Author Topic: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review  (Read 1439328 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline abzman

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 10
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #150 on: June 26, 2013, 09:08:22 am »
if you power the board such that the chip gets the same power that you're trying to program with (either supply the board with power as it normally gets it, or inject power in parallel with the programmer) and nothing else is trying to talk to the chip (so try not to power up the entire board then) then I see no reason it won't work.   
 

Offline radioman

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 168
  • Country: ro
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #151 on: June 26, 2013, 09:57:54 am »
that boards have electrolytic caps on the power rail? maybe is the charging shock and programmer overcurrent is triggered too fast. Anyway this overcurrent protection can be disabled in hardware but you have to modify something in the programmer PCB. If you have schematic diagram of this programmer (posted in this thread) look for C22 and short it, this will disable the overcurrent protection (the OVC signal). But please do this with care. Another option is to put a bigger cap. in parallel with C22, the ovc detection will be delayed and is possible to work.
 

Offline SeanB

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 16265
  • Country: za
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #152 on: June 26, 2013, 06:45:29 pm »
I will have to look at that on mine, possibly put a switch to disable it as well. I have some 8748 MCU's I want to read which it says it can do the CMOS version of, but I have the NMOS ones which have a higher current draw.
 

Offline Prema

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 7
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #153 on: June 28, 2013, 02:59:05 pm »
THX@ALL

BIG THX@radioman, I shorted c22 and it successfully disabled the oc-protection, but the chips now read a device ID of 0000.
So I de-soldered the chip and it reads and writes it no problem...building an adapter for an external socket now...wish it would have worked in-circuit.
 

Offline radioman

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 168
  • Country: ro
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #154 on: July 10, 2013, 10:29:41 am »
Try to select 29F033C and disable the check device ID. These chips are pin to pin compatible, not sure about programming algorithms.
Here is the official chip support list: http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MiniProSupportList.txt, use CTRL+F to find.
What is the adapter you posted? look like DIP36 SNES ROM, if yes i think you must use something like DIP36 to DIP40 adapter or desolder the chip and use a standard TSOP 40 adapter.
 

Offline ElektroQuark

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 1244
  • Country: es
    • ElektroQuark
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #155 on: July 10, 2013, 01:40:48 pm »
Any clue on how to add devices?

Offline krivx

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 765
  • Country: ie
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #156 on: July 10, 2013, 01:46:18 pm »
A lot of sellers are bundling the TL866 with adapters, has anyone figured out the best value or best range of adapters available?
 

Offline kn33

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #157 on: July 14, 2013, 11:09:29 am »
Hello Everyone, I just registered to say that I have personally worked with the engineer/programmer in china, I provided him samples and he implemented them into software within 3 days! He advertises this on all the chinese forums because competition in china is steep, the support is worth every penny and more Name is wong or wang (been a while) I also acted as an intermediary between himself and Atmel in order to receive the programming algo's for a few PLC's where an NDA was required (ATF22, ATF15). his first email response was very brief, but he soon warmed up. just email him @ autoelector@yahoo.com, get his address and send him 2 or 3 sample chips. :-+ :-+ :-+ :-+ :-+ :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box:


His Engrish is poor, but serviceable, I wrote everything in english and google translated chinese, got the job done. still need to send him a couple atmega 2650's so he can impliment isp programming for those

(another edit) He also was willing to implement chip specific adapters of my design, dream come true guys, Hit him up guys, help make this the best programmer PERIOD
« Last Edit: July 14, 2013, 11:26:24 am by kn33 »
 

Offline itsdavid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 5
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #158 on: July 15, 2013, 09:12:11 am »
Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that  "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

« Last Edit: July 15, 2013, 09:15:10 am by itsdavid »
 

Offline kn33

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #159 on: July 17, 2013, 03:29:13 am »
Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that  "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!!


I'll tell you right now FOR SURE that the OC-protection is because the entire board you are trying to program on is being partially powered through the soic which is drawing too much power from the programmer. try clipping (or desolder/lift) either the vcc or gound on the chip (or both) and then program. then just a dab of solder and everythings back to normal. you just need to prevent the board from drawing extra current from the programmer.
 

Offline itsdavid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 5
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #160 on: July 17, 2013, 03:37:26 am »
Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that  "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!!


I'll tell you right now FOR SURE that the OC-protection is because the entire board you are trying to program on is being partially powered through the soic which is drawing too much power from the programmer. try clipping (or desolder/lift) either the vcc or gound on the chip (or both) and then program. then just a dab of solder and everythings back to normal. you just need to prevent the board from drawing extra current from the programmer.

Thanks for the input, I'll try to look up the data sheet and try it. On a side note, when I short C22 it does seem to be reading something. Is there any danger in disabling OC-protection aside from it not properly reading/programming? Could it damage the IC or the programmer itself?

Thanks!
 

Offline BravoV

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 7547
  • Country: 00
  • +++ ATH1
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #161 on: July 17, 2013, 08:30:56 am »
Hello Everyone, I just registered to say that I have personally worked with the engineer/programmer in china

He also was willing to implement chip specific adapters of my design, dream come true guys, Hit him up guys, help make this the best programmer PERIOD
Hey kn33,

Mind ask the programmer to support the Ramtron (Cypress Semi) FM1608 F-RAM chip please ?

Actually from programming point of view, since the current TL866 already supports the Dallas DS-1225 chip, it should be easy with just little change in the program to support it.

Datasheet for DS-1225 -> Here (PDF) <- Currently this chip is already supported.  :-+

Datashet for FM1608 -> Here (PDF) <- Need just a "little"  ;) modification on the DS-1225 code to support this chip.

Tell the programmer that the only difference is the DS1225Y needs the Chip Enable (CE) pin to be enabled "once" for multiple read/write operations, while the FM1608 needs the CE pin to be "toggled or switched to low state" at every read/write, the memory address changed and latched on CE 's edge, not the state/condition of the CE pin, whiled everything else are identical.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2013, 08:34:25 am by BravoV »
 

Offline kn33

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #162 on: July 17, 2013, 06:00:51 pm »
He would require 2-3 samples be sent to him. I'll try to get hold of him and get the address again, It's been about a year since we've spoke. but I'm SURE he'll impliment it :clap:
 

Offline BravoV

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 7547
  • Country: 00
  • +++ ATH1
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #163 on: July 18, 2013, 12:43:33 am »
He would require 2-3 samples be sent to him. I'll try to get hold of him and get the address again, It's been about a year since we've spoke. but I'm SURE he'll impliment it :clap:

Sure, any proof that your friend there can really program this thing ?  ;)

Offline itsdavid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 5
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #164 on: July 18, 2013, 10:08:59 am »
So I thought I'd try programming without desoldering the Vcc or ground, but I got this error: ERROR! Code Address:0x0003FF Buf_Val:0x0C74 IC_Val:0x0C00

 Does anyone know what it means? As far as I could tell, it doesn't explain why, just the position, the current data, and what I want to change it to.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 10:16:24 am by itsdavid »
 

Online PA0PBZ

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 5114
  • Country: nl
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #165 on: July 18, 2013, 11:38:01 am »
I think that chip is an OTP (One Time Programmable) or ROM based one, so you will not be able to erase it or reprogram it.
Since address 3FFF contains 0C00 and you want to program it to 0C74 it has to fail: you can't make 1's out of zeros.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2013, 11:39:42 am by PA0PBZ »
Keyboard error: Press F1 to continue.
 

Offline amyk

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 8232
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #166 on: July 19, 2013, 11:04:34 am »
Correct, the PIC12LCE519 is OTP.
 

Offline itsdavid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 5
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #167 on: July 19, 2013, 04:56:49 pm »
Thanks!! That makes a lot of sense now. Whats interesting is that even though its OTP, 0C00 actually started as 0C74 before I tried programming it and got the error (this is the only block code that is different between remotes). So it seems like it did change a little for some reason (unfortunate because now I seemed to have ruined it). I suppose my best bet to order a new chip and try to program it.


By the way, I used the link AmyK provided (thanks!) for the PIC12LCE519-041 page and it said the product is "mature" and to consider the PIC12F629 family which seems to have flash memory. Would I be able to replace the the chip with the?

Here are the data sheets 

PIC12LCE519
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/40139e.pdf

PIC12F629
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41190G.pdf


Thanks again for all the help!
« Last Edit: July 19, 2013, 05:22:56 pm by itsdavid »
 

Offline MrAureliusR

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 373
  • Country: ca
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #168 on: July 23, 2013, 07:21:49 am »
@itsdavid there's not much point in replacing it if you're able to buy the original off of mouser or digikey. Especially if you're cloning a gate opener your best bet is to stick with the same part. Its possible the source would need to be recompiled with a different toolchain or something with the new chip. Those 'mature' and 'nearing end of life' warnings are for people who are designing products with the chip and who will need thousands of them over the next few years. they're basically saying don't start a new design from scratch with this chip, start with this other one which we'll be making for the next 5 years.

Typed using Hacker's Keyboard for Android

--------------------------------------
Canadian hacker
 

Offline itsdavid

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 5
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #169 on: July 23, 2013, 08:05:13 pm »
@itsdavid there's not much point in replacing it if you're able to buy the original off of mouser or digikey. Especially if you're cloning a gate opener your best bet is to stick with the same part. Its possible the source would need to be recompiled with a different toolchain or something with the new chip. Those 'mature' and 'nearing end of life' warnings are for people who are designing products with the chip and who will need thousands of them over the next few years. they're basically saying don't start a new design from scratch with this chip, start with this other one which we'll be making for the next 5 years.

Typed using Hacker's Keyboard for Android

Thanks MrAureliusR!
Yeah, what you said makes a lot of sense. I guess I thought it would be nice if I could reprogram it whenever I needed without replacing the IC (since the newer one has flash memory). Also, the PIC12LCE519 is harder to to find. I assume the "L" in the model number suggests its lower voltage (compared to the more common PIC12CE519). Additionally, the newer chip has one less block. It stops at 000003FE, while the older one stops at 000003FF. The last block is actually the only block that is different between remotes. I'm not sure why it has one less block when all the specs seem greater, I think I have a lot to learn about programming and ICs lol. Thanks for all the help!
 

Offline Bryan

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 618
  • Country: ca
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #170 on: August 10, 2013, 09:52:03 pm »
Will the TL866CS work under Win 8 64 bit?. Any workaround
-=Bryan=-
 

Offline cube1us

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 13
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #171 on: August 11, 2013, 01:10:34 am »
YES IT DOES work just fine under Windows 7 64 bit!  I have one (the "A" model), and the software (MiniPro) works under Win 7 64 Bit just great.  The postings on eBay, etc. that still say no 64 bit are just out of date.  You do have to be running the latest version, though:  MiniPro v5.91, which you can download from http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MinProUpdate.htm  (Use Google Chrome and have it translate the Chinese for you). 

In fact I never bothered to install from the CD that I got with my unit - I just downloaded it and installed it from the web.  Actually did that before I purchased the unit - even installed the USB driver ahead of time.

This device is GREAT.  I have tested it with old (UV) EPROMS (it won't program 2716 and only some 2732, and I have read the larger ones, but haven't tried programming them), GALs (e.g. GAL16V8), Microchip micros (in particular 16F877) using the output from Microchip's XC8, and used it to test some TTL chips.  All worked perfectly fine.  I even built a little adapter cable so I could use the ICSP (I have the "A" suffix model) with my old meLabs X1 board.  Worked great.

I love it, and you just can't beat the price on eBay.  (I paid $85.99, for the unit and a bunch of adapters and PLCC puller).  Go for it.  It is a GREAT unit.

Once I even put a chip (I think it was a GAL) one row down in the ZIF socket.  The software noticed, and no harm was done to the GAL at all.
 

Offline Bryan

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 618
  • Country: ca
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #172 on: August 11, 2013, 11:09:03 am »
That's great about Win 7 64 bit but what about Win 8 64 bit.
-=Bryan=-
 

Offline SeanB

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 16265
  • Country: za
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #173 on: August 11, 2013, 11:28:40 am »
Not that much difference between Win7 and Win 8 under the hood , just drivers need to be signed in most cases and somewhat better security. You will get a nag screen about unsigned drivers during install, and will have to install anyway.
 

Offline Bryan

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 618
  • Country: ca
Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #174 on: August 12, 2013, 09:18:02 am »
Thanks, found the DPInst64.ex in a  folder called Win64. Trying to install it brings up the following message.

You do not have sufficient security privileges to install hardware on this computer.  Contact your administrator or log in as ..

I am the administrator. Do I need to install this some other way.
-=Bryan=-
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf