COMPLETED - Assistance Requested

[granz]

Chris, if this is inappropriate, please remove this post.

I am in need of a device programmer for 2864 EEPROM chips. Other chips, like the 2816 & 28256 would be good, and a stretch goal of 27XX series and microcontrollers would be great. Does anyone have one that they could send me (I can reimburse postal costs)? I would like to borrow one, if possible, or purchase if the price is pretty low (<~$30.)

Alternatively, I found a cheap Chinese board (https://www.ebay.com/itm/386882487777) that claims to be a "TL866II Plus Programmer", but I'm not sure. In addition, it costs only $15, but almost all of the other TL866 II programmers that I have seen start about $60. Plus it will take 1-2 weeks - which isn't really a long time from China (although, I just noticed that this is coming from New York - 1-2 weeks is pretty long for that,) but I'm hoping to get programming within a few days. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

[JKnightandKARR]

Sadly, I am unable to assist.

[Chris Savage]

Chris, if this is inappropriate, please remove this post.

Your post is fine. Please read my reply all the way through. 

I am in need of a device programmer for 2864 EEPROM chips. Other chips, like the 2816 & 28256 would be good, and a stretch goal of 27XX series and microcontrollers would be great. Does anyone have one that they could send me (I can reimburse postal costs)? I would like to borrow one, if possible, or purchase if the price is pretty low (<~$30.)

About a year or so I ago, I purchased the following programmer from Amazon. I actually owned the TL866A, which was the version just before the TL866II. Since I no longer used it, I brought it to work with me to use at work. That was a mere convenience, since our company unit is attached to a roll-around PC workstation with battery backup. A pain to use when you need it, and often in use by someone else.

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Alternatively, I found a cheap Chinese board (https://www.ebay.com/itm/386882487777) that claims to be a "TL866II Plus Programmer", but I'm not sure. In addition, it costs only $15, but almost all of the other TL866 II programmers that I have seen start about $60. Plus it will take 1-2 weeks - which isn't really a long time from China (although, I just noticed that this is coming from New York - 1-2 weeks is pretty long for that,) but I'm hoping to get programming within a few days. Any thoughts?

This is the previous version I mentioned and the software runs fine on Windows 10 and connects to a USB port. I have been using it here at work for over a year now and the only issue is that it does not support some of the more exotic chips we have to program and doesn't have the adapters to do others (though I could purchase these). The little cable next to it is used for in circuit programming of certain microcontrollers, such as Atmel MCUs.

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This unit programs all the classic EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory and several of the old-school NVRAM such as the DS1225, DS1230, etc. (which we use here) Device Support List

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I would be willing to send you this unit at no cost. Just PM me your address and I will ship it out tomorrow morning. I will also put the latest version of the software installer on my Google Drive and send you a link since the normal download site is in China and rarely works. Took me a while to get the software at the time.

You need not reimburse me. I haven't forgotten how you sent me one of your ATtiny educational kits back in the day, and when I lost everything, that was one of the few things that was small enough to take in my RV and therefore, I still have it! I am happy to pass this on to you.

Sharing has always been the spirit of Savage///Circuits. Back in the day I used to send packages out from Parallax all the time to people who were in need. I ran the monthly prize giveaway and The Fellowship of the Traveling Parts Box to share all the extra goodies I used to receive. And while I am no longer in a position to do those things, occasionally, I do have something extra to offer to someone who is without that thing.

[granz]

Chris,

DM sent.

Thank you so much. I am trying to get my Sans Bergman 6802 Nano board (https://www.sbprojects.net/projects/nano6802/index.php) working. As you recall from last year, I participated in RetroChallenge 2023. Well, they just recently  announced the winners, and like Joe, I won. The prizes have been mouse pads (which are actually pretty good since the real prize is "bragging rights."  ) But, I was thinking that some retro hardware might be an incentive for more people to get into doing/completing a project (and also hope to encourage the judges to get the results out more quickly.) So, I am trying to get together some things (including one, or two, of those 6802 Nano kits) to send to the RC team for this years prizes.

Sharing has always been the spirit of Savage///Circuits. Back in the day I used to send packages out from Parallax all the time to people who were in need. I ran the monthly prize giveaway and The Fellowship of the Traveling Parts Box to share all the extra goodies I used to receive. And while I am no longer in a position to do those things, occasionally, I do have something extra to offer to someone who is without that thing.

Sharing is also something that I enjoy doing (and my wife enjoys it even more when it gets rid of more of my "junk."     ) It's nice to encourage other people to get involved with my hobby.

[Chris Savage]

Thank you so much. I am trying to get my Sans Bergman 6802 Nano board (https://www.sbprojects.net/projects/nano6802/index.php) working.
Sharing is also something that I enjoy doing (and my wife enjoys it even more when it gets rid of more of my "junk."    ) It's nice to encourage other people to get involved with my hobby.

You're welcome! Unit has shipped via USPS Priority Mail. I was even able to recycle the box I just received from my anti-static foam order. 

And, I agree...you have sent me things on more than one occasion, so I know you like to share. Many members and former members of my website have sent me things over the years, and thus contributed to the sharing I do as well. I thank you all.

By the way, since this programmer is capable of more than just what you need it for, perhaps it will inspire other projects. Enjoy!

P.S. - It wasn't in the photos, but I shipped the original USB cable that came with the unit. It was unused, since at work I had to use a long cable to come down from the PC. I will send you a link to the latest version of the software on my Google Drive.

This is the official site, which also has a download link (good luck) and the supported IC list and manual.

[granz]

Since this programmer is capable of more than just what you need it for, perhaps it will inspire other projects. Enjoy!

Yep, I have a Cromemco SCC (Single Card Computer) S-100 board that had an option of a tiny control BASIC. The card has a custom ROM (2716) from when it worked at the Pittsburgh Cable Company. I have images of the 2716s with Control BASIC, and 2816s, but have never gotten any way to burn the EEPROMs. That project will be coming up, soon.

[Chris Savage]

On POST#2 above, I shoed you the new device programmer I got from eBay, which allowed me to pass on the TL866 to you. Yesterday I read an NVRAM (DS1225AD) data from a customer repair. I saved it, then put in the new chip and tried to program the customer data on it. Verify failed!

Every once in a while we get a bad IC, which sucks since they're ~$35.00 each. So I got a new one. Same thing. So, first  I thought maybe it was a bad batch, so I grabbed one I had programmed before, but didn't use. Same thing. Over the course of the next 30 minutes, it got to the point where it wouldn't even read anymore.

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This unit is not very old and still looks like new.


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[Chris Savage]

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Yeah, I'm not feeling it. Replacement ordered...


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That's some quality manufacturing right there...


The irony is that some things seem to fail right after the warranty is up!

[granz]

The irony is that some things seem to fail right after the warranty is up!

Planned obsolescence - the bean counter's dream, and the engineer's nightmare. 

[Chris Savage]

UPDATE! So I ordered a replacement unit. It recently came in. Shockingly, it failed the exact same way! Long story short, it's the software. All three units exhibit the same failure when using the same software installed on multiple machines. Sadly, this is Chinese software and there's no telling if / when they'll fix the issue. It only seems to affect the smaller chips I work with, like DS1225AD and 2764 EPROM. If I just to a DS1230Y or 27C256 everything seems to work.

I tried to create an account on their forums, but the registration challenge question is in Chinese, so I can't read it, and therefore can't respond to it properly, denying my registration for a wrong answer to that question. 

I used to the contact form to send a message, but as of yet have not heard anything back. Sadly, the DS1225 is the IC I most frequently have to program.

[granz]

That is truly a bummer. One thing to note, is that Google Translate usually does a fairly decent job of translating. You could copy the challenge question and paste it into Google Translate then provide the answer to the challenge and (if needed) use Google Translate to convert it back into Chinese then copy and paste the response to their registration page.

Also, the programmer that you sent to me says (in the device list link you provided in post #2) that it can program the DS1225 (verified for R, W and Test - and also verified in the program that I installed in my Windows VM.) The data sheet shows that the AD suffix simply means +/- 10% V_CC tolerance. Would that work for you?

[Chris Savage]

That is truly a bummer. One thing to note, is that Google Translate usually does a fairly decent job of translating. You could copy the challenge question and paste it into Google Translate then provide the answer to the challenge and (if needed) use Google Translate to convert it back into Chinese then copy and paste the response to their registration page.

I was already using Google to convert the entire page to English. This verify thing is like Captcha. It's image-based. And yes, I did use image translation, but it still didn't work. The moment you click, the message disappears and you have to refresh the page to get it back.

Also, the programmer that you sent to me says (in the device list link you provided in post #2) that it can program the DS1225 (verified for R, W and Test - and also verified in the program that I installed in my Windows VM.) The data sheet shows that the AD suffix simply means +/- 10% V_CC tolerance. Would that work for you?

Actually, the software doesn't care about the suffixes at all for the DS1225, however I am used to being more clear because some chips do care. The DS1230Y for example. The DS1230 has three versions supported by my programmer. The Y version is what we're using. Right now, the DS1225 doesn't work, but the DS1230Y does. Ironically, the DS1225 TEST mode doesn't seem to work, or at least it didn't the last time I tried it, even on brand new modules.

They broke something in the software. Now I hope they fix it.

[granz]

They broke something in the software. Now I hope they fix it.

Yeah, and the bad thing is that you can't even let them know about the break. 

Hopefully they will respond to your email, soon.

[Chris Savage]

One thing to note, is that Google Translate usually does a fairly decent job of translating. You could copy the challenge question and paste it into Google Translate then provide the answer to the challenge and (if needed) use Google Translate to convert it back into Chinese then copy and paste the response to their registration page.

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This is the grfx that came up before clicking into the verify box. Just as an FYI. I used this to do an image translation.

[granz]

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This is the grfx that came up before clicking into the verify box. Just as an FYI. I used this to do an image translation.

Yeah, it looks like they really don't want non-Chinese to register.