So the pinball is now working 100%, but it has an old version of the Firmware running (1.03 and the latest is 3.03!!!) Pinball Heaven want to charge me £30 for a new set of EPROM's, but I figure it must be cheaper to program my own.

I have found this EPROM Programmer on eBay, but I have no idea what to look for, the machine uses both 27512 and 27040 type EPROM's. My question is will this Programmer work, and how hard is it to do?

Also, are there any places to get the EPROM's in low volume at good prices here in the UK?

Cheers

Cris.

I know we've got a blower at work so maybe I could do it for you? RS stock 27512s for a fiver and 040s for £15!

What do you get in the new firmware? DHCP server? Email client?

EDIT: It looks like the 040s are going to be discontinued, at RS anyway...

Maybe the deal from Pinball Heaven isn't that bad, I had assumed that Eproms would by only pence per unit

Cheers

Cris.

We use 27C040s in an old version of our product. They come it at US$5 each and that's in volumes of 1000s.

So 30UKP for a set programmed is a pretty good deal if you don't even have the burning equipment to start with.

Note also, you'll probably need a UV eraser - although the chips are supposed to come blank sometimes they have some bits programmed.

I'd say buy the programmed ones and if a later version comes out, then consider the purchase of a burner and eraser to upgrade the ones you have already purchased programmed.

I have an eraser and programmer here. I will happily blow an image for you. THe price of the part is the only thing, plus postage. Let me know PM if you are interested.

Thanks Rob

But, one of the VUK thingies has broken tonight so I have to order some more part from Pinball Heaven, so I will get them to do it for me, much less hastle for everyone, and since the last firmware relase was over 10 years ago I don't think there will be much need for me to burn any more in the near future.

I just thought it would be a cool thing to be able to do, silly me

Thanks again.

Cris.

I'm a firm believer that everybody should have lots of tools Full toolkit, oscilloscope, multimeter, temperature controlled soldering iron, EPROM programmer...

The programmer would only be worthwhile if you're going to need to reprogram stuff a lot. If this is the last time you'll need to upgrade or make the EPROMs then just buy the sets off Pinball Heaven. The 27040 alone as Andy pointed out is about £15.