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Re: Eprom Programmer for Apple II?
On Thursday, November 22, 2012 8:16:30 PM UTC+11, Polymorph wrote:
> I recently purchased a Top853 from eBay which is a cheap (I got mine for around AU$35) Chinese piece of kit that runs over USB. My limited testing so far has been positive. The good thing about this device as opposed to a Willem style programmer is that it supports GALs which the Willem units do not AFAIK.
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> The only negative is that the device drivers only work in 32 bit Windows - 64 bit drivers are not available.
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> It has a very long list of supported chips. However, EPROMs may require external power - which I assume to mean a powered USB hub.
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> I bought mine to convert an 8K Transwarp cache board into a 32 bit one - or to at least burn the EPROM + GALs for it.
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> I'll post back any success or failures I have with the unit when I get around to using it in anger.
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> Cheers,
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> Mike
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> http://apple2.sytes.net/
Replying to my own post to provide some feedback - I can confirm that the TOP853 works perfectly for what I purchased it for. :-)
I have successfully burnt the TWGS GALs and EPROM. In fact, I just replaced the 1.5W ROM with a 1.8S EPROM, and it is running happily behind me as I type this. I used a powered USB HUB whilst burning the EPROM as recommended.
I wasn't sure whether or not you could use the 1.8S ROMs with an 8Kb cache card - well, I can confirm it works fine. In fact, in the Transwarps CDA it actually says the version is "Transwarp GS version 8/32S Revision 1.8S" - implying that the 8Kb cache is still supported. The self-test now passes using the 1.8S EPROM (as I have it clocked at 12.5MHz).
So, whilst Conrad *may* be correct in saying the TOP853 can not handle certain chips - I'm betting most of the Apple II chips will work fine. I also read many online posts regarding the TOP853 vs the G540 - and it seemed to me to be a split decision which was better regarded. I won't be purchasing the G540 at this time as I'm very happy with the TOP853.
If I get around to it I might post a video of the TOP853 in operation.
Hope this is helpful!
Cheers,
Mike
http://apple2.sytes.net/