This guide is old! We no longer design products that require the PICStart Plus programmer.
The Microchip PICStart Plus is a simple low cost programmer for DIP IC's.
Ensure your PC is running the latest version of MPLAB IDE (not MPLAB X, may be downloaded from www.microchip.com).
- Connect the PICStart Plus programmer to your PC using its serial cable.
- From the menu select:- 'Configure' > 'Select Device' > Select the device you are programming (you can find this in the manufacture documentation, on the circuit diagram or by looking at the part number on the PCB).
- From the menu select:- 'Programmer' > 'Select Programmer' > PICStart Plus'
- From the menu select:- 'Programmer' > 'Settings'. Check the correct serial COM port is selected
- From the menu select:- 'Programmer' > 'Enable Programmer'
- From the menu select:- 'File' > 'Import' > Select the ROM firmware file to be used ([filename].hex).
Then for each IC to program follow the following procedure:
- Insert the IC into the PICStart Plus, ensuring pin 1 is at the top (marked on the IC with a dot or dimple at the pin 1 end)
- Press the 'Program Target Device' button in MPLAB.
- Watch the 'Output' window and wait for programming and verifying to complete.
- Remove the IC and fit on the target PCB.
- Verify the correct operation of the PCB using the new firmware
This guide isn't extensive and Microchip may have altered their software since it was written. If you run into problems please contact us.
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