Promlink 6.1 and DATA I/O 29B & XP

[Riptor]

Has ANYONE succesfully gotten a 29B to talk to a pc running XP? If so, whats the secret?

[channelmanic]

What cable are you running? What are the serial port settings?

RS-232 is a finicky thing. You have to use the right cable, right baud rate, and the right number of start, stop, and data bits too...

RJ

[kstillin]

I've got a 29B with a unipak 2.

The only software I can get to work on a laptop with XP is the promlink341-1991 that can be found out on the net.

I have to force the command window into 'dos mode', which is what I call it. I do this by calling an older executable like 'edit'. The old dos editor forces the command window to a smaller size and the directory names display in the /x format like c:\dataio\promli~3 .

Then promlink can start with a command to feed it your custom init file like
pl my_29b
The my_29b file has all the saved parameters in it from a session you know runs.

I just tried again with the 6.1 directory and I always get some error in module blah blah or something.

I know the older software version doesn't support all the chips that the programmer can handle, but it's all I know. I haven't seen any better help out there.

Good luck.

[orion3311]

You may want to adjust your serial port baud rate in device manager...

[Zinfer]

I attempted to run the very unit your talking about. I believe I ran it on win98. It would appear to work for a bit, but then it would knock out the serial port to where it wouldn't communicate any longer. I replaced like 3 serial ports before I called it quits with that. I've still got it but it's sat for a number of years.
They have better things out now, but it'd be interesting to try a serial to usb adapter on that and I bet it'd work.

[Paul Olson]

If I remember right, the software was looking for a different COM port, and I couldn't find a way to change it. I need to pull it out again and try to figure it out.

[mrbill08]

it will work with the modified promlink software that you can find on the web - leopardcat's data i/o resources site:

http://www.retroclinic.com/leopardca.../dataio29b.htm

You run the modified promlink in a dos window and you will get an error about a com port not being found. Going from memory, it is looking for com2: even though it does not need or use it in default mode (it uses com:1). Com2: does not exist on most modern pcs and notebooks. Just click ignore.

Set baud rate on both the pc and data i/o to a baud rate that works with no parity 8 data bits and 1 stop bit 9600 , n, 8, 1. You can try higher baud rates once you get things working at 9600.

Most important is the proper "null" modem cable. Directions and a diagram for the null modem serial cable can be found in the data i/o manual or again on leaopardcat's excellent resource page:

http://www.retroclinic.com/leopardca...taioserial.htm

I've done this on several older pcs with good results and one that did not work. On the one that did not work, I probably would try a plug in serial card or USB to serial but had enough old pcs that I did not need to try it.

Have fun and once you get it set up, document what you did.

Last step is to put the data i/o into serial external communications mode:

On the 29A or B keypad, press "select", "F", "1", "START", "START"
(yes you have to press the "start" button twice).

Have fun and if you need any more advice, the folks who have Data I/Os can assist. This is the most reliable programmer of all of the ones I've used. It's a clunky beast but has never let me down for the older proms and eproms.

Bill

[Riptor]

Bill, done all that. The cable im using is actually one I made for Billys 29A so I know thats good.
Here is another weirdo thing. When I fire up the 29B it goes straight into remote mode.

Anyone have device code and faimily pinout list or know where I can find them?

[Thomas]

I am still not sure that cable is right. I found very conflicting information on the cable.

All the software is stored inside a picture on the group site.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Data_IO_EPROM/

If you unpack the picture with 7zip you will have all the files the yahoo group keeps for everyone.

I would join and then post to the data i/o group if you have any problems. They always answer the questions sent and all the answers have a special place in my inbox!

[Thomas]

Lets see if I can get some relevant links up. Also you know I have all the manuals for every one of my adapters and the 29.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/D...OM/message/311

http://www.pestingers.net/Data_IO_29B.htm

These few posts below should put you right on target...

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/D...OM/message/242

What would the best SW package to use with this programmer? I saw mention of PL6.1 and other SW versions. A Version 01 - 05 would work best with PL3.4 as it uses only 4 digit family/pinout codes. PL 6.10 works with a Version 06 29B with 6 digit family/pinout codes. 6 digit codes were added starting at Unipak 2/2B Version 15.0

You might need to upgrade that beast to get 6.10 working!

Hope that last link above help...

Also this pdf below is awesome...

http://www.pestingers.net/PDFs/Prom_...Note_Jul85.pdf

Hear is a complete list of packages than can be burned with the right combination of the 29, pack & software revisions
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/2539181...me/unipak2.PDF