Microcontrollers of the Atmel AVR series can be programmed in-system being under a normal Vcc voltage. Practically all AVR microcontrollers require clocking while they are under in-system programming. ChipProg programmers are capable to send clocks to the target microcontroller but sometimes the systems based on AVR microcontrollers have their own built-in clock generators.
1.If the system has its own built-in clock generator then make sure that the clock line of the ChipProg cable adapter is not connected to the clock input pin of the target microcontroller, otherwise it may destroy either the target or programmer hardware. What you need in this case is just to enter a value of the generator clock frequency in the Algorithm Parameters > Oscillator Frequency field in the Device and Algorithm Parameters Editor window (see on the picture below). By default the Oscillator Frequency value is 2.5 MHz. To change it double click the Oscillator Frequency line displayed in blue color and enter the Fclk value into the popped up dialog. If the actual clock frequency differs from the value set in the window the correct programming will be impossible.
2.If the target system does not have its own built-in clock generator then, the target AVR device needs to get clocks from the ChipProg built-in generator; thus the clock output wire of the cable-adapter should be connected to an appropriate clock input pin of the target device. By default the Fclk= 2.5 MHz. It can be set in the range of the Fclk allowed for a particular selected target AVR device in the Algorithm Parameters > Oscillator Frequency field in the Device and Algorithm Parameters Editor window (see the picture above).