Micromaster LV48 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2024, 11:13:58 pm
content: So I've got a Micromaster LV48 for the Boardmaster, work was getting shot of this also.Here's what happens, when I connect it all up and power on, no power light. Keep it connected and powered up, restart the computer, the red power LED comes on for a few seconds then goes out. Start WinLV, the red LED comes on for a few seconds, then goes out, with the error message on the screen that the device isn't communicating.Any thoughts? Thanks.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 04:53:21 am
content: Even a search for an operations manual draws a blank, can't find anything for this at all.......

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 08:40:31 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 29, 2024, 11:13:58 pmI've got one such programmer and what you describe in terms of power LED turning on and off is generally normal behaviour: it is a power saving functionality of the programmer (the programmer supports powering from batteries).This is mentioned in the presentation text in the attached documents (the only documentation I was able to find about the device).With regards to the error message, the only thing I can think of is parallel port settings or compatibility issues.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2024, 11:10:35 pm
content: Thank you, will have a read and see where I get!

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 01:14:33 pm
content: So I've taken a look at the port settings, but not really sure if anything here is right or even wrong.Bios and Windows screen photos.....

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 03:08:16 pm
content: Ok.So, first, wanted to make sure you are using an integrated parallel port controller and not one of those add-on cards.Second, with regards to settings, the documentation for the programmer mentions SPP or ECP, so I would suggest ECP (the more "modern" option).

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 05:58:23 pm
content: It's still strange how the red LED will come on, then go off, then fail to communicate.What I find is when I start the computer, the red led comes on, then goes off, then when I open WinLV, the red light comes on, then goes off and fails communication, but the red led won't come on again unless I restart the computer.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 08:38:34 pm
content: Also, what version of Windows are you running (I'm on Windows 98) and what version of WinLV are using (I am using version 2.0.0009)?

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 09:17:31 pm
content: It's W95 and WinLV is 1.0.0205.It must be communicatingsomethingto activate the light for 2 or 3 seconds.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 09:19:39 pm
content: Is the Micromaster LV48 supported in WinLV version 1.x?I would try with version 2.x.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2024, 09:40:09 pm
content: Good question! I'll need to try and find version 2 and then also get it onto floppy disk. I can probably organise the latter.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 07:48:55 am
content: Just do a Google search for "ice technologies winlv" and it should be at the first search result.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 08:21:49 am
content: Good morning, thanks for coming back to me. In fact, I recall that when WinLV cannot communicate with the programmer, it gives options to go into demo mode, there are several programmers to choose from, the Micromaster 48 being one of them, so I guess that means this software is made for it? I do need to try another cable, just to rule out something silly, plus I wonder if it's a driver issue? Thing is, someone must have used this before, I don't know of any other PC which was running this when ever it was last used. No one has used this for many years, we only use gang programmers to make copies of EPROMs and that's it.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 08:53:53 am
content: Good morning!Quote from: Squarewave on September 03, 2024, 08:21:49 amI guess, but I'd still give WinLV version 2.x a try, even if just to rule out software compatibility as a possible issue.Quote from: Squarewave on September 03, 2024, 08:21:49 amDefinitely try a different cable if you don't know / trust the reliability of the one you are currently using.On driver issue, that would be only something which comes with the WinLV software, thus the point of trying version 2.x as well.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 12:35:17 pm
content: If I open WinLV, I can't find any port settings, but these are what the Windows settings show for the port, interestingly, although it says it's working properly, it then says no driver has been uploaded for the port?

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 02:09:02 pm
content: I don't actually know these things (parallel port and communication were a little before my time and never found the interest to try to understand them in detail), but I don't think whatever driver WinLV provides is something which will reflect in Windows Device Manager.Instead, I think it's probably some sort of library that it installs (or overwrites an existing one?) as part of the application installation process.That's my empirical understanding anyway...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 02:13:21 pm
content: v1 and v2https://retro.m1ner.co.uk/ice-technology-winlv-programmer-software-2-0-0009/

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 02:32:04 pm
content: Ok, so next steps, try another cable.Then before installing anything, I'll need to image this drive.Thanks so far, hopefully we'll crack it!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 03:11:17 pm
content: normally you have lpt modes like ecp spp ... as mentioned, normally it should be ok in device manager, unless Irq's are neededif i read correctly you have / use the motherboard lpt, not an addon cardyou have the basic lpt configs in Bios :LPT1: 0x378 (or occasionally 0x3BC) (IRQ 7)LPT2: 0x278 (IRQ 6)LPT3: 0x3BC (IRQ 5)you should not have any errors in device manager ...and for the winlv it should ask the lpt port config / setting , unless it is hard coded to a specific adress

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 04:05:43 pm
content: Yes, I've tried all modes, even auto, IRQ is set to 7. There are no options in WinLV to alter port settings, so it must be embedded into the software?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 04:18:10 pm
content: installed on win 10 run in demo modeit does search for 3x possible lpt adress in self tests mode .... unless you have bad bios configs, a defective cable and or the programmer has some issues, it should be easy to make it work ??can you find another computer with real lpt, a lappy ?? i know it is now rare to find lpt ports ...unless the lpt cable if you have the original have some special wiring in it ?? is it a substitute ?does the ac adapter gives around 15vac ??EDIT mmmm is it me but it does look like Dataman ones, many of their sw installers are available on the web ... i would not be surprised ... it a cosmetic change ... Elnec was the main maker in many models ... they do have legacy sw installershttps://www.dataman.com/dataman-4848lv-resourcesan old thread here :https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/service-manual-andor-schematics-for-micromaster-lv48/Re EDIThttps://www.edaboard.com/threads/eeprom-am27c040-programming-problem.218064/some threads elsewhere : some said needed to install this ?? attached here ? some said ECP mode for the lpt port ... cable is supposed to be straight ...

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 04:26:50 pm
content: It outputs about 20vac without any load on it. As above I'm going to try another lead if I can find one, I may be able to try another computer, we may have another old one at work which may have a parallel port. Interesting that you could install it on W10 and get it going. I wonder if a USB to parallel port converter would work with it at all.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 04:34:57 pm
content: hi pls read the previous thread .... before and while you answered i posted some driver and some links

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2024, 07:59:57 pm
content: Thanks, I'll need to image the drive before I go any further with drivers. But I'll need to try another cable first.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 10:45:43 pm
content: Ok, I've got a little further, but am not quite there, yet.I found an old computer at work running W2000 Professional which has a parallel port.Installed WinLV, connected everything up and got into WinLV, but there are some issues other than the previous.When WinLv starts, I get the following messages, before I see the main screen.Attachments: The two first error messages before the main screen is visible, then the third error message with the main screen behind, then the main screen loaded.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 11:00:40 pm
content: .....once I'm in and select a device to read, I get the first error message. I occasionally see the second attached, when I retry to read an eprom.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 11:04:06 pm
content: Used the self test function on WinLV, passed all, results attached.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 07:04:51 am
content: Quote from: Squarewave on September 24, 2024, 10:45:43 pmAs far as I know, W2000 is not a supported OS for WinLV.Also, don't quote me on this, but I seem to remember from back when I was troubleshooting my programmer that some people on another forum were discussing this kind of errors and it was due to them trying to use the WinLV software on WinXP (which also is not on the list of supported OSes and inherits the architecture of WinNT/W2000).There might even have been a solution people found around this problem, but I might be confusing things with some other troubleshooting thread.In any case, I'd stick to Win95 or Win98.Quote from: Squarewave on September 24, 2024, 11:04:06 pmThis is great!So, this means the CPU-related part of the programmer was actually ok all along.What version of WinLV did you use this time?Also, the self test checks the "analog" part of the programmer as well (i.e. the top board), so having all tests passed is really promising.Looks like you are getting close to getting it working.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 09:57:54 am
content: would mean you're stuck on win 9x era, nothing more ? unless more recent Windows compatibility mode would work ??NT core is mostly win2k Nt4 Nt 3.51 ... Xp 64 bit had some remnant, and was the 1st public 64 bit os iteration ,,, W7 W8 W8.1 ...Win 8, not 8.1 was better to play with, it could accept non signed drivers, W8.1 become a pain in the ...It depend on how the WinLv driver works and how the kernel permissions are made or be granted

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 09:29:21 pm
content: Hello, sorry for coming back late. Have been so busy.So, not long after posting the above results, I thought why not give it a go uninstalling the version 1.0.0241 and I installed version 2.0.0009 and it worked right away!Have been able to read eproms without issues. I haven't written to any yet, but will give that a go soon.So now, do I try and find a usb to parallel adaptor which supports Centronix, or install a parallel card in my i7 tower computer? Or have another tower, as work have said I can have that computer I used for the tests, as it was for running old systems we no longer run. Also, I do have an old Pentium 4 laptop which has a parallel port, that may be my best bet so long as I can get it working!

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2024, 09:03:33 am
content: Happy to hear you got it working, in the end.With regards to what computer to use, I'd say old laptop with the parallel port: it is compact enough that you can store somewhere without it taking a lot of space, it makes the entire setup portable, if necessary, and the parallel port is integrated (i.e. most likely to work without any compatibility issues).In terms of OS, I'd say Win98, but I am not sure how well it would cope with a Pentium 4 CPU.If you got the programmer to work under Win2000, maybe you should work with that, or even try WinXP.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2024, 10:14:23 am
content: Good morning. The tower computer at work is a Pentium 3 and runs with that fine. If I get a chance today I'll see if I can get the Pentium 4 laptop running. It's old, I can't remember why, but years ago I started to take it apart, I think to clean the dust out of it, but it was replaced years ago with an i5 3rd gen which I still have, no parallel port in that, then that was replaced with what I'm using now.The P4 laptop is mostly together, less the DVD drive and hard drive, which I do have. The battery won't be any good, but hopefully it'll run from the charger. There is a small plastic panel missing and a key missing which I probably disposed of as I was going to scrap it, but they won't stop be from using it. So hopefully that'll all work, as you say, it'll be best for portability and being small and compact, so small that I only recently remembered that I still have it!So if that goes well, I'll probably at least save the Pentium 3 motherboards etc before they all get scrapped, I can bag them and store them in the loft.