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Frequently Asked Questions
melabs Programmers More FAQ Categories
- Can I use my melabs U2 Programmer on a non-Windows platform with VMWare?
- I'm receive errors when attempting to program with EPIC.
- My programmer seems to go through the programming process without error, but the chip doesn't get programmed.
- Can I use my melabs programmer with MPLAB?
- How do I do in-circuit programming with my melabs Programmer?
- My computer doesn't have a printer port. Can I use my EPIC with a USB-to-parallel adapter?
- Why does the programmer software reset my configuration settings every time I program?
- Can I control my programmer with command line parameters? Can I make it program a file automatically by clicking on a shortcut?
- Where can I find information about writing my own custom software that will launch meProg.exe?
- Does my melabs Programmer work with the PIC16C5x (52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58) parts?
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Can I use my melabs U2 Programmer on a non-Windows platform with VMWare?
One of our users was kind enough to return the following procedure, with which he succeeded in making the U2 work with Ubuntu 8.04 and VMWare running a Windows XP VM.
1. Edit /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh
You will probably need to use sudo (sudo vi /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh)
Line 42 - mkdir -p /dev/bus/usb/.usbfs
Line 45 - mount --rbind /dev/bus/usb /proc/bus/usb
2. Issue the command to restart that file
sudo /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh start
3. Edit your VMWare Guest OS settings Add USB Support
4. Restart your VMWare Guest OS
5. BE SURE THE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED FIRST
6. Once your Guest OS is up go to VM --> Removeable devices --> USB Devices and choose your mico Engineering Labs Programer.
7. Windows will then go through and do a found new hardware
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I'm receive errors when attempting to program with EPIC.
See the EPIC
Troubleshooting Guide for a list of common errors and
solutions.
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My programmer seems to go through the programming process without error, but the chip doesn't get programmed.
This can be caused by incorrect option settings. If you have the latest version of the software, click Options-More Options-Set Options to Default.
If this option doesn't appear, you need to download the latest software.
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Can I use my melabs programmer with MPLAB?
Yes, you can.
MPLAB does not control the programmer directly, but the programmer software has some options that make it easy to program hex files generated with MPLAB. After you compile in MPLAB, open the meProg software, then use File > Open to bring up the hex file you just created.
If you wish, go to the View menu and select "Stay on top". This will force the programmer window to stay on top of the MPLAB window for easy access.
In the Options menu, you can check "Reread file before programming". This will force the programmer to always get the latest version of your hex file. As long as you leave meProg open, you can just click the Program button to update the PICMicro with the newly compiled version of the hex file.
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How do I do in-circuit programming with my melabs Programmer?
See our ICSP support page.
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My computer doesn't have a printer port. Can I use my EPIC with a USB-to-parallel adapter?
Sorry, but the answer is no. The programming signals are generated by the PC and are timing critical. The USB adapter will cause delays that will result in programming errors.
Our Serial Programmer doesn't depend on the PC to generate the programming signals. It can be connected through a USB-to-serial adapter.
The Serial Programmer is compatible with your EPIC accessories (16VDC power adapter and programming adapters). The 10-pin header has the same pinout on both programmers. The Serial Programmer does not have a built-on 18-pin socket, so you will need a programming adapter if you don't already have one. You can purchase the Serial Programmer without its accessories to keep the cost of conversion down.
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Why does the programmer software reset my configuration settings every time I program?
If you have selected both the "Reread File Before Programming" and "Update Configuration From File" options, meProg will update the configuration from the HEX file automatically before programming. To make your configuration changes stick, either save the HEX file with the new configuration, or uncheck one of the options above.
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Can I control my programmer with command line parameters? Can I make it program a file automatically by clicking on a shortcut?
Absolutely. The programmer software has command line switches that allow you to select the target device, the hex file, and the function that you want. Details can be found in the programmer's help file.
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Where can I find information about writing my own custom software that will launch meProg.exe?
The command-line switches for meProg are discussed in the software's help file.
Here are some links in the Microsoft Visual BASIC Support:
How To Use a 32-Bit Application to Determine When a Shelled Process Ends
How To Launch a Win32 Application from Visual Basic
To test from a Command Prompt and see the return code, use something like this:
C:\Program Files\melabs Programmer>cmd /c meprog -n -q2 -b
C:\Program Files\melabs Programmer>echo %ERRORLEVEL%
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Does my melabs Programmer work with the PIC16C5x (52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58) parts?
The melabs Programmer Software does not support the base-line 16C5x series PICmicro MCUs. It only works with serial-programmed PICmicro MCUs (the majority of PICmicro MCUs). There are suitable pin-compatible replacements for the 54, 56 and 58. The PIC16C554, 558, 620, 621 and 622 are an updated version of those 16C5x parts and are available in about the same price range. They have expanded features and work well with melabs programmers. It does work with the 14-pin PIC16C505.
For the latest compatibility list, see the programmer product page.
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