Coming back to pic's

[DaveT]

Hi all,

Have had a break from Pic's since retiring 4 years ago, want to get back to it to keep what brain cells I have left active

Question 1 - I have an old PC running Windows XP will it run the new version of
PCWH?

Question 2 - If I purchase the Mach X programmer can I program the target pic
from the CCS toolbar? Can I also set fuses in the Mach X.

Thanks!

[PCM programmer]

At the bottom of this page, it says the compiler runs under Windows XP:
https://www.ccsinfo.com/content.php?page=overview

This page says MachX won't be released until May 1, 2021:
http://www.ccsinfo.com/product_info.php?products_id=machx
Also it's hugely expensive compared to other programmers.

[DaveT]

Hi PCM Programmer

What programmer would you recommend that would integrate with the compiler? i.e accessible from the toolbar.

[PCM programmer]

Most people on here like the ICD-U64.

[Ttelmah]

MachX, is good since it allows you to program physical chips, when the ICD
only works with them built into a board with a suitable header. Key is
that it has to be a 'new' MachX. The older MachX units won't do a lot
of the 3.3v PIC's.
I have both, and debug with both. Of the several units I have ICD-U80,
U64, U40, U2, & MachX, it is between the U64, and the MachX.

[temtronic]

Guess I'm a 'dinosaur'. I still use a MPLAB 8.92 and a PICkit3 to program my PIC18F46K22s....

[DaveT]

Back in the old days I had a Warp 13 which I could pop any DIP into and burn away.

There does not seem to be the variety of programmers about these days.

I will wait for the new Mach X to come out in May, and if my enthusiasm is still there I will buy one


Thanks for your help!

[temtronic]

I dedicate the ICSP pins to, well, programming the PIC via ICSP. Using a 40pin PIC is 'overkill' for 99% of the stuff I do BUT so far haven't run out of memory, peripherals or pins. Come close couple of times but so far, so good. I use the PIC18F26K22 for smaller stuff, again dedicate the ICSP for ICSP though.
By standarizing on those 2, I KNOW I have working code for LCD, RTC, Keypad, DS chips, etc. so when it doesn't work it's usually wiring mistakes, or my lousy typing.

Jay

[Ttelmah]

Worth just saying that all of the CCS ICD's and programmers will work
directly from the compiler IDE. Also in fact several of the Microchip
ones if you load the plug in for these. The 'settings' that the CCS units use
(so for example changing if the MachX is self powered or powered
from the ICD socket), have to be changed from the separate CCS
programming control software (CCSLOAD). Changes done using this
are remembered and applied the next time you use it from the IDE.

[rnielsen]

While CCS is out of stock of the MACH X, you can find it at Digikey.