+Vorticon Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Hi. I've come to realize that having an EPROM programmer that can handle the older 8-bit EPROMs is essential for the retrocomputing hobby. I have a version of the inexpensive and popular TL886 programmer, but it cannot handle most vintage EPROMs. I ran into that problem when trying to replace the Cortex EPROMs. Currently I have a specific need to program a 2532 and a 2716 EPROM to upgrade the ROMs on my Heathkit H19 terminal so it can do 8-bit serial communication instead of its fixed 7-bit, thus making it much more useful. I usually use it to communicate with my Heathkit Hero Jr robot, but otherwise it sits idle and forlorn. I recently fixed my P112 CP/M SBC and I would love to use the H19 to connect to it Any suggestions on an EPROM programmer that can handle the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrax27407 Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Please look at the TL866 pinned thread in the "Development" forum. The TL866 WILL do TMS2532 and the equivalent MCM2532C EPROMs with the appropriate adapter. Both are very tolerant of undervoltage programming and work very nicely at 21V. The 2716 is another matter entirely, it is "hard wired" to program at 25V only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDOS Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 I have an old Prolog EPROM programmer that has a plug-in for 2716 and one for 2708, that I would be willing to trade. If you have something I might be interested in? Or make an offer, if you're interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 Please look at the TL866 pinned thread in the "Development" forum. The TL866 WILL do TMS2532 and the equivalent MCM2532C EPROMs with the appropriate adapter. Both are very tolerant of undervoltage programming and work very nicely at 21V. The 2716 is another matter entirely, it is "hard wired" to program at 25V only. Thanks for the tip. I should be able to construct the necessary adapter for the 2532. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 I have an old Prolog EPROM programmer that has a plug-in for 2716 and one for 2708, that I would be willing to trade. If you have something I might be interested in? Or make an offer, if you're interested. I might. How does the programmer connect to the PC (USB, serial, parallel) and is it DOS based or Windows based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDOS Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 It's stand-alone, so very old. It has a socket for the EPROM, and a ultra-violet chamber. It's all contained in a special briefcase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 It's stand-alone, so very old. It has a socket for the EPROM, and a ultra-violet chamber. It's all contained in a special briefcase. So how is the ROM binary file sent to the EPROM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 So how is the ROM binary file sent to the EPROM? Well, there's this row of 8 toggle switches .... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 Well, there's this row of 8 toggle switches .... Done that with my ELF and the most I've entered is a little over 100 bytes, enough to start getting callouses on my fingers I don't toggling in 8K is something I would want to embark on... Now that said, there might be a way to wire up a computer to the burner and program it that way, like I've done with my ELF below... https://youtu.be/IHZ8Y3yUoWc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDOS Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 So how is the ROM binary file sent to the EPROM? Unfortunately, I only used this device to patch the code already in the EPROM. Which required me to key the address and values, address by address using the device keypad. It does have source and copy sockets, so an entire 2716 can be copied, and then patched. Exactly, what I normally did in the field. However it also has old serial and parallel ports, but I never had the occasion to use either. It is rather heavy, as it's really in a small suitcase rather than a briefcase, as I just went out in the garage and looked at it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyDean Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Unfortunately, I only used this device to patch the code already in the EPROM. Which required me to key the address and values, address by address using the device keypad. It does have source and copy sockets, so an entire 2716 can be copied, and then patched. Exactly, what I normally did in the field. However it also has old serial and parallel ports, but I never had the occasion to use either. It is rather heavy, as it's really in a small suitcase rather than a briefcase, as I just went out in the garage and looked at it. Probably a lot like my GangPro-8 from Logical Devices, it does program from a master eprom, but I would like to program individual eproms from the computer. The problem is the software I have found so far doesn't seems to recognize the device, and I haven't found any documentation on how to use it. It does have a RS232 port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asmusr Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 It is rather heavy, as it's really in a small suitcase rather than a briefcase, as I just went out in the garage and looked at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iKarith Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 I've wondered about the problem myself. I don't necessarily need to use the old EPROM chips, and actually I don't have an EPROM eraser either and would want one if I were going to do that. What I'd like though are some EEPROMs that work with modern programmers and replace the old EPROMs when you're done. Dunno if these exist. Probably via adapters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 I have burners eproms and adapters.. Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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