Here is a Super simple PIC Microcontroller ISCP Programmer that only uses 3 resistors. In this example I use a 18F2550 but it can be used for many other PICs.

So, I have a bunch of PIC Microcontrollers laying around that I haven’t played with in about 2 years, mostly because my old ICSP programmer uses a Parallel port and none of my current computers have one anymore. So I started looking around for a decent low cost programmer and saw that the PicKit2 is favored most by PIC enthusiasts. But when it comes down to it I’m broke and cant be spending 40 bucks on just a programmer. So I’m gonna make my own PicKit2 because its pretty simple and the parts can be had for much cheaper than the retail version. But first I have to be able to program a PIC 18F2550 that is used in the PicKit2. So after a few hours on Google I found a super simple serial port programmer that only requires 3 resistors, isn’t that INSANE!

This schematic is super simple to follow and will work with 18F2550/184550 on computers with REAL serial ports not laptops. You will have to supply the GND(0v) and 5v to the PIC and match up the VPP, Clock and Data lines with your PICs you can find these out on the datasheet for your microcontroller.

Here is the Original Thread: http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=703