PROG84 Information for version 0.6VB
------------------------------------

Here it is, my next version of the VB Windows program to download
object code to Microchip's PIC16C84 using the circuit described
in Microchip's Application Note AN589.

In the ZIP file you should find:

- PROG84.TXT
- PROG84.EXE
- VBINP.DLL
- VBRUN300.DLL
- COMMDLG.DLL
- CMDIALOG.VBX

You are reading PROG84.TXT.  The program itself is PROG84.EXE.
VBINP.DLL is a support file to allow VB to write to the parallel
port.  VBRUN300.DLL is the Visual Basic Run Time Library, and
COMMDLG.DLL is the Common Dialog library, used to offer a
standard File|Open file list, and CMDIALOG.VBX is the Visual Basic
Custom Control which makes it possible to use this.

Installation
------------
Make a directory for the program, e.g. C:\PROG84 and copy PROG84.EXE
to it.  Copy the .DLL files and .VBX file to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM 
directory.  Note that you may already have these .DLL files, so do 
not replace existing copies, unless they are older.

From the Program Manager create a new icon to run PROG84.EXE

Using the Program
-----------------
Once you have compiled your PIC16C84 program you should have a .OBJ
file.  Type the filename in the 'Program' box, (or use the '...' button
to select from a file list), and select the appropriate file format.

Remember to select the appropriate oscillator option and fuse configuration
then press 'Go'.

The 'Reset' button will cause the program to drop the MCLR pin to 0v then
back to 5v thus resetting the chip.

The LPT port selection uses the standard I/O addresses to communicate with
the programmer.  PS/2 machines have their address at a different location to
AT's, so check the PS/2 check box first.

The 'Compile' check box will allow you to shell out to a compiler so that
before every download a new object file is created.  I found this useful
as I didn't want to keep having to remember to compile every time I
changed the source code.

Testing
-------
This program has not been tested to any great degree, I produced it for
my own benefit, but I hope it is useful to you and others.  My current
project environment is configured as follows, and it works for me:

AN589 programmer on LPT1 on standard ISA parallel port card
INHX8M program object code produced my Microchip's MPALC assembler
No data file
4Mhz XT oscillator
Power up timer enabled
Watchdog disabled
Code protection disabled

On a 486DX33 system it takes about 65 seconds to program and verify
the chip.  It is unadvisable to do anything during the program cycle
as it upsets the timing of the signals.

Improvements to come later
--------------------------
Facility to verify chip to a file

Comments about this program are welcome.  Please e-mail to:
a.errington@lancaster.ac.uk

--

Copyright Andrew M. Errington 1995