EPROM Programmer
EPROM Programmer
OK - so, I've got a ZX81 ... ok, ok, I've got six... and I would like to change the BIOS.
Now... I'd like to replace with something that's going to last about 40-50 years. I do have EEPROMs but they're slated to last 10 years. I have read up on the way that they test EEPROMs to see how long they're going to last and I accept that a program on there could last maybe 20 years tops. I have also looked up the EEPROMs that last 100 years, but the minimum order quantity had me choking on my tea. - Also, to put one of the EEPROMs into the ZX81 require pin bending, so un-bending the pins to re-do it in a decade or so's time is likely to wreck the chip.
So, I'm looking to make a jump into 32K EPROM programming ... under Linux.
Yes, I am aware I could use a BBC B to do this, but I don't have an eprom programmer for that either and from what I've seen on fleabay, I think I'd rather a brand new EPROM programmer that I can hook up to Linux and use that way. There's so much that only comes with Windows software, or else requires software to be compiled, that I'm not sure where to turn in order to not waste money.
Grateful for thoughts and advice please.
Now... I'd like to replace with something that's going to last about 40-50 years. I do have EEPROMs but they're slated to last 10 years. I have read up on the way that they test EEPROMs to see how long they're going to last and I accept that a program on there could last maybe 20 years tops. I have also looked up the EEPROMs that last 100 years, but the minimum order quantity had me choking on my tea. - Also, to put one of the EEPROMs into the ZX81 require pin bending, so un-bending the pins to re-do it in a decade or so's time is likely to wreck the chip.
So, I'm looking to make a jump into 32K EPROM programming ... under Linux.
Yes, I am aware I could use a BBC B to do this, but I don't have an eprom programmer for that either and from what I've seen on fleabay, I think I'd rather a brand new EPROM programmer that I can hook up to Linux and use that way. There's so much that only comes with Windows software, or else requires software to be compiled, that I'm not sure where to turn in order to not waste money.
Grateful for thoughts and advice please.
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
Re: EPROM Programmer
I use an XGecu TL866II Plus programmer in Linux. The software runs fine with wine. Even firmware updates run without problems. It's also possible to run the software in a virtualized Windows (XP) system in VirtualBox.
FPGAtom: 512 KB RAM, Real Time Clock and 64 colours
MAN WOMAN
MAN WOMAN
Re: EPROM Programmer
I'm trying to avoid wine, it's a lot of libraries, we've got the threat of 32 bit library removal from Linux and all that stuff that they keep threatening... and keeping gigs of VM drive just to run the software is a little overkill. To my mind there should be an easier solution out there.
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
Re: EPROM Programmer
Thanks. I'll give it a look. It seems that I might have to make/compile it, and I usually never have much luck doing that.
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
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Re: EPROM Programmer
I use a TL866II Plus on Linux with minipro, it works well and wasn't too hard to compile IIRC - I am on Linux Mint. Happy to help out if you have any questions.
A couple of things to be aware of. Firstly the TL866-II hardware (grey with teal ZIF socket) seems to be EOL, replaced by the T48 (also known as TL866-3G) which is black. You can see from this topic that gordonDrogon was recently looking for the older model specifically because it works on Linux: https://www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt ... p?p=407735
The other thing to be aware of is that most USB powered programmers will not manage programming voltages of 21 or 25V as required for older EPROMs. I have used mine mostly for "modern" 27C128/27C256 devices which work fine.
A couple of things to be aware of. Firstly the TL866-II hardware (grey with teal ZIF socket) seems to be EOL, replaced by the T48 (also known as TL866-3G) which is black. You can see from this topic that gordonDrogon was recently looking for the older model specifically because it works on Linux: https://www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt ... p?p=407735
The other thing to be aware of is that most USB powered programmers will not manage programming voltages of 21 or 25V as required for older EPROMs. I have used mine mostly for "modern" 27C128/27C256 devices which work fine.
Re: EPROM Programmer
I use minipro as well. I left myself a note on how to use it
IIRC compiling wasn't too bad; it requires libusb-1.0 development libraries (which maybe libusb-1.0-0-dev on Debian; I don't recall).
Code: Select all
cd /home/sweh/src/minipro
./minipro -p AM27128A@DIP28 ...
... --read -r <filename> Read memory
... --write -w <filename> Write memory
... --verify -m <filename> Verify memory
... --blank_check -b Blank check.
Rgds
Stephen
Stephen
Re: EPROM Programmer
I've managed to get a TL866II Plus for a little under £70 with adaptors.
Grateful for any advice as to 28 pin eproms to use with it, with the target being a ZX81 BIOS please? (8K image loaded into a 32k EPROM four times should enable it to read a ROM image if I have to tie the extra address lines high)
Grateful for any advice as to 28 pin eproms to use with it, with the target being a ZX81 BIOS please? (8K image loaded into a 32k EPROM four times should enable it to read a ROM image if I have to tie the extra address lines high)
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
Re: EPROM Programmer
I'm looking at these - https://cpc.farnell.com/atmel/at27c256r ... dp/SC09509 - many others seem to be listed as no longer manufacturered. Would these work?
If i'm reading the datasheet correctly, they only require a little over 6v to program them. They do seem to be one-time programmable only, so can't be erased and re-written.
If i'm reading the datasheet correctly, they only require a little over 6v to program them. They do seem to be one-time programmable only, so can't be erased and re-written.
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
Re: EPROM Programmer
Or these, which seem to have good supply and in demand? https://uk.farnell.com/microchip/at27c2 ... dp/1095781
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
Re: EPROM Programmer
These are one time programmable only. As to their suitability for ZX use, I can't say I'm afraid, sorry!msknight wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:06 pm Or these, which seem to have good supply and in demand? https://uk.farnell.com/microchip/at27c2 ... dp/1095781
- BeebMaster
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Re: EPROM Programmer
I think both of these are the same part, the datasheet links to the same document. I used to use these in the Disc & Econet kits. The programming voltage is 12V (datasheet seems to suggest 13V +/- 0.25V) and they always programmed fine (apart from the odd failure over the years due to bad connection I think) in my Morley V2 programmer at 12V.
Re: EPROM Programmer
If anyone has any other suggestions on this, before I pull the trigger on some of these, I'd be grateful.
I've got a pin out of the ROM and the couple of pin conversions required, here - https://msknight.com/bbc/zx81-rom.html
I've got a pin out of the ROM and the couple of pin conversions required, here - https://msknight.com/bbc/zx81-rom.html
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc
- IanJeffray
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Re: EPROM Programmer
Thanks. Unfortunately I now have a TL866II on the way, which I'm fairly sure is probably going to be a clone and not an original.
I did that, however, because minipro, which I'll be using on Linux, says that T56 support is still experimental.
On that basis, and that I'm going to be sticking with relatively straightforward chips, I deemed that minipro was the thing to focus on and that the clone hardware should at least deliver what I need today... hoping that minipro will get better with T56 support as time goes on.
I did that, however, because minipro, which I'll be using on Linux, says that T56 support is still experimental.
On that basis, and that I'm going to be sticking with relatively straightforward chips, I deemed that minipro was the thing to focus on and that the clone hardware should at least deliver what I need today... hoping that minipro will get better with T56 support as time goes on.
All that I've learned - https://msknight.com/bbc