MiniPro TL866CS programmer from Aliexpress, is it ok?

[eev_fan]

I'm repairing old 80's digital equipment and sometimes have to burn UV-erasable eproms. 2716, 2764 etc.
Up to now I have used a vintage Advantest SE4943, but bought a Minipro from Aliexpress. I've realized these are probably counterfeit products...
After a couple of weeks a computer failed and it turned out that the eprom was blank.
Are these IC's chips starting to feel the age or are cheap programmers a waste of time and money?

I tried to reduce programming delay from 500 to 1000 us, but still chips have turned blank.

[Gyro]

Old UV EPROMs are very unlikely to feel their age (unless they have been erased many times or been abused, ESD damage etc), they live in nice cozy hermetic cerdip packages so are not subject to moisture for instance - although you should check that the pins are clean. Back in the day, programmers had as many programming algorithms and VPPs as there were EPROM manufacturers, often more. I wouldn't be surprised if modern cheap programmers had lost a lot of the subtleties of programming these old devices.

I'd stick with your vintage Advantest (for these devices).

[pqass]

I had an issue with an old EPROM (from the '80s) which didn't verify after programming.
I applied a fresh 20min UV erase cycle before re-programming. It's fine months later.

[edavid]

I'm repairing old 80's digital equipment and sometimes have to burn UV-erasable eproms. 2016, 2064 etc.
Up to now I have used a vintage Advantest SE4943, but bought a Minipro from Aliexpress. I've realized these are probably counterfeit products...
After a couple of weeks a computer failed and it turned out that the eprom was blank.
Are these IC's chips starting to feel the age or are cheap programmers a waste of time and money?

Confusing post, since 2016 and 2064 are SRAM part numbers.

Anyway, the TL866 II Plus (what is Minipro?) that you linked only has 18V V_PP and is not suitable for 21V or 25V vintage EPROMs.  Stick with a vintage programmer or use a service.

[thm_w]

Anyway, the TL866 II Plus (what is Minipro?) that you linked only has 18V V_PP and is not suitable for 21V or 25V vintage EPROMs.  Stick with a vintage programmer or use a service.

minipro = TL866xx software (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/needing-to-clear-up-some-confusion-about-the-tl866ii-(minipro)/)

The newer Xgecu T48 and T56 support up to 25V VPP: http://www.xgecu.com/EN/index.html

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832777409293.html (dont know if this is the right store just first one I saw)

[eev_fan]

Many thanks!

I'd stick with your vintage Advantest (for these devices).

Yes, but the Visual Basic programs I wrote around 1995 does not work any more. Also it has serial-i/f.

Anyone who is aware of software that works with this burner and a USB-Serial adapter?

Confusing post, since 2016 and 2064 are SRAM part numbers.

Sorry, should have been 2716/2764. Have corrected the initial post.

Anyway, the TL866 II Plus (what is Minipro?) that you linked only has 18V V_PP and is not suitable for 21V or 25V vintage EPROMs.  Stick with a vintage programmer or use a service.

Mine is called Minipro, bought a few years ago. But I think it's a clone.
The software allows 21V VPP.

minipro = TL866xx software (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/needing-to-clear-up-some-confusion-about-the-tl866ii-(minipro)/)

Thanks, I'll read through this.

[eev_fan]

Read that the original manufacturer has taken measures, using new software on counterfeit will brick it.

Circuit board looks ok to me, but that microcontroller... 

[faraday]

I can't say anything about TL866CS but I use RT809H and there is no competition regarding price point, you can find adapters in very affordable price.
I successfully programed some UV erasable eproms.

I used xeltek U3000 (very good programmer BTW), galep 4 and 5 but I couldn't afford adapters (price tag).