Release Notes for Visual PROCMD
MPLAB(R) IDE V7.50
Software DLL Version 2.30.14
Executable Version 02.30.14

November 3, 2006

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Table of Contents
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1.  Tool Definition
2.  Programmer Support
3.  Operating System Support List
4.  HCS Support
5.  MCP Support
6.  What's New or Updated
7.  Visual PROCMD Features
8.  Installation
9.  Known Problems
10.  Readme Files for Related Components
11. Customer Support


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1. Tool Definition
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Visual PROCMD is a visual interface to the PRO MATE II 
and MPLAB PM3 device programmers which provides most of the 
same programmer options as MPLAB IDE. This interface is 
designed for programming devices using your PC (Pentium 
or better) without having to use MPLAB IDE software in 
environments where disk space is limited. 

Possible uses for this interface include:
 - Setting up a PRO MATE II or MPLAB PM3 for stand-alone programming
 - Updating device programmer firmware

The Visual PROCMD executable may be found, by default, in:
C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\Programmer Utilities\Visual Procmd

This Readme is targeted to users of the Visual Procmd interface. 
Refer to "Readme for PRO MATE II.txt" and "Readme for MPLAB PM3.txt" 
for more information about the MPLAB IDE interface to the respective 
device programmers.

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2. Programmer Support
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Visual PROCMD supports the PRO MATE II and MPLAB PM3 device programmers.

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3. Operating System Support List
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Windows(R) 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0 SP6a Workstations 
(NOT Servers), Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP

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4. HCS Support
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As of MPLAB IDE 7.41, MPLAB 5.xx is no longer required to create SQTP files for the programming of an HCS devices. SQTP file creation for HCS devices is now available by using the KeeLoq Plug-in. This component is offered during the MPLAB IDE Installation. When installed, the Keeloq Plug-in becomes available under the Tools menu in the MPLAB IDE. Encoder, Decoder and Transponder options are offered on the Keeloq dialog for the SQTP file creation.

For Users who will not be installing the MPLAB IDE and the Keeloq Plugin, SQTP files can still be created in MPLAB 5.xx. In order to create a non-encrypted SQTP file within MPLAB 5.xx the User must add the following key into mplab.ini:

[programmers]
AllowKeeloqHexSQTP=1

The supported are:

HCS101
HCS200
HCS201
HCS300
HCS301
HCS320
HCS360
HCS361
HCS362
HCS365
HCS370
HCS410
HCS412
HCS473*
HCS500
HCS512
HCS515

Note: HCS360 and HCS361 require MCLR to be tied to S1 via ICSP.  Support for 
HCS473 is Beta.

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5. MCP Support
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The supported MCP devices are:

MCP25020
MCP25025
MCP25050
MCP25055

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6. What's New or Updated
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Program Calibration Memory: It is now possible to program the calibration memory of flash devices such as the 12F675, which display the calibration value in the last address of Program memory by use of the Calibration tab page in the Settings dialog. For OTP devices that have the calibration memory, programming has not changed  it will only be performed if the calibration value in the last address of Program memory is blank.

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7. Visual PROCMD Features
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- Editable, resizable memory region windows
- Resizable output window
- Import/export of hex files
- Dockable programmer toolbars
- Clear memory operations
- Mouse and keyboard user input
- Informative status bar
- Hex file checksum reporting
- Working indicator
- Select device dialog with tool support status indicators

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8. Installation
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From the MPLAB IDE installation, choose to install Visual PROCMD. Its default
installation location is listed under "1. Tool Definition".

9. Known Problems
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SSR 28744 - 33FJ128MC708 - UNIT ID is not being exported in hex file correctly.

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10. Readme Files of Related Components
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For additional information concerning the device programmers supported
by Visual PROCMD, refer to "Readme for PRO MATE II.txt" and "Readme
for MPLAB PM3.txt" files.

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11. Customer Support
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The Microchip Web Site
----------------------

Microchip provides online support via our web site at www.microchip.com.
This web site is used as a means to make files and information easily
available to customers. Accessible by using your favorite Internet browser,
the web site contains the following information:

* Product Support - Data sheets and errata, application notes and sample
  programs, design resources, user's guides and hardware support documents,
  latest software releases and archived software

* General Technical Support - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), technical
  support requests, online discussion groups, Microchip consultant program
  member listing

* Business of Microchip - Product selector and ordering guides, latest
  Microchip press releases, listing of seminars and events, listings of
  Microchip sales offices, distributors and factory representatives

Development Systems Customer Change Notification Service
--------------------------------------------------------

Microchip's customer notification service helps keep customers current on
Microchip products. Subscribers will receive e-mail notification whenever
there are changes, updates, revisions or errata related to a specified
product family or development tool of interest.

To register, access the Microchip web site at www.microchip.com, click
on Customer Change Notification and follow the registration instructions.

The Development Systems product group categories are:

* Compilers - The latest information on Microchip C compilers and other
  language tools. These include the MPLAB C18 and MPLAB C30 C compilers;
  MPASM(TM) and MPLAB ASM30 assemblers; MPLINK(TM) and MPLAB LINK30 object
  linkers; and MPLIB(TM) and MPLAB LIB30 object librarians.

* Emulators - The latest information on Microchip in-circuit emulators.
  This includes the MPLAB ICE 2000 and MPLAB ICE 4000.

* In-Circuit Debuggers - The latest information on the Microchip
  in-circuit debugger, MPLAB ICD 2.

* MPLAB IDE - The latest information on Microchip MPLAB IDE, the Windows(R)
  Integrated Development Environment for development systems tools. This
  list is focused on the MPLAB IDE, MPLAB IDE Project Manager, MPLAB Editor
  and MPLAB SIM simulator, as well as general editing and debugging features.

* Programmers - The latest information on Microchip programmers. These
  include the MPLAB PM3 and PRO MATE(R) II device programmers and the
  PICSTART(R) Plus and PICkit(TM) 1 development programmers.

Additional Support
------------------

Users of Microchip products can receive assistance through several
channels:

* Distributor or Representative
* Local Sales Office
* Field Application Engineer (FAE)
* Technical Support

Customers should contact their distributor, representative or field
application engineer (FAE) for support. Local sales offices are also
available to help customers. A listing of sales offices and locations
is available on our website.

Technical support is available through the web site at:
http://support.microchip.com
