Guide to EEPROM Programmers?

Jesse69

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Is there a guide or book somewhere that teaches how to use EPROM / EEPROM programmers? I don't know anything about EPROMS and what kind of EPROMS or EEPROMS are used in Stargate or Defender? I looked at the drawing sets for Stargate and Defender and they don't tell me what EPROMS they use. Maybe I'll just get EPROMS from Hobbyroms.com but I was thinking about getting this device for TTL Logic testing, and then maybe I'd use it on the side to burn Stargate or Defender EPROMS / EEPROMS... - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220398146407&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNAFP:US:1123
 
Is there a guide or book somewhere that teaches how to use EPROM / EEPROM programmers? I don't know anything about EPROMS and what kind of EPROMS or EEPROMS are used in Stargate or Defender? I looked at the drawing sets for Stargate and Defender and they don't tell me what EPROMS they use. Maybe I'll just get EPROMS from Hobbyroms.com but I was thinking about getting this device for TTL Logic testing, and then maybe I'd use it on the side to burn Stargate or Defender EPROMS / EEPROMS... - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220398146407&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNAFP:US:1123

There are a ton of threads on here about EPROM programmers, so that would be a good place to start.

As for finding out what EPROM is being used, if you have the game, just look at the chip. The majority of them are 27xxx where xxx is the size. In the case of Stargate, they are probably 2532's. However, you can change jumpers on the ROM board to use 2732's.

For most games, if you don't have the EPROMS on the board, for some reason, you can typically look at the schematics and they will list their size.
 
Article from the decoder PROMs to 2732 EPROMs.
http://www.robotron-2084.co.uk/techwilliamsprom.html

For the 9316B PROMs... I BELIEVE you can use 2732's and just double the image... basically open the thing up in a HEX editor, copy all the code, paste it again (doubling it from 16 to 32) and I THINK it'll plug in as a direct replacement without modifying the board.

Double check that though, hopefully someone will weigh in on that?

I remember looking this stuff up for myself because I have some Defender boards here that needed new ROMs and decoders... but I don't remember everything 100% anymore... it's been over a year since I asked, and anything over a week is hit or miss with me.
 
Defender uses 2716's for ROMs 1,4,6-12; and 2532 for ROMs 2 and 3 (ROM 5 is of course empty). Stargate will use either 12 2732's or 12 2532's depending on how the ROM board is jumpered.
 
Jesse,

The programmer you referenced does not list AMD 2716, 2732, 2732A, 2532 and several other common EEPROMs used in vintage arcade equipment. You would be better off saving your money and buying a Data I/O or a BP microsystems programmer on Ebay when one comes up. Unless you want to use it to program more moern devices and as a logic chip tester.

Williams games are normally either listed as using A or B ROMs. A ROMs are 2532s and B ROMs are 2732s.

ken
 
Defender uses 2716's for ROMs 1,4,6-12; and 2532 for ROMs 2 and 3 (ROM 5 is of course empty). Stargate will use either 12 2732's or 12 2532's depending on how the ROM board is jumpered.

There you go.

Like I said, don't quote me on ANYTHING... EVER.
 
Jesse,

The programmer you referenced does not list AMD 2716, 2732, 2732A, 2532 and several other common EEPROMs used in vintage arcade equipment. You would be better off saving your money and buying a Data I/O or a BP microsystems programmer on Ebay when one comes up. Unless you want to use it to program more moern devices and as a logic chip tester.

Williams games are normally either listed as using A or B ROMs. A ROMs are 2532s and B ROMs are 2732s.

ken

I just picked up a BP Micro off ebay for next to nothing...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180471546165&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
 
Jesse,

The programmer you referenced does not list AMD 2716, 2732, 2732A, 2532 and several other common EEPROMs used in vintage arcade equipment. You would be better off saving your money and buying a Data I/O or a BP microsystems programmer on Ebay when one comes up. Unless you want to use it to program more moern devices and as a logic chip tester.

Williams games are normally either listed as using A or B ROMs. A ROMs are 2532s and B ROMs are 2732s.

ken

Thanks for this info, Yellowdog... I guess I'd only use this device as a Logic IC Tester. I know nothing about reading or duplicating ROMS... Maybe I'll just rely on Hobbyroms.com Maybe he uses a good expensive EEPROM burner for his stuff...
 
Steph (at HobbyRoms) has a couple of different programmers.I think he said he uses a Data I/O for the older EPROMS, but quoting Scucci "don't quote me".

A number of those newer programmers list a number of older NMOS devices because they can READ them. If they don't explicitly say they can WRITE to them. Big difference.

Watch on EBay BP Micro EP-1140s come up a lot and tend to go cheap, especially when the post the picture. When an EP-1140 is powered up, if it is not talking to the software the "ERROR" light glows. That is normal behavior. It doesn't guarantee that it will work when connected, but it doesn't automatically indicate that it is broken.

ken

Edit: I just checked Ebay. Wow! I feel like I got a great deal when I bought mine now. :):D
 
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Even if I bought that BP Micro Eprom programmer I would not know how to duplicate my Stargate & Defender ROMS. And then I wouldn't know where to buy the Stargate & Defender EPROMS for cheap. I'll just let Steph the expert at Hobbyroms do the ROMS for me...

ALL I need is a cheap & good enough logic IC tester...

And then I should limit my expenses for this hobby because I can only have the 3 games I have and no more... There is no more space in my house for anything! I also got $34,000 in bicycles that fill up the place!

I guess I'm a shopaholic that now can't shop anymore unless I get rid off stuff. And now I'm getting rid of some stuff on ebay!
 
Even if I bought that BP Micro Eprom programmer I would not know how to duplicate my Stargate & Defender ROMS.

I picked up a Pocket Programmer 2 a few years back, and I found it quite easy to use. The software has pretty straightforward buttons like "Program Device", "Blank Check", "Verify Device", etc. You can download the software for free if you'd like to see how easy/hard it is to work with:
http://xtronics.com/memory/updates.html
You can read your existing eproms, or find the code you need from Mame or from other collectors. For pinball machines, ipdb.org has eprom code for many of them, and Stern publishes their code on their website. IMHO, it's worth poking around for a deal on a programmer.
 
I picked up a Pocket Programmer 2 a few years back, and I found it quite easy to use. The software has pretty straightforward buttons like "Program Device", "Blank Check", "Verify Device", etc. You can download the software for free if you'd like to see how easy/hard it is to work with:
http://xtronics.com/memory/updates.html
You can read your existing eproms, or find the code you need from Mame or from other collectors. For pinball machines, ipdb.org has eprom code for many of them, and Stern publishes their code on their website. IMHO, it's worth poking around for a deal on a programmer.

It's really something worth learning. Once you program 1 right, it's pretty much childsplay to program the rest. On my EMP-20, it's super easy... select a device (what type of chip you have by what maker... it's on the chip). Then you load the ROM you want to program, then program it... then use it. It's just as easy, if not easier, on PocketProgrammers.

They're irreplaceable for misc board ID, checking to see if the chips are good when you're trouble shooting, adding freeplay, upgrading, etc etc etc... I really have no idea how people can get along without them... In between the time I trashed my Willem and got my EMP-20... I was lost, scared... confused... alone in the world... ... yep.
 
Maybe I'll just rely on Hobbyroms.com Maybe he uses a good expensive EEPROM burner for his stuff...

I actually have 11 different programmers,
.. but I only use a few constantly.

My workhorse is a Needham EMP-20
(..I also have a Needham PB-10, but the EMP-20 does alot more... )

I also rely alot on my Modular Circuit Technology MOD-EMUP programmer.
This is for the bipolar proms which the EMP-20 can not do.

I also have a MEP-4 and MEP-8 gang programmer for duplicates.

I also have a few HI-LO programmers, but these are basically the same as the EMUP.

Then I have a bunch of Data I/O stuff..

The 29B is for all the really old obscure chips with weird programming voltages
(high-current Intersil proms, tri-voltage TMS chips like TMS-2708, etc... )

I also have a Data I/O 288 8-gang duplicator,
but I never use that one because it's too clunky (...and the MEP-8 is better )

For "newer" stuff, I have a Data I/O 3980 XPi with all the modules.
This is for all the non-DIP eproms. I can do PLCC, SOIC, TSOP, etc...

Lastly, I bought the beastly Data I/O PSX-1000 30 chip duplicator.
I really didn't need this monster, but I got it for a song, so I bought it "for fun".
I've never really used it, other than testing it out,
and now it sits in a corner, taking up precious space.
... still waiting for that elusive large-scale erpom duplication order... ;-)


Steph
 

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That looks like the "gang banger" they used at Williams. A lot of places used those big boys when they needed a lot of chips fast.

ken
 
I use the USB pocket programmer III per Riptor's recommendation. This thing is sweet. Just load the file you want to put on the chip. You can usually get it from a MAME rom file. Choose the chip that you want to program and hit program. The chip is done in about 3 or 4 seconds on a 2532.
 
Can you programme the Bosch CC460 68pin plcc?


I actually have 11 different programmers,
.. but I only use a few constantly.

My workhorse is a Needham EMP-20
(..I also have a Needham PB-10, but the EMP-20 does alot more... )

I also rely alot on my Modular Circuit Technology MOD-EMUP programmer.
This is for the bipolar proms which the EMP-20 can not do.

I also have a MEP-4 and MEP-8 gang programmer for duplicates.

I also have a few HI-LO programmers, but these are basically the same as the EMUP.

Then I have a bunch of Data I/O stuff..

The 29B is for all the really old obscure chips with weird programming voltages
(high-current Intersil proms, tri-voltage TMS chips like TMS-2708, etc... )

I also have a Data I/O 288 8-gang duplicator,
but I never use that one because it's too clunky (...and the MEP-8 is better )

For "newer" stuff, I have a Data I/O 3980 XPi with all the modules.
This is for all the non-DIP eproms. I can do PLCC, SOIC, TSOP, etc...

Lastly, I bought the beastly Data I/O PSX-1000 30 chip duplicator.
I really didn't need this monster, but I got it for a song, so I bought it "for fun".
I've never really used it, other than testing it out,
and now it sits in a corner, taking up precious space.
... still waiting for that elusive large-scale erpom duplication order... ;-)


Steph
 
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