Introduction
Flash and EPROM Cards can be programmed in the Z88 itself. What is the attraction of using an EPROM Programmer used with the desktop computer to program updates available on the internet?
Using the Z88
Although I am showing this card being used with the Willem Universal EPROM Programmer, these techniques and instructions may be used with other models.
Solder the required components onto the card.
For 1M cards
A small piece of wire or ribbon cable is used to connect the A19 signal to the programmer to the 8-way header on the Programmer. There are two pins that are marked, the 2nd pin from either end. If you are using a different programmer, find out where the A19 pin is and connect the wire to that point.
For 512K cards
The 34 way connectors are shown fitted. They are used with a shorting plug (with pins 1 - 18 connected) to pull up A19 to Vpp when programming the 512K Flash cards.Use an existing Flash card to read the data and then verify it. Make sure that all your soldered joints are good ones as bad ones will produce errors when testing the card as well as testing your patience. If you get any data errors, check all your connections and soldered joints.
The procedure of updating the Z88 card is as follows:-
- From the desktop, download the software image and the ROMupdate program to the Z88.
- Use ROMupdate to program the card.
The disadvantage of using this method is when programming multiple 512K/512K Flash RAM Cards. This operation needs to be repeated for each card, because removing the programmed card with the RAM causes a FAIL. A HARD RESET looses the transferred software previously transferred.
Using the EPROM Programmer
The procedure of updating the Z88 card is as follows:-
- Download the software image for the Z88
- Program the card.
The advantage of using this method is that when multiple cards need to be programmed, this operation the cards can be changed one after another.
New Break-out card?
Making a break-out card using the Z88 extender card exposed some shortcomings that may be rectified with a new design.
It would not be economic just to make this card for just the Z88, so a new section has been started.
Features
The Z88 Extender Card can be used to program
- EPROM Cards
- 512K/512K Flash RAM
- and the 1M Flash Card.
The Z88 Extender Card needs to be modified. This is described in a separate section.
A number of EPROM programmers have been tested. These are described individually.
Conclusion
It has been shown that Z88 Flash cards can be programmed with the
Which programmer to choose depends on which Operating System (OS) the desktop is using. Windows is supported by all programmers. If a different OS is required, the price for the programmer may increase.
This is a very fast method of programming multiple Z88 cards without using the Z88 for programmers and manufactures.