Yenka PIC FAQs

This page contains some common questions relating to microcontroller programming and their answers.

Q. Can I program real microcontrollers on Mac?

A. Unfortunately, no. Microcontroller programming requires the Technology Add-on, which is only available on Windows. Your licence allows you to use both the Mac and Windows versions of Yenka. If you have access to a Windows computer, you can copy your saved models from a Mac and export your programs to a real PIC or PICAXE chip using the Windows version with the Technology Add-on installed.

Q. Why can't I program microcontrollers on my 64-bit Operating System?

A. Windows XP 64-bit and Vista 64-bit Operating Systems do not provide support for 16-bit programs. This affects the 3rd party programs Yenka uses to program PIC and STAMP microcontrollers. We do not currently have a way to program PICs on a 64-bit operating system. Please note that PICAXE chips are not affected and will work on a 64-bit operating system.

Q. Why won't interrupt flowchart objects work in my flowchart?

A. The interrupt objects in Yenka Technology are designed to be compatible with the PICAXE interrupt BASIC commands. They are not currently compatible with PIC16F or STAMP1 parts and will not run on these microcontrollers or simulate in our software.

If you would like to use the interrupt functionality on a real microcontroller, please consider switching to a suitable PICAXE chip. The following chips currently support our interrupt commands:

  • PICAXE 08M, PICAXE 14M, PICAXE 18A, PICAXE 18X, PICAXE 28A, PICAXE 28X, PICAXE 28X1

Q. I get an error message when trying to program a microcontroller: "Error - Incorrect hardware found for this mode!...". What is wrong?

A. This error message will appear if you are trying to program the wrong microcontroller type (i.e. you have told Yenka it is a PICAXE-08M and you are trying to program a PICAXE-14M).

Q. I get an error message when trying to program a microcontroller: "Error - Hardware not found on COM1:...". What is wrong?

A. This error message will appear if Yenka cannot find your programming hardware. Make sure that:

  • you have selected the correct programmer and COM port in the export dialog,
  • your programmer is plugged into the correct COM port (or a recognised USB port),
  • and that your programmer is powered and functional.

If you need more information or you cannot find an answer to your question here, please email your query to support@yenka.com.