EeHassan, can you explain why you need to read the code from a locked micro. Is there a legitimate reason or do you want to copy someone's firmware?
The obsolete ST6 SGS-Thomson micros had copy protection but these were just bits which the programmer would read and then allow reprogramming if cleared otherwise display a message that the code is protected. So, if you wrote your own program, you could still reprogram locked micros.
Hack a day have an interesting blog where bunnies? decapped a chip and erased the configuration register with a UV lamp but this is only for the very desperate ( and be prepared for this not to work).
There is always a method and we recently had an issue where we needed to read a code-protected PIC. There is a company in Lithuania which charges $1k and another in Russia which charges $500 but I am sure that even if these companies could perform this service, there would be some sort of extortion.
Probably the best method of retrieving code from code- protected PICs is to discuss a deal with the original firmware author if possible. From all the posts here and elsewhere, it seems it is not possible to unlock Microchip PICs excet for the obsolete one-time programmed C series. The obsolete ST6 SGS-Thomson micros had copy protection but these were just bits which the programmer would read and then allow reprogramming if cleared otherwise display a message that the code is protected. So, if you wrote your own program, you could still reprogram locked micros.
Hack a day have an interesting blog where bunnies? decapped a chip and erased the configuration register with a UV lamp but this is only for the very desperate ( and be prepared for this not to work).
There may be a method and we recently had the same issue where we needed to read a code-protected PIC. There is a company in Lithuania which charges $1k and another in Russia which charges $500 but I am sure that even if these companies could perform this service, there would be some sort of extortion.
Probably the best method of retrieving code from code- protected PICs is to discuss a deal with the original firmware author if possible. From all the posts here and elsewhere, it seems it is not possible to unlock Microchip PICs except for the obsolete one-time programmed C series.