EEVblog #411 - MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer Review

[tsmith35]

http://forums.xgecu.com/viewthread.php?tid=20&page=1&extra=#pid23

[ebastler]

Hello,
where can I find the link to download this program?

That looks a lot like radioman's utility for the original TL866. But I was not aware that he (or someone else) had developed a tool for the newer II plus version. And radioman has already answered you in this thread, with bad news unfortunately. You might consider simply believing him -- he knows a thing or two about these programmers...

Where did you get that screenshot? Or did you photoshop it to show us the software you would like to have? 

[Dany]

ok, then I just have to send it back and have it repaired or replaced under warranty, since I just bought it.
Can you give me an address or an email where I can contact for the return
Thanks
Dany

P.S. sure that radioman (the guru of tl866) has been fooled by the chinese mah !!!!!

[ebastler]

ok, then I just have to send it back and have it repaired or replaced under warranty, since I just bought it.
Can you give me an address or an email where I can contact for the return

Come on, you bought it, you are the one who will know who the seller is. Contact them. I have no idea whether the manufacturer also offers some kind of warranty, but I wouldn't be interested at all to find out and ship that thing back to China.

Edit: If you are honest with yourself, you will know that you broke it. I would advise you to be honest with the seller too. Maybe you encounter a friendly seller who will replace it for you anyway.

Out of interest, how old are you?

[ebastler]

whose fault is it if it is broken if you make the firmware update in the end by mistake?

It is your fault, clear as mud.

You went to considerable lengths, programming the device via its ICSP port, which the user is not meant to use for firmware updates at all. And you programmed it with garbage, namely an encrypted file. Who else would you want to blame?

Time to move on. Try to get a replacement from the seller (telling them honestly what you did). But don't continue to dig your heels in on this forum, insisting that the world somehow should solve the problem you created for yourself. And stop the China-slapping, please.

[Shock]

If it was originally not working, attempting to recover it by reflashing it with garbage isn't breaking it twice. But if it was working fine and you broke it then yes no warranty.

[Dany]

Listen ebastler ,
I don't want to argue, put yourself in my shoes.
purchase the original programmer paid over 100$ three months ago on ebay and everything works ok with the diskette program.
The program tells me to update to the latest release that I do punctually and while I also update the firmware from error and here the problems begin.
The programmer no longer connects, the orange LED flashes and there is no way to make it go.
I reinstall the old program the USB drivers but nothing.
I am looking for the first version on the internet which is 7.03, but I do not want to go.
I write to the manufacturer XGECU.COM and give me some answers by telling me to reinstall the USB driver that I had already done by the way.
I rewrite him telling him to have reinstalled the program and USB driver but that nothing has changed, but he doesn't answer me anymore.
At this point I go around the internet and read on this forum that others have had the same problem as me.
Ok then I sign up and ask my questions, but even here nobody helps me to solve the problem, perhaps because there is no solution as "radioman" says.
Then I try to reflash the firmware via icsp as for the old model, but nothing to do.
I know that the updateii.dat file is encrypted, but I was hoping to start the USB driver at least, but nothing.
Where did I go wrong?
What would you have done in my place?
It's not that I have it with the Chinese, I usually buy in China and I also go to the Chinese hairdresser in Rimini (Italy)
Only that the manufacturer could have given me information on the restoration or said "when the firmware is protected by copyright, send it to us that we will restore it".
This is what a serious company should have done.
Do not you agree?
However, I take this opportunity to greet the "radioman" YO4BZC radio amateur on my part T72DF
73 and to hear from us
Dany

[drussell]

The program tells me to update to the latest release that I do punctually and while I also update the firmware from error and here the problems begin.
...
Where did I go wrong?

Updating the program makes sense, the question is what gave you the idea to mess with the firmware?

[radioman]

That looks a lot like radioman's utility for the original TL866. But I was not aware that he (or someone else) had developed a tool for the newer II plus version.

Where did you get that screenshot? Or did you photoshop it to show us the software you would like to have? 

It's mine. I have developed a version for the new TL866II+ two years ago for personal use and to help me to test various versions of the firmware for the opensource client. I never released this version in the wild because is not very useful. You can only update the firmware and this already implies a working programmer. There's no firmware generator because there's no decrypted firmware yet.

That picture was posted couple of pages ago by one of the forum members because i gave him the new updater for testing purposes and because i fully trust him.
Anyway the updater is part of the opensource minipro client now along with other contributions to that project, so there's no secret here 

The updateII.dat file is double encrypted (as is the update.dat for the TL866A also). The first encryption step is a joke, the encryption algorithm is in the official windows software. You only need a good disassembler to get it.
The second decryption step is done by the bootloader inside the TL866, so the firmware is also sent encrypted to the bootloader during the upgrade procedure.

[Dany]

Dear drussell,
if the firmware update is unsuccessful for the decryption reasons described by "radioman" and therefore by error, you no longer have the possibility to redo the operation because the orange led flashes and there is no more communication between the pc and programmer.
What would you have done?
73 by T72DF

[bmx]

Are you even sure of the model you have? Could it be a good old CS/A and not a 'plus', just sayin' because you're talking about ver. 7.xx, and current xgpro ('plus') is 10.xx.
Is it still blinking btw?

[Shock]

He is talking about the right firmware.

Version: V7.03 Support:15118 --2018.02.26
TL866II Plus First Release.

VERSION: V6.85 Support:14337--2018.10.19
TL866A/CS Last Release.

But yes Dany you should double check what hardware you have as sellers have advertised the TL866II+ and sent out counterfeit TL866A in the past.

[Dany]

Everything I wrote is correct, the programmer is original and corresponds to the TL866ii plus.
However I do not recommend the purchase of the product because if for any reason the firmware update is not successful, throw away the money, in fact there is no second chance
Instead if there is someone who has solved the problem, he can also contact me privately.
This is my email: info@electronic-center-rsm.com
Greetings to all from T72DF (oldmen)

[Circlotron]

You can get programming adapters to program TSOP48 package devices that use more than 40 pins. Seeing these programmers only have 40 pin sockets, how does that work?

[radioman]

By using an I/O expander. Here is the TSOP48 adapter schematic diagram: https://proghq.org/wiki/index.php/TL866_TSOP48_adapter .

[cypher007]

hello after buying a tl866a, which seems to be a fake board in an original case, id like to buy an original tl866ii plus.

ive found this one for sale but not sure if its original?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-PERFORMANCE-TL866II-Mini-Pro-USB-Universal-Nand-Spi-Eeprom-Programmer-Ku/263533947544?epid=2091954188&hash=item3d5bd8ea98:g:ZK4AAOSwMKVcPLXN

im uk based so need a seller that isnt going to annoy the customs people.

[radioman]

There are no fake TL866II+ devices yet so you are safe to buy from whatever seller is good for you.

[lazyman]

Hi. I have same problem like Dany. I have used TL866II maybe a year, until last update. And then, when software suggested update, or reflash, got same situation.. Update progress being shown like very slow, but i was decided to let it go and finish. And then, message that device is unable to reset. After replugging  only blinking yellow light. Autoelectric does responded, but answer was stupid, basically about installing driver but this was not problem. Device is original V2, but now with this covid crisis shipping only one way from china, or sending there is more than price of device. So, i have left with bricked device, and now price of shipping is more than device cost, and device destroyed.

Seems ridiculous, but now smarter move is to buy fake A or CS model, than version II model.

[Dany]

Dear lazyman,
Be patient, you will see that one day some of them manage to crack this too, only a matter of time.
It is truly fraudulent to market a product that aborts and fails to update the firmware if there is no longer any way to restore it, if desired, they would also be liable to be reported by the Chinese authorities.
If you think about it, it is also ridiculous to waste so many resources on a low-demand product like a programmer, not to mention the very low cost.
Thinking about cloning it in Europe is really insane would cost 10 times as much.
Only their compatriots can clone it, but with what gain since the original costs just over $ 50 complete with all the accessories? And then how many requests can there be? And then there are many others much more valid than this, for example I use the UPP628 model that can also program all the MCUs of the FRESCALE (ex Motorola) that the tl866 does not
However, in my opinion, it is not convenient to buy it or buy it again because then the problem of the upgrade reappears and therefore it is money, even if few, thrown away.
Regards
Dany

[andromeda92]

Hi,
I have original genuine TL866II Plus and it work fine with all firmware.
The last version is 10.15.

[NivagSwerdna]

Sorry to be dumb.... I have a MiniPro TL866A which I haven't used for years... today dug it out as I want to try and program a GAL 16V8 and went looking for the PC software.... I find http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/download.html v6.85 which my PC won't let me install as it is a virus risk... and looking at the analysis it does look a bit scary.
I found and downloaded  v682 which isn't blocked by the PC but when running it I get...

"The current application software verion is too old and not available. Please download the new  application software"

It displays "Hardware Interface Ver: TL866A V03.2.86" at the bottom but any operation gives the out of data error above.

What's the best way out of this?  Thanks in advance

PS
I believe it to be a genuine TL866A according to the genuine/counterfeit rules on their web site... i.e. silkscreen line doesn't cut through box, no lugs inside case, good relief and position of markings, non-rounded cooling fins etc.

[philoupat83]

Hello
 I have a tl866 cs it works very well modify thank you radioman.
my question is: I bought the TL866II Plus in March. it generates a default overcurrent protection .......
whatever the circuit used (example 2716) or test logic ttl.
more possible to send it back to China have you an idea
thanks

[ebastler]

I find http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/download.html v6.85 which my PC won't let me install as it is a virus risk... and looking at the analysis it does look a bit scary.

I have been running 6.85 for a while now (the installer file dates from October 2018), without any complaints from Windows Defender and without anything untowards happening on my computer. What virus scanner do you use?

If you like, feel free to PM me, and I could send you my old setup file via email -- to rule out the possibility that a modified file has been uploaded by Autoelectric at some point.

[philoupat83]

thanks
I precise it is the Xgpro with version 10.15
seen connected and which at the time
of a reading signals disconnected and overcurrent protection .......

[sathex]

Hi,

I use a minipro tl 866cs transformed into tl866A it works well,

except that I have a "read error code: 31!" on Windows7 and also on XP !!

this only happens when I use the "SOIC8 SOP8 Flash IC Chip Test Clips"

does not work when the chip is on circuit board

it's when i try to detect

if anyone had the same problem?

is there a solution?