Hi Magnus,
I keep an old Toshiba 1963 486 based laptop in good working condition
to allow me to run my old ADVIN U84 DOS based programmer. I check it
out from time-to-time.
I can't do much about the mask rom'd parts, though I don't think they
have any higher of a failure rate than any other IC. The eprom based
controllers, can be a worry, but I can program most of them from the
1980's on... assuming they aren't protected.
There are a myriad of open source format converters available... things
that convert S to intel hex, etc... I seem to recall even writing some
of them...but that is a foggy memory by now.
I find my violins' EPROMS are very stable, and last centuries.
-Chuck Harris
Magnus Danielson wrote:
On 10/23/2010 01:02 AM, Chuck Harris wrote:
I don't believe the parts are failing due to structural
problems, but rather are just leaking down their buried charge.
It should be quite possible to refresh them by erasing them and
reprogramming.
If you maintain EPROM programmers for them in workable shape. With this
I mean you need to ensure the complete path, not only the programmer
hardware but also any supporting software and interfaces such that you
can upload/download images, convert formats etc. etc.
Most of the 27xx EPROMs are not my main worries, but older and stranger
stuff. If a ROMed controller fails, what happends then? The 5334 has no
less than three microprocessors with EPROMs... where do I get a spare of
those?
Backup of EPROMs is a concern to take serious. I have been sloppy on my
side. It is not only for the measurement instruments, I have the same
issue with my musical instruments too.
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