EPIC(TM) Plus Programmer 2.46 beta README file
Copyright (c)2007 microEngineering Labs, Inc.

This software and accompanying documentation is copyright (c)
microEngineering Labs, Inc. and may only be used by owners of the
microEngineering Labs, Inc. EPIC(TM) Programmer.  Please contact
microEngineering Labs, Inc. to license this software.  Contact
information is listed at the end of this file.


This ZIP contains the files the necessary for the operation of the EPIC(TM)
Plus Programmer.  The files should include:

        EPIC.HTM                EPIC Windows HTML help file
        EPIC.INI                EPIC Windows device data file
        EPICCFG.INI             EPIC Windows configuration file
        EPICWIN.EXE             EPIC Windows programming software
        NTINST.EXE              EPIC Windows NT/2000/XP driver install/remove program
        PICLPT95.VXD            EPIC Windows 95/98/ME driver
        PICLPTNT.SYS            EPIC Windows NT/2000/XP driver
        README.TXT              This file
        *.GIF                   Image files for help
        *.JPG                   Image files for help



Version Information

Version 2.4 of the EPIC Programmer software adds support for the PIC18Fxxx
devices.  The current version of the software does not allow setting Table
Read Protect for these devices.



PIC16F88x Programming Notes:

Programming the Flash Program Memory Write Enable and the Brown-out Reset
Voltage configuration bits is not supported for the PIC16F88x devices.
These configuration bits will remain at their default values.



EPROM/OTP Programming Notes:

The EPIC programming software defaults to a device type of 16F84A.  You
must be sure to change this if the device is an EPROM or OTP part.  These
parts cannot be programmed using the '8x algorithm and may be damaged by
it.



Flash Programming Notes:

Many flash parts must be erased before reprogramming.



Oscillator Calibration Notes:

Many parts with internal oscillators are not completely blank from the
factory.  They contain a calibration value in the last location.

This affects reading a programmed part and writing it back to a new part.
If the calibration values for the two parts are not the same, the melabs
programming software will report a programming or verify error at the last
location.



In-circuit Programming Notes:

The EPIC Programmer can be used to program PIC(R) microcontrollers in-circuit
through its 10-pin header.  The EPICWin help file shows the connection
diagram along with additional information.

Some PIC(R) MCUs have both an internal oscillator and internal master clear
pin.  When programming these devices in-circuit, make sure that both of
these features are not enabled at the same time.  If they are, the
programmer may no longer be able to program or erase the device in-circuit.



Windows NT/2000/XP Driver Installation:

Usually, running the EPIC Windows programming software will automatically
load the required driver, PICLPTNT.SYS.  In some cases and with some
permissions, the driver may not be properly loaded under NT/2000/XP.  A
program, NTINST, is included with the EPIC software to install or remove
the EPIC Windows NT/2000/XP driver (you must be logged in as an
administrator).

To install the NT/2000/XP driver, from the EPIC subdirectory, enter:

        ntinst /install

If the EPIC programming software is reinstalled or moved to a different
directory, the Windows NT/2000/XP registry may try to start the PICLPTNT
service from the wrong directory.  To reset the registry key , from the
EPIC subdirectory, enter:

        ntinst /remove

You may receive an error, but it should remove the driver anyway.

If you can't remove the driver using this method, you can delete the
registry key using REGEDIT.  Editing the registry is an advanced operation
that should only be performed by those well versed in Windows operating
systems.

The key to delete is:
\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\PICLPTNT



EPIC for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP Notes:

Many menu items are grayed out and are not selectable.  Some of these
items, such as Erase, are only available for use by certain devices.
These become enabled when the appropriate device is selected.

Be sure to check the configuration settings, particulary code protect,
immediately before programming a device.

See the file EPIC.TXT or EPIC Help for EPIC operation information.



PIC(R) MCU support, EPIC for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP:

10F200, 10F202:, 10F204, 10F206: Supported using 10F SOT Adapter.

12C508(A), 12C509(A), 12CE518, 12CE519, 12C671, 12C672, 12CE673, 12CE674,
12F508, 12F509, 12F629, 12F635, 12F675, 12F683: Supported.

14000: Supported using PIC14000 ZIF Adapter.

16C432, 16C433: Supported using ICSP.

16C52, 16C54, 16C55, 16C56, 16C57, 16C58, 16HV540: Not supported.

16C505, 16C554, 16C557, 16C558, 16C61, 16C620(A), 16C621(A), 16C622(A), 16C71,
16C710, 16C711, 16C712, 16C715, 16C716, 16C717, 16C84, 16CE623, 16CE624,
16CE625, 16F505, 16F54, 16F627(A), 16F628(A), 16F630, 16F631, 16F636, 16F639,
16F648A, 16F676, 16F677, 16F684, 16F688, 16F716, 16F818, 16F819, 16F83,
16F84(A), 16F87, 16F88: Supported.

16C770, 16C771, 16C781, 16C782, 16F685, 16F687, 16F689, 16F690, 16F785:
Supported using 8/18/20 Pin ZIF Adapter.

16F57: Supported using PIC16F57 ZIF Adapter.

16F59: Supported using PIC16F59 ZIF Adapter.

16C62(AB), 16C63(A), 16C64(A), 16C642, 16C65(AB), 16C66, 16C662, 16C67,
16C72(A), 16C73(AB), 16C74(AB), 16C745, 16C76, 16C765, 16C77, 16C773, 16C774,
16F72, 16F73, 16F737, 16F74, 16F747, 16F76, 16F767, 16F77, 16F777, 16F870,
16F871, 16F872, 16F873(A), 16F874(A), 16F876(A), 16F877(A), 16F882, 16F883,
16F884, 16F886, 16F887, 16F913, 16F914, 16F916, 16F917: Supported using
40/28 Pin ZIF Adapter.

16C923, 16C924, 16C925, 16C926: Supported using 68 Pin PLCC Adapter.

16F946: Supported using ICSP.

17C42(A), 17C43, 17C44: Not supported.

17C752, 17C756(A): Supported using 1768 PLCC Adapter.

17C762, 17C766: Supported using 1784 PLCC Adapter.

18F1220, 18F1320: Supported.

18C242, 18C252, 18C442, 18C452, 18F2220, 18F2320, 18F2331, 18F2410, 18F242,
18F2420, 18F2431, 18F2439, 18F248, 18F2480, 18F2510, 18F2515, 18F252, 18F2520,
18F2525, 18F2539, 18F258, 18F2580, 18F2585, 18F2610, 18F2620, 18F2680,
18F4220, 18F4320, 18F4331, 18F4410, 18F442, 18F4420, 18F4431, 18F4439, 18F448,
18F4480, 18F4510, 18F4515, 18F452, 18F4520, 18F4525, 18F4539, 18F458, 18F4580,
18F4585, 18F4610, 18F4620, 18F4680: Supported using 40/28 Pin ZIF Adapter.

18C601, 18C658: Supported using 1868 PLCC Adapter.

18C801, 18C858: Supported using 1884 PLCC Adapter.

18F6310, 18F6390, 18F6410, 18F6490, 18F6520, 18F6525, 18F6527, 18F6585,
18F6620, 18F6621, 18F6622, 18F6627, 18F6680, 18F6720, 18F6722: Supported
using 1864 TQFP Adapter.

18F8310, 18F8390, 18F8410, 18F8490, 18F8520, 18F8525, 18F8527, 18F8585,
18F8620, 18F8621, 18F8622, 18F8627, 18F8680, 18F8720, 18F8722: Supported
using 1880 TQFP Adapter.

PicStic1, PicStic1 2k, PicStic2, PicStic2 2k, PicStic3, PicStic3 2k,
PicStic4, PicStic4 2k, PicStic5: Supported using PicStic Adapter.

rfPIC12C509AF, rfPIC12C509AG, rfPIC12F675F, rfPIC12F675H, rfPIC12F675K:
Supported.



Note: The included software will also work with the original EPIC PIC MCU
Programmer.  The main differences are that the EPIC Plus PIC MCU Programmer
only has one LED and allows the programming of 8- and 14-pin PIC MCUs in
its 18-pin programming socket.  The original EPIC Programmer requires the
8-18/20 Pin ZIF Adapter to program 8- and 14-pin PIC MCUs.

Please read through the instruction files if you have any problems using
your EPIC Plus Programmer.  If you require assistance, please contact:

microEngineering Labs, Inc.
Box 60039
Colorado Springs CO 80960-0039
USA
(719) 520-5323
(719) 520-1867 fax
http://www.melabs.com
email: support@melabs.com


EPIC is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and
other countries.  MPLAB, PIC and PICmicro are registered trademarks of
Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries.
