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beginner's question
by Magiera, Joe (AIT) 19 Mar '00

19 Mar '00

Sorry for the beginner's question. What specific device would people recommend for a RAM/ROM (and other chip) tester? Joe joe.magiera(a)ameritech.com

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Re: DATA I/O 29B
by ayeckley 18 Mar '00

18 Mar '00

>Perhaps they are simple address decoding...Version 5 does not seem to work >any better with PL 6.10 than the earlier version, however the 29B does come >up in remote mode as default. Now that's odd! Even I have to do <Select><F><1><Start><Start> Alex http://home.neo.lrun.com/ayeckle/ ayeckley(a)neo.lrun.com (Play) yecklea(a)diebold.com (Work) To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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RE: DATA I/O 29B
by Fish, David 18 Mar '00

18 Mar '00

> [Ranger Mike] > I use 3.10, with code 10, and have not had one bit of > trouble. Of > course, being a computer old timer, I still think 9600 baud > is pretty quick, > and am happy to use it (the baud rate which I am happy using a VT320 > connected to a vms box). This is probably the cause of my problems. It's been years since I used the older (pre-version 6) Promlink and don't have access to it anymore. Did someone have it available on thier website? The problem with the RAW BINARY code 16 is that my 29B will not recognize it. The firmware in mine is version 6, the EPROMs are numbered 315-14-49 thru 315-14-55. I haven't tried Alex's version 5 EPROMs yet. I'm hoping that it doesn't require a PAL change to swap versions, DATA I/O use to be famous for this. > [Ranger Mike] > I tried using the 6.10 version, and get the hanging > problem as well. > With 3.10, I use net rom binaries, and have no problems at all. Mike, what the version number of your firmware in the 29B? Dave To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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RE: DATA I/O 29B
by Fish, David 18 Mar '00

18 Mar '00

> So what is Code 10? Is it a simple raw binary, or is it > somewhat padded? > This is from a 2900/3900 manual I happen to have handy, the translation formats are the same as in the 29B for TF-10 and TF16. Format Code Formatted Binary 10 Absolute Binary 16 "Formatted Binary Format, Code 10 Data transfer in the Formatted Binary format consists of a stream of 8-bit data bytes preceeded by a byte count and followed by a sumcheck. The Formatted Binary does not have addresses." "The programmer store incomming binary data upon receipt of the start character. Data are store in RAM starting at the first RAM address specified by the Memory Address Begin parameter and ending at the last incomming data byte." Note: The START CODE looks to be FF. It's really the RUBOUT paper tape character. "Format 10 does not function properly unless you select NO parity and 8-bit data" This format was originally used for paper tape input. "Absolute Binary Format, Code 16 Absolute Binary format is a literal representation of the data to be transfered, and no translation of the data takes place during the transfer. There are no overhead characters added to the data (i.e. no address record, start code, end code, nulls or checksum). Every byte transfered represents the users data. This format can be used to download unformatted data such as a ".exe. file to the programmer. Since this format does not have an end of file character download transfers will terminate after no more data is received and an I/O timeout occurs." Dave To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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Tektronix 1241 Logic Analyzer
by Matt Rossiter - Verio Southern California 18 Mar '00

18 Mar '00

Well, I just got one of these the other day and don't have much experience or knowlege in using one, but I thought, what the heck - I'll learn. Sometimes test equipment is just as much fun to play with as Video games. I got a tektronix book which describes the basics of Using the Logic Analyzer and have read through about half of it already. So far I've got the basic idea of what it does, but maybe someone could help me in my learning process. I have the base unit, one 1240D1 card, three 1240D2 cards, and one P6460 data acquisition probe and a bunch of grabbers. What kind of useful tests or analysis can I do on an old microprocessor board (such as a game board of course) and what additional accessories would I need? What would be the best way to put this to the best use? Just simple questions I know, but I'm almost starting from scratch. I do have a basic understanding of TTL and Microprocessors. Thanks for any input.... Matt To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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RE: DATA I/O 29B
by mike_ranger＠dofasco.ca 17 Mar '00

17 Mar '00

This seems to imply that PL may be adding the size and checksum, which would explain why i have no problem with using it on net roms! Mike > -----Original Message----- > From: Fish, David [SMTP:dfish@bev.etn.com] > Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 11:56 AM > To: 'TechToolsList(a)flippers.com' > Subject: RE: DATA I/O 29B > > > So what is Code 10? Is it a simple raw binary, or is it > > somewhat padded? > > > > This is from a 2900/3900 manual I happen to have handy, the > translation formats are the same as in the 29B for TF-10 and > TF16. > > Format Code > Formatted Binary 10 > Absolute Binary 16 > > "Formatted Binary Format, Code 10 > Data transfer in the Formatted Binary format consists of a > stream of 8-bit data bytes preceeded by a byte count and > followed by a sumcheck. The Formatted Binary does not have > addresses." > "The programmer store incomming binary data upon receipt of > the start character. Data are store in RAM starting at the > first RAM address specified by the Memory Address Begin parameter > and ending at the last incomming data byte." > > Note: The START CODE looks to be FF. It's really the > RUBOUT paper tape character. > > "Format 10 does not function properly unless you select > NO parity and 8-bit data" > > This format was originally used for paper tape input. > > "Absolute Binary Format, Code 16 > Absolute Binary format is a literal representation of the > data to be transfered, and no translation of the data takes > place during the transfer. There are no overhead characters > added to the data (i.e. no address record, start code, end > code, nulls or checksum). Every byte transfered represents > the users data. This format can be used to download unformatted > data such as a ".exe. file to the programmer. > Since this format does not have an end of file character > download transfers will terminate after no more data is received > and an I/O timeout occurs." > > Dave > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in > the > message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other > questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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RE: DATA I/O 29B
by mike_ranger＠dofasco.ca 17 Mar '00

17 Mar '00

> My reading of the code 10 indicates that it stuffs extra bits in with the > data-Start/Stop or some such, I don't have the book at home. So do you not > > need to convert the raw binary to code 10 before transferring it to the > 29B? Or am I missing something? > [Ranger Mike] I use 3.10, with code 10, and have not had one bit of trouble. Of course, being a computer old timer, I still think 9600 baud is pretty quick, and am happy to use it (the baud rate which I am happy using a VT320 connected to a vms box). [Ranger Mike] I tried using the 6.10 version, and get the hanging problem as well. With 3.10, I use net rom binaries, and have no problems at all. Mike To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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RE: DATA I/O 29B
by John Robertson 17 Mar '00

17 Mar '00

My reading of the code 10 indicates that it stuffs extra bits in with the data-Start/Stop or some such, I don't have the book at home. So do you not need to convert the raw binary to code 10 before transferring it to the 29B? Or am I missing something? The second version of PL.exe that I have (the one that supports code 16 - Raw Binary) seems to read the eprom just fine, stores the file in raw binary, BUT will not upload to the 29B without getting stalled. The older version of PL (promlink) only goes up to 9600 baud for some strange reason. Unless there is an in-between version that I don't have. My versions are 6.10 (1994), and 3.10 (1991). Does anyone have something else? That supports the 29B? John :-#)# At 07:45 AM 3/14/2000 -0500, mike_ranger(a)dofasco.ca wrote: > [Ranger Mike] > I have never, ever had a problem selecting code 10 and sending down >net rom images, and I've done quite a few! Including 4 bit bi-polars. I do, >however have a problem using the newer, more friendly version of prom link. >It seems to hang on a file transfer, where the old version works fine. > > Mike > > P.S. Going to Chicago in a few weeks, any one know of a tech tool >surplus place to drop by? Looking for a desoldering iron (weller, or pace). > > > > > > > > This incompatibility always bugged me and it's the reason I got a > > Needham's > > PB-10. The Data I/O translation format 10 'Binary' is NOT raw binary it > > can't > > use the binaries that are found on the web. From the Data I/O manual: > > > > "Binary Transfer, Code 10 > > Data transfer in the Binary format consists of a stream of 8-bit data > > words > > preceeded by a byte count and followed by a sum-check. The Binary format > > does not have addresses." > > > > The files you get from the net are just data, no framing information. I've > > never found a way to use these with a 29B. What you CAN try is use the > > PB-10 > > software (free download) to translate the binary to ASCII-HEX then upload > > the converted file using Translation Code 50 (ASCII-HEX SPACE). It's been > > years since I tried this but I seem to remember it was a easy work-around. > > > > > > David Fish "We want...Information. > > INFORMATION > > Melrose, MA USA You won't get it! > > fishd(a)tiac.net By hook or by crook we will" > > dfish(a)bev.etn.com _The Prisoner_ > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in > > the > > message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other > > questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com. John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) http://www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

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RE: Z80 pods, 2 versions...
by John Robertson 16 Mar '00

16 Mar '00

Well, what would you like me to do? I send out lots of email looking for one unit, and several come back with various assortment of units and pods that they want to sell as a set. They do not like breaking up sets. I have made private trades with folks for these, plus I have sold some off. We have a business here to run, and I need to make money to support it. So I buy them wholesale, then I see that some on eBay went for a fair dollar, I should give them away? Do your own hunting, all that I have bought have been through thorough research on the web. I bought a bunch of damaged probes and am fixing them up, should I not profit from this service? I bought a bunch of Z80 pods in various states, so I fix them and test them. Again, should I not do what my skills enable me to do? This is MY livelihood! John :-#)# At 10:35 AM 3/14/2000 -0600, Keith, Brendan wrote: >So you're buying up more pods and accessories than you need, >then ebaying them to maximize your profit, thus taking them off >the market except to the most well-heeled buyers, whether >hobbyist or not? > >Brendan Keith >brendan.keith(a)wilcom.com > > > > ---------- > > From: John Robertson[SMTP:jrr@flippers.com] > > > > Unfortunatly I have a shop to support, not just a hobby...so I tend to > > eBay > > the things...I have three Z80 pods, five probes, and a 8048 pod > > currently...Last Z80 sold for $183US, and last probe I got $125 (including > > > > postage)...plus I have one 9010A base with RS-232 (tested)... > > > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the > message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other > questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com. John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) http://www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

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"Closed" ->> RE: Z80 pods, 2 versions...
by John Robertson 16 Mar '00

16 Mar '00

OK, I now declare this topic CLOSED. Things will trundle on as before...falling over and picking ourselves up once again... John :-#)# At 03:40 PM 3/15/2000 -0500, FBowen(a)checkfree.com wrote: >I'm happy with you running it, John. > >Although I don't like the prices, I would rather have you put a "FA: on >E-bay" e-mail on this list so I at least have the opportunity to bid on it >if I (looking at my shoes) am well enough heeled. ;-) If others disagree, >then I'll just get your user ID and check what you're selling once in a >while. > > > > > > >John Robertson <jrr(a)flippers.com> on 03/15/2000 01:09:18 PM > >Please respond to TechToolsList(a)flippers.com > >To: TechToolsList(a)flippers.com >cc: > >Subject: RE: Z80 pods, 2 versions... > > >So, I guess, I would like a rough tally of votes on should I continue to >host this or turn it over to someone else? I don't have a problem with that >at all, no offense, etc. So please LMK. > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the > message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other > questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com. John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) http://www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

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