TL866A issue: "OverCurrent Protection actions!..." trying to program PIC12F675  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: tupinamba
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 06:10:23 pm
content: Hi everyone!This is my first post so thank you for welcoming me aboard.I've had a TL866CS (upgraded to TL866A a while ago) for about 5 years. I'm running the Minipro app on Win XP (through Virtualbox, on a Linux or a Mac OS, same Win XP image). It has always been working so far.I did not have the use of it for a year or so and, when I opened the app (v6.16), it read that the app was obsolete and needed to be updated. I did so, upgrading to v6.85... unfortunately. The app demanded i upgrade the firmware, which I did.Then, when trying to read a PIC 12F675, I got the following message: "OverCurrent Protection actions! External short circuit / IC reverse or damaged!"Of course, the IC is not reversed. And I've tried multiple new ICs. Reading, Erasing... every action gives the same result.I read about issues with v 6.85 and corresponding firmware and found Radioman's firmware updater (thank you Radioman!).I successfully performed the "reverse" firmware update to v 6.82 (firmware 3.2.85). The same error happened after the upgrade.I also noticed, performing the "System self-check", that there was an error on the Ground Testing #16. I solved the issue with my soldering iron (probably a cold solder joint) and now everything is OK with the Self-check.But I still get the same message... And I cannot program my PIC IC...Any idea about what's going on here?...Thank you in advance!

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2023, 11:35:33 am
content: Quote from: tupinamba on May 09, 2023, 06:10:23 pmIf there was one bad joint, there will likely be others. Have a good look at the pcbs - with a magnifying glass if possible.With regard to the software/firmware, can you revert to your original configuration?

author: tupinamba
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2023, 04:52:46 pm
content: Thanks Andy!I've refluxed a lot of solder joints on the PCBs (preventively). Now the self-check gives no error message.My original configuration was not working anymore: a message informed me that the app and firmware were obsolete and had to be upgraded when I tried to read / write / ... an IC and I COULD NOT ignore the message and run it anymore (I tend to avoid upgrades when I have a working configuration: in this case I did not have a choice...)I wonder if I should not disable the overcurrent protection by shorting C22, as I've read. I'm just trying to flash son PICs off-circuit here... the risk seems to me to be pretty low.But I still don't understand why I get this message.I may also try to flash using the open-source app developed by David Griffith (https://gitlab.com/DavidGriffith/minipro). I've installed it already, it can get info on mu 12F675 without any overcurrent protection message. I'm just not that comfortable with command lines... And I've found an "issue" on the Gitlab page specifically with the 12F675https://gitlab.com/DavidGriffith/minipro/-/issues/12(due to its last bit that is reserved for osc calibration...

author: tupinamba
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2023, 04:19:50 pm
content: A little update on my issue...I've finally managed to get the right syntax with the David Griffith open-source app (thank you David!)I get the same error message when trying to flash or even read : "Overcurrent protection actions..."If I try to bypass the protection (I installed a switch to short C22), I have another error message which is not quite reassuring...QuoteI did not try to continue....So my TL866 definitely has an issue, but I don't know where to begin to solve this...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2023, 07:11:01 pm
content: the 6.8x versions detects if you have a counterfeit tl866 or a genuine onefor you pic do you know someone with another / any brand programmer ? to do some tests, other pic ic's models ?are they genuine of fakes ?and pls upgrade your FW to the latest version, minipro will nag you time over timei have 6.85 absolutely no problems since i got a genuine tl866, because the fakes uses compromised serial numbers if i recallfor the FW upgrades i had in the past, i used a 32bit machine, on 64bit the FW upgrade failed ??

author: tupinamba
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 02:24:40 pm
content: Thank you for your answer Coromonadalix!I'm afraid there's a good chance that my TL866 is not a genuine one... (but not 100% sure)I've tried multiple types of PICs (again, not 100% sure they are all genuine...)I used to have another programmer before the TL866, a K150 if I can recall, but I'd have to look for it and I think I changed because it did not work very good...I'm looking for someone with a programmer in my area (but I moved in recently so I don't now lots of people)I'm afraid I don't have a 32bit machine anymore... But maybe I should get an old laptop in a thrift shop for this purpose!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 03:42:33 pm
content: maybe the upgrade is now doing better for the last version 6.85?I just had many FW upgrades problems before, and was rendered useless in win64, until i used a 32 bit machineyou may not suffer from this ?i know there is some tools floating around to change the tl866 model to add the isp connector, cant recall if they can change the serial number ??

author: tupinamba
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2023, 09:09:54 am
content: Actually I did the thing to change it and add the ISP functionality, worked great...Yes I might as well try to update the FW again, with a 32 bit machine this time. From where I'm standing, no more harm could be done to a useless programmer !