RetroChallenge 2011 Summer Challenge

[lizardb0y]

Entries have opened for the RetroChallenge 2011 Summer Challenge next month. The rules are explained on the site, but are pretty straightforward:

- Do stuff with old tech
- Blog it
- Profit!

I have no idea what I'm going to do yet. I'm going to be busy as hell next month as it is, but it seems a good opportunity to focus

[tezza]

These next few months are busy times for me too. I'm not sure how much retro-computing stuff I can tackle but I'll certainly think about it.

One thing I really need to do is to get to grips with using an EPROM burner. I've got one of these (shared ownership with Philip Avery) but the steep learning curve has put me off using it so far. There is the compounding factor in that burning ROMS for old 8-bit machines usually means jumpering/adapting modern EPROM chips so they will fit or be compatible with the older ROM sockets. I essence you really have to know what you're doing!

Do I have this knowledge? No, not yet.

A direct need has arisen though. My Exidy Sorcerer BASIC ROM-PAC is faulty and it's most likely one of the four ROMs. I've got the ROM images and (apparently) it is possible to make new ROMS using available EPROM chips with the right adaptation. Could this be the ideal opportunity to force me to learn this stuff?

It is a skill I need to acquire eventually if I ever hope to keep these very old machines going for the next 20 years. ROMS do have a limited life.

Has anyone else on this site burned EPROMS to replace the mask ROMS in old 1980s/1970s micros?

[matsondawson]

Can you tell me what EPROM it needs? I have a burner and bought in a bunch of old HN462532 (4k x eproms recently just because they have the right pinouts to replace Vic20 char roms.

[tezza]

Can you tell me what EPROM it needs? I have a burner and bought in a bunch of old HN462532 (4k x eproms recently just because they have the right pinouts to replace Vic20 char roms.

Thanks Matt,

No I can't tell you right now but I might be able to after the weekend. Although I have ROM burner I haven't even taken it out of the packet yet, or done any reading on this subject. I intend to explore these things in the next few days. I should know more then.

The good news is I've identified the exact ROM at fault. It's the number 3 ROM of the 4 ROMS that are in there. That's a start!

[tezza]

Actually, using a HEX-DEC converter calculator I've ascertained they are 2k ROMS. That would figure as it's 8K BASIC

[matsondawson]

btw anyone looking for some cheap DRAM/EPROM etc, have a look at this guys site.
I've bought bucket loads of dram/sram/eproms from him.

http://4sale.sbszoo.com/ic_eprom.htm
http://4sale.sbszoo.com/ic_dram.htm
http://4sale.sbszoo.com/ic_sram.htm

[tezza]

Wow, those are good prices. Thanks for the link.