Introduction
Flash and EPROM Cards can be programmed in the Z88 itself. What is the attraction of using an EPROM Programmer that is used with the Desktop computer?
Program updates are available on the internet.
Using the Z88
The proceedure of updating the Z88 card is as follows:-
- Download the software image for the Z88
- Transfer the software (ROMupdate) and the image to the Z88
- Use ROMupdate to program the card.
The disadvantage of using this method is when using the 512K/512K Flash RAM Card is that when multiple cards need to be programmed this operation needs to be repeated from 2 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 proceedure of updating the Z88 card is as follows:-
- Download the software image for the Z88
- Program the card
- Use ROMupdate to program the card.
The advantage of using this method is when using the 512K/512K Flash RAM Card is that when multiple cards need to be programmed this operation the cards can be changed one after another.
Features
The Z88 Extender Card can be used to program both the 512K/512K Flash RAM and the 1M Flash Card.
1M Flash card
It has been used with an EPROM Programmer that could program this whilst set to the DIL footprint instead of the TSOP 40 footprint. Moving to a different EPROM Programmer requires a switch to select footprints. A 3rd option allows 32 pin EPROM Programmers also be able to program these.
The switch positions are:-
- DIL 512K
- DIL 512K LOW
- TSOP40 1M
Modification to Z88 Extender Card
3 tracks (1, 2 and 17) from the 32 pin header are cut in-between the 2 off 34 way connectors and a 3 pole 3 way switch is used.
The holes of the 2 off 34 way connectors are used to connect and mount the switch on a small strip-board.
| To Z88 Card | From GQ-4X | GQ-4X | ||||||
| 34 way connector | 34 way connector | 32 pin DIL | Centre | Signal | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Connections | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| C | 17 | 2 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 31 | 31 | /WE |
| A | 2 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 1 | 1 | A18 |
| B | 1 | 1 | 20 | 18 | A19 | Vcc | A19 | A19 |
| CENTRE | 1M | 512K LOW | 512K | 1M | 512K | DIL | ||
| TSOP | DIL | |||||||
Conclusion
Unless there is an requirement for programming chips like for example an internal ROM or programming multiple Z88 cards, it is not worth using the EPROM Programmer.