Adapter to Replace Color CAP PROM with EPROM

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

Looks interesting...

Stolistic:  if they are still available PM me to sort out how I'll send you the money to get one of each shipped to my actual address (01 reader + 01 adapter)

Best regards

[Stolistic]

OK, it's been a while since I looked at this.  The circuit layout was on a different computer, and I'm not sure if I lost it or not, but may have to recreate it.

I tested the old design on a non-superboard, and will need to confirm the settings on a superboard.  I know sets like the multi-poker have a larger cap chip and I have to make sure it will be ok with those too (of create a new circuit).

So I'll try to get back on this and let everyone know the results (again).

Thanks

[SAT (aka GANDHI)]

Cool... K+ for the good work on PE+ (as usual)    Let me know when you're ready

Cheers

[knagl]

I'm still in, as you know. 

[stayouttadabunker]

If anyone has any extras, may I get one?
I'd like to play with the dip switchable one.

[emm386]

I wonder if anybody has gotten this board to work, when I create my own schematic in Eagle Cad, I come out with a different layout.  Is there something I am missing?

Here is the layout I came up with:



I would like to know before I go to all the work and make a junk board.

Scott

Can't find my old pics, but made a new picture of the most important part below:



I'll snap a photo of the completed adapter sometime and update this page.

[Stolistic]

You schematic looks correct.  I can see a mistake on mine what A5-A8 are shifted.  The actual prototype I have does not have them shifted.  It is just a translation problem to the schematic, which I believe I updated in a later revision.  Good catch!

[emm386]

Thanks for the quick response, I was going nuts when what I thought was right could be wrong!  As they say, measure twice, cut once!

I am new into this stuff, figured the problem may have just been me and my lack of experience.  I picked up a copy of Eagle Cad software and started learning the program.  From what I see it is possible to make the unit support many different CAP PROMS if a few jumpers were to be added. Pins A9..A15 can all have jumpers.  For instance if we place a tri-state jumper on A9 and ground A10 through A15, this should offset the memory by 512K.  By changing the jumper on A9, back to ground, the unit should read the first CAP Prom's memory location.   Here is a quick example of what I am thinking explained a different way.

Cap Prom #    A9             A10           A11                 Offset
     0                GND          GND           GND                0
     1                5V             GND           GND                512K
     2                GND          5V              GND                1024K
     3                5V             5v              GND                1536K
     4                GND          GND           5V                   2048K
     5                5V             GND           5V                   2560K
     6                GND          5V              5V                   3072K
     7                5V             5V              5V                   3584K

 We could have many more CAP Proms on a single 512K chip if we placed more tri-state jumpers on the board, many more than proms than is on the market!

Note: I am pretty new at this so I could be wrong so don't take what I post as gospel concerning this information.

Scott

You schematic looks correct.  I can see a mistake on mine what A5-A8 are shifted.  The actual prototype I have does not have them shifted.  It is just a translation problem to the schematic, which I believe I updated in a later revision.  Good catch!

[4 Deuces]

HOLY ROLLER ... I DID IT!!   

I am in total gratitude for this completely awesome post!

 

I never imagined I could actually solder a circuit board, but after a little practice, checking it a gazillion times, I did it!  In my continuity check, I found one connection that crossed, but that's because the wires got a little hot and joined, but as soon as I separated them, all was good.

I LOVE IT!  I LOVE IT!  I LOVE IT!
THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!

Had to add pictures!  I put a ziff socket on top to make it easier to change chips.  Hope that's safe!  (And yes, I plan to label the chip ;-)

[knagl]

Wow, nice job!!

[stayouttadabunker]

That really cool!  

Great job with that!  
Those low-profile ZIF sockets are the best!

[4 Deuces]

And now I've got the reader too ... did that one in just a few hours!

This is such as awesome site and post!   

Now I just can't wait for Kevin Knagl or Neon Kiss to figure out the CGA to LCD PE+ conversion!   

[Buzz]

And now I've got the reader too ... did that one in just a few hours!

This is such as awesome site and post!   

Now I just can't wait for Kevin Knagl or Neon Kiss to figure out the CGA to LCD PE+ conversion!   

Dave  Send a PM to CerTech ( Troy ) and ask  any questions you have on a monitor.  Troy is the tech at Ceronix's and has been for close to 20 years, and one real nice guy.  If a PM fails let me know I'm pretty sure I have his phone number.

[Big_D]

First off emm386, your doing a great job! 

I used your drawing to just bite the bullet and make a PCB for the adapter.  I used ExpressPCB mini board service.  Kind of over kill since what you did works just fine, but I wanted to try something I have never done before.

I now have some extra boards so if anybody is interested in one let me know, you can have it at cost.  knagl, with as much help as you give everyone on this site I would be happy to just give you one.

Unfortuantly I didn't see the post about adding jumpers to store multiple caps on one 27c512. that would have been great to add that, maybe next time.

[knagl]

I now have some extra boards so if anybody is interested in one let me know, you can have it at cost.  knagl, with as much help as you give everyone on this site I would be happy to just give you one.

K+ and an excellent offer, thank you.     I'll send you a PM as I'm actually interested in a few of them.

[Big_D]

Just in case anyone wanted to know how the boards I made look.
I have just a few more if anyone wants one.

[2Nutz]

I am new into this stuff, figured the problem may have just been me and my lack of experience.  I picked up a copy of Eagle Cad software and started learning the program.  From what I see it is possible to make the unit support many different CAP PROMS if a few jumpers were to be added. Pins A9..A15 can all have jumpers.  For instance if we place a tri-state jumper on A9 and ground A10 through A15, this should offset the memory by 512K.  By changing the jumper on A9, back to ground, the unit should read the first CAP Prom's memory location.   Here is a quick example of what I am thinking explained a different way.

Cap Prom #    A9             A10           A11                 Offset
     0                GND          GND           GND                0
     1                5V             GND           GND                512K
     2                GND          5V              GND                1024K
     3                5V             5v              GND                1536K
     4                GND          GND           5V                   2048K
     5                5V             GND           5V                   2560K
     6                GND          5V              5V                   3072K
     7                5V             5V              5V                   3584K

 We could have many more CAP Proms on a single 512K chip if we placed more tri-state jumpers on the board, many more than proms than is on the market!

Note: I am pretty new at this so I could be wrong so don't take what I post as gospel concerning this information.

Scott

You mean like this,

[Neonkiss]

2Nutz,
Nice setup...  
Someone had posted one of those before and they look great. Did you make these? or just the proud owner of one.

That rig looks like the way to go. If your not selling them could you post the pinout.
If you are selling them could you please send me a PM with your price.

Thank you....
and K+

[2Nutz]

I wish I had some of these.

Just posting some pics I had since there seems to be some interest/activity in being able to have CAP's available.

 

[Neonkiss]

I wish I had some of these.

Just posting some pics I had since there seems to be some interest/activity in being able to have CAP's available.

 

Do you own the one you posted the picture of?
If so, with a few more photos we might be able to get the pinout of how it's made.

[jamesnore81]

  I've tried the adapter, but somehow I fail, I program the 27C512 with the original file 707, and does not work well, progress achieved by connecting pins 18 and 20 of the 27C512 ground, but just does not look right play, letters appear colorless. could give me some advice? I made the adapter along the plane published here and rectify the connections A0-A7, Q0-Q7, the A8-A15 are grounded, like the plane. help! 

[jamesnore81]

see the picture

[jamesnore81]

I have found the problem, I had not noticed I was using a CPU 340, and change the CPU and the game looks good.

[knagl]

I have found the problem, I had not noticed I was using a CPU 340, and change the CPU and the game looks good.

Nice job, congrats on getting it working.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a CPU 340?

[jamesnore81]

I know here in Colombia and three types of CPU 300, 320 and 340, each with differences between them, but used to deserts types of games, the CPU 340 is the one you call superboard.