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Back to The general FAQ for GreatCow Basic FAQ-Windows-specific

This is a work in progress! When You feel it lacks important Questions, please report

Hint: It is always a good Idea to consult the Help System first. Many Questions are discussed there.

Why does my Pickit2 not recognise my chip when I use the Windows Application or the command line utilties?

Let us assume you have the microcontroller attached to the PicKit2.

The PicKit2 may not recognised you microcontroller because of:
1. Microchip not longer provides support for the PicKit2 programmer.
2. Microchip not longer provides support for the PicKit2 Windows Application and the command line utilities - the source code has been published by Microchip.
3. The supporting microcontroller devicefile database for the PicKit2 is no longer supported by Microchip. The full list of Microchip Pickit2 microcontrollers can be found in the PICkit 2 Programmer/Debugger Readme File.
4. The internal architecture of some of the Microchip microcontrollers released since 2009 require a PicKit3 and the use of MPLAB-IPE (see the FAQ on MPAB-IPE).

However, all is not lost when using a PicKit2 - but, if your selected Microchip microcontroller needs a PicKit3... go get one.

The Great Cow BASIC team, specificially Bill Roth, has updated the the supporting microcontroller database using the PICkit2 Devicefile Editor. The Great Cow BASIC updated PICkit2 microcontroller devicefile database now supports a wider range and some of the newer microcontrollers. However, there are microcontrollers that are not supported by the updated PICkit2 microcontroller devicefile database and you will need a Pickit3 for these chips.

The Great Cow BASIC team also have included in the distribution an updated version of PicKit2 which includes an updated microcontroller devicefile database.

The PICkit2 Devicefile Editor is a also included in the distribution so, you can adapt the microcontroller devicefile database to meet you own needs.

Summary

The PicKit2 supports a wider range of microcontrollers when updated with the Great Cow BASIC microcontroller devicefile database (see your installation folders) and the constraints of the microcontroller internal architecture may mean you need a PicKit3 with the PicKit3 Windows Application or a PicKi3 using MPLAB-IPE.

The PicKit2 software is included in your installlation with the supporting scripts.

Why does my Pickit3 not recognise my chip when I use the Windows Application or the command line utilties?

Let us assume you have the microcontroller attached to the PicKit2.

The PicKit3 may not recognised you microcontroller because of:
1. Microchip not longer provides support for the PicKit3 Windows Application and the command line utilities - the source code has been published by Microchip.
2. The supporting microcontroller devicefile database for the PicKit3 is no longer supported by Microchip. The full list of Microchip Pickit2 microcontrollers can be found in the PICkit 3 Programmer/Debugger Readme File.
3. The internal architecture of some of the Microchip microcontrollers released since 2009 require a PicKit3 and will be required to use MPLAB-IPE.

However, all is not lost when using a PicKit3.

The Great Cow BASIC team, specificially Bill Roth, has updated the the supporting microcontroller database using the PICkit2 Devicefile Editor. The Great Cow BASIC updated PICkit2 microcontroller devicefile database now supports a wider range and some of the newer microcontrollers. The PICkit2 microcontroller devicefile database is the same database for the PicKit3! Result.

The Great Cow BASIC team also have included in the distribution an updated version of PicKit3 which includes an updated microcontroller devicefile database.

The PICkit2 Devicefile Editor is a also included in the distribution so, you can adapt the microcontroller devicefile database to meet you own needs.

Summary

The PicKit3 supports a wide of microcontrollers when updated with the Great Cow BASIC microcontroller devicefile database (see your installation folders) and the constraints of the microcontroller internal architecture may mean you need a PicKit3 and MPLAB-IPE

The PicKit2 software is included in your installlation with the supporting scripts.

What is MPLAB-IPE?

MPLAB Integrated Programming Environment (IPE) is a software application that provides a simple interface to program a Microchip microcontroller. MPLAB-IPE uses the MDB (Microchip Debugger) Core and MPLAB X IDE framework to provide all the programming capabilities for all Microchip programmers. It essentialy is the latest programmer from Microchip.

MPLAB-IPE is a fully supported application from Microchip. It supports the following programming hardware.

• MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger
• MPLAB PICkit2 Debugger/Programmer
• MPLAB PICkit3 Debugger/Programmer
• MPLAB PM3 Programmer
• MPLAB REAL ICE Emulator
• Licensed PKOB Starter Kits

You WILL need to use MPLAB-IPE for many of the latest Microchip Microcontrollers. You currently no choice [needs validation] as the latest Microchip Microcontrollers use programming scripts (within the programming hardware a PicKit3 for instance) and we are unable to codify these scripts in the PICkit2 Devicefile Editor (see PicKit2 and PicKit3 faqs).

What are the programmer Great Cow BASIC supports?

Great Cow BASIC support any programmer as Great Cow BASIC produces a HEX file that any programmer should be able to use but Included in the installation are the following applications to support programming a microcontroller.
1. Pickit2 command line utility - integrated into the IDE supporting scripts with an updated microcontroller devicefile database.
2. Pickit2 Windows GUI. A complete installation of the PicKit2 with an updated microcontroller devicefile database. You can use the . Pickit2 Windows GUI directly from this folder.
3. Pickit2 Windows Installation Package. The installation folders includes an updated microcontroller devicefile database but you must manually copy the microcontroller devicefile database to your installation folders.
4. Pickit3 Windows Installation Package. The installation folders includes an updated microcontroller devicefile database but you must manually copy the microcontroller devicefile database to your installation folders.
5. AVRDude and AVRDudess. An Open Source programmer and Windows GUI application to programmer AVR microcontrollers.
6. WinPICPgm. The WinPICPgm Development Programmer Software is a free and simple In-System-Development Programmer Software for the Microchip PIC microcontrollers. The programmer software is available with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line interface
7. Microchip XPressLoader. A simple command line utility to support the Microchip Xpress Board.
8. TinyBootLoader+. An Open Source programmer and Windows GUI application to programmer Microchip and AVR microcontrollers. This a specific release for Great Cow BASIC and the Great Cow BASIC have developed bootloaders for many microcontrollers - this is a great option to reduce a dependency on MPLAB-IPE.
9. Micronucleus. A command line utility to support the Micronucleus range of AVR products.

What is the best programmer?
Depends on your selected microcontroller type and the microcontroller architecture.

This list is a summary as there are lots of options, this list is not extensive and is not intended to be complete - but, beware..... if you use a Microchip microcontroller released after 2009 it is highly likely that your choice is ONLY a PicKit3.

Microchip and AVR (yes, you can program an AVR with a Microchip type programmer.. how did they get the AVR bootloader onto the AVR microcontroller in the first place)
1. PicKit2 - and the 100's of excellent clones
1. PicKit3 - and the 100's of excellent clones
1. PICPgm USB Programmer
1. PICPgm LVISP Programme
1. JDM Programmer
1. Tait Classic PIC Programmer
1. Olimex PIC-PG2 (JDM based)
1. Olimex PIC-PG3 (28pin, 40pin)
1. Velleman-Kit K8048
1. El Cheapo PICmicro Programmer
1. Microchip AN589 Programmer
1. FT232Adapter-Programme
1. GPIO Programmer (Raspberry Pi)
1. And, many more....

Remember. Lots and lots of AVR devices come with a bootloader. You do not need a programmer typically for these devices you just need a serial port.

What is a good chip to choose?

For hobbyist a Atmel AVR 328p/Ardunio UNO or a Microchip PIC18F2520 but for flashing an LED try the AVR Micronucleus board or a Microchip Xpress board.

How do You setup the programmer?

Advice - if you are struggling and after 15 minutes you are not programming using a PicKit post the Great Cow BASIC forum.

What is the minimum setup in my lab to get started?

A computer with Windows 7 or greater. A programmer and microcontroller on a board to program and run (or use zif socket board).....then, add a solder station, tools, oscilloscope, angle poise lamp with magnifier and lots of free time.