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EPROM Programming: Difference between revisions

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m (MagicFab moved page EPROM Programmer to EPROM Programming: Re-write)
(1st version (WIP))
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I don't know how many versions were made, but mine runs off a single +5 volt supply. It does not use batteries to get the programming voltage, it uses a DC-to-DC voltage contverter to generate the +12V, +21V, or +25V programming voltage. By using a DC-to-DC converter, it allows it to work on all versions of the coco. This IS compatable with the CoCo3.
Programming (or "burning") your own ROMs for upgrade purposes requires specific software, hardware and of course ROM files to be succesful.


repair tip: I had my DC-to-DC converter go bad (I broke it, by overloading it, it was an accident), and I simply tested the 4 transistors and replaced the bad one(s). With the price of these small signal transistors, you're probably better off to just replace all of them.
This guide was tested and written for Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS and Debian systems in mind.


I will try to get a picture of mine posted before too long. Someone contact me if I forget.
== Hardware & software ==
 
Many EPROM programmers are available and when the CoCo was still available for purchase several magazines published articles to even build your own.
 
This guide uses the [http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/tl866_main.html USB XGecu programmer (model TL 866II PLUS)], commonly available for an affordable price.
 
== Installing the minipro command line utility ==
 
We'll be using the [https://gitlab.com/DavidGriffith/minipro/ minipro] command line utility to control this EPROM programmer. Follow the instructions to install it in Ubuntu.
 
Once installed, you can verify it has the latest firmware :
 
minipro -t
 
You may get a warning about outdated firmware like '''Warning : firmware is out of date'''. It's recommended to upgrade the firmware then. Check the relevant section below.
 
You will then need to decide which chip you'r egoing to be flashing and find it in the [http://www.xgecu.com/MiniPro/TL866II_List.txt list of supported ICs].
 
In this example
 
=== Firmware upgrade for the TL866 plus ===
 
You will need to download the original Windows installer (.RAR file similar to xgproV9999_setup.rar) from [http://www.xgecu.com/ the XGecu website] (or [https://github.com/Kreeblah/XGecu_Software from this mirror]), extract it, and the extract the required file before flashing it. Version 11.90 worked in this example :
 
mkdir XGECUsoftware && cd XGECUsoftware
get https://github.com/Kreeblah/XGecu_Software/blob/master/Xgpro/11/xgproV1190_setup.rar
unrar e xgproV1190_setup.rar
unrar e XgproV1190_Setup.exe updateII.dat
 
Once you have the updateII.dat file, use it to flash your EPROM programmer :
 
magicfab@PC-ProDesk:~/Documents/Projets/XGECUsoftware$ minipro -F updateII.dat
Found TL866II+ 04.2.125 (0x27d)
Warning: Firmware is out of date.
  Expected  04.2.128 (0x280)
  Found    04.2.125 (0x27d)
updateII.dat contains firmware version 4.2.131 (newer)
 
Do you want to continue with firmware update? y/n:y
Switching to bootloader... OK
Erasing... OK
Reflashing... 100%
Resetting device... OK
Reflash... OK
 
== References ==
 
* [http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/tl866_main.html USB XGecu programmer (model TL 866II PLUS)] product page
* [https://github.com/Kreeblah/XGecu_Software XGecu_Software] - A mirror of current and archival versions of software for XGecu's (formerly Autoelectric's) chip programmers
* [https://www.ullright.org/ullWiki/show/eeprom-programmer TL866 Minipro EEPROM Programmer Ubuntu Linux]
* [https://github.com/blurpy/minipro Using minipro in OpenSUSE]


[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Software]]

Revision as of 02:23, 4 September 2022

Programming (or "burning") your own ROMs for upgrade purposes requires specific software, hardware and of course ROM files to be succesful.

This guide was tested and written for Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS and Debian systems in mind.

Hardware & software

Many EPROM programmers are available and when the CoCo was still available for purchase several magazines published articles to even build your own.

This guide uses the USB XGecu programmer (model TL 866II PLUS), commonly available for an affordable price.

Installing the minipro command line utility

We'll be using the minipro command line utility to control this EPROM programmer. Follow the instructions to install it in Ubuntu.

Once installed, you can verify it has the latest firmware :

minipro -t

You may get a warning about outdated firmware like Warning : firmware is out of date. It's recommended to upgrade the firmware then. Check the relevant section below.

You will then need to decide which chip you'r egoing to be flashing and find it in the list of supported ICs.

In this example

Firmware upgrade for the TL866 plus

You will need to download the original Windows installer (.RAR file similar to xgproV9999_setup.rar) from the XGecu website (or from this mirror), extract it, and the extract the required file before flashing it. Version 11.90 worked in this example :

mkdir XGECUsoftware && cd XGECUsoftware
get https://github.com/Kreeblah/XGecu_Software/blob/master/Xgpro/11/xgproV1190_setup.rar
unrar e xgproV1190_setup.rar
unrar e XgproV1190_Setup.exe updateII.dat

Once you have the updateII.dat file, use it to flash your EPROM programmer :

magicfab@PC-ProDesk:~/Documents/Projets/XGECUsoftware$ minipro -F updateII.dat 
Found TL866II+ 04.2.125 (0x27d)
Warning: Firmware is out of date.
 Expected  04.2.128 (0x280)
 Found     04.2.125 (0x27d)
updateII.dat contains firmware version 4.2.131 (newer) 
 
Do you want to continue with firmware update? y/n:y
Switching to bootloader... OK
Erasing... OK
Reflashing... 100%
Resetting device... OK
Reflash... OK

References