What kind of a EPROM programmer should I get for use with vintage systems? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: PCBeginner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:02:41 pm
content: I was looking at this one on eBay, it looks like its new supported by the company and it also comes with manuals.https://www.ebay.com/itm/267327255420Its very expensive compared to this one:https://www.ebay.com/itm/127145237387This one appears portable and that would be useful for using it at game auction sites.Finally I found this one, which looks new and cheap:https://www.ebay.com/itm/194794731119But it looks like it would break after a few uses.I'll be using this for mostly PAL/GAL and EPROM chips from old arcade games and some home consoles.Any Advice?

author: PCBeginner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:24:53 pm
content: Oh I forgot to mention that I would like to be able to use the programmer with Windows.

author: Demon Xanth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:37:22 pm
content: We have a GQ4x4, a TL-866 and a T56. I'd recommend the T-56.http://www.xgecu.com/MiniPro/T56_List.txtCheck the device support list of any programmer you're looking at and compare it to what ICs you're going to be working with before purchasing.

author: reboots
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:42:50 pm
content: Do you want to simply read the chips, or program them as well?Older EPROM chips (27Cxxx series, for example) require high voltages (12-14V) for programming. You will need a programmer which can produce the voltage(s) required for the target chip.I had a good experience using this inexpensive T48 [TL866-3G] programmer to read and write flash EEPROMS at 5V. It claims to support programming voltages up to 25V, but I haven't used that function.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG8W7W2W

author: PCBeginner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:50:38 pm
content: That device list is huge and I do see a lot of the chips I think I'll be programming.

author: PCBeginner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 06:36:48 pm
content: I want to dump ROMs from existing devices but also make newly programmed ones. The PAL/GAL would mostly be re-creating some missing chips for my boards.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 12:01:36 am
content: The T56 is a great all around option - if my TL866CS (bought new several years ago) breaks some day, that is the one I will replace it with. The TL866CS does a good job - its interface is solid and supports many devices.For the older high voltage EPROMs I got an older DOS-based programmer, which also works very well but it is much less convenient. I have a special PC for it.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 12:28:57 am
content: the new xgecu t76 will combine t56 and t48, it is out, not too high priced, use non pricey standard adapters, can do "big sized" flash memoriesdo not touch bpm programmers, mostly the high end ones, the company request a few thing than an diy can not give, if i may say, getting their software is complicated toosame for HILO and Systems general, the big problems are : getting expensives or very expensives adapters, but some are dumped on ebay for low prices, they have eeproms id on themold programmer like chipmaster 6000 uxp, dataman 48uxp are good, but way over pricedelnec have very expensive adapters, eeprom id's on the adaptersxeltek superpro 5000 6100 7500 use eeproms id's on their sockets, need some magic to make them unlockedgalep may help or not, i find them very limitedkeep in mind, there is no absolute programmer, if you play with tricky / very old devices / obscur ones, not many will do the jobalways find the device support of each programmer you may be interested ofi have an chipmaster 6000 uxp an a xeltek superpro 5000e with a magic chip/mega magic, still not enoughfor tri levels programming, you have some projects sold on ebay, even some built around arduinos

author: PCBeginner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 04:18:01 pm
content: I now see a BeeProg programmer for sale on ebay as well.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 04:52:21 pm
content: some Beeprog models are not supported anymore = no more updatescheck their warnings