MicroPro PIC Programmer Software

This page covers current downloads, upgrades and support issues relating to all of our USB PIC Programmers (Order Codes 3128, 3149, 3150 and 3182) that run the MicroPro software interface.

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!
• Product Upgrades
• MicroPro Software Versions
• FixHex Utility for Microchip C Compiler Problem
• FTDI Driver Download
• Hardware Update Notes
• MicroPro Support
   

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!

!IMPORTANT!

It is ESSENTIAL that you use the MicroPro software version detailed in the PRINTED INSTRUCTION sheet supplied with your programmer to avoid firmware mismatch problems (unless you have already upgraded the firmware of course).
 

Product Upgrades

If you wish to use MicroPro 25EP and you are currently running the original version 25 (or the version 26 beta) or earlier you will need to upgrade the onboard firmware chip using the appropriate hex file contained in the MicroPro25EP zip file. You will need a spare PIC16F628-20P or PIC16F628A-I/P chip (or programmer) to upgrade the firmware chip. Blank PIC16F628A can be purchased from our Components page (Order Code PIC16F628A).

Alternatively, you can purchase a pre-programmed firmware chip (version P018) from us from our Firmware Chips page or by calling our Sales Team on 0871 717 7168.

It is also important that you read the ReadMe file shown in the Notes column to avoid damaging your programmer.
 

MicroPro Versions

Version Number	Notes
MicroBrn25EP Firmware upgrade required! See opposite for details.	This is the latest official release of MicroPro (now called MicroBrn). See readme files in the zip download for full details. It must be run with firmware version P18A to operate properly. Compatible with 9x/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista. Please see PIC Programmer forum at  http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/diykit?forum=13943 for ALL support questions on this product.
Unsupported Versions
MicroPro24 and earlier	Sorry, version 24 and earlier are no longer available. Please upgrade to one of the later versions detailed above. Pre-programmed 16F628A firmware chips for running the latest version of MicroPro can be purchased from our from our Firmware Chips page.

 

MicroChip C Compiler Problem

MicroChip's C compilers have a problem in that they create hex files based on 8-bit words. Never in Microchip's history have ANY of the PICs had 8-bit words. So naturally, MicroPro gets choked up on them because it never expected them to be used. This same problem afflicted several other popular programmers as well. We have written a "corrector" which changes 8-bit references to word references and allows MicroPro to accept the data. The program is included in the MicroBrn25EP download detailed above. Just run FIXHEX before trying it in MicroPro and it will fix the "problem".
 

FTDI Driver Download

You will need to download and install the FT232BM USB Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers from http://www.ftdichip.com. These drivers are being updated frequently. At this time they can be found at http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Select the driver file for your Windows OS version. We downloaded the Certified Version 2.04.06 (CDM 2.04.06 WHQL Certified.zip) dated 20th March 2008. Unzip it to a new folder in a convenient location on your hard drive or an external disk. Connect the programmer and follow the driver installation program pointing it to the new driver’s folder when asked. You can download a Help file AN232-05 from http://www.ftdichip.com/FTApp.htm.

You can find the COM port number of the USB driver in the Control Panel under Ports (COM & LPT). In our system it is COM4 so when MicroPro first runs you must set the Port to 4 (under File>Port.) MicroPro will auto detect the programmer once the correct COM port is selected. NB Only COM PORT numbers 1 to 9 are supported by the programmer due to hardware limitations. If you find the driver is allocated a COM Port number higher than this you just need to plug the programmer into a different USB socket and a new number will be allocated.
 

Hardware Update Notes

You might need to make some hardware upgrades depending on the hardware version of your programmer and the MicroPro version you wish to run.

PIC16F88 Update

MicroPro Version 23 and above needs a 10K resistor between pins 9 and 10 of the programming socket to program 16F88 on boards 3128, 3149 (A to E) and 3150 only. The 10K resistor can stay there for other PIC programming.

Protection Resistor Update

This important upgrade is only required on older 3149A, 3149B and 3150v1 boards. All later revision boards do NOT need this upgrade. You simply need to add three 3K3 protection resistors to the board as described in Hardware Modification document.

3149A Updates

Before you can use the later versions of MicroPro with 3149A you MUST change the original 4MHz crystal to a 6MHz crystal. You can order them from our Components page.

Add the protection resistors as detailed above.

A wire link must be placed on the underside of the PCB to enable the AutoProgram feature in MicroPro. See page 8 of 3149A PDF Manual (located in the MicroPro installation directory).
 

MicroBrn Support

Please submit ALL Support Questions to the PIC Programmer forum at  http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/diykit?forum=13943. Please do not call or email us with support questions.