Write protecting your chip….is there any way back from that?

I want to konw which programing method you have used? if you used the ICD2 tool to ICSP your chip. you can use a H-Voltage programmer to  programming again after modified the configuration bits, this may restore it,but I can't make sure. Generally, if you set the configuration bit. you can't modify it again. but you can have a try.  you'd better read the relative details of the chip programming in the datasheet .

Hi,

Whatever configuration bits you program in any PIC, there is always a possibility to erase the FLASH memory.

Several points you must ensure to be able to erase the chip :

1/ Some PICs ( like the PIC10F222) cannot be erased at low voltage (i.e. < 4.5V) if the code protect bits have been activated.

A "Bulk erase" need to be performed.

To check this, download the Programming specification of your PIC10F222.

2/ All standard programmers from Microchip (Pickit3, ICD3, Real-Ice, PM3) do perform Bulk erase

You can get 24/7 free online support from Microchip here : http://support.microchip.com

You can also get professional training on Microchip products and technologies in many countries in the Regional Training Centers (RTC) : http://www.microchip.com/RTC

Hope this helps

Regards

It's very kind of you to teaching us about the knowledge. it's also very helpful! thank you!

Thank you. Very helpful.

But let me take the question a step further. Let's say I wanted to read the data off of a write protected chip, is there any way to do so?

Catwell

Hi,

PICs FLASH memory is protected in order to prevent anybody from reading out its content.

As a consequence, this obvisouly applies also to the owner of the protected code.

I suggest you read the General Product Legal Information from Microchip.

In particular the section related to Code Protect :

Code  Protect. Microchip products  meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet.  Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure  families of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and  under normal conditions. There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used  to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our knowledge,  require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating  specifications contained in Microchip’s Data Sheets. Most likely, the person  doing so may be engaged in theft of intellectual property. Microchip is willing  to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code.  Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the  security of their code. Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing  the product as "unbreakable." Code protection is constantly evolving. We at  Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features  of our product. Attempts to break Microchip’s code protection feature may be a  violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If such acts allow  unauthorized access to your software or other copyrighted work, you may have a  right to sue for relief under that Act.

Regards

Hi,

PICs FLASH memory is protected in order to prevent anybody from reading out its content.

As a consequence, this obvisouly applies also to the owner of the protected code.

I suggest you read the General Product Legal Information from Microchip.

In particular the section related to Code Protect :

Code  Protect. Microchip products  meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet.  Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure  families of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and  under normal conditions. There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used  to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our knowledge,  require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating  specifications contained in Microchip’s Data Sheets. Most likely, the person  doing so may be engaged in theft of intellectual property. Microchip is willing  to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code.  Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the  security of their code. Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing  the product as "unbreakable." Code protection is constantly evolving. We at  Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features  of our product. Attempts to break Microchip’s code protection feature may be a  violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If such acts allow  unauthorized access to your software or other copyrighted work, you may have a  right to sue for relief under that Act.

Regards