First PIC Program using PIC16F877A and its configuration bits for Internal clock?

Question

I have a PIC16F877A and I wrote a program in MPLAB X IDE to blink a LED.

This is my program :

#include <xc.h>
#define _XTAL_FREQ 6000000
void main()
{
    TRISB7 = 0;
   while(1)
   {
         RB7=1;
      __delay_ms(1000);
          RB7=0;
       __delay_ms(1000);
   }
}

I compiled it successfully, but when I load the hex file in PICKit2v2 , it show a warning as below :

enter image description here

And also when I tried to write that hex file on MCU, It show the below error :

enter image description here

So I reopened my project in MPLAB X IDE V2.26 and tried to add configuration data to my code, using the wizard in Windows --> PIC Memory view --> Configuration Bits But when I click it, I see this below window on the bottom of screen :

Question 1 : Why most of memory is equal to 3FFF in the first and second image that I attached above? Does that mean my program is just about 6 byte? (The first six bytes are different)

Question 2 : The error that I received is about configuration bits? Or it is something else?!

Question 3 : Which one of this optioned must I select for internal clock? I don't want to use any external clock or crystal o RC.

Question 4 : What is the difference between htc.h and xc.h libraries? I some of example code in the internet I saw htc.h included in the above of program? What is it for? Which libraries is for delay() function?

Question 5 : Is the second line in my program mandatory (I mean #define _XTAL_FREQ 6000000) Does it for external crystal? or ...?

I am a brand new in PIC MCU's programming. Pleas shed any light on this issue for me and for future viewers.

Update :

I added configuration setting to my program : Now this is my program :

/*
 * File:   newmain.c
 * Author: Amir Ebrahim
 *
 * Created on January 3, 2015, 1:42 PM
 */

#include <xc.h>
#define _XTAL_FREQ 12000000

#pragma config FOSC = HS        // Oscillator Selection bits (HS oscillator)
#pragma config WDTE = ON        // Watchdog Timer Enable bit (WDT enabled)
#pragma config PWRTE = OFF      // Power-up Timer Enable bit (PWRT disabled)
#pragma config BOREN = ON       // Brown-out Reset Enable bit (BOR enabled)
#pragma config LVP = ON         // Low-Voltage (Single-Supply) In-Circuit Serial Programming Enable bit (RB3/PGM pin has PGM function; low-voltage programming enabled)
#pragma config CPD = OFF        // Data EEPROM Memory Code Protection bit (Data EEPROM code protection off)
#pragma config WRT = OFF        // Flash Program Memory Write Enable bits (Write protection off; all program memory may be written to by EECON control)
#pragma config CP = OFF         // Flash Program Memory Code Protection bit (Code protection off)



void main()
{
    TRISB7 = 0;
   while(1)
   {
         RB7=1;
      __delay_ms(1000);
          RB7=0;
       __delay_ms(1000);
   }
}

When I load the hex file in PICKit2v2 I received successful load :

enter image description here

But when I want to write the file on the MCU, I receive the same previous error!

enter image description here

Why?! :(

@Triak No, Unfortunately I have bought only one MCU! FYI, I can erase it and read it successfully. But I can't write to it! May the MCU was corrupted while I can read/erase it? — Ebrahim Ghasemi, Jan 02 '15 at 14:31
Well, then your programmer is fine... Get another PIC (ex.16F628A) and try to burn a 'HelloWorld' program. Your PIC might be dead... What programmer do you use ? — Triak, Jan 02 '15 at 14:33
@Triak I don't know what kind of programmer I have!! On the box is written "PICKIT2- MOdel: PUP0401" and you can see two image of it here : http://eshop.eca.ir/1673-thickbox_default/pic-usb-programmer.jpg and http://eshop.eca.ir/1674-large_default/pic-usb-programmer.jpg Successfully reading and erasing doesn't mean that my PIC is not dead? — Ebrahim Ghasemi, Jan 02 '15 at 14:43
@Triak don't know! I think I program it through an IC socket, Because I put it in a zif socket on my programmer board and the do flashing — Ebrahim Ghasemi, Jan 02 '15 at 14:55
I see that MPLABX v2.26 has 'beta' support for PICkit2 when I set up a dummy project for the PIC16F877A. Try programming it directly from MPLABX instead of with the standalone programming tool. Also, consider investing in a PICkit3 programmer - PICkit2 is largely obsolete these days. — Adam Lawrence, Jan 02 '15 at 17:20
@AdamLawrence Please take a look at my another question here : http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/146071/mplab-x-ide-problem-with-pic-programmer — Ebrahim Ghasemi, Jan 02 '15 at 17:32

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 02 '15 at 12:43

Question 1 : Why most of memory is equal to 3FFF in the first and second image that I attached above? Does that mean my program is just about 6 byte? (The first six bytes are different)

Scroll down - you'll see more than just those. The first bit is "jump to your code", then there's the vector table for the interrupts, then there's your code.

Question 2 : The error that I received is about configuration bits? Or it is something else?!

That's what it says, isn't it? Without config bits it won't work.

Question 3 : Which one of this optioned must I select for internal clock? I don't want to use any external clock or crystal or RC.

The PIC16F877A has no internal oscillator. For that you want to pick a more modern chip.

Question 4 : What is the difference between htc.h and xc.h libraries? I some of example code in the internet I saw htc.h included in the above of program? What is it for? Which libraries is for delay() function?

htc.h is for the Hi-Tec compiler. xc.h is for the XC8 compiler. Pick the one for your compiler.

Question 5 : Is the second line in my program mandatory (I mean #define _XTAL_FREQ 6000000) Does it for external crystal? or ...?

That may be used for the timing of __delay_ms() depending on your compiler's implementation. If so, it needs to match the crystal you attach to the chip.

Would you please take a look at the **Update** section in the question? Thanks — Ebrahim Ghasemi, Jan 02 '15 at 14:20

First PIC Program using PIC16F877A and its configuration bits for Internal clock?

1 Answers1