Brads Electronic Projects Forum

I guess it will be a while before I post another tutorial. I am not sure how long it will be before I get another PICKit.

Stacy

I'm sorry to hear that. How did that happen? Did it stop while you were working with it or did it just not start up one day? Have you narrowed down all the other possibilities? Tried other computers? Checked connections? Taken it apart for visual inspection?

Any possibility these things have fuses?

No you haven't (well I am 90% sure that you haven't fried it...)

Try this:

Download the latest pickit 2 firmware and extract it to a known folder
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/D ... 023200.zip

Then open up the pickit 2 software (not mplab, but the actual pickit 2 software)

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/D ... up%20A.zip

Then BEFORE you connect the pickit 2 to the USB port, hold down the red button on the pickit 2 and then connect it while still holding the button. The software should detect that you now have it connected, but it will say that it has no OS on it. then you need to click TOOLS>DOWNLOAD PICKIT OPERATING SYSTEM.

Then click your download file and click ok. It will then take about 10 seconds to put the OS on again and all should be good!

let us know of your results

Thanks Brad I will give that a try, but I am pretty sure it is not going to help (I'll let ya' know).

Chuck, It happened when I was experimenting with a project. I had something shorted out on my breadboard and did not realize it until it was too late.

Smoke should have been an indication!

Stacy

Hey Stacy, if it really is broken, then check this out.



It is a pickit 2 clone and from what I read, it is 100% compatible with the pickit 2 and only $22

http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=21

Stacy,

I've never taken apart the Pikit 2 but on other programmers, people usually fry their FTDI chip. But the price of the clone that Brad showed may make repairing your Pikit2 not worth your time repairing.

Chuck

Thanks guys.

Brad, that's a good price but it only has 9 days left and I am not sure I will have the money by then. I know I sound cheap but I am just a little strapped right now. The normal price is $33.00 and for that I'll just go with a PICKit2.

I looked on ebay for someone selling a used PICKit and found several clones (including the one you posted). It surprises me that the clones sell for so close to the cost of the original PICKit2. It makes me wonder... why would anyone purchase a clone for the same price as the original when you can buy with confidence and have all the support from Microchip if you just purchase a PICKit2.


Thanks Chuck, but I am inept when it comes to repairing just about anything electronic! Funny thing is, I have been an electronic technician for 15 years. Maybe I need to attend some of Brad's classes that he teaches.

Now there's an idea for you Brad...

Once you "finally" finish posting the rest of the tutorials, you can start a Repair and Maintenence section!

Did you get to try reprogramming your pickit?

brad wrote:Did you get to try reprogramming your pickit?

I did not. I have been quite busy with some other things around the house so I have not been able to play around with the projects.

Work is also starting to pick up again and I will probably be putting more overtime in this week so it might be another week or so before I get around to hookin' up the ole' PICKit2.

Stacy

Okay slow poke...

Anywho, I have shorted out my circuit (quite a few times) and my pickit has refused to work, using that method has brought it back to life everytime!

brad wrote:Okay slow poke...

Anywho, I have shorted out my circuit (quite a few times) and my pickit has refused to work, using that method has brought it back to life everytime!

Cool, that's very encouraging. Thanks!

I'll let you know if it works for me too.

Stacy

Well... It didn't work.




Until I tried it!

Thanks! You just saved me some money. You ROCK!

Stacy

sdudley wrote:Well... It didn't work.




Until I tried it!

Thanks! You just saved me some money. You ROCK!

Stacy

And it only took you a week to do it!

brad wrote:And it only took you a week to do it!

Correction...

It took me a week to get around to doing it!

It only took me about a minute or so to do it.

Stacy

brad wrote:Hey Stacy, if it really is broken, then check this out.



It is a pickit 2 clone and from what I read, it is 100% compatible with the pickit 2 and only $22 :)

http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=21

I was using google online and posts / articles came up so I believe it is possible to program one of these chips with an FTDI cable for about $20. I just don't have enough information yet.