PICBASIC PRO and PIC 16F886

[PICBasicUser]

Okay. We are ready to go!

Any tips about about getting started here?

[mpgmike]

What do you have, what do you know, where are you? What is it you're trying to accomplish? Do you have a copy of the PIC16F886 data sheet from MicroChip? You will definitely need that. If you don't have one, go to MicroChip.com and start with Microprocessors/PIC/8-bit, then find your processor and download the data sheet (or use the search engine top right corner of the MicroChip page).

[PICBasicUser]

Thank you Mike!

Have a 16F886 on a breadboard.

Have a PICKit 3 clone.

Using MPLAB IPE to program.

Have the datasheet.

Have Pic Basic Experimenter's (Student) Edition.

Would like to run a 'Light LED program'.

[mpgmike]

Next, jump on MicroChip.com and download their MPLABX Suite. In it, you will get MPLAB IPE (Integrated Programming Environment). After you install the .exe file, you will get an icon on your desktop for the IPE. When you get your Light LED program put together, hit F9 to compile, but not program. Y.ou will get a series of files show up in the same folder you have the program. Among them will be a .HEX file. Next open the MPLAB IPE. Select the PIC16F886 as your processor from the one drop-down menu and select PICKit3 as your programmer. There should be several selector bars on the left hand side. (If you don't see it, close the program, connect the PICKit3 and restart the program). If you are powering your device with a power supply, you shouldn't have to select anything. If you will be powering it from the programmer (PICKit3), press the left tab labeled "Power". From the drop down, select 5.05 volts, and select "Power Target Circuit from Tool".

From the File menu, select Import/Hex file. You will then get a browser window where you can go to the folder with your program. Select Light_LED.HEX (or whatever you call it). The dialog window at the bottom should show, in blue, Hex File Successfully Imported. Next, here are the 4 steps:

1 - Press "Erase". You should see "Successfully Erased" in blue.
2 - Press "Blank Check". Your dialog window should verify, in blue, the device is blank. If you get anything in red, go back to step one.
3 - Press "Program". Again, the dialog window should verify successful program attempt in blue. If you get something in red, go back to step one.
4 - Press "Verify". Look for the blue success message. Anything in red, go back to step one.

If you simply cannot successfully program the PIC, you probably have a hardware issue. go through all the checks outlined in the MicroChip PICKit3 documentation as well as the PBP3 Manual.

If you need help with getting the program set up, let me know. You chose a great PIC to start with.

[PICBasicUser]

Thank you Mike!

Okay. Have another project that took away any PIC Basic time.

When I do start up again I will open PIC Basic and select 16F886.

Then take it from there!