Technical Support

This page is provided to address hardware and software technical issues you may encounter. Please review the listed topics to determine if your specific concern has been addressed.

1. Windows XP - Service Pack 2 - The programming unit cannot be located when the software starts.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Microsoft, in an effort to address their ongoing calamity of security issues, has disabled access to the printer port in some releases of XP SP2. The problem is inconsistent; some updates have no problems while others find that the printer port is disabled. To address this issue you may download fix_ntxp.zip. Unzip the package and read the readthis file for instructions. Note: Installing the USERPORT driver included in this package will also improve performance of Windows NT and Windows 2000.

2. After upgrading from a machine running Windows 95/98/ME to a machine running Windows NT/2000/XP, the programming system software seems very slow.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Windows NT, 2000 and XP are all based on the original NT kernel. This is completely different code than the 95/98/ME kernel. Unlike the 95/98/ME kernel, the NT kernel restricts the timely flow of data to and from the parallel port. This is why the EPROM+ software appears sluggish. This problem may be addressed using the same driver package which addresses problems with XP - Service Pack 2. Download fix_ntxp.zip and read the readthis file. You need only install the USERPORT driver. This driver bypasses the restriction imposed on timely data flow by the NT kernel.

3. The software reports "INSUFFICIENT MEMORY TO SUPPORT SELECTED DEVICE".

CAUSE and POSSIBLE SOLUTION: The EPROM+ system uses the (Lotus/Intel/Microsoft) industry standard expanded memory service to establish a system buffer greater than 256K. If you are working with devices 512K or larger the system must have expanded memory to support the part. Expanded memory is automatically provided by all versions of Windows if your computer hardware is designed to support this service. Some notebook computers map the entire memory address space necessary for expanded memory support for the video display. If this is the case with your machine, you must contact the computer manfacturer to determine if a solution or work around is available. Note: Just because windows reports that expanded memory is available (see below) does not mean that the expanded memory service will actually be provided to the requesting application. To be sure expanded memory is enabled on your computer follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the directory or folder where the EPROM+ application files are located. This directory or folder is usually called EPROM.
2. Find the file called PEP.EXE. Right click the file. A dialog box will open. Select Properties. Click the Memory tab.
3. Check the status of Expanded (EMS) memory. It should be active and set to 16384. If not set the Total: to 16384.
4. Click Apply then OK. If expanded memory is supported by the hardware of your machine, this will enable software access.

If the above steps do not enable the expanded memory service with the EPROM+ system, your computer is not compatible with the industry standard memory manager architecture. Please contact the computer manufacturer and request their assistance in enabling support for expanded memory.

4. I have a computer with no industry standard ports. How can I connect the programming unit?

SOLUTION: Certain notebook computers have limited their connectivity by removing standard interface ports. If you are using such a machine you may interface the EPROM+ programming unit using a PCMCIA port card manufactured by QUATECH. Many customers have purchased and successfully used this card with the low end DELL and HP notebook machines. Follow this link for additional information or to purchase:
http://www.provantage.com/quatech-spp-100~7QTCK00U.htm

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