Eprom programmer ranting

Black IcE

Black IcE

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I have one of those GQ-4X programmers from MCU Mall with the 16 bit adapter. Thus far I have gotten spotty performance with the programmer, until today. I was looking at the 16 bit adapter and noticed that the ZIF socket was looking worn out. I have only had the adapter a couple months and it hasn't been used that much (cheap Chinese ZIF socket).

So today, I stopped by a local electronics shop and got a nicer 3M brand ZIF socket and put it on the adapter and so far it is working great. It is working much more reliably with chips that previously game me problems. Hopefully my luck will hold out. Also, Instead of soldering the new ZIF directly to the board, I soldered a regular 40 pin dip socket to the adapter and then put the zif socket on top of that. Sorry for rambling on, but I had to get that out.
 
Hitokiri

Hitokiri

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pics or it didn't happen. :D

no seriously, post some pics please, I bought the same programmer and I'm waiting on delivery.
 
loegan43

loegan43

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I have the same programmer and haven't had any issues (other than spotty results with M27C4002 eproms). Maybe you got a bad one in the lot.
 
Black IcE

Black IcE

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The roms I have had issues with so far are TMS27C240 chips. The base programmer has worked fine for what little I have used it for. I started having more problems when I got the ADP-54 16-bit adapter. Maybe I did get the one lemon of the batch. However it is working better now.

@ Hitokiri: I'll have to get some pics for you a little later. My camera is having problems.
 
mainman

mainman

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loegan43 said:
I have the same programmer and haven't had any issues (other than spotty results with M27C4002 eproms). Maybe you got a bad one in the lot.
Click to expand...

Me too, damn what is up with the 27c4002
 
Xian Xi

Xian Xi

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Looks like all 3 of you have the same problem with that programmer, all the 256k x 16 chips.
 
wyndcrosser

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With those chips, especially "used" ones, I spray them down with circuit cleaner and it usually helps out 100%. Those legs GET REALLY dirty.
 
loegan43

loegan43

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wyndcrosser said:
With those chips, especially "used" ones, I spray them down with circuit cleaner and it usually helps out 100%. Those legs GET REALLY dirty.
Click to expand...

I'll have to try that. I always cook them extra long in the UV eraser and clean the windows really well. Never thought it might be the legs, thanks.
 
mainman

mainman

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Xian Xi said:
Looks like all 3 of you have the same problem with that programmer, all the 256k x 16 chips.
Click to expand...


Well I don't have the GQ programmer I have a top2049 like yours Xian. It just so happens that I have problems burning 27c4002 with my top also.
 
wyndcrosser

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loegan43 said:
I'll have to try that. I always cook them extra long in the UV eraser and clean the windows really well. Never thought it might be the legs, thanks.
Click to expand...

Yea clears what I'll call the "memory" of the eprom, but the dirty legs can still not read correctly. My burner identifies if the legs are dirty or are not being read properly. Food for thought.
 
Xian Xi

Xian Xi

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Forgot to say that the one I can't burn is a 27C400. I don't think there are any similar chips I can choose on the programmer.
 
mainman

mainman

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Xian Xi said:
Forgot to say that the one I can't burn is a 27C400. I don't think there are any similar chips I can choose on the programmer.
Click to expand...

I can burn 27c400 just fine all day long. Very strange.

The 27c4100 is equivalent btw.
 
bustedstr8

bustedstr8

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Ifc some others are Toshiba TC574200, Hitachi and NEC use 27C4000
 
Last edited:
bustedstr8

bustedstr8

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27c4000 can be either. MX27C4000 is 8bit JEDEC, HN27C4000 is 16bit Mask pinout.
 
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