Just becuase it seems to work in HIS instance doesn't mean it will always work, now, does it?

If you build the exact manufacturer-recommended circuit, the likelihood is that it will work as the manufacturer intended, notwithstanding all my remarks regarding ATMEL parts.

There isn't any reason why you can't obtain the correct components using a source such as DigiKey, is there? They'll send parts in the mail if you request it. Without a proper programmer, there is little that you can do, so you should probably take the safest, most conservative route to getting a properly functional programmer, perhaps purchasing one, even if it is more costly than building your own.

One thing you should ensure is that a programmer you buy is correctly designed, however. Some of them aren't.

If you had searched the subject before posting your query, you would have noticed that there are MANY posts complaining that this circuit or that, intended as programmers of ATMEL MCU's won't work with this or that ATMEL MCU. This would have given me pause right away. There has been about as much discussion of faulty programmers, both bought and home-built from manufacturers' drawings, as on any other single subject, in my recollection. For that reason, I don't think one should be running the risk that something might not work due to component differences. Arguing on the basis of, "I built this wrong ... why doesn't it work?" is not a good use of time and bandwidth. When you have one that's built correctly and functional, you'll be able to see for yourself why the incorrectly built one doesn't work.

If you intend to build a device from someone else's design, then you should be prepared to follow the directions exactly. If you can't do that, then you should abandon the project and attempt a project for which you are prepared to follow the directions exactly.

RE