Read the code of a very old microcontroller

[fabiodl]

I would like to check the code of a tmp42c66p
a 4 bit toshiba microcontroller. Do you know if it is possible/ any programmer able to do that?

[amyk]

That's a mask ROM MCU, so it's unlikely to have a programming interface. The most effective way would probably involve decapping and then optically reading the bits out (there's only 8192 of them...); this process can be automated.

[Kjelt]

You're better off to try to reverse engineer the behaviour in the application and try to mimic it with a modern uC.

[fabiodl]

@amyk thank you for the link, that is amazing, but I surely don't have the hardware nor the competence to do that.

[fabiodl]

I found this http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/toshiba/_dataBooks/1984_Toshiba_Microcomputer_LSI_Data_Book.pdf

It seems that to program you had to send the code by a PAPER TAPE 
yes, probably reading it is impossible

[Stray Electron]

  Why does it matter what was used to send the code into the manufacturer? It's all just ones and zeros regardless of the media.  Either the device is readable or its not!  FWIW most devices are readable but manufacturers keep the methods a secret to prevent reverse engineering.  I have a device that was specifically made to dump code from the MC 68705s.

  FWIW there are still some of us hard core types that still have working PT readers and punches! Mine is on (one of) my Intel MDS 800.

[fabiodl]

  Why does it matter what was used to send the code into the manufacturer? It's all just ones and zeros regardless of the media.  Either the device is readable or its not!  FWIW most devices are readable but manufacturers keep the methods a secret to prevent reverse engineering.

Yes, you are completely right. The correct wording would have been "as the chips were not programmed electrically, I think it is unlikely there is  a modern programmer able to write the program and read the content back, with an interface like the keil software".

I have a device that was specifically made to dump code from the MC 68705s.

do you know if there's any such device compatible with the tmp42c66p ?

  FWIW there are still some of us hard core types that still have working PT readers and punches! Mine is on (one of) my Intel MDS 800.

wow, this is really cool

[miguelvp]

I threw away my used punch cards, but I have some around used as book marks inside very old books!

[Kjelt]

  FWIW there are still some of us hard core types that still have working PT readers and punches! Mine is on (one of) my Intel MDS 800.

Sounds more like a hoarder type then a hard core type to me  (joke not to offend you)
I got rid of old tech if at least all applications from that computer or system can be transferred to the current state of technology, if not then you try to keep it alive and running as long as possible but everybody knows that time will win eventually.

[22swg]

Paper tape saved the world.... ( taken at Bletchley Park.)

[westfw]

Various sites report that there are "somewhat dodgy" companies that will read code from processors for you (even if "protected") for as little as ~$100.  ( ) (price dependent on difficulty, or something.  Other chips: $25k.  But it might be worth checking out.)

[Jeroen3]

Yes, these companies exist. Some larger regular companies might even be capable, but they won't tell you.

[Refrigerator]

  Other chips: $25k.  But it might be worth checking out.)

$25k is pocket change.

[M. András]

  Other chips: $25k.  But it might be worth checking out.)

$25k is pocket change.

do mind donate some change to the crowd?