My PICStart Plus did have the problem but M'chip never told me what it
was. So I cannot tell you what to look for. When mine died, I glanced
over at it and saw the power led slowly fade out. On opening it and
probing with fingers (x10 mode) I found the picofuse getting very hot.
My only tip-off that it was probably a well known problem was the
knowledge the phone support person showed and the rapidity with which
they replaced it. They asked me 2 questions then took down my address
and sent a replacement board out by Fedex overnight. I sent my old one
back in a pre-paid shipping container they sent also.
So if your's dies, they will probably fix you right up unless... ymmv.
Russell McMahon wrote:
{Quote hidden}> I have a Rev 4 PICStart Plus that I'd like to do the Flash mod for
> (UK003010 module). $US29 Digikey and elsewhere.
>
> The Microchip site says that "some" PICStarts Rev 4 and before have the
> dreaded death problem with this module and some don't. Presumably
> there's some known reason for this problem.
>
> The Microchip site says that
>
>
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010069&part=UK003010
>
> they will replace for free any PICStart Plus Rev4 or before that has
> problems with this module. As I'm out at the edge of the universe, is
> there any easy way to tell in advance if I'll have the problem, or do I
> just buy it, try it and then dance the appropriate dances to get it to
> actually get replaced when it (invariably) turns out to be faulty?
>
> Anyone with a Rev 4 or before PICStart Plus who didn't have problems
> with this upgrade.
> Russell McMahon
