Author Topic: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review  (Read 1439238 times)

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Online notsob

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #75 on: March 11, 2013, 10:36:29 pm »
For those with a TL866, version 5.91 of the software has been released
http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/

probably better to use chrome browser as it will auto translate for you.
 

Offline spagamoto

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #76 on: March 12, 2013, 06:27:38 am »
For all experiencing GUI issues try this:

You are a genius. Worked perfectly. I actually stopped short of changing the non-unicode language. Just installing the east-asian languages and rebooting worked great!
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #77 on: March 12, 2013, 11:29:17 am »
I'm expecting mine to arrive, just want to prepare, does the program run smoothly in virtualised XP using VMWare at win 7 x64 host ?

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #78 on: March 12, 2013, 03:56:37 pm »
Yes, it runs in a VM, only caveat is you need to use the Oracle VM as it handles raw USB. I am using it in a VM under Ubuntu.
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #79 on: March 12, 2013, 06:36:10 pm »
So no love for VMware ? I thought it has those raw usb thingy capability ?  ???

Anyway, that Oracle VM is the same as VirtualBox right ? I'll use it if VMWare failed me, thanks !

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #80 on: March 12, 2013, 07:19:52 pm »
Same as virtualbox, just the non free version ( but still no cost), and it is very odd to have a XP startup on a Linux box without a dual boot. My other favourite is Dosbox, very nice.
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #81 on: March 12, 2013, 07:25:56 pm »
.... it is very odd to have a XP startup on a Linux box without a dual boot. My other favourite is Dosbox, very nice.
Wait till you see dosbox port to ios and booting up a windows 3.1 inside ipad tablet ! I've done that, really, it feels so surreal ! ;D

Offline SeanB

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #82 on: March 12, 2013, 07:43:00 pm »
Running games in Dosbox that when they first came out needed a gaming machine, but now will run in a window on a desktop and run faster...........
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #83 on: March 16, 2013, 09:00:25 am »
Just an update, the latest MiniPro v5.91 program runs flawlessly at Win XP SP3 inside VMWare Player version 4.0.4 running at Win 7 x64 host.

Regarding the program's gui problem at XP, the solution posted by radioman fixed it  :-+ , and only needs up to step 3 (and reboot). It doesn't need to proceed to step 4 which is to install Chinese language as pointed out by spagamoto.

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #84 on: March 18, 2013, 12:17:03 pm »
For all experiencing GUI issues try this:

1. Insert your Windows Xp installation CD.
2. Go to Control Panel->Regional and Language option and select Languages tab.
3. Check Install files for East Asian languages. Reboot computer.
4. Go to Control Panel->Regional and Language option and select Advanced tab.
5. Select Chinese(PRC) in the Language for non-Unicode programs dropdown combo. Reboot computer.
6. After reboot select English (or whatever you have) in Language for non-Unicode programs dropdown combo. Reboot again.

These operations will install all necessary fonts and files for chinesse language.
Enjoy!

Well,
      :-+ :-+ thanks a billion Times .Just Till Step 3 Its OK Works
Regards

Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
Indian Distributor For  [ Autoelectric , Sofitech , IDEOfy ,Peak Electronic Design [UK ] , Anatek And Creatronica ]
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Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #85 on: March 19, 2013, 07:23:23 pm »
Hi guys! yes, step 3 is enough and do the job. Step 4,5,6 actually is a trick for preserving installed files in case you change the language for non-unicode programs. If you have English as language for non-unicode programs and you do not change that setting,  yes only step 3 is needed, but if you change to a diferrent language for non-unicode and do not take step 4 then OS will replace Chinese fonts with another files and after first reboot the problem will reapear.

And now  for programmers/connoisseurs:
The problem is  a non existing monospaced(fixed) font in Win XP. They use C++ MFC framework for programming and a frame/dialog template model. And yes in case of changing dialog font,  the parent frame must be resized to fit the new size of child dialog, but I believe they hard coded size values, and if dialog is resized to fit new content, parent frame remain smaller than dialog template and system will add scrollbars. Its a dumb bug.
Cheers!
 

Offline GregerG

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #86 on: March 23, 2013, 10:14:41 am »
Does anyone have the ICSP connector pinout?
Also ordered the CS version but got no connector soldered to it...

Cheers
//Greg
 
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Offline casinada

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #87 on: March 23, 2013, 07:31:19 pm »
GregerG,
If you read the whole thread you'll find out that other people tried to do the same but without success. The CS is limited probably by firmware.  |O
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #88 on: April 23, 2013, 04:55:06 am »
It is possible to reflash firmware. All you need is the full version of firmware and a pic programmer. I managed to do that, but is somewhat risky to brick the device. For all interested I have the full version of firmware, but at this moment I can't post it. Also I've done reverse engineering of the schematic diagram for this programmer:
TL866.pdf
« Last Edit: April 30, 2013, 11:18:08 am by radioman »
 
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Online PA0PBZ

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #89 on: April 23, 2013, 07:57:43 am »
As far as I know the software for both models is equal, the decision what model it is depends on the contents of the EEPROM.
Keyboard error: Press F1 to continue.
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #90 on: April 23, 2013, 08:48:03 am »
Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map  look like this:
00000-017FF=Boot loader
01800-1FFFF=main firmware.
The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-1FFFF), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware  for both version  and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.
Cheers and 73.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2013, 08:16:43 pm by radioman »
 

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #91 on: April 24, 2013, 04:19:30 pm »
Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map  look like this:
00000-017FF=Boot loader
01800-FFFFF=main firmware.
The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-fffff), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware  for both version  and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.
Cheers and 73.

Well,
      Thats One Brilliant Reverse Eng Done There Boss .If You Use Your Own Serial Code And Device Version What Happens ? .BTW with serial code you mean serial number right ? and by device code you mean if its CS or A .
Regards

Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
Indian Distributor For  [ Autoelectric , Sofitech , IDEOfy ,Peak Electronic Design [UK ] , Anatek And Creatronica ]
My Electronics Blog - > www.lynxchandigarh.com
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #92 on: April 24, 2013, 06:31:51 pm »
Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software  and  I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:
TL866A_firmware.zip
You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware.
Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.
Cheers!
« Last Edit: April 30, 2013, 11:17:05 am by radioman »
 

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #93 on: April 24, 2013, 06:56:16 pm »
Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software  and  I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7jjr3s9wet4kf0/TL866A_firmware.zip
You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware.
Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.
Cheers!

Well,
      Its late nigh here but this is bliss hee hee .Will trouble you more  :-DD
Regards

Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
Indian Distributor For  [ Autoelectric , Sofitech , IDEOfy ,Peak Electronic Design [UK ] , Anatek And Creatronica ]
My Electronics Blog - > www.lynxchandigarh.com
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #94 on: April 24, 2013, 07:05:13 pm »
He he! OK.  :D no problem, but this week I'm not at home, next week maybe. I post from my smartphone, I don't have my engineering arsenal with me  >:D just few files in smartphone and nothing else!
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #95 on: April 30, 2013, 12:34:40 pm »
For anyone interested I wrote a small utility which generates the full TL866A firmware, based on custom serial. The software allows and firmware update (like minipro but with more options). For full firmware upgrade you will need an pic programmer and firmware hex file generated by this utility; for regular upgrade you will need the update.dat file from minipro software and this software utility. If you have Windows XP make sure you have installed  net framework  (at least version 2.0). The software is not finished yet, but if someone wants to try it is ok, because I have not enough time available.
Sugestions, questions and opinions are welcome, thank you.
Updated: May 08,2013. Fixed minor bugs, please redownload.
Updated May 16,2013. Fixed schematic diagram drawing mistake.
Updated November 23,2013. Introduced firmware dump option.
Updated November 25,2013. Introduced CS firmware generator.
Updated November 30,2013. New version.
Updated February   8,2014.   New version.
Updated May          5,2016.   New version.
TL866 firmware updater
« Last Edit: May 05, 2016, 04:50:32 pm by radioman »
 
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Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #96 on: May 04, 2013, 11:45:43 am »
Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.
TL866 Upgrade procedure
 

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #97 on: May 04, 2013, 12:11:32 pm »
Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.
TL866 Upgrade procedure

Thanks ,
 For The Amazing Job Done And Sharing It Freely With All Of Us .Do Let me Know If I Can Do Something For You in Return Ever From India  .
Regards

Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
Indian Distributor For  [ Autoelectric , Sofitech , IDEOfy ,Peak Electronic Design [UK ] , Anatek And Creatronica ]
My Electronics Blog - > www.lynxchandigarh.com
 

Offline radioman

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #98 on: May 04, 2013, 12:34:29 pm »
Well Thanks for the kind words Amarbir, i decided to do that because i found no information on how to repair this device. After couple of mails exchanged with some guys from autoelectric, they decided that in case of an corrupted firmware you must buy another device, and i don't want to do this. The hard job was with decryption, very complex alogorithm btw., but good knowledge of assembler and programming gives positive result. Now, if this can help anyone in this world having the same problem why not to share?
 

Offline computar

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #99 on: May 05, 2013, 03:44:47 pm »
Hi radioman,

thank you for your work on the tl866!
When i am looking at the schematics, it occurs that the voltage generators for VDD and VPP are controlled by just 3bits each.
Is that correct? How is it possible to support such a big range of chips with voltage generators like these?

thank you
C   
 


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