My programmer is on the mend and just like last time, it was giving inconsistent feedback. The programming steps would start with me erasing the data on the microcontroller, check to verify it is really blank before I can program it. The errors crops up when:
One, I was verifying if the chip has been erased or,
Two, after programming when the software verifies that the data has been correctly programmed or not.
SOIC2DIL ADAPTOR
At first, I thought it was the worn contacts of the SOIC2DIL adaptors and the chip which in a way, contributed to the issue. After designing my own test adaptor, the problem more or less solved itself.
ISCP ADAPTOR
In the recent months, it came back again. This time, I have soldered the microcontroller to the board and so, the earlier adaptors would not work. And it would be a pain to de-solder the chip, re-program it and then solder it back. Not only that, it would kill both the chip and the PCB very fast. The only way to re-program them would be via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), a fancy term of re-programming the chip while it is soldered.
I do have the adaptor and with both errors, I bought another set just to make sure. Alas, this did not solve the issue. I am therefore left with two other options, which is to either try and repair the programmer at the risk of destroying it or, get another programmer.
REPAIRING THE PROGRAMMER
Years ago, I have replaced the chipped inductor which did solve some issues. But lately, I began to notice a weird and almost metallic humming. It could not be the inductor since I replaced it with a wire wound version. After looking closely, both capacitors seems to be slightly corroded. I cannot remember but I did read sometime ago that the programming voltage has to be very specific. Trouble-shooting would be a little easier if I knew what I was looking for but for a mature product, there was noting on the internet, not even a schematic diagram. Anyhow, the capacitors arrived and I crossed my fingers…
And now, look at the pair or SMD capacitors labeled, “100 16s 7LN’ which has some sort of corrosion. After scouring the Internet for an exact replacement, I chose a 100uF, 16v and hoped I am correct. I mean, dimensionally, these SMD electrolytic capacitors looked the same.
So using a soldering iron can be a bit tricky.
FInally, with a lot of flux and solder, I got both suspect capacitors out.
IN SUMMARY
I am not out of the woods yet. I still have to make the decision of either getting the same programmer off eBay or the new PICkit5. If I get the same programmer, it costs more or less the same and I would have to deal with any issues that comes with a used item. If I get a PICkit5, this would mean I would have to spend more time and resources to upgrade other stuff or solving more issues before I can even get them to work since most of the solutions I have are very much outdated by at least half a decade.
