PICKIT5

[Peter Truman]

Hi All - does anyone use the PICKIT5 programmer with the Positron IDE? I picked one up from Digikey but I see it's not listed in the 'Install New Programmer' list. Is there an easy way to do this?

Many thanks in advance

[Frizie]

Unfortunately in Dutch and for the PICkit4, but maybe it will help you further:
https://www.picbasic.nl/instelling_pickit4.htm

[Peter Truman]

Thanks Frizie

Dutch is surprisingly close to English - nevertheless I took advantage of Google Translate and came up with the following. (Posted here for future users)

Once you have received your PICkit4, do not immediately connect it to your computer.
First, MPLABX with at least version v4.20 (or a later version) must be installed.
With older MPLABX versions you cannot take full advantage of all the options of the PICkit4.

If you downloaded MPLABX v4.20 from Microchip's site, you will have enough to install just MPLAB IPE (and not the entire MPLAB IDE), if you are only working with Positron PIC Basic.
In MPLABX, both the IPE and IDE are selected for installation, but why install a lot of files on your computer if you're not using them?
So deselect IDE if you are not going to use this part.
During installation, just before the installation is complete, it asks several times if "software for this device should be installed",
(which device is not mentioned, but always click on YES).

After installing MPLABX, you will have a black and an orange logo on your desktop.
Click on the orange "MPLABX IPE v4.20"
Now connect the PICkit4 programmer to your computer.
It may take a few minutes for PICkit4 to install.

If the PICkit4 is installed, it will be recognized and will appear after 'Tool:'
Try if you can program a PIC with MPLABX IPE.
First select the PIC device (or PIC type)
Then browse to a HEX file you created earlier (e.g. with Positron PIC Basic).
Finally, click on 'Program'.

This process works fine with the PICKIT5 - programmed a test PIC without issue.

I'm working through the command line options so I can integrate the programmer with the IDE but I'll just the the MPLAB IPE for now. Thanks for your help

[Frizie]

On https://www.picbasic.nl/instelling_pickit4.htm the description goes a bit further with how to connect the command line to Positron IDE, with several program options.

[Peter Truman]

Thanks Fritzie, I'll take a look - no point in reinventing the wheel