I need help with programming an EPROM chip for signal processor

[Mark Swanson]

OK...I have an older piece of Boss/Roland gear, a GT-5 guitar processor that I like. I want to use MIDI to edit the settings, but I cannot do that until I upgrade its firmware. This is only done by replacing an EPROM chip inside the unit.
I have the software file to put in the chip, just no way to get it done! Can anyone help me out with that? Here is a link to the type of chip it is using. http://canada.newark.com/jsp/displayPro ... %7Cplid%7C

[Charlie Schultz]

The EPROM is in a socket so that it can be removed, right? I've got a UV eraser (though I have not used it in years). We used to have a programmer or two where I work, I could see if they're still around and if they can program that particular chip. Alternatively there are probably various EPROM programmer schematics on the web so that you could make your own.

[Charlie Schultz]

Oh, and I've kind of assumed the board is not designed so that the device can be programmed in-circuit?

[David King]

Well Newark sells a 48 pin chip programer for $6xx dollars with a USB connector to pull the new code off your computer.
I'd buy a new, one-shot chip and build a kit like this one. http://www.kitsrus.com/pic.html

[Mark Swanson]

Yes, the chip is socketed, and the unit is not designed to be re-programmed, you have to replace the chip.
That would be very helpful Charlie! I was hoping to find someone here who was already able to burn just one chip. There are also burners available on Ebay for this, but I don't want to buy one for just a one-time use.
Hope I get lucky!

[Mark Swanson]

I'd like to clarify what I need here- I need an M27C4001 EPROM programmed, and I have the data file for it.
Are there any members who can handle that for me, or know anyone who can?

[David King]

Veronica? I nominate Veronica!

[Mark Swanson]

Oh yeah...I hope she sees this, I haven't seen her around here for a bit and I don't have any contact info for her.

[Pat Foster]

Wow. This takes me back!

Pat

[Halgeir Wold]

I can do it, but you'd have to ship the thingie abroad........ BTW - that chip is UV erasable......
OTOH- programming these beetles are a fairly simple process. There should be some schematics on the web for building a farily simple, chip dedicateed circuit. I'll have a look tomorrow..... ( it's quite late over here,and I've been shoveling snow all evening! )

[Mark Swanson]

Thanks everyone. I have been looking around the web and asking everyone I could think of, and one person sent me this link. http://www.eprompro.com/
After an email was answered I found out they will burn me the correct EPROM and send it to me for a whole 25 bucks! that sounds good to me, so I have ordered it. I'll report back and let you know what happens when I install it- thanks again!

[David King]

Well that would be handy.
It does make me wonders about intellectual property rights. It sounds like some pic chips are secured or encrypted somehow.

[Mark Swanson]

Well, the file I needed was out there on the web. This way of storing the operating system is obsolete, and the unit isn't made anymore so I don't believe there's any protection in this case.
But this is a good quality piece, and it has an analog preamp and the distortion circuits are analog too and that gives it a tone that few multi-effect boxes have these days. So it was worth chasing this down to me.

[Veronica Merryfield]

A fan club

As it happens I don't have an eraser or programmer but I know many that do.

[Jamie Unden]

Speaking from experience, I would NOT erase the old chip! Start with a new one. That way, if anything goes wrong you can always put the original chip back in.