Download MPLAB IDE PICSTART Plus User's Guide

MPLAB® PICSTART® PLUS
USER’S GUIDE
Appendix B. Troubleshooting
B.1
INTRODUCTION
This appendix provides information for troubleshooting the PICSTART Plus
programmer including:
• Common Problems
• Error Messages, Warnings and Announcements
• Limitations
B.2
COMMON PROBLEMS
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Failure to Establish Communication with PICSTART Plus
Advanced Serial Communications Help
No Programmer Options Visible
Incompatible Software and Operating System Versions
Blank Check Problems
LED Indicators Flicker or Do Not Light
Device Pin Damage
Download Not Successful
B.2.1
Failure to Establish Communication with PICSTART Plus
MPLAB IDE attempts to establish communication with the PICSTART Plus device
programmer when you enable the programmer. If communication cannot be
established, no programming can occur. A message appears in the Output window if
the attempt to establish communication fails.
• General Communications Troubleshooting
• COM Port Setup
B.2.1.1
GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Make sure that the RS-232 cable is connected, the power supply is connected
and the power LED on the programmer is on.
2. Try connecting the programmer to a different serial port. If your PC has a 25-pin
serial port, you will need a 25-to-9 serial port adapter.
3. Make sure that a COM port is properly set up exclusively for use by the
programmer. Check the resources to ensure they are operating properly and that
there are no conflicts with other devices. If other hardware is detected on the
designated COM port or the COM port is being used by software at the time
communication is attempted, it will fail. Consult your Windows manual or other
reference literature. You can try removing, reconfiguring, or disabling the
conflicting device or software, but do so only if you are familiar with those
procedures. See Section B.2.1.2 “COM Port Setup”.
4. Some system errors are caused by driver and hardware incompatibility. See
Section B.2.1.2 “COM Port Setup”.
 2004 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS51028F-page 69