Recommended EPROM Programmer

[requim]

I'm looking to buy a EPROM Programmer any recommendations?  eBay shows a ton of listings and I found a wiki on EPROM Programmers but their recommendation just links to their website selling the Pocket Programmer.  Right now I'm primarily interested in flashing old BIOS chips, however I would like to be able to read / reprogram modern chips as well.  I just don't have any idea of which ones right now.

Any recommendations?

[Bored@Work]

Start with what you need

I'm primarily interested in flashing old BIOS chips,

So get the datasheets of those and check how they are supposed to be programed. If they are really, really old EPROMs they are, for example, NOT flashed, since flash memory (which is flashed ...) is a newer type of memory. Once you know what you need you can look for a programmer doing what you need. Your way around sounds more like a gamble.

(yes, I know, there are "universal" programmers on the market supposed to program "everything". Great stuff until you find out their definition of "universal" and "everything" doesn't match your definition).

[david77]

There are these chinese universal programmers on ebay, usually called TOP Programmer. Well, they claim to be able to programm a lot of devices, like a few hundreds or so.
I've got the Top2005 version and it is kind of like a niceish device but really rather crap. It probably does program all the devices the manufacturer claims, I had no problems there so far. The snag with this programmer is the software. It is horrific. Simple as that. This peace of s*it must be one of the worst pieces of code ever produced and the support is non existant.

I've bought it because I needed to program a particular NXP micro and didn't know anything about microcontrollers at the time. The only other commercially available would've cost a few hundred Euros and this one cost abou 80 EUR incl. shipping from Hong Kong.

The main problem I've had was getting the right version of the software and getting their USB driver to work. It is totally unpredictable if it will work or not. I've spent dozens of hours installing and deinstalling the software. One day it works on one PC the next it doesn't but now works on the notebook wich it didn't like previously. You get the picture...

My tip: Avoid!

[alm]

I would avoid the parallel port Willem programmers, since parallel ports are a dying breed. Some also feature an USB connection, but this is usually only for the +5 V DC. There's also a 'True USB' Willem programmer, not what I'd consider a professional piece of equipment, but possibly not as bad as the TOP ones.

[requim]

Good to know.  I was looking at both the TOP models and the Willem since both work for the specific chip I'm looking at reprogramming (27C512-15).

I'm not necessarily against buying a parallel programmer, because I have machines that it will work on, but a USB one would be nicer and faster.

Now that someone brought it up, is there a recommended EPROM programmer software program?  I had not factored that into the equation.

[vl400]

I use a true USB willem everyday for reprogramming EPROMs and non-volatile RAM for engine management systems, had it for a year or so and its been really good. The software has its quirks, but does work.

Before the willem I had a ISA card based Hi-Lo EP81, old tech and DOS only

[Rufus]

Right now I'm primarily interested in flashing old BIOS chips, however I would like to be able to read / reprogram modern chips as well.

EPROM programmers are a getting a bit obsolete. If you want to program obsolete parts then an obsolete second hand programmer would seem to be a good choice so I would be watching ebay.

I bought a http://www.xeltek.com.cn/en/index.html SP3000U in 2004. It has never given me any problem, they provided free firmware/device updates about every week for years (but looks like this model went 'legacy' earlier this year). It is FPGA based with good pin drivers so it doesn't much need adapters for the more obscure devices and when adapters are needed they are documented so you could make your own and cheap if you want to buy.

I have been pretty impressed with Xeltek (for the money), their current offering starts at about $600 though.

[requim]

I've definitely been watching eBay.  Just haven't been able to tell the good devices from the bad devices hence the question.  I'll have to look at the Xeltek.  I would like a device that does both legacy stuff and new stuff.  Or if I can get one that does legacy stuff for cheap and a newer one that does modern stuff for cheap that would work as well.

[gregariz]

I bought a TOP programmer about 18months ago to program a few GAL's. I had to install the software again the other day on another machine and it went straight on... so I haven't had a problem however I can't vouch for all the devices as I only use it for that one thing. It doesnt have an english manual but when I put the CD in, it gives you an english menu option. its pretty simple and a bit of a play with the menu's and you should be ready to go. Once upon a time I had a Chipmax but I've lost it in my travels and I can't justify the pricetag to program a few 80cent GAL's every so often.

[requim]

What operating system(s) have you guys run the Top programming software on?  Just curious because that could easily explain the different experiences.

I would prefer to run my programmer on the latest OS at the time which happens to be Windows 7 - 64 bit at the moment or OS X Lion.  If not, I can run it on virtually any os/platform so it's not a deal breaker just a matter of convenience.