[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: EPROM Programmers
Gavin Picknell (gavin@ccu1.auckland.ac.nz) wrote:
> Does anyone know of anyone that still sells EPROM programmers for the Apple
> II? (preferably IIgs specific), card based or external. Any info would be
> great. Thanks.
here's what i have on my hard drive - best to call authors about
purchase info...
---------------------.snip.----------------------------
========================================================================
c't-Eprop Apple edition
Eprommer for the Apple // family of microcomputers
Adapted from a design by c't
========================================================================
The AUGE crew Munich proudly presents "c't Eprop Apple edition", an
eprommer that can work with any Apple // that has slots.
Adapted?
========
The original design is for the IBM-PC series of microcomputers. The host-
adapter was changed to work with an Apple //, the rest was left unchanged.
This means that you may use the eprommer on an IBM when you get the host-
adapter for it. You don't have to have an eprommer for both machines.
The design was found in c't, a computer magazine.
Who did what
============
Soenke Behrens: Design adaption, software porting, testing, manual,
negative
comments.
Walter Burghard: CAD layout with SmartWorks, no charge. Thanks!
Joachim Lange: Invaluable advice, proof-reading, GAL burning, oszillator
fix, positive comments.
Felix Blank: Invaluable advice, prototype board production.
Florian Delonge: Encouragement. :)
Gebr. Westenhuber: Laser plots on foil for a very good price.
Technical data
==============
The eprommer consists of 2 pieces: A host adapter and the eprommer itself.
The host adapter will go in any slot (yes, even 3, but I wouldn't recommend
that :), the eprommer is connected via cable.
This thing can burn at the moment all Eproms on the market, including the
yet-to-come 8MBit(!) pieces. The software upgrade that was released recently
and is being built in to the Apple //GS software you can burn EEProms
and FlashProms, too.
With a hardware adapter you could burn micro controllers.
Two Textool sockets for 8-bit and 16-bit Eproms.
Software
========
Software currently runs on a //GS and needs ORCA shell or GNO. Well struc-
tured C source is included.
Soft for the older Apple //s could be done by feeding the source into
Hyper/C, actually that is what I'll probably do.
Hardware enhancements
=====================
Some people asked for an adaptor for burning microcontrollers. If you want
one too, send me a list of uControllers you plan to burn ... else, I can
not guarantee that the adaptor will be useful for you.
Price, how to get one
=====================
It seems I have my 10 people I needed for doing a mini-series together.
If you, too, want that EPROMer, I'd need your SnailMail address, to
which I'd send a 'contract'. Why this? Simple: I cannot afford building
them things on my own money (I am a student, not a company), so I need
payment in advance. You get the contract to make sure you don't get 'busted'
by me :) You reply to this SnailMail by sending me a cheque useable on
German banks or an international money order over the following amount:
$170 base price for the EPROmer including case and software
$9.50 if you want it fully socketed (gold precision sockets)
$22 S/H to USA via AirMail
The adaptor for burning uControllers is estimated at $37.50.
A moment of silence
===================
Three totally innocent 0.8mm HSS drills had to give their lives during
prototype building. One resistor array will never again feel the joy of
voltage pulsing through it. One Elko went up in flames. RIP. Several hollow
rivets lie splattered, limb and useless on the ground, the foul odor of
corrosion wavering up from them.
Concluding comments
===================
Let's show those IBM people that an "obsolete" Apple // is as good a
development platform as their high-powered computers. With your help,
Apple // community, this board can be turned into a platform for developing
micro controller applications. Think of all the possibilities!
Decide wether this thing is worth the money for you, and tell me so.
If you have questions: Ask.
Soenke Behrens
behrenss@informatik.tu-muenchen.de (daily)
Soenke Behrens 2:246/13.0 (FIDO) (twice a week)
===================== second sheet (FAQ) ================================
Regarding the c't Eprop for the Apple //.
Here are some questions, and the answers to them. Maybe some of you
out there find this extra bit of information useful.
Q: Is the EPROM socket in a ZIF socket?
A: Yes. The EPROMer consists, as I said, of two pieces: The host adapter
(in the computer) and the EPROMer itself (outside the computer, connected
via ribbon cable).
There are two 40-pin Textool sockets (you know, the sockets with the
lever on them) on the EPROMer. There are LEDs that show you which socket
is active, what size of EPROM the EPROMer expects and if the PGM voltage
is on.
One of the sockets is for 8-bit, the other is 16-bit. You may get a
32-pin Textool for the 8-bit socket, but that's more expensive than
40 pin.
The LEDs show you which EPROM to insert, anyhow :)
Q: How are the programming voltages generated?
A: Via LM317T on the EPROMer and TL497A on the host adapter. Voltages are
adjusted on the boards and switched under software control.
You may have VPP on Pins (20) 28, (33) 29, (37) 7, (1) 5. The numbers
enclosed in brackets are for the 16-bit 40pin, the other numbers are
those for the 8-bit 40-pin. For 8 Bit you have to know the size of
your EPROM to get the actual pin numbers on it. The EPROMs are inserted
so that they line up with the "rear" of the socket.
Be reassured that these are all VPP pins that are used by EPROMs at the
moment.
Also, VCC can be switched between pins (4) 36, (39) 36, (35) 32.
Plus VIND on (31) 30. VIND allows you to read the ID of INTELigent EPROMs.
Voltages: Either 5 V or 6 V for VCC. 5 V, 11V, 12.5 V, 21V and 25V for
VPP and VIND. The 5V are actually 5.25 and 6 V are 6.25. This is needed
for QUICK pulse programming and does not harm older EPROMs that are
programmed the STANDARD or INTEL way.
Q: What kind of firmware will be located on the board, or none at all? What
are the valid slots the interface will go into?
A: No firmware. Valid slots: 1-7.
Q: What types of things will the software allow?
A: Very simple at the moment. Only binary read-out, verify,
programming (whole
EPROM) and blank check. It's a GS/OS shell application. Source is included,
you can easily add your own algorithms, though I don't recommend it.
It's flexible ... by adding EPROM descriptions to a text file you are
able to use new types w/o having to recompile.
Please give me a list with suggestions for the software ... I am currently
changing it heavily so it's a bit more powerful. I just need to
know what
exactly you'd like in there.
Updates will be made available via c.b.a2 and SnailMail/E-Mail/FTP.
Q: Will you supply the tech info on how to access the hardware directly?
A: Yes.
Q: How about support for microcontrollers? Possible?
A: Yes. You'd need a hardware adapter (different pinout). Tell me which
Controllers you'll be using if you want one.
Q: Is the board completely socketed?
A: No. Not at all. Only the GAL on the host adapter is socketed.
Sockets make
one more cause for error, as you surely know :)
If you wish I'll socket it for you ... see pricing.
Q: I'm not sure of what kind of warranty you will be providing..
A: The EPROMer gets tested before shipping. I provide no warranty on
the soft-
ware (how come :) and the normal, required-by-the-law 6 months for the
hardware. The whole thing is professionally manufactured (nice layout,
good boards, gold connectors), so there should be no problems after it
has once been tested.
Q: NMOS _and_ CMOS (CMOS are more sensitive)?
A: Yes. Definitely so. The EPROMer uses HCT chips throughout to get well
defined voltage levels and CMOS compatibility.
Q: How do I add not-yet-supported EPROMs to the software?
A: By editing a textfile which describes the characteristics of
the EPROM (i.e. name, manufacturer, algorithm used, location
of VPP and PGRM pins, paged or not, 8 or 16 bit, etc). Very
flexible, really. :)
Let me state that again: This is a real hoopy froody programmer. It
is _extremly_ flexible in design. O.k., so normally those things cost
$400-$500. So, was it an error to sell it for only $170?? :)
When I said "programs all EPROMs on the market and some not yet on
the market" I meant that. This is, as far as I know, the truth. Plus
it was possible to add EEPROM and FLASHPROM support just by adding
to the software.
Soenke Behrens
============================= That's it =============================
any more questions?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Quattrocchi -- "resistance is futile..."
taligent@gtm-inc.com high_density@holodeck.canada.fnet.org
mquattro@chat.carleton.ca <-- preferred
----------------------------------------------------------------------