Need help about EPROM burning.

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Xanxi

Xanxi

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Hi.

I need help about EPROM buring as i have done a big mistake.

I had a problem with my A2386 bridgeboard, which i canno't enter the BIOS anymore due to the RAM set to 256KB only (instead of 8 MB). It's a long story related on amiga.org, but the problem is keyboard control keys can't enter the BIOS anymore, and i have not been able to clear the CMOS either with a jumper or by removing the battery or the chip itself.
As i do not undertsand where the BIOS datas are saved, i have removed a bit the sticker on the chip and found a small window with a chip inside. I was unsure if it was an UV erasable EPROM or a special device to save datas (there were weird bios chips back in the time). So i take a picture with flash, and bingo the bios has been erased.

It is not too much of an error as reburning the EPROM should solve my initial problem. The file is available on the internet.

However, i do not know anything about EPROM burning.
From the pics below, can someone explain which burner i should buy (a link would be great), if i need a new EPROM or can reflash this one?
Besides, would an EPROM burner be useful to me in the future if i want to burn GVP roms, A2091 roms, kickstart roms and that sort of things? Is it worth buying one or should i just pay for the service?

Thanks for your help.

dsc03183k.jpg


dsc03195lv.jpg
 
Just three questions: why new Zip Ram Mem are not on sockets? And who is (are) the manufacturer(s) of these ZIP chips? What's the complete name of the ZIP chips?
 
LTAC said:
Just three questions: why new Zip Ram Mem are not on sockets? And who is (are) the manufacturer(s) of these ZIP chips? What's the complete name of the ZIP chips?
Click to expand...

You are talking about the RAM of the bridgeboard?
There is no socket, they simply fit into holes in the PCB and hold in place.
As for the name and manufacturer, i will look the next time i open the A2000 if you wish. They have simply been scavengered from an Alfapower 500 controller for A500 (cheaper way to get those chips).

Any idea about my EPROM problem? :)
 
Well, i have found a good EPROM burning service in Canada and i will hopefully get a replacement chip soon.

However, i am still interested in pratical informations about the art of burning EPROMs, as i could buy a device for later use.

I'm sure there are some specialists out there. Zetro maybe?:)
 
If the chip has a small window in the center it's most likely a UV EPROM. However, it's not likely that you completely erased the EPROM with the flash!

UV EPROM's require a fixed exposure to a certain intensity of UV light for complete erasure. Which means you will need to look for an EPROM eraser as well as a programmer. A slower but cheaper method of erasing UV EPROM's is to leave them exposed to sunlight for a week!

On the other hand a low cost EPROM eraser could do the job in 15-20 minutes! Also, if you going to make an investment in a programmer it make sense to spend a little extra and get a "Universal" programmer. This will allow you to program EPROM's, Flash ROM's, PAL's, GAL's and other interesting devices. You will also be able to enter into a new realm of Amiga hackery!
 
SpeedGeek said:
If the chip has a small window in the center it's most likely a UV EPROM. However, it's not likely that you completely erased the EPROM with the flash!

UV EPROM's require a fixed exposure to a certain intensity of UV light for complete erasure. Which means you will need to look for an EPROM eraser as well as a programmer. A slower but cheaper method of erasing UV EPROM's is to leave them exposed to sunlight for a week!

On the other hand a low cost EPROM eraser could do the job in 15-20 minutes! Also, if you going to make an investment in a programmer it's make sense to spend a little extra and get a "Universal" programmer. This will alow you to program EPROM's, Flash ROM's, PAL's, GAL's and other interesting devices. You will also be able to enter into a new realm of Amiga hackery!
Click to expand...

Yes, the canadian fellow that is burnin me the new ROM is also puzzled that it could have been erased by the camera flash. I flashed 3 times at a very close distance. The minute before the board was ok (though with the blocked BIOS problem), the minute later, black screen, so i assume Sony has put quite a powerful flash into my camera.

Would you have some references about a good programmer? How much money should i spend?
 
Xanxi said:
Yes, the canadian fellow that is burnin me the new ROM is also puzzled that it could have been erased by the camera flash. I flashed 3 times at a very close distance. The minute before the board was ok (though with the blocked BIOS problem), the minute later, black screen, so i assume Sony has put quite a powerful flash into my camera.

Would you have some references about a good programmer? How much money should i spend?
Click to expand...

I personally use a Xeltek SuperPro Z programmer. It's an entry level programmer which connects to a PC's parallel port. The specs are available here: http://www.xeltek.com

I'm surprised you haven't asked COSMOS to burn the EPROM for you? I sure he could do it for less than an Canadian service when you consider international shipping rates.

Not that I have anything against our friends from the "Great White North" but this winter has been one Canadian blast of cold air after another!
 
SpeedGeek said:
Xanxi said:
Yes, the canadian fellow that is burnin me the new ROM is also puzzled that it could have been erased by the camera flash. I flashed 3 times at a very close distance. The minute before the board was ok (though with the blocked BIOS problem), the minute later, black screen, so i assume Sony has put quite a powerful flash into my camera.

Would you have some references about a good programmer? How much money should i spend?
Click to expand...

I personally use a Xeltek SuperPro Z programmer. It's an entry level programmer which connects to a PC's parallel port. The specs are available here: http://www.xeltek.com

I surprised you haven't asked COSMOS to burn the EPROM for you? I sure he could do it for less than an Canadian service when you consider international shipping rates.

Not that I have anything against our friends from the "Great White North" but this winter has been one Canadian blast of cold air after another!
Click to expand...

Yeah Cosmos is a friend of mine and is used to repair the disasters i cause to my amiga hardware on a regular schedule, but i am a sort of impatient guy and the canadian fellow has answered me first with an affordable offer of 30 Canadian dollars. Besides, i like to be in touch with people from all around the world thanks to the Amiga.:)

I will look forward to your Xeltek device. Unfortunately, i do not have anymore centronics ports on my PCs (laptops). Could it be used directly from an amiga parallel port?
 
WhyreByter said:
I have one of these:

http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4312

Universal, comes with a small assortment of adapters for various chip packages, and, best of all, USB rather than parallel. :)

Second the need for a UV eraser...

Cheers!
WhyreByter
Click to expand...

Seems a bit cheaper on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.fr/True-USB-GQ-4X-W...827?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item483fbf7b2b

or this slightly different model
http://cgi.ebay.fr/Willem-TRUE-USB-...728?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb6539130

So with on of these, i should be able to burn everything including brand new kickstart chip for my miggies?
I would also need a source for the chip i guess?
 
The first link you listed is the same unit, but doesn't include any of the adapters, just the built-in 40-pin ZIF socket.

The second one isn't the same unit, I don't think.

Yes, you should be able to burn a large array of ROMs/devices. I've only burned ROMs, personally, but it has the capability.

You'll need to source the chips, and legal images to put on them. I've seen several guides on the 'net on how to burn single-chip kickstart roms, and split roms; just do a bing search for them.

Note: Not saying that you'd do anything less, but just a reminder for everyone; please make sure that you're respecting copyrights, and don't deal in "warez".

Cheers!
WhyreByter
 
All burners can do all the EPROMs. It is just a matter of the burner have the capability to recognize the EPROM chip about to be written and you have the code to put in it.

Most old USB burners are not good (you may say CRAP) as the old school parallel ones. But with a proper 12.5V power supply those USB buggers can indeed make wonders!

Just keep the burner program/libraries up-to-date and their utility will be years long!
 
I recently got a willem burner off ebay with a 42 Pin DIP adapter especially for burning custom ROMS, it works really great, something like this: -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Willem-Univer..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2eb0b605d1

With this: -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EPROM-16bit-A..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2eb162769d

Dirt cheap and does what it says no fuss.

For custom ROMS use 2x 27C400 for A1200 for example. You can also make all in one dual roms with 27C800. Check out Marios' threads: -

How to make a custom 3.9 ROM

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=11935

Info on making a dual kick for A600 with an ACA630: -

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=13415

All good fun :)
 
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