
realized that the only microcontroller it supports is my PIC16F690. I
have already contacted Microchip about it. Looks like I would have to
try the open source way or try to complete my SD card data logging
project on PIC16F690.

Stanley

Stanley, it looks like I spoke too soon. I just checked the most
recect device list for the Pickit2: http://tinyurl.com/kvefj

In the 7.62 MPLAB release, they've added both programming and
debugging support for a whole lot of new devices, including your 2620
and the two 18F chips I use most: 1320 and 2431.

I just downloaded and installed 7.62. When I get a moment, I'll see
if they speak the truth.

I recommend that you upgrade your MPLAB installation. You might be in
business!

Thanks for the inspiration to check it out. It's been on my to do list
for a while now, but I've kept forgetting about it.

Good luck!

Tom

 

[Tom2000]

...Looks like I would have to
try the open source way or try to complete my SD card data logging
project on PIC16F690.

BTW, Stanley, a number of folks on the RevEd Picaxe forum have been
talking about SD card interfacing lately. When you get your app
running, I'm sure lots of people over there would be most interested
in your method. http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/forum/

Although it's not on my to do list, I'd like to learn how to handle
these things, too.

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Neil]

I have been trying to use the PICKIT 2 programmer option within MPLAB
IDE, but it seems like the option to do so is disable as shown in
http://imagebin.ca/view/86lX0hhQ.html. I have also tried to update the
firmware of my PICKIT 2 separately on the software provided on the
Microchip website, but it keeps on freezing regularly every time I
have attempted to check my PIC18F2620 to see if it is empty (it's
brand new). The PICKIT 2 software is able to detect my programmer, but
that's about it. Does anyone know what I need to do to activate the
option to use my programmer straight in MPLAB?

I have also looking at open source options, i.e. using Piklab in
Ubuntu Linux for the development. I have looked at
http://www.robh.nl/pickit2.php
but haven't tried it yet. Does anyone else have any ideas before
resorting to the hard way?

Thanks!

I had a similar experience, worked fine with the demo board but wouldn't
recognise a 16F877A,
but found a way to get it working.
Can't remember exactly how (sorry to be so useful)
I think it was reloading the PIKIT2 Operating System or something like that.
Definitely had to re-install something, but only had to use the menu
buttons,
so it wasn't anything too complex (can't have been for me to manage it!)
All worked OK with not-latest-MPLAB as well.
hth
Neil

 

[Tom2000]

Stanley, it looks like I spoke too soon. I just checked the most
recect device list for the Pickit2: http://tinyurl.com/kvefj

In the 7.62 MPLAB release, they've added both programming and
debugging support for a whole lot of new devices, including your 2620
and the two 18F chips I use most: 1320 and 2431.

OK, Stanley, some good news and some bad news.

I was able to program an 18F1320 OK. However, I was unable to debug
it, even using the pulldown resistors mentioned in the Pickit2 Readme
file. I tried powering the chip from the Pickit2 or on external
power. No joy.

I'm out of time at the moment, but I'll try again later.

In any case, it looks like you'll be able to use your Pickit2 to
program your chip, at least, if you download and install MPLAB 7.62.

Best,

Tom

 

[ssylee]

OK, Stanley, some good news and some bad news.

I was able to program an 18F1320 OK. However, I was unable to debug
it, even using the pulldown resistors mentioned in the Pickit2 Readme
file. I tried powering the chip from the Pickit2 or on external
power. No joy.

I'm out of time at the moment, but I'll try again later.

In any case, it looks like you'll be able to use your Pickit2 to
program your chip, at least, if you download and install MPLAB 7.62.

Best,

Tom

Hi Tom,

I've been able to erase and program my chip at least, although I
haven't tried it with an actual sample code/project.

Cheers,

Stanley