I'm hoping someone can help me figure this out. I just got my PICkit3 in the mail today and was excited to try it out. I have a 5.0 Express that doesn't work right (Self test runs at about 33% speed, LED 6 always on at 75% intensity, channels 10-12 don't work) and I checked all my soldering joints so I thought it might be problem with the PIC programming. This was my spare unit, so I just put it aside until I got a PICkit.
After loading the software, finding the standalone programmer on the MicroChip website, and everything good to go, I plugged in my PICkit 3 to my computer using the provided USB cable, plugged it into the Express board (matching the little triangles), and powered up the board. Waited for the slow display to scroll and had 5V and 3.3V LEDs lit. Started up the PICkit 3 Programmer software (not the MPLAB software).
The status block on the program says
Communications error. Could not query PTG mode
Found PICkit 3, SN: xxxxxxx
Loaded device file with 679 devices.
Found 1 firmware suite; latest is version 01.38.51
I can't load the .hex file because Import HEX in the File pulldown is greyed out. I can't select the PIC type because the pulldown box is also greyed out (it says PIC10F200). I tried using a different USB cable, a different USB port on my computer and even a second computer and it still doesn't work. I even connected the PICkit 3 to a working Express version 4.0 and I am getting the same result. Oh, and the two computers I am using are running XP.
Anyone know what I am doing wrong? Appreciate any help or pointers!