Rom upgrade for CDTV

G'day All,
Apologies if this has been covered in a previous post but I've missed it..

Here goes.. Looking for a little direction here:

- Have a CDTV with 1.0 ROMs (MBM27C1000-20Z x 2)
- Downloaded the U34/35 Odd/Even files from the CDTV site.
- UV erased the original v1.0 Roms (crazy I hear you say?!)
- Fired up the trusty "EasyPro 90B"..
- Loaded the U34 Bin file.. Correct Eprom type etc.
- Blank Check.. Passed.
- Programming Error........

What's completely got me stumped is I can't write these files to U34/35 and I've tried both chips.. And UV erased a few times to make sure it's not the UV erase times..

Is there something REALLY obvious I'm missing with the Odd / Even files???

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers
Chuck

[alexh]

The files are just RAW binary files.

I would say the most likely cause is user error.

• You have the wrong device selected in your EPROM programmer software?
• You have selected INTEL HEX file and you are using a binary file?
• You have the device back to front on the programmer?
• You have not aligned to the right pin on the programmer socket for that device?
• Is device supported directly on the programmer without an adapter?

When was the last time you used your programmer? Could it be broken?

Thanks Alex.. Unfortunately all these have been checked and re-checked..

* Device.. Definitely 100% correct MBM27C1000 types selected
* Definitely have BIN selected..
* I wish it was something dozey like misuse of the programmer *GRIN*.
* Plugged directly into the socket.
* And yes.. Use the burner with AMD Flash often enough..

I wonder if the BIN files could be corrupt? (Will re-download) again.. Are there ZIPPED sources of these BIN images?

Thanks again for the thoughts / suggestions..

Have a good weekend all.
C

[alexh]

Corrupt BIN files will not produce a programming error (unless they were too small). You'd just get bad data programmed into your chips.

BTW: Flash chips need different voltages to EPROM's and so probably not a good test as to whether your programmer is busted.

If you read the contents of the EPROM's afterwards, do they contain anything (i.e. was anything programmed into them)?

Hi Alex,

Thanks for persevering on this one! I can read EPROMS / Flash fine.. The settings are fine (as fine as I can tell) and I program AMD flash on it fine..

So the higher-voltage MBM27C1000 EPROMS may be an issue for the EasyPro 90B?

When I drop the freshly erased (And just today received 4 x new EPROMS to check the chips).. chips in to program, they start to program and only get a few bits in before throwing the programming error...

So I'm completely stumped... I have this awful feeling you're right about the fragged programmer (!!!).. Updated software doesn't make any difference and there doesn't seem to be any new firmware for it (still v1).

Any hints greatly appreciated!

Cheers
C

[rkauer]

Check the voltage level on the program pin on the EPROM. It must be at least 12.1V!

If not, you can always use a separate, regulated 12.5V power supply...

[alexh]

What is the rating of your AC/DC adapter?

Originally Posted by EasyPro manual

The EasyPRO90B requires 20V @ 500mA minimum current

[Zetr0]

@Alexh

WOW, that EasyPro is a little hungry!!!!

I have say I love my Willem Programmer with the 27C interface

heres the Main Programmer which i am sure you can find cheaper with more of a look around.

and here is the 27Cx adapter board


well thats all i could find in 10 minutes, i bet a longer look will yield better, if not cheaper results.

[alexh]

Originally Posted by Zetr0

and here is the 27Cx adapter board

Don't confuse people. This is NOT a 27Cx adapter board.

The adapter is for 16-bit EPROM's (like the 27C400 often used for Kickstart chips)

Regular 8-bit 27Cx EPROM's (like CDTV's extended ROM's that use 27C1000 or 27C1001) can be used directly on the Willem without an adapter.

[Toni Wilen]

Note that Willem isn't trouble free either. For example I can only program EPROMs if Willem is connected to laptop on docking station (that includes parallel port, no parport on laptop itself)

Other PCs (and other laptops I found) only program few bytes and then it aborts with an error.. Laptop works 100% perfectly (Parallel port bios settings have no effect)

Willem is also very slow EPROM programmer. (if you have big eproms like 27C160) Perhaps real USB versions are faster and more reliable.

[Zetr0]

Originally Posted by alexh

Don't confuse people. This is NOT a 27Cx adapter board.

The adapter is for 16-bit EPROM's (like the 27C400 often used for Kickstart chips)

Regular 8-bit 27Cx EPROM's (like CDTV's extended ROM's that use 27C1000 or 27C1001) can be used directly on the Willem without an adapter.

My intention was not to confuse anyone, only to help.

I do apologize, I had assumed the CDTV roms were infact 16bit not 8, Hence the inclusion of the adapter board.

@Toni

Its quite peculiar, I have had no trouble writting 27c400's 4100's and 4096's, infact I have been a little lucky, However when it comes to writting 27c800 its a 3/10 success rate ... I put it down to a bad batch of chips. but I will try another PC just in case.

[alexh]

Originally Posted by Zetr0

My intention was not to confuse anyone, only to help.

I know. *hugs*

Originally Posted by Zetr0

I had assumed the CDTV roms were infact 16bit not 8, Hence the inclusion of the adapter board.

Sure, it was just your words read like you needed the adapter for all 27Cx EPROM's. You're usually so on the ball with stuff like this.

I am sure anyone wanting to program extended CDTV ROM's will want a 40.63 KS3.1 to go with it (and hence need the adapter) anyway

[Zetr0]

@Alexh

Indeed, re-reading it, it can be read as misleading...

tell you what, instead of pimping out Fred for make up sex,

have this luscious linkie instead (its a hardware pr0n project )

[TheCorfiot]

Zetro that is a need upgrade, you really are the Master of Hackery!!!



TC

[Zetr0]

@TC

LOL, thank you, I am very humbled by your kind words my good frined

Although I cannot take all the credit as its an OMARGE to Friend Tech that did this in a consumer model (The DreamX 733 and 1433)... they EVEN have a Tulatin Core P4 upgrade to the CPU as well... AMAZING hack if you ask me.... but i dont have the BGA skills for that kinda hack yet LOL

I have finaly got the new chassis the otherday... its a JVC not a Technics I hope to put up the pics of it later

[Canyon Matt]

Did anyone every figure out how to break apart the CDTV 2.7 Rom file into two bin files for programming? I've got the ROM, but I need the bins...

Thanks,

Matt

[Canyon Matt]

For anyone who needs to split the binary, and doesn't know how, it can be done in most eprom software. The Easypro90B software is available free online for Windows and will do it. In the case of the CDTV 2.7 ROM, load the file and select the option to "Load low byte of a word (2bytes). This gives you the even side of the load." Repeat using the high byte of a word (2bytes) option to get U35_Odd. You can even save them out as Bin files if necessary.

Hopefully this will help other NooB's who wander in here and are struggling with eproms...


Matt

[chiark]

Thanks for sharing, Matt
Unfortunately I don't have a programmer, or the right EPROMS

[Shadowfire]

Originally Posted by Toni Wilen

Too expensive and boring. Attached is the "real" way to do it

2x27C4001, switchable to 1.0,2.07,2.30 or "none". Also includes 27C160 KS EPROM, 1.2/1.3/2.04/3.1 switcher. (and more, SCSI expansion, regular joystick ports, 8MB Fast RAM and CF->IDE->SCSI adapter coming soon..)

Frankenboard!