Your PICALL Hardware Questions Answered
Question: What software can I use with PICALL hardware
kits?
Answer: Kit 3144 is PICALL compatible
hardware and are designed to work with the PICALLW Windows or PICALL
DOS software. The hardware has a special firmware on the board that
enables the software to operate with full functionality without the
need to pay additional registration fees. You can download the latest
software here.
Question: What advantages do the PICALL hardware programmers
(kit 3144) have over the P16PRO hardware programmers
(kit 3096)?
Answer: They will program the PIC16C54, PIC16C55, PIC16C56,
PIC16C57, and the PIC16C58, in fact, all 12 14 & 16 series PICs - serial
& parallel PICs. They also incorporate auto-chip sensing for rapid bulk
programming. Kit 3144 also has ISP programming.
Question: What do you mean serial & parallel programmed
PICs?
Answer: In parallel programmed PICs data is presented at
8 pins then another pin has the programming voltage toggled on it to
read the data in/out a byte at a time. In serial programmed PICs the
data just goes in/out on one pin using a RS232 protocol for example.
You save 7 pins. The PIC IC can be physically smaller.
QUESTION: How do I set-up my PIC programmer?
ANSWER: Refer to the
Manual.txt
help file that is provided with the software.
Question: The programmer does not work with my 450MHz Pentium
II with MMX etc. What can I do?
Answer: First download the latest software version. Second,
adjust the ProgDelay value in P16PRO.INI until it does. Please report
to us if this does not fix the problem.
Question: Is the software out-of-date when new PIC chips
are issued?
Answer: No, you can get FREE software updates from our
Downloads page. New chips are easily added
to the DEVICE.INI
file of the software. No new firmware IC is required. This is unlike
many other programmers which are always wanting you to upgrade the firmware
- at a price of course.
Question: What if I have problems?
Answer: Please let us know. Phone us or send us an email.
BUT NOTE: We are assuming that you have constructed other kits before
this. This kit should NOT be your first soldering project! Buy the ready
built version instead.
Question: What other items do I need?
Answer: This kit requires a
16-30Vdc/12-20Vac Power Supply
and M-F Parallel Port Lead.
An optional 40-pin Wide ZIF socket can be
used in place of the standard DIL socket supplied for maximum ease of
use.
Question: Do I really need the ZIF Socket?
Answer: The kit is supplied with a 28/40 DIL IC socket but
for maximum ease of use and to allow 8 & 18 pin devices to also be programmed
we recommend the optional 40-pin Wide ZIF socket
is used in its place. This will allow you to easily insert and remove
the PIC's to be programmed without the possibility of leg bending and
damage. Some older designed PIC programmers available have 2 or even
3 (!) ZIF sockets on-board. Only one wide-slot 40 pin ZIF socket is
necessary with the PICALL. The reason the 40 pin ZIF socket is not included
as standard is because it is not essential if you are only going to
program a few 28 & 40 pin PICs but you will need one if you want to
program 8 and 18 pin devices as well.
Question: Apart from the kit price and any additional items
you require what other costs are there?
Answer: Postage and Packing as detailed on our
Ordering Information page.
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