Eprom Burner/Programer Help for Newbies Questions ;)

Wldfire

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Eprom Burner/Programer Help for Newbies Questions ;)

Well the Title says it all! LOL
I am pretty new to this hobby, but have taken a interest in learning more about eprom Burning/Programing I am sure there are others out there with similar questions, so if anyone's able to assist on answering these questions, I for one would really appreciate it.

1)What are the most common kinds of eproms used in the arcade game hobby? I have been wondering as i was looking at different Burning/Programing and some do this kind but not the other and visa versa. So wondering as a starting point whats the most common kind?

2) Does anyone have any advice when looking for a Burner/Programer? Ones you have tried? Liked? Didn't Like? Links to ones you recommend.
I have seen so many different kinds, and different interfaces for your PC from old school parallel to Serial to USB. I would think USB would be best as its pretty much accept by all modern PC's. Don't even think my system has a serial port, and surely doesn't have anything older. LOL

3) Any Advice you would give someone wanting to learn more about this, and perhaps get some equipment and give it a whirl.

Thank you kindly for your time.
Ken
 
The best bang for the buck programmer right now is the willem GQ-4X. It will program all the common eproms used in arcades. If you want to do proms your limited to an expensive programmer or you can go with the old Data IO 29B. I dont know of any of the cheap programmers that are capable of doing proms. If you dont have a serial port you can buy an add on card for around $20 and it works fine. I have my data io running on win 7 with a serial port card.
 
Thank you for replying to my message. I had looked at those willem GQ-4X on ebay, and was wondering if they were any good.
I never thought about running an adapter for the serial. Good idea.
I will have to do some searching around and see what i can find. :)

Thank you.
Ken
 
Thank You kindly for your reply.
Its good to see input from people who are using them and are happy. Its kind of overwhelming looking at the different ones. So many knockoffs and clones, makes you wonder whats good and whats not.
Was looking at this one on Ebay http://www.ebay.ca/itm/290588232806
Its about $110 Shipped, which doesnt sound that bad.

But then i also noticed these others without cases

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEWEST-Willem-EPROM-Programmer-PIC-BIOS-Shipfrom-USA-/150708244088
About $60 Shipped

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PCB5-0E-Willem-EPROM-programmer-BIOS009-PIC-/120762032659

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Willem-EPROM-Programmer-PCB5-0E-PSOP44-Adapter-29F200-29F800-/390351011151

Anyways, figured i would list those links. I think I will just save up and get a GQ4X but figured i would share and ask about those others.
Thank you Kindly
Ken
 
It really depends on what era boards you intend to work with, as a rough list (with very rough date guides too)

1980s
27c32
27c64
27c128
27c256
27c512

1990s
27c1024
27c100
27c1000
27c1001
27c2001
27c320
27c400
27c800

If you want to do the really early ones like 2716 and 2708 then you may struggle with a modern burner, but in general if starting out go for a modern USB one. You will still need to give it external power when burning ROMs.

The only thing you miss on modern burners are the really really old EPROMs, bi-polar PROMs and some PALs. You cover about 90% of whats common.
 
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Thank you very much for that information! I just cutted and pasted it into a word doc, so i can print it off and keep it. Nice to know what # ones are out there. A good starting point anyways.
I think i will wait abit and save up my pennies and get a GQ4X. Sounds like a great way to start off. I would hate to spend less and get a piece of poo burner. LOL

Thank you!
Ken
 
The GQ-4X will handle 2516, 2716, 2532, 2732 with no problem. I have programmed hundreds of them on mine. They list the 2532 as read only support but it does program them just fine.
 
Good to know! Just copied that info into my file im creating. Sounds like its a perfect machine for what I want to do.
Hopefully this thread can help others with the same questions I had.
I appreciate the info everyone.
Thank you
 
The GQ-4X will handle 2516, 2716, 2532, 2732 with no problem. I have programmed hundreds of them on mine. They list the 2532 as read only support but it does program them just fine.

Ditto that.

I bought a GQ-4X and have been able to program 2532's and 2732's without any external power - USB power only.

Provided you have enough power on your USB port, you may be able to program eproms without external power.
 
I have external power on mine, I just leave it connected all the time. If you dont use the external power pack make sure you use a rear usb port on the pc. The front ports typically dont have enough power.
 
so i took the plunge and bought the GQ-4X. now for the long wait for it to reach UK.

i really hope that the documentation and operation are easy to understand, otherwise there's gonna be a lot of head scratching over christmas! =D

lets learn together Wldfire!
 
Very kewl! Sounds good to me!! I really think the whole idea of being able to program chips is an amazing thing!! I can remember reading about it many years ago and thinking, wow i would really love to be able to do that someday! :)
 
so i took the plunge and bought the GQ-4X. now for the long wait for it to reach UK.

i really hope that the documentation and operation are easy to understand, otherwise there's gonna be a lot of head scratching over christmas! =D

lets learn together Wldfire!

Hmmm....

I don't remember seeing any "paper" documentation with the programmer.

There is a "Help" glossary in the software.

The software is pretty self explanitory.

When choosing an EPROM type, the EPROM is referred to as "Device"

If you have any questions on how to use it, many users here own one and can offer assistance.
 
If you have any questions on how to use it, many users here own one and can offer assistance.

yeah, that's perhaps the greatest selling point for me because it's tried and tested by so many people. i did consider the top853 because it's a lot cheaper but being such a newbie i'd rather pay more and stay sane than to spend christmas pulling my hair out.

RE: UV eraser. i think i can source that here in UK. postage costs from canada to UK is not cheap.

thanks again.
 
>>If you'll be working with UV erasable EPROMs like 2532's, you might want to buy the GQ-4X >>bundle that comes with the UV eraser: http://www.mcumall.com/comersus>>/stor...idProduct=4546
>>I also use an external power supply with mine, just to be sure.

Thats a great link thanks! Nice to get a complete kit with the eraser in it. Shipping was pretty good also. I will have to save up some more pennies :)
LOL
 
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