I just recently tried to visit the Microchip PICkit 2 site and found it was taken down. This prompted me to make sure I had everything for my own PICkit 2 project covered. Which reminded me that I've been wanting to cover an update, to the PK2CMD command line control, that I found a while ago.

I like using the PICkit 2 with the PK2CMD.exe command line control. I can embedded it into any IDE with ease and automate the programming of the microcontroller through the PICkit 2 programmer. The limitation of the Microchip released PK2CMD vs the PICkit 2 GUI control was they used different device files and the PK2CMD didn't support as many devices as the GUI supported. The GUI supported more of the latest devices but neither supported the PIC18F25K22 which is an awesome device. 

But several years ago a Microchip forum post by MichaelS explained that he figured out how to modify the PK2CMD to work with the device file for the GUI. So this meant that the PK2CMD v1.21 by MichaelS could support all the parts that the GUI supported. And if that GUI device list was ever updated, then the PK2CMD would also get updated by that same file.

Unfortunately the PICkit 2 Device file hasn't been updated by Microchip since the PICkit 3 is the officially supported low cost programmer for the newer devices. And now the PICkit 2 site that had all the archived info is no longer up (at least that I can find). MichaelS had also updated the device.dat file to include more parts including the PIC18F25K22. So I've added the MichaelS 's PK2CMD v1.21 and his latest Device File to my PICkit 2 page. But the story continues.....

I uploaded the ExpressPCB files for the PK2 programmer I created. I had the board layout and schematic on my PK2 webpage but didn't have the files. So now you can download them and make your own.

I posted them as non commercial, for personal use only. For those that just want to make a couple of their own PK2 programmers (it's always good to have a couple around), then the files are there to use. If a Boy Scout troop wanted to make them as a project, that's ok too. If a high school wants to use the design as a class project then fine. See where I'm going with this? I want to help ...

I recently helped a reader of my Embedded C Books through the early stages of getting things working properly. Sometimes the little things get in the way such as a compiler that doesn't fully install or a programmer that won't connect up properly with the USB port. These are the issues I can't write a solution for so I offer all my readers email support.

But when they get a faulty tool then that is really frustrating. I recommend the MPLAB 8.30, PICkit 2 and PIC16F690 for my Beginner's Guide to Embedded C books (volume 1 and 2) but sometimes people prefer to use the latest such as MPLABX or PICKit 3. I can't argue against it but until my updated versions are released (hopefully by summer) I still recommend they stick to the tools I use in the books.

But I've recently had two people with tools issues. One had a faulty PICkit 3 and another had a board with some kind of connection issue. I couldn't fix either one and fortunately they both figured out the problem. I hate to hear of a PICKit 3 issue. 

I've had a few people ask me recently about the best way to get started programming PICs. Apparently my Getting Started with PICs page needs a lot more work and I plan to add more information there soon. But in talking to these people they convinced me that I should be promoting my Programming PICs in BASIC book with the CHIPAXE 8-pin module instead of the larger CHIPINO. First off its a cheaper option and second it's less intimidating to start with an 8-pin chip.

So I updated my recommendation at the bottom of the Getting Started with PICs page to show this package. It's

I updated the Build Your Own PICkit 2 programmer page with a little more information. I'll be uploading the files at some point and hopefully a kit of parts in the future. Right now I'm just adding all the information I have on the topics listed. I have so much stuff scattered around on various flash drives and hard drive folders that this site is really helping me organize all the work I've been doing for the last 15 years.
I hope you find it as handy I as I do.