Denford Software & Machines

Can anyone tell me what the latest version number should be of the EPROM fitted in a DenStep card?

I've been chatting with a guy who's got a machine that works with his original DOS software, but not with the most recent(ish) DOS stuff. I remember that in the early days there was a few EPROM versions in circulation, then after a year or so things settled down and the majority of machines were shipped with a version something like...

1.6s/JD5

or something!!

Can anyone confirm?

Hi!

My TRIAC VMC is fitted with ATC and labelled as:

Model: TRIAC VMC
SerialNo.: EO 4026
DespatchDate: Feb 1992
ExportNo.: 4026

The EPROM is labelled as:

“ MINT 3.28 V1.05c/S “

Regards

Enny

James

According to Mr Harrison the latest and longest running version is


V1.6h/S-JD5

Not sure whats what here - but have put two of the later Eprom HEX files here:

https://www.denfordata.com/downloads/dos/MINT1_61.HEX

https://www.denfordata.com/downloads/dos ... 5_SJD5.HEX

Now all you have to do is find a spare M27C512-70 EPROM to try it out

Good luck

I'm struggling to remember which EPROM versions match which software package, but I think that...

v1.6h/s-JD5 is used in cotrollers linking to the windows VR Turning and Milling s/ware

V1.05c/S is used on controllers linking to the old DOS software.

So if you're trying to get your old DOS machine up and running again, don't bother trying to fit v1.6h/s-JD5

The thing I can't rememebr is the latest ver of the DOS chip. Enny has v1.05c/s but I'm not sure that was the latest release. I wonder if Mr Harrison knows if there was a later vbersion?

A note of caution for anyone looking at updating EPROMS. Some early control cards ran at a slower clock speed than the later ones. Check the value written on the silver clock crystal mounted in the middle(ish) of the control card. Most were fitted with a 16Mhz crystal and can have EPROMS changed. Older cards ran at either 8Mhz or 12Mhz and updated software is NOT available for these cards.

Mr Magoo had it right the first time:

EPROMS marked:

ESMINT3.28 V1.6H/S-JD5

are for machines controlled by DOS software only.
So, the previous HEX file is the latest of the DOS firmware.

Any EPROMs marked v2.0 v2.0 BETA and v2.1 are the newer firmware which will talk to the Windows control software. These EPROMS will only work on a control card with a 16Mhz crystal/clock.
These DOS to Windows upgrade EPROMS could still be available at a reasonable cost - you will need to contact Denfords

Hope this clarifies the EPROM situation

Hi all

Mr Magoo mentioned clock speeds of 8 12 & 16 mhz
I have had a look at my own board and it is fitted with a 14 Mhz crystal.
Have tried both new versions of eprom file but neither work so is it
posible to change this crystal or do other components need to be changed
as well ?
On the subject of the eprom hex files do the blank eproms need to be
formated with "FD"s instead of the normal FF to fill in blank spaces
as apears to be the case in my original eprom (v1.05) ask's my expert.
we tried both methods but because of the possible slow clock we were
unable to get any usefull results

Thanks to all who have helped me get this far

jmini

The 16Mhz clock is ONLY necessary if you wanted to update the control firmware to run windows VR Milling/Turning. We just use the crystal just to help us identify the boards' processor and revision.

The latest DOS control software should be matched with the latest EPROM version and the clock speed should be left as is - it matches whatever processor was fitted. You would have communication timing problems if the clock was changed.

So, if you have the latest DOS s/w and ESMINT3.28 V1.6H/S-JD5, then all should work - if not check your .GO file settings are as your original DOS disk.

To Denford Admin

The .opt & .go files were copied from my current version into the new
version directory so were identical

The new eproms when fitted both displayed "L" on the card display with a
flashing dot in the lower left corner instead of the "8" displayed on the
original eprom any ideas would be most welcome

On the subject of sending a file to denford admin do I send it as an
attachment to service@denford.co.uk
if so for the the attention of who?

Thank's jmini

I'm pretty sure the EPROM versions were created for a specific speed of processor, and the "JD-5" version was only every compiled for a 16MHz board (so Denfords will not have a "JD-5" eprom compiled to run on a 14MHz board - unless Mr Harrison knows different???)

(Technically: I believe the divisor value used to generate the serial RS232 clock speeds are in the EPROM firmware, so wrong EPROM and the serial baudrates are all screwed - and probably other timing related issues too! This is why you get the red LED "L" but can't talk to the board)

Regarding changing the crystal - I wouldn't recommend it, but if you still want to give it a go (it might just work ), first check the numbers printed on the main processor on the control card. The last few digits indicate it's max clock speed (I wouldn't recommend over-clocking!!!)....

.. KB12 = 12MHz
.. KB14 = 14MHz (also KC14 I think)
.. KC16 = 16MHz

You can send any files for posting to Denford Forum Admin at technical@denford.co.uk

or just email the Denford Admin user (me) from here.

Hi all

tried changing the crystal to 16mhz after checking the processor speed (KC16)
unfortunatly still the same "L" display and error 50
So I am look for any more help or sugestions

thanks

jmini

Denford Admin wrote: ↑

Fri 26 May , 2006 16:39 pm

Not sure whats what here - but have put two of the later Eprom HEX files here:

https://www.denfordata.com/downloads/dos/MINT1_61.HEX

https://www.denfordata.com/downloads/dos ... 5_SJD5.HEX

Now all you have to do is find a spare M27C512-70 EPROM to try it out

Good luck

Is a HEX file available for the V2.1 EPROMs used with Eurostep controllers?

Thanks, Max.

Hi Max,

I dont think we have any Hex files now.

Thanks Steve.

I don't suppose you have any version 2.2 EPROM's available?

Or perhaps a forum member has read the EPROM's contents using a programmer?

We never did a 2.2 Eprom

I found the HEX file for a 2.0 Eprom which is very similar to a 2.1 Eprom.

Sorry. My error, I meant V2.1.

Thanks for the HEX file.