I've searched the internet high and low, and while I suspect the answer to my problem will be obvious in retrospect, I can't find anything to help me understand what I need to do differently. In an effort to simplify the problem as much as possible, I've programmed the MSP430 with a simple program that lights up the LED on P1.0. I'm using CCS v.5 with the good ol Launchpad. Everything works as expected on the launchpad, including my more complicated programs.
But when I place the chip onto a solderless breadboard for testing "outside the womb" it does nothing. I have tried supplying the chip with 3v from AA's and also whatever voltage is coming off the header pins of the launchpad. The led lights up if I connect the led directly to the VCC and GND of the power supply going into pins 1 & 20, but when I plug it into Pin 2, or any pin for that matter, it does nothing.
I'm new to all this, so I assume I'm missing something obvious...Is the launchpad not actually programing the chip? Is this something to do with debug mode versus release mode? Do I need any capacitors or resistors to make the chip work on its own? I've tried a couple chips now (g2353's) with no luck. This has really put a damper on the whole project, it would be very appreciated if someone could grace me with a tip and possibly a "doh!" moment.