Release Notes for Visual PROCMD
MPLAB IDE v8.56
DLL and Executable versions:
 VProcmdPm3.dll	v2.30.25
 vprocmd.exe	v02.30.58


August 13, 2010


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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.  Checksum Changes
8.  Known Problems
9.  Visual PROCMD Features
10.  Installation
11. Known Problems
12. Readme Files for Related Components
13. 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 98, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista (32-Bit) and Windows 7 OSs

NOTE: Windows NT and Windows ME OSs are NOT supported.

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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

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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None.

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7. Checksum Changes
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Please refer to the MPLAB IDE readme for checksum information.

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8. Known Problems
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Downloading Non-MPLAB IDE Generated Hex Files:
Directly downloading a hex file not generated by MPLAB IDE, such as an 
Intel 32 Byte (INHX32), with the VPROCMD.exe programmer standalone utility,
may result in an error message. As a workaround, import the hex file into 
MPLAB IDE then export the hex file from MPLAB IDE in order to create a 
hex file compatible with VPROCMD.

PM3-157:  Calibration Tab Page 'New Value' Text Box: Still accepts certain 
invalid values; Programming is allowed. If it is necessary to change the 
calibration value, do not delete the '0x' mask in the 'New Value' text box.  
Two hexadecimal numbers should be appended to the '0x' mask, such as 'AE' 
or '32'.


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9. 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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10. 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".

11. Known Problems
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None.

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12. 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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12. 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

myMICROCHIP Personalized Notification Service
---------------------------------------------

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

Please visit http://www.microchip.com/pcn to begin the registration process 
and select your preferences to receive personalized notifications. A FAQ and registration details are available on the page, which can be opened by 
selecting the link above.

When you are selecting your preferences, choosing Development Systems will populate the list with available development tools. The main categories of 
tools are listed below:

Compilers  These include all MPLAB C compilers; all MPLAB assemblers 
(including MPASM assembler); all MPLAB linkers (including MPLINK object 
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as well as HI-TECH C compilers.

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MPLAB Editor and MPLAB SIM simulator, as well as general editing and 
debugging features.

Programmers These include the MPLAB PM3 and PRO MATE II device programmers
and the PICSTART Plus and PICkit 1, 2 and 3 development programmers.

Starter/Demo Boards  These include MPLAB Starter Kit boards,
PICDEM demo boards, and various other evaluation boards.

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

Users of Microchip products can receive assistance through several
channels:

* Distributor or Representative
* Local Sales Office
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* 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
