MachX low voltage programming only supported?

[valemike]

I am looking at the description of the MachX on the website, and was wondering if anyone knew the answer to the following two questions:

1. Is it necessary to have the LVP (low voltage programming?) #fuse set, or does the MachX work with either mode of programming.

2. The website says that there are Linux and Windows drivers. Are there really any Linux drivers for the MachX today?

Thanks,
Mike

[PCM programmer]

If you look at the list of supported devices, many of them are
older devices and must be programmed in in High Voltage mode:
For example, the 16C77.
http://www.ccsinfo.com/machxdevices.shtml

Therefore, the programmer does support High Voltage programming
mode. Unless the manual says otherwise, I would assume that it
uses HVP for all PICs.

Perhaps you're referring to in-circuit programming ? Both the CCS ICD
and the Microchip ICD2 use High Voltage mode for ICSP. Again, unless
the manual says otherwise, I would assume that Mach-X does the same.
So the answer would be, use the NOLVP fuse. (For PICs that have LVP
mode as an option).

[MikeValencia]

Okay thanks. It's just that it says that it is powered right off the USB hub, so I wouldn't need any other power. (And with the ICDU and ICD-2, I know you need external power for them).

[Ttelmah]

It is seen on the USB, as a 'high power' device, and requires 500mA to be available from the port (which means it'll not work with a unpowered hub, or cable extender). It certainly must use HVP, since it can clear the chip security fuses using a full erase (only available using full programming voltage). I suspect it might well have problems on some of the older chips, which draw a lot of current on the Vpp pin, but on most modern chips, this pin only needs a maximum of about 10mA at 12v, which with a switching inverter, only needs perhaps 30mA from the USB supply. :-)
For me, is successfully programmed the 16C54, which requires significantly more programming current, and does not support LVP.

Best Wishes

[MikeValencia]

I'm debating myself whether to get a MachX or a Promate3 for a much higher price. I can let my dad continue to use a Promate2, but his laptop doesn't have any serial ports.

Furthermore, since some of the legacy target boards don't have an ICSP connector I figure the cheapest way to program a DIP chip that will eventually go into a socket would be to use an ICD(2 or U) and PICDEM-2 combination (and of course a small flathead screwdriver to pry the chips off the socket).