PIC16F877 & PIC16F877A

simonhaw · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

what is the different between a PIC16F877A and without a "A" (16F877), my programmer not support 16F877A but 16F877. can i still program the 16F877A?
Thank for help.....

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

I'll show you how to find that information.

1. Go to the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com

2. On the main page, click on the link for "Technical Documentation".

3. On that page, click on the link for "Migration Documents".

4. Then download this document: "PIC16F87X to PIC16F87XA Migration"

5. In that document, look at Table 1 and the Notes.

simonhaw · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

thanks a lot, PCM Programmer.

I hav another question. I was using DATAMAN Programmer to program the PIC. But it not support 16F877A only support 16F877. can i still use it to program 16F877A.

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

You didn't say what model of the Dataman programmer you are using.

Go to the Dataman website:
http://www.dataman.com

It looks like they have several older models listed in the "Resources"
section. As you move your mouse down the list of programmers,
it shows a pop-up menu that has "Device List" and "Downloads" on it.
Click on the "Device List" to see if they support the 16F877A with the
latest software. If so, then go to the download section and get it.

If not, then you have to buy a new programmer. If you have PCW
or PCWH, then maybe buy the CCS ICD. If you have MPLAB then
maybe buy Microchip ICD2.

simonhaw · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

em...
how if i set the device to 16F877 to program the 16F877A. Is it work? i cannot buy another programmer, bcos i am a student, and i am using college proveded programmer (dataman LV48).
Help!!!

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

The programming algorithm is different between the 16F877 and the
16F877A.

My advice is to buy a 16F877 chip. Then your programmer can
program it. Don't use the "A" chips.

simonhaw · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

ya, thanks a lot.
this really help me a lot.
thank you very much, PCM Programmer

mpfj · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 95 Location: UK

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm there ?

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

It could be, but I decided to take it as genuine. The Dataman
people won't add support for any more PICs to that programmer.
So I think he was happy just to get some solution.

newguy · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 1903

ckielstra · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 3680 Location: The Netherlands

At first reading I assumed it was genuine. Reading it over again I'm not so sure anymore...
I think PCM provided good help. When Simon doesn't like the answers that's his bad luck. Simon has a processor and programmer that are incompatible, bad luck for him but we can't change it. End of story.

dmendesf · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 30

Probably there´s no sarcasm in his answer. He´s just not american (like me). When someone from another part of the world tries to communicate with bad english they don´t talk in english in an american or british way.... they try to translate every single world (and every meaning of them) to english, and it becomes silly (or looks like sarcasm). I´m brazillian and i have a muslim friend from Senegal. Once ive asked what "salam aleikum" meant (the muslims use it like "how do you do") and he replied something like:

"Be god in all his greatefullness with you and enlight your day and your family"

Shocked

So... don´t assume it was sarcasm if we wasn´t american.... Probably it was genuine.

danny · Guest

you could always use ICprog to program the 16f877A

that's what I use.