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here is some help for anyone who is thinking of buying a rom programmer, but is new to it all
when i bought my rom programmer recently it was also the first time for me and i knew nothing about any of this stuff, but it turns out with the rom programmer i purchased, it is quite easy and straight-forward to use if you are generally ok using computers and some electronic devices in general
here is an email i sent to someone in order to help with rom programmer’s and what to buy and so on
NOTE: the rom programmer i would recommend is called the TL866II+
it is a USB programmer and quite cheap in comparison to other programmers, supports over 15,000 rom chips (and growing)
it works on all version of windows, and there is a mac build available, and (i believe) also a linux version
– there are some older versions of this rom programmer available, this is detailed below:
_____________________________________________________________========= I can explain the TL866 USB rom programmer* family to you (*I will call it ‘burner’ from now on)
the TL866II+ can be used on all windows versions and I think there are mac and linux builds of the software also
(mac version): https://gitlab.com/DavidGriffith/miniprothe latest version of the TL866 burner is the: TL866II+
the previous versions of that burner are the TL866CS, and the TL866A (because they are older models, they are cheaper to buy if you would like to save money)all three of those burners will burn the ROM which malban is using in his vectorblade beta cartridge
(SST39SF020A rom chip)
you can see in the list of supported chips here for the TL866CS and the TL866A:
http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MiniProSupportList.txt
(the TL866II+ supports all of those and a few thousand more (and growing) additional chips)the advantage of buying the most recent version of the burner (the TL866II+) is that, the older burners are now discontinued, so the TL866II+ continues to have new chips added to the list supported and updates to the software and firmware and so on, (better support for the future)
HERE IS THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BURNER, SO HAVE A LOOK HERE:
http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/tl866_main.html
(you can download the newest application software there, currently it is version 8.51)
or if you purchase an older burner (the TL866CS or the TL866A), the latest (last) application software for those older model burners is version 6.85NOTE: You can download, install, and then run the software even if you dont own the programmer, if you would like a little look around the software application first to see if it runs ok on your computer etc.
I would recommend buying the latest version of the burner, the TL866II+
but if you would like to save money, the TL866CS is fine (this is the older model which i own)I would recommend watching some youtube videos to see people using the burner and software application:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tl866IIyou do not need to worry about all the advanced technical settings available. you don’t need to use that. overall it is easy to use, but advanced settings are available if needed in the future etc
note: there are separate add-on adapters you can buy with the burner to allow for other types of chips (different shapes and sizes) to be burned, but for burning the chip malban provides, an additional adapter is not necessary
ok let me know if I can be further help,
I cant suggest exactly where to buy one, use the usual places like ebay, amazon, or aliexpress (with aliexpress, delivery times may be longer if it is being shipped from eg. china) — the important thing to know is, when it arrives to check they sent you the correct model you ordered (it will say the model TL866II+, TL866CS, OR TL866A, on the sticker on the underside of the burner.. see example pictures below…) .. and only buy from a reliable seller with good feedback who is genuineto summarise, the latest version is the TL866II+ and I would recommend buying that version, however the older versions (TL866CS and TL866A) are ok if you would like to save money
(but the TL866II+ is a better choice because the firmware and software, and list of supported chips continues to grow and be improved)* * IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS OR NEEDS HELP AND SO ON, FEEL FREE TO ASK HERE IN THIS THREAD * *
Thanks for all these valuable infos!
Last year, I purchased one of those magic devices, mainly for testing reasons. I was quite happy working with my old GQ-4X True USB Willem programmer although a bit disappointed with the support. Here’s a link to the manufacture’s page:
MCUMall – the company, seems to focus on promoting its latest model (the high shout GQ-4X4) so all software updates for the prev model eventually came to an end. My GQ-4X seems abandoned. There is also a forum linked inside, where after a typical registration each user may post some questions or inquiries which may or may not get answered. Not the best after sales service for a bit pricey programmer like this too. However, after a few years of use and after programming ~200 eproms (8bit / 16bit) for var systems (mostly arcade pcbs, that I used to franticly collect), I can say that we are talking for a very reliable device here. I am very satisfied with its use.
Since TL866II+ is a recent purchase, I couldn’t find the time for adequate testing it on field yet but I have to point to two features, I found extremely interesting.
First: Very frequent updates of the software and programmer’s firmware. Those are in a constant development with a wide range of supported chips.
Second: is the ability for error checking of a great variety of 74XX (LS/HCT…) and ram chips. This was the exact reason for me to buy it. It also helped me to recycle over a zillion (!) of old but still usable parts found on dead pcbs, I was stashing away during my early collecting years. Not to mention its use as a valuable helping hand for debugging and restore those old relics…Highly recommended 😉Although this is not our case, please mind that for 16bit programming you will need an extra adapter for both devices, sold separately.
Just for info… I have a BATRONIX BARLINO II BX32P.
Which was pretty expansive – but works like a charm…
hey just to add a note here for beginners,
note there is a notch in the chip (and rom chips in general), so u can see the correct way the chip should be inserted
in the pcb socket or device etc
(i have circled the notch in red, here is the correct way it goes into the vectorblade proto pcb):
I have just successfully flashed beta 8 to my pcb. Indeed, the whole process was as easy as you promised. Thanks again 🙂
@vtk – thank you very much. programmed my 1st chip today 🙂
Vectorblade_Beta9.bin was flased successfully and is working fine on my vectrex 🙂Malban metioned in a pm “PARALLEL 32DIP”.
So I’ve chosen “SST39SF020A @PLCC32” for the IC in in the Xgpro Software. Is this right or should it have been just “SST39SF020A”?Thank you for these very helpful postings. This will help me to find an appropriate programmer which I will need, soon.
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