Programming C64 Kernal help

[stephenfalken]

Hi guys.

I have been going through my collection of C64s, and at least three of them have some weird issues that myself and another member managed to narrow down to being the version 2 kernal (see thread: https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?63683-Annoying-problems-with-a-few-of-my-C64s).

I decided rather than look for replacement version 3 kernal chips, I would program some EPROMs myself with kernel v3 and also add the JiffyDos kernal to the same chip and use the method explained here to switch between them: http://pasilassila.blogspot.fi/2014/06/switchless-jiffydos-for-c64.html

I have an LPT Willem eprom programmer that I have used many times over the years so today I bought a couple of 27C256 (one time programming, since I don't have a UV eraser) but I cannot for the life of me get them to work in my programmer! I have followed every guide on the internet trying to get it working to no avail and I now have to admit defeat

For reference here is the programmer with the eprom in the ZIF socket:


Does anyone know anything about these programmers? The problem I am having is that I can't even do a 'blank check' correctly, the software always comes back and says 'Device is NOT empty 0x000000'. It says this even if I do a blank test without a chip in the slot! I have a feeling that I am missing a setting somewhere but I have literally tried everything I can think of.

The LEDs on the device blink when I press blank check/read/write etc, and it also passes the software's 'Hardware Check' function.

Has anyone managed to program a 27c256 in one of these before?

Any help greatly appreciated!! If all else fails, is there anyone in the UK who can program them for me if I provide the chips and .bin file (and beer money, ofc! )

Regards

 

[roy_bates]

i'll program the parts for you as long as you get eproms or eeproms.not program once devices.what model c64 is it for? you may not need 27c256's(if its for a duel boot system on the machine in the link then 27c128's will do fine)

and yes ive programmed all sorts of eprom sizes.

are you powering the programmer from an external power supply or usb?

maybe the part is either faulty,or your just doing it wrong somehow..(although i never use program once devices,for obvious reasons)

 

[stephenfalken]

Thanks for the offer mate, but finally sorted it!

Just in case anyone else ever runs into the issue with one of these, the following is how I fixed it (purely by trial and error!)



Most of the settings are default, but the following is what worked for me and I have now programmed several of the 27c256 chips successfully!

1. Software version jumpers, my board is marked for either Willem software 4.5 or 4. I left these in the default position and made sure the software I used matched it - I later tried it with a different version and it DID NOT WORK!

2. VPP jumper. In the (poorly writted) instructions that came with my board, it advised to always leave it in the down (VPP) position. To get my chips to successfully blank check or read, I had to set the jumper to the TOP position (as in picture). When programming the chip I moved it to the BOTTOM position.

3. The manual instructs that this jumper controls the voltage when programming, along with 5. I set these to the positions advised which should be 12.75v, which as pictured is 3=UP, 5=DOWN.

4. Again in the manual it suggests settings that do not work. It says for reading and blank check that it should be down and for programming it should be up (5v6 position). This didn't work for me, and I had to leave it in the 5v position (down).

Hope this helps someone! I have managed to program the 27c256 OTP chips and I also bought some UV erasable EPROMS which also worked perfectly!

Regards

 

[plazma]

I also had some challenges to get the Willem programmer working. Now I use it with external 12V PSU and WinXP.
I bought a UV eraser for about 15$ shipped. It have worked fine. http://plazma.kapsi.fi/pictures/temp/UV_EPROM_eraser1.jpg

Not worth using UV EPROM chips unless you get them for free. You can buy 27C512 EEPROMs for about 1$ each shipped.

 

[stephenfalken]

Lol that eraser looks familiar!



Yeh I got the UV eproms quite cheap so bought the eraser for future use.

I tried several power adaptors, dont think 5v from USB can program these chips lol

Regards

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[stephenfalken]

I was skeptical about this, but my new programmer arrived this afternoon.

Despite only running from the 5v provided by USB, this program's the 27c256 absolutely no problem!!



Regards