EPROM/PROM burner newbie questions

Mike Valmike

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Donor 2012, 2014
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And by that I mean REAL newbie because I haven't even bought the device yet. But I'm starting to have projects stack up where making a ROM is part of the itinerary, and I think if I let it go much longer without learning this, I'll be constrained a lot on output. Especially all these suicided CPS2 boards I keep coming across.

1. Is this a total pandora's box that will haunt my waking days or is it pretty easy to learn? Note that I don't even know whether EPROM or PROM is what I would be working with. That's the level of ignorance in play here.

2. Is there a good FAQ website or list or other tutorial I can get the basics from rather than quizzing people who currently do it?

3. Is there a really popular go-to burner that has been established as the tool of choice for arcade-related work?

4. What question should I be asking, but did not?

Thanks again guys, much appreciated!!!
 
Get yourself a willem GQ-4X. Do a search on the forum and read through the 100's of posts on the same question. The only other thing you might want to pick up is a set of mame roms so you have the files to compare your roms to. There are guys who offer a "burning service" for the rom sets. They charge you for the dvd's and their time to burn them.
Using the burner is really simple and pretty straight forward. The most important thing to do is set up the programmer for the correct type chip. If you program a 2532A on the standard 2532 setting it will be toast. Typically chips with an "A" suffix require lower programming voltage. Same goes for cmos devices like 27C64. When in doubt always try to find the exact part number in the device list. There are generic settings but until you learn the differences in the chips you should look for the exact part number.
That being said, if your only reading the chip you can use the generic setting. The differences come into play when programming because of the way some are programmed and their voltages.
The internet is LOADED with info on burning roms. A good couple hour google session and you can learn more than you need to know to get started.
 
I'm on it! Thanks a ton for the links and guidance!!!
 
That programmer, does it do the proms as well? I don't think it will.

No, you need an older programmer like a Data IO to do proms. There are no low cost new programmers that do proms that I am aware of. But seriously for most guys if you need a prom its much more cost effective just to order it from hobby roms.
I recommended the GQ-4X because its simple to use, cheap, and will do most any eprom you will run across on an arcade pcb. I have more a much more expensive programmer but use the willem almost exclusively.
 
If you go the gq-4x route be sure to pick up the 16bit adapter,If your working with cps2 you will probably need to write 16bit roms.

I know a while back you could buy a package deal with alot of the adapters. If I remember right it was a significant savings VS buying everything separate.
 
The GQ-4X is a good every day eprom programmer at a reasonable price. I have had one for years and keep it stashed in desk drawer for convenience since it can do 90% of what you will encounter. You can even use it to READ/VERIFY proms if you can think logically and follow data sheets for the various ICs.

The GQ-4X does NOT do PROMS, GALs or PALs as Mike pointed out. You will need something more expensive/older to do those. If only need one PROM programmed, Steph over at hobbyroms.com is probably your best bet.

One really positive thing about the GQ-4X is that they do supply drivers for Windows 7 64 bit. I've had a number of other tools that have basically expired for lack of an upgrade path. Those need to run either in a virtual emulator or on an older PC on the bench in the garage.
 
Windows 7 is a must, I'm a Mac guy but I have a PC for this purpose. Sounds like I have a solid burner recommendation. Still studying up... so much to learn! But it will pay off when I can do most of this stuff in house. Lately the cabs have been flying in and out of here so fast I start to understand why so many providers just jam an X-in-1 into the box and spray paint the worst scuffs.
 
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