User manual

MPLAB
®
PM3 User’s Guide
DS51464C-page 108 © 2006 Microchip Technology Inc.
B.3 TROUBLESHOOTING OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
Problems involving the basic operation of MPLAB PM3 include:
• Reading a Device Master in Stand-Alone Mode
• Device Pin Damage
B.3.1 Reading a Device Master in Stand-Alone Mode
When reading a device master in Stand-Alone mode, the Device Programmer asks the
question: “Code Protect Parts” being programmed. Answer Yes to code-protect the
parts that you will be programming.
B.3.2 Device Pin Damage
On the smaller device packages (SSOP, PQFP and SOIC) the pins can bend easily and
cause problems in programming the devices.
B.4 TROUBLESHOOTING SOFTWARE
Some problems involving the software include:
• Establishing Communication with MPLAB PM3
• No MPLAB PM3 Menu Visible
• Default Serial Port
• Operating System Update Needed
B.4.1 Establishing Communication with MPLAB PM3
MPLAB IDE attempts to establish communication with MPLAB PM3 when you enable
the programmer. If communication cannot be established, no programming can occur.
A dialog box appears if the attempt to establish communication fails. If you encounter
communications problems, review the following information.
B.4.1.1 SERIAL PORT COMMUNICATIONS
1. Windows 98 and Windows 2000 require special attention when setting up COM
ports. If you suspect a driver-hardware incompatibility, try changing Flow Control
to Hardware and/or turning off the FIFO for the serial port. This is done in the
Control Panel.
In Windows 98, click the System Icon. Click the Device Manager tab and click
Ports. If necessary, expand the Ports selection by clicking the '+' sign next to it.
Double click the I/O port that MPLAB PM3 is connected to. This is where you can
set flow control to Hardware. To turn off FIFO, click the Advanced button, dese-
lect the Use FIFO box and click OK. Restart the PC.
2. In Windows 2000, click the System Icon. Click the Hardware tab and click the
Device Manager button. If necessary, expand the Ports selection by clicking the
'+' sign next to it. Double click the I/O port that MPLAB PM3 is connected to. This
is where you can set flow control to Hardware. To turn off FIFO, click the Port
Settings tab and click the Advanced button. Deselect the Use FIFO box and
click OK. Restart the PC.
3. Make sure that the RS-232 cable is connected, the power supply is connected
and the power switch on MPLAB PM3 is on.
4. Try connecting MPLAB PM3 to a different serial port. If your PC has a 25-pin
serial port, you will need a 25-to-9 serial port adapter.