TOP 853 eprom programmer software help...

ifkz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,544
Reaction score
45
Location
Texas
I can't seem to get this programmer to actually program a chip. It will confirm that a chip is blank, and can read chips to the buffer, and can create a binary image from the buffer. Several different common chips have been tried.

Computer OS: Win XP Home
Interface: USB only, no power adapter

Okay, so I installed the mini Chinese disc that came with the burner, it connected fine and I could do everything except program a chip. It installs a weird Jungo USB driver in Device Manager.

At this point I did some research and tried different things. I installed older versions of the software from http://topwin6.com/Soft.html
Some forum posts said v5.99 was best, but it could not communicate properly with the programmer
Other forum posts say my problems are due to the programmer liking USB 1.1 over 2.0, so I installed an ancient USB 32MB flash drive on a 1-4 port USB hub to slow it down that way. No luck either.

To try:
1. Change each chip start address to 8000 or 0800. I read it is something about figuring the "correct offset" for each chip. Anyone know? Something about "enabled the program to start at that hex value in the program burn to chip."
2. Try some older versions of the software again.

Has anyone else tried to cheap out and purchased one of these units and actually made it work all the way?
 
Last edited:
I've been down your road before.

Step 1. Hold programmer in your right hand.

Step 2. Orient programmer so that all cords, packaging are in front of you.

Step 3:

tupapunt1.jpg


Seriously, the TOP programmers are shit. Especially for the old EEPROMS. You need an old school programmer. Look over at www.hobbyroms.com for options.
 
Thanks man, made me laugh :)
I have a great older programmer that works well, but it has a upper limit of 64KB (27c512's)
A newer burner for newer chips was my thought. I've seen posts where they've gotten it to work, so it was worth the risk. At this price range, there aren't many good options.

I'll keep trying and also monitor this thread. Over 100 of them have sold from the seller, so it has to work somehow. Sending it back isn't worth it. At least it is good at telling me if I have a bad IC...
 
I am also looking for a eprom programmer.
I have some Rom chips that need to be checked. I am not shure if the rom chips I pulled from Galaga cpu board are compatable but I bet that thing could tell me what is on them. It would be nice to have something that I could check them with untill I get a programmer/eraser funds. The ones I have looked at are about 150 for the programmers and 50-100 for the eraser.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN1124.jpg
    DSCN1124.jpg
    99.2 KB · Views: 18
  • DSCN1125.jpg
    DSCN1125.jpg
    94.7 KB · Views: 14
  • DSCN1126.jpg
    DSCN1126.jpg
    92.2 KB · Views: 13
I had a TOP programmer before I bought the fancy one and it worked beautifully for me for a couple of years.

Things to check: There's a "power" check option in the software to see if your USB port can supply enough power. The more bars/higher the # the better. Swap around to different USB ports to see where you get the highest levels of power. To get the most power to it use a USB hub WITH an external 5v power supply. I had to plug mine into jacks on the rear of the computer to get the highest power levels.

If you still can't get it to program then the programmer may be bad and not generating the programming voltages needed (12.5v, 21v, or 25v) by the chip.

RJ
 
You can only read chips using USB power, to program chips the programmer will need to apply somewhere between 12-21v on the programming pin (highly chip dependant which is why it is essential to check that the programmer is set for the correct chip). USB power is 5V at fairly low current, on some chips you can just about program then but it takes ages, most will fail however.
 
I installed VM Ware's player on my box last night and did a ground up install of Win98SE and VM Ware Tools. I tried both versions of the software that say they support the burner in Win98 mode, but they failed at the USB driver installation part. Time to hunt around for old software.

This burner is supposed to have a voltage multiplier circuit. I have not purchased a powered USB hub for it yet. People say that might help.

I also got in contact with the Chinese company that sold it to me in preparation for a return, I am rapidly running out of ideas. I'll see if I'm able to get them to pay for shipping back too.
 
I installed VM Ware's player on my box last night and did a ground up install of Win98SE and VM Ware Tools. I tried both versions of the software that say they support the burner in Win98 mode, but they failed at the USB driver installation part. Time to hunt around for old software.

This burner is supposed to have a voltage multiplier circuit. I have not purchased a powered USB hub for it yet. People say that might help.

I also got in contact with the Chinese company that sold it to me in preparation for a return, I am rapidly running out of ideas. I'll see if I'm able to get them to pay for shipping back too.

Like I said... USB hub with an AC adapter... Mine (TOP2004) worked and the power test showed 9/10 when I used a different USB port. With the front ports it was a 3/10 and wouldn't work. It even programmed old 2732s with ease.

Oh, and I used mine under WinXP with no problems at all. It wouldn't work under Vista for squat... but since I swapped over to the eeTools TopMax I sold off the TOP and never looked back.

The TopMax is top notch in my book, but you pay top notch prices for them.
 
This one does not have a port power tester, but will display an out of power message if it is too low. So far it has not given me a low power message. I have used it on three computers now with the same results.
 
Has anyone else tried to cheap out and purchased one of these units and actually made it work all the way?

I haven't personally used one of the Top programmers, but I once suggested to a friend that he try one since the price was right. He said it worked fine for a while (months) but then crapped out and wouldn't program anymore. So I always steer people away from them now.
 
i had trouble with my programmer until i found a solution
there is a small popup screen and you have to click on the down arrow button and scroll all the way down to the *all files* choice, once that was chosen it has worked good
 
It doesn't work and it is going back to China. What a waste of time.

Bought a TrueUSB GQ-4X on sale instead. Looks much better and it can take external power if needed.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like perhaps the USB ports you were using it on were not capable of providing enough mA for it, either that or it was faulty.
 
Back
Top Bottom