Installation tutorial for MPLAB-X and the compiler

Getting Started With a PIC24FJ64GA002 Microcontroller

The PIC24FJ64GA002 is a 28 pin microcontroller that comes in a DIP (dual inline pin) package. This packaging makes it breadboard friendly for experimentation. It is also a 16 bit processor with some nice peripherals. This is the reason I chose this microcontroller to start with. It is also simple to program and Microchip provides the tools for free. You can use real professional tools that work. I have been working with the tools for many years now and am very impressed at how well they work. Let’s get started.

First we need to setup the environment on your computer. I use MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 and the MPLAB-X XC16 Compiler v1.10 to work with the PIC24F parts. Like I said these tools are very reliable and give excellent results. First go to microchip and get the latest copy of MPLAB-X. You can perform the following steps to download and install MPLAB-X and MPLAB-X C16 Compiler.

Step 1 – This software program runs on a PC (Windows®, Mac OS®, and Linux®). Go here to find the MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 and press the download tab. http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/family/mplabx/

Step 2 – I’m using Windows. Now, double click MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 to download.

Step 3 – The save file box will pop up then just click the save file button.

Step 4 – After the file is finished downloading right click on the file and open it or double click on it.

Step 5 – Then run the mplabx-ide-v1_51-windows-installer.exe

Step 6 – Setup – MPLAB X IDE v1.51 – Just Click the next button

Step 7 – License agreement – Click the circle I accept the agreement then just press the next button.

Step 8 – Installation Directory – Choose your installation directory then press the next button. I generally use the default. I know that works.

Step 9 – Ready to Install – Just click the next button to install it.

Step 10 – Installing – Wait until setup installs MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 on your computer.

Step 11 – Info box – If you already had MPLAB IDE v8.8 installed on your computer this info box will pop up and don’t worry about this just press the Ok button.

Step 12 – MPLAB X IDE v1.51 Installation Complete – Just click the finish button to complete the MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 installation.

Now you have MPLAB-X IDE v1.51 installed. Next we need the compiler.

Step 1 – Also, You can get the MPLAB® XC16 Compiler v1.10 from here.
http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/family/mplabx/

Double click the MPLAB® XC16 Compiler v1.10 to download.

Step 2 –The Save file box will appear and just press the save file button.

Step 3 – After the file has finished downloading then right click on the file then open or double click on it.

Step 4 – Then run the software.

Step 5 – Setup – MPLAB XC16 C Compiler – Just click the next button

Step 6 – License Agreement – Click the circle I accept the agreement and then press next button.

Step 7 – Choose Installer – Click the Install compiler circle and then press the next button.

Step 8 – Installation type – Click the circle install MPLAB XC16 C compiler on this computer then press the next button.

Step 9 – License Activation Key – Don’t mind the activation key and just press the next button to precede for the free compiler.

Step 10 – Then this box will appear and just click the YES button to install the free compiler.

Step 11 – Install Free or Evaluation Compiler – Click the circle run the compiler in free mode and press the next button.

Step 12 – Installation Directory – Choose your installation directory then press the next button. The default works.

Step 13 –Ready to install – Press the next button to begin installing MPLAB XC16 C compiler on your computer.

Step 14 – Installing – Wait until the MPLAB XC16 C Compiler installs on your computer.

Step 15 – MPLAB XC16 C Compiler installation complete – Press the finish button.