Author Topic: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review  (Read 1441882 times)

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Offline firewalker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1225 on: July 22, 2018, 02:05:34 pm »
There must be a serial validation algorithm...
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1226 on: July 22, 2018, 11:11:33 pm »
Version's 6.81 firmware might work but prevents the open source version for GNU/Linux.

Is there a safe way to check if a CS had been surreptitiously modified into an A version? I specifically bought an A version a couple years ago, so I'm curious if it's a bona fide A model.
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Offline firewalker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1227 on: July 23, 2018, 06:21:01 am »
Version's 6.81 firmware might work but prevents the open source version for GNU/Linux.

Is there a safe way to check if a CS had been surreptitiously modified into an A version? I specifically bought an A version a couple years ago, so I'm curious if it's a bona fide A model.

I believe that this is the case. With version 6.81, the message says that my unit is a CS converted to A. Genuine, but converted. I didn't convert it though. My guess is that my supplier bought genuine CS units and converted them to A.

You could you try the latest version and check it.
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Online Zucca

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1228 on: July 23, 2018, 07:52:45 am »
Thanks a lot for the warning, I have an original unit, but I converted it to TL866A. So this means I should stay away from updates then.

Same here, I will upgrade to 6.71 and stay a way from 6.8x. Of course I will watch here to see if there are any news.
If one day the TL866A will not serve me well anymore, I will go and buy a proper expensive and professional Universal Programmer.

Hello guys from "http://www.autoelectric.cn", I know you are reading this.
Well done with the new 6.8x FW, you lost a customer and I will never buy a "TL866II Plus" in the future. Thanks for playing.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2018, 08:04:54 am by zucca »
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Offline firewalker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1229 on: July 23, 2018, 04:11:05 pm »
In the installation directory there is folder named "ATMEGA8_LED". Does anyone know what this is about?
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1230 on: July 23, 2018, 11:31:20 pm »
I vaguely recall reading somewhere about the TL866 being able to read an encrypted unique identifier (or something to that effect) in the Atmega8 chip (maybe other models, too) that can be used to detect if your code has been copied to and is running on another chip. There's supposed to be an example of how to do it. This directory may be that example, but I've not looked into it.
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Offline okurka

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1231 on: July 24, 2018, 06:00:13 pm »
New MiniPro version v6.82 is out. They removed v6.81 from the changelog and its download is gone, same thing happened with v6.80.

Anyone want to try out what version 6.82 does?  :o
 

Online ebastler

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1232 on: July 24, 2018, 06:11:11 pm »
I vaguely recall reading somewhere about the TL866 being able to read an encrypted unique identifier (or something to that effect) in the Atmega8 chip (maybe other models, too) that can be used to detect if your code has been copied to and is running on another chip. There's supposed to be an example of how to do it. This directory may be that example, but I've not looked into it.

Yes, that's probably it.
From http://www.autoelectric.cn/EN/TL866_main.html:

Quote
AVR microcontroller one-to-one soft encryption

AVR microcontroller has an RC Calibration (calibrate bytes). Only one of dozens of chips may have the same bytes value and it cannot be modified. Microcontroller software can read this value and determine whether the code is used by other chips. Through custom encryption algorithm, it can stop those who decrypt chips with ulterior motives from directly using. The encryption algorithm is so complex that it is not easy to decrypt. But, about "encryption", there is a problem for developers - each chip is different - it is impossible to manually calculate one by one and respectively compile source code if the algorithm is complex. This programmer can automatically read into RC bytes before programming. The developer can get the bytes value of the chip in the DLL dynamic function and then automatically calculate the encrypted data according to the request and put it in the memory, efficiently completing mass production. (A detailed encrypted instance of the ATMEGA8 in the installation package is available for reference)
 
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1233 on: July 25, 2018, 06:54:52 am »
Thanks, yeah, that was it. Of course, it's on their product page. ;D
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1234 on: July 25, 2018, 06:59:01 am »
New MiniPro version v6.82 is out. They removed v6.81 from the changelog and its download is gone, same thing happened with v6.80.

Anyone want to try out what version 6.82 does?  :o

Ugh. These guys are getting kind of silly.

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Offline jellytot

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1235 on: July 25, 2018, 10:54:09 am »
Working on a TL866A. updated from 81. Hardware V03.2.85 . I noticed however that it didn't ask or require to update firmware ?
 

Offline BrianG61UK

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1236 on: July 25, 2018, 11:42:36 pm »
V6.82 working fine on my genuine TL866CS.
 
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Offline art-666

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1237 on: July 26, 2018, 12:06:52 am »
V6.82 working fine on my genuine TL866CS.
So is it upgraded to TL866A or still at TL866CS ?
 

Offline BrianG61UK

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1238 on: July 26, 2018, 12:15:37 am »
V6.82 working fine on my genuine TL866CS.
So is it upgraded to TL866A or still at TL866CS ?
Still a TL866CS.
Wouldn't call it genuine if I'd converted it.

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Offline jellytot

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1239 on: July 26, 2018, 09:51:10 am »
V6.82 working fine on my genuine TL866CS.

Hi Brian. Just out of curiosity did it require/ ask to flash the firmware ?
 

Offline BrianG61UK

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1240 on: July 26, 2018, 11:21:14 am »


V6.82 working fine on my genuine TL866CS.

Hi Brian. Just out of curiosity did it require/ ask to flash the firmware ?

No, presumably the firmware is unchanged since v6. 81.

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Offline TheBay

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1241 on: July 26, 2018, 12:40:32 pm »
Just installed 6.82 on what I believed to be a Geniune TL866A and now have an annoying pop up message!
Everything checks out on mine to be an original and no signs of someone changing it from a CS to A.

I bought this years ago when they came out from a reputable supplier and I think clones were quite scarce then.
It still shows as a "A" in the application, is that the same for everyone or have some changed to a CS?


« Last Edit: July 26, 2018, 12:57:13 pm by TheBay »
 

Online Zucca

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1242 on: July 26, 2018, 01:02:57 pm »
CopyWrite Message...

 :-DD

What happend if you select the option don't show it again in the Copyright  ^-^ warning window?

PS: How to lose customers... well done  :palm:
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Online ebastler

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1243 on: July 26, 2018, 02:07:42 pm »
PS: How to lose customers... well done  :palm:

I struggle to understand their "crackdown on pirates" initiative for the old programmer version, apparently launched at the exact point in time where they have discontinued that product anyway. Do they believe this will entice customers to buy the new version II from them?  :-//
 
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Offline okurka

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1244 on: July 26, 2018, 03:04:02 pm »
What happend if you select the option don't show it again in the Copyright  ^-^ warning window?

You'll probably get a config error because the program wants to set a bit in the config.dat inside the MiniPro folder but doesn't have write permission in the standard %programfiles% folder.
So you'll have to either start Minipro with admin rights or you'll have to install MiniPro in a folder where a normal user has write permissions.

I'll stick to v6.71 permanently.
 

Offline BrianG61UK

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1245 on: July 26, 2018, 03:11:55 pm »
What happend if you select the option don't show it again in the Copyright  ^-^ warning window?

You'll probably get a config error because the program wants to set a bit in the config.dat inside the MiniPro folder but doesn't have write permission in the standard %programfiles% folder.
So you'll have to either start Minipro with admin rights or you'll have to install MiniPro in a folder where a normal user has write permissions.

I'll stick to v6.71 permanently.
I never got it to work correctly when installed under "Program Files*". So on my computers it lives in "C:\Minipro".

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Offline firewalker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1246 on: July 26, 2018, 03:24:11 pm »
Mine doesn't seem (optically) to be a CS->A conversion. No weird marks on the plastic and the solder joints on the header seems to be same as the others. And bought from a supplier that  started to sell the new model immediately.

Is anyone with the A variant that updated without an issue?

Alexander.
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Offline TheBay

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1247 on: July 26, 2018, 04:22:32 pm »
Mine doesn't seem (optically) to be a CS->A conversion. No weird marks on the plastic and the solder joints on the header seems to be same as the others. And bought from a supplier that  started to sell the new model immediately.

Is anyone with the A variant that updated without an issue?

Alexander.

That's what I'd like to know, would appreciate hearing from anyone who has updated and not had this issue. I wonder if that nag screen will come up for everyone to get them to look at their website.
As you can see from my pictures mine is Genuine and not had a header added to it or any mods. It's worked with every other previous firmware (Bar the last 2 as I haven't updated it for a while, did a clean Windows install on my workshop PC today and it asked to update the TL866A)

I've mailed them with pictures of mine, wonder if I get a reply! Even the label underneath states mine is a TL866A and looks genuine.
Does the MiniPro Software still show yours as being a A model?

I think they have messed up and all too coincidental as there is a new model out.
« Last Edit: July 26, 2018, 04:24:44 pm by TheBay »
 

Offline firewalker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1248 on: July 26, 2018, 05:36:47 pm »
Mine doesn't seem (optically) to be a CS->A conversion. No weird marks on the plastic and the solder joints on the header seems to be same as the others. And bought from a supplier that  started to sell the new model immediately.

Is anyone with the A variant that updated without an issue?

Alexander.

That's what I'd like to know, would appreciate hearing from anyone who has updated and not had this issue. I wonder if that nag screen will come up for everyone to get them to look at their website.
As you can see from my pictures mine is Genuine and not had a header added to it or any mods. It's worked with every other previous firmware (Bar the last 2 as I haven't updated it for a while, did a clean Windows install on my workshop PC today and it asked to update the TL866A)

I've mailed them with pictures of mine, wonder if I get a reply! Even the label underneath states mine is a TL866A and looks genuine.
Does the MiniPro Software still show yours as being a A model?

I think they have messed up and all too coincidental as there is a new model out.

I did the same thing. They answered really quickly with the way to revert the update, and asked me to send them my serial number. After I did that I had no news. I asked again to tell if my unit is original A or not, without any reply.

Alexander.
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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review
« Reply #1249 on: July 26, 2018, 10:09:00 pm »
Hmmm, how long until we see a 6.83 and the disappearance of 6.82? :-DD

I certainly will not buy the new version. These guys are just too silly.
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