Retro Innovations Flash Roms

[+Larry]

http://store.go4retr...dware/ROM%2del/

 

Has anyone here used either of these devices in an Atari? If so, how do you program them? Possible to flash internally in the Atari, or perhaps possible to program in a cartridge?

 

-Larry

[Rybags]

Looks like it can be flashed. Normal programming operations can be done at the 5 V level. If you zoom the pic you can see the WE pad is provided.

 

You can grab a datasheet for the chip. e.g. search for AT49F001AN @ http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/

[+bob1200xl]

You cannot just plug something like this into a ROM socket and program it since there is no r/w line to the IC. You probably have to load it with an EPROM programmer, which makes it useful as a ROM replacement, but not much more.

 

Bob

[Rybags]

Yes, I wasn't so clear about it.

Easiest solution might be to adapt a cartridge to do the preliminary programming - whatever way you go you'd need software to do the job.

 

The high order address lines - something would have to be done for those. Wiring to a Dip switch or some more complex circuit allowing selection via a memory-mapped latch.

[sloopy]

I have a couple of them, I use the for multi-OS 'adaptors'... I made a 'programming rig' to program them in my device programmer...

 

sloopy.

[brain]

The 23256 ones are easy to use in a programmer (they use the 27128 pinout), but the 2364 ones require an adapter. I recommend using the 2364Adapter board from my site in reverse (put a header where the socket normally resides, and vice versa. Beyond that, only the pigtails for the upper address lines and Vcc need to be considered.

 

Jim

[+Larry]

Thanks! If this must be used with a stand-alone programmer, then it would seem to have limited value for Atari use (it is essentially a more expensive, slightly easier to use "eprom"). If these could be programmed in a modified eprom cartridge (ala a MaxFlash-type cartridge), then it seems like they would be much more user-friendly solution.

 

If I have the correct data sheet, these are 128k X 8 or 1 megabit devices?

 

-Larry

[Rybags]

Should be. The part code often has the capacity as part of it.

 

Atarimax cart not any good for these since they use PLCC rather than DIP form factor.

 

If you didn't want to DIY cart board, there's plenty of cheap Eprom programmers around. Advice is generally avoid the cheap ones for old type Eproms but for flash devices requiring low voltage for programming they should be fine.

[+Larry]

Hi Gary-

 

Yes, that's why I underlined "type," meaning programming through the cart. What I was thinking is if an old DEICO eprom cart board might be used. They were 16K carts, although 2 X 2764-types. Could be modified, I think. (?) Maybe carts in my collection that are 16K that use 27128's.

 

I *hope* that if a MyIDE-II internal board comes to pass, then it will have multiple programmable OS "slots."

 

Yep, I have a good eprom programmer, but will require a new personality/device module to do Atmels. Unfortunately, my programmer is a parallel port rig, but if I ever replace it with a USB, I'll make sure I can do common flash types.

 

-Larry

 

Should be. The part code often has the capacity as part of it.

 

Atarimax cart not any good for these since they use PLCC rather than DIP form factor.

 

If you didn't want to DIY cart board, there's plenty of cheap Eprom programmers around. Advice is generally avoid the cheap ones for old type Eproms but for flash devices requiring low voltage for programming they should be fine.

[+David_P]

AtariAge used to sell Pixels Past boards that took 27128 compatible PROMs; alternatively, I think the old Atari 16K carts used two 8k ROMs that were 2364 compatible.

[+Larry]

Let's say that I would use a conventional approach -- a device programmer. Virtually everything that I've looked at does conventional eproms plus a slew of other devices. For the retro flash roms, it would need to support an Atmel AT49F001AN.

 

Any current suggestions for programmers likely to do this device? eBay has quite a slug, mostly of Pacific Rim origin.

 

Any thoughts, recommendations? Usually these things seem to come down to software quality...

 

-Larry

 

Edit: Maybe there is a better route than the Retro device -- flash eeprom?

[sloopy]

I have a Genius G540, and it supports most devices... altho it also says it supports older devices (i.e. 2716/27/32/2764) it only has USB power so doesnt do well with them... but all newer devices (i.e. 29xxx/39xxx/49xxx series) it works fine...

 

an example of one...

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 160793464687

 

 

sloopy.

[ivop]

Atarimax cart not any good for these since they use PLCC rather than DIP form factor.

 

A sic! cart uses DIP. Don't know if they can still be bought, but they are fairly effective as a cheap flash programmer.

[+bob1200xl]

What is your application, Larry? What do you need this thing to do? Do you want an in-circuit programmable memory or just a flash memory programmer?

 

Or?

 

Bob

 

 

Let's say that I would use a conventional approach -- a device programmer. Virtually everything that I've looked at does conventional eproms plus a slew of other devices. For the retro flash roms, it would need to support an Atmel AT49F001AN.

 

Any current suggestions for programmers likely to do this device? eBay has quite a slug, mostly of Pacific Rim origin.

 

Any thoughts, recommendations? Usually these things seem to come down to software quality...

 

-Larry

 

Edit: Maybe there is a better route than the Retro device -- flash eeprom?

[+Larry]

Thanks for the replies/suggestions!

 

@Sloopy -- the link you show seems to be the most frequent programmer that comes up on my eBay searches. Very decent price. You mentioned making a "programming rig" earlier -- can you program the Retro Rom-el devices directly in the ZIF socket? Or?

 

@Ivop -- that is a great idea, and I think that it would meet my needs -- plus I'd gain a SIC to add to my collection of Atari stuff! I will investigate what the SIC would do along this line.

 

@Bob1200XL -- at this point, the Rom-el is the only application that I can think of. But probably a year from now, I'll think of something else and wish that what I'd bought could do that. I bought my parallel port Pocket Programmer, and then a year or so later, the USB model came along... I would say that given what I can envision, the most I'd want to spend is $100, give or take a little. (So it is not going to be high-end by any means.)

 

-Larry

[sloopy]

Thanks for the replies/suggestions!

 

@Sloopy -- the link you show seems to be the most frequent programmer that comes up on my eBay searches. Very decent price. You mentioned making a "programming rig" earlier -- can you program the Retro Rom-el devices directly in the ZIF socket? Or?

 

*SNIP FOR CLARITY*

 

-Larry

 

Basically the adaptor I made the pins are all the same except the top 3 on each side...

 

Pins 1, 2, 3, 29, and 31, have clips on them that go to the connections on the ROMel like:

Pin 1- A19

Pin 2- A16

Pin 3- A15

Pin 29- A14

Pin 31- W/E (I think this is where is goes, its been a while since i have programmed one of mine...)

 

If you need step by step let me know...

 

sloopy.