FAQ • Parallel port programmer...
When putting together construction sets, but also when putting ready-made devices into operation, problems from missed adjustments or wrong use do occur at times. With construction sets, there can also be cold or missing soldered connections, components connected to/with the wrong poles, and defective IC's. If none of the listed pointers help you, you may contact our technical support.
In order to make sure that you can get help quickly when you need it, we have created and published a list of all known error sources for you here. Please check the following points precisely. Please also make use of the hardware test, which can be found in the Prog-Studio 6 software menu.
Special printer settings
If you have problems while reading, erasing oder programming chips, please have a look into your windows "Control Panel" -> "System" -> "Hardware" -> "Device Manager" -> "Ports (COM & LPT)" menu. If there is a "ECP Printer Port (LPT1)" please deactivate it and restart the pc.
Hardware Test
Voltage measurements are made with a multimeter or voltmeter. The proper calibration and method of connecting the measuring device is to be found in the operating manual for that device. For all measurements, the negative conductor is connected to Mass (Eprom Programmer pin 16, MC-Programmer I pin 10, MC-Programmer I pin 20). The positive conductor is connected to the pin named in the hardware test. The positioning of the pins is shown in the following drawings. The first pin is always to the left of the mark on the housing.
Voltage supply
For the Batronix Eprom Programmer, you need an adapter plug with an output voltage that lies between 14 and 20 volts and can supply 100 mA direct current (DC) or more. Cheap unregulated adapter plugs with a nominal voltage of 12 volts often attain the required 14 volt output voltage due to the low load. If in doubt, measure the voltage with load, i.e. when the programming device is connected.
For the Batronix MC-Programmer I / II, you need an adapter plug with an output voltage that lies between 12 and 24 volts and can supply 100 mA direct current (DC) or more. If in doubt, measure the voltage with load, i.e. when the programming device is connected.
Parallel port
The parallel interface is usually at the address 378(h). In Windows, the address is given in the system controls under System -> Device Manager -> Connections -> LPT -> Resources. The entry E/A Sector 378- 37F means that the base address of the port is 378(h). When you have found the parallel port address, please enter it into the Software Options.
Check the bios of your computer. The settings for your parallel port should be given as 'SPP' or 'ECP' mode, NOT 'ECP/EPP' or 'EPP/SPP'.
Parallel port cable
To operate the programmer, a fully connected and shielded parallel port cable is needed (do not use a ribbon cable!!). If you are unsure, simply check the individual connections to make sure they are functioning properly. All cables have to be connected 1:1. The parallel port cable is an extension cable, i.e. it has a plug at one end and a female connector at the other. The plug on the cable is connected to the female connector on the PC, and the female connector on the cable is connected to the plug on the programmer.
Components (with construction sets put together by oneself)
If you build up a programmer kit yourself, please check id all IC's in their sockets firmly and the right way around. Are the jumpers properly placed? Check all electrolyte condensators and any tantalum condensators for the correct polarity. Are the diodes placed the right way around, and are the values of the Z diodes correct? Verify that all soldered connections are in order.
Prog-Studio Software
Please use the most current version of the software.
SN74 chips of TI
With the SN74HCxxx components from TI, there are problems with the voltage gages - therefore these IC's are not to be used.
Printer driver
There are (although only rarely) printer drivers that sometimes "talk" to the printer when there is no print job, or react to the data sent by the eprommer, disturbing or interrupting the communication with the eprommer. -> To test, deactivate the printer driver.
Strong interference source
If, for instance, a halogen lamp (transformer) is placed very close to the circuit, the strong interference can disturb the signals when surrounding conditions are unfavourable, causing sporadic errors.
Special software
Sometimes special programs like Norton System Doctor can cause problems. To test, turn these programs off.
Likewise, special ZIP drive drivers for the parallel port can disturb the communication with the programming devices. To test, deactivate or uninstall these drivers.
Eprommer hardware version 3.2
Unfortunately, now and then there is a parallel port on which the voltage gages do not conform to the digital gate. For these cases, there now is an online page on which some hardware expansion tips have been published. These expansions are integrated starting with version 3.3.
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