Frequently asked questions

Simply make a choice from our software page here

PICKitPlus Flex Suite is the best value, containing four  PICKitPlus applications:

1. Graphical user interface application PICKit 2Plus for the PICKit 2 programmer.
2. Graphical user interface application PICKit 3Plus for the PICKit 3 programmer.
3. PICKitPlusCommandLine the essential application for integrating compilers.  Supports the PICKit 2 and PICKit 3 programmers.
4. PICKitAutoWatch the easiest method to program parts. Supports the PICKit 2 and PICKit 3 programmers.

Simply make a choice from our software page here

PICKitPlus Basic Suite has the basic toolset, containing three PICKitPlus applications:

1. Graphical user interface application PICKit 2Plus for the PICKit 2 programmer.
2. Graphical user interface application PICKit 3Plus for the PICKit 3 programmer.
3. PICKitPlusCommandLine the essential application for integrating compilers.  Supports the PICKit 2 and PICKit 3 programmers.

Simply make a single application payment to PayPal here for £10 GBP.  

Simply make a single application payment to PayPal here for £10 GBP.   

Simply make a single application payment to PayPal here for £10 GBP. 

Simply make a single application payment to PayPal here for £10 GBP. 

We use PayPal. 

We can provide details of bank transfer upon request and we can also provide invoices but this will incur charges for the transaction.

We provide one year software support to resolve issues in the software.  You can obtain a renewed license in subsequent years by repurchasing a license.  

We will send all software updates within the first year automatically to your email address with your unique download URL.

We provide free updates to the parts database as we publish to GitHub.  See https://github.com/Anobium/PICKitPlus    The latest parts database can be found on GitHub.

Licenses are single named user.  This means you can use on multiple computers that the named person uses - sharing of the software is not permitted.

We have a semi-automated system.  After we have manually checked the payment has been cleared, your user specific installer is created and sent to you.  We need to manually check the payment has been cleared because we have had numerous scams and have had to remove the fully automated process.

You will receive your user specific installation via a URL for you to download.    We use the same method for updates to the software (fixes or enhancements) and updates to the parts database.

We work extended London (UK) office hours.  Which means we can cover 0700-1900 hours.  We verify payment details within our office hours.

If your payment has not cleared we will contact you via email. 

But, we will provide the software as soon as practical within our office hours.

Download the new microcontrollers’ database and then place the .dat file in your installation folder and restart the application.

We issue new software when we add new features, or, we fix an issue.  You will receive an email to your user specific download URL.

We add or revise the microcontrollers’ database as we get requests to add new parts or to revise existing microcontrollers’ definitions. 

You can always check for updates using the TOOLS/CHECK DEVICE DATABASE VERSION option in the software.

Some users simply reinstall and therefore overwrite the existing installation.

Some users retain each release of the software by renaming the installer with the date and/or version.

Either method can work for you but please note  we only retain the current release of the software in your download URL.

Yes.   PICKitPlus retains  the Bandgap and OSCCAL (Oscillator Calibration bits) at the time of programming your microcontroller.

Yes.  We test using Windows XP to Windows 11.

Yes.  See the website tab for a complete list of supported parts.

It is a text file.  The format is as follows.

The parts are defined as Part_name_string., Parts_family, Microchip_parts_ID.

The top of the list shows the latest part to be added or revised.  

Ask us to add the missing parts.  Send us your existing parts database (as this will contain the information we need) and we can add them.

No.  PICKitPlus software does not require the internet to operate.

Yes.  We have, as a principle, maintained the structure of the microcontrollers’ database. 

So, this means that you can use the microcontrollers’ database BUT the new parts in the Midrange/1.8V Min MSB1st or the PIC18/PIC18F MSB1st will not work using the old Microchip software as the protocols are not supported.

And, functionality like HEF/SAF, OSCCAL reset etc are not supported by the old Microchip software.

No. It is new software.

Yes.  As a principle we have not updated the firmware in the programmer to ensure we can support the widest range of programmers.

Essentially, if the old Microchip software worked, then, so will PICKitPlus software with all the new capabilities.

https://sourceforge.net/p/pickit3plus/discussion/

See the product pages of this website

We have one constraint that we know of.

• 18FxxQ10 and may be more… are limited to 32 words of UserIDs @ r194 of the parts database

The framework causes the UI to stutter.  This has been fixed in the latest software.

EEPROM support is via the Windows GUI application only.

Support for I2C EEPROM devices - below are the notes from the Microchip read-me note. This applies to PICKitPlus.

Ensure the operating voltage does not exceed the part's specification.

Connections for 24xx devices as example.

    ---------------------------------------

    PICKit 2 Pin 24xx Device Pin (DIP)

    (2) Vdd ! pin8 Vcc

    (3) GND pin4 Vss

    (5) PGC pin6 SCL (driven as push-pull)

    (6) AUX pin5 SDA (requires pullup resistor)

    pin7 WP - disabled (GND)

    1, 2, 3 Ax pins on the part.

    Connect to Vdd or GND per

    datasheet and to set address

PICKit 2: 24LC devices may not program properly below 3.6V VDD. This is a limitation of the PICKit 2 AUX IO pin.

PICKit 3: If you get “I2C Bus Error (No Acknowledge)-Aborted“ first inspect all the connections, then, ensure you have pull-up resistors fitted to SDA and SCL, and, review the Microchip advice in section A.4 Device Support of the PICKit 3 Programmer Application User’s Guide.  Also, see the 'Writing EEPROMs with PICKit 3.pdf' in your PICKitPlus installation directory.

Bus Speed-

400kHz with Tools -> Fast Programming checked

100kHz with Tools -> Fast Programming unchecked

NOTE: Bus pullups are required for all programming operations. 400kHz requires 2k Ohm pullups.

A(n) Chip Select checkboxes within the user interface.

These are only enabled for devices that support address chip selects, and allow programming of  multiple devices on the same bus.

 The parts database now shows 24xx00 to 24xx1026.  The xx can be LC, FC, or AA.  Requires 2.63.197, or greater, of the parts database to operate.

Yes, a PICKit 2 can be used with PICKitPlus software to program new microcontrollers.

And, you can use the old Microchip software!

Yes, a PICKit 3 can be used with PICKitPlus software to program new microcontrollers.

And, you can use the old Microchip software!

Yes, if your clone works with Microchip software, it will also work with PICKitPlus

The installation is very easy. You can watch the installation process on Youtube, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo7z1wfjIh8&t=248s

See  the website tab for a complete list of supported parts.

Yes.  Small devices like the 10F220, 10F320/340 are supported.

Yes, send us an email.  We may request the specific microcontroller but we should be able to update the database to support the microcontroller.

See https://pickitplus.co.uk/Typesetter/index.php/Supported-Parts  for the current and the previous releases of the databases.

You need to install the last XP .NET patch kit.

If you require XP support please download the additional ZIP and install the contents to ensure you have .NET support.

https://pickitplus.co.uk/xp/dotnetfx.zip

Install the WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe followed by dotnetfx.exe

If you still require the .NET offline installer then install this.  This is the minimum version.

https://pickitplus.co.uk/dotnet/dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe

Our policy is very easy to understand.

We will work with you to resolve any issues with our software.  The only circumstance of a refund is when we cannot resolve an issue in our software - at that point we will offer a refund.

We can provide the firmware and the detailed instructions to reload the firmware to the programmer - the term 'unbricking' is not a root cause analysis of the state of the programmer therefore we can only help with advice and services.  Just ask us.

Our advice is to give up on the 12C.  Use a modern microcontroller.

The "C" variant of a PIC microcontroller is a one time programmable microcontroller.  You have one chance to get it right.

A K150 programmer or a TL866CS works sometimes.   The famous "ponyprog" software claims to support pic12c50x, and works with several minimal and easy-to-build programmers.  

      http://www.lancos.com/prog.html

The 12C microcontroller requires a true RS-232-level serial port, and may be dependent on the PC-side OS having deterministically timed access to all of the serial port signals, which is questionable with the current abstraction  of the serial port.   But the source code is available (part of the linux version), so it is at least a reasonable model.   You could use an Arduino Nano.  It is not difficult, aside from needing 13V Vpp and multiple "pulses" for each location (ala most eprom programming specs.  "do this up to X times till it reads back, and then do it N times X more times to make sure.")

The problem is a PIC12C508 requires up to 50mA from Vpp during programming and Vpp must not drop below 12.75V during programming. (see http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/30557g.pdf )

Most cheap / minimal / DIY programmers can't hold Vpp at 13V +/-0.25V reliably with a 50mA pulsed load on it.

This is very important!

PIC12C508 and the PIC12F508 are binary compatible and apart from the different programming characteristics, and the pin 5 (GP2/T0CKI) input characteristic, are electrically compatible.  (GP2/T0CKI is a Schmitt trigger input on the 'C508 but an ordinary CMOS input with TTL thresholds on the 'F508.)  Therefore, in most cases, you can simply use a more modern programmer that doesn't support EPROM memory PIC1xC... parts, to flash a PIC12F508 with your PIC12C508 code, and use it in place of the 'C508.

So, use a PIC12F508  and a PICKitPlus programmer.

We simply give the circuit more time to stabilise and if the circuit is not stable after a specific period the application will issue an error message to inform the user.

Retry the programming.  If the error does occur every time then inspect the circuit and reduce the capacitance of the programming lines.

You should also inspect the  VDD voltage, if incorrect,  then either the programmer tool needs calibrating; or the USB supply is poor; or the USB cable is poor; or the target circuit is drawing too much current.

You can use our compatibility test application.  pkcmd-lx-compatibility-test-x86_64.AppImage    
 

 > sudo ./pkcmd-lx-compatibility-test-x86_64.AppImage

Compatibility test for PKCMD-LX 1.05 beta A program to test PKCMD-LX compatibility on a target platform

Looking for tool
Detaching kernel driver usbhid
Connected to PK3 "BUR160610228"
Status is: Pickit is in MPLAB mode
Error 5: Firmware Problem

If your PK2 or PK3 is found the software will show the serial identifier of the programmer.  If the PICKit3 is in MPLAB mode you will get an error message but when you get our software you can use the --firmware parameter to set the programmer to normal (Non-MPLAB mode) and then you can use the LX software with ease.

It's an avatar.  The head of the Anobium woodworm beetle.