This information is provided to answer general questions regarding functions or operations you may perform with the EPROM+ system. Typical questions are presented and answered followed by a brief description of which EPROM+ functions would be used to accomplish the task. If you are uncertain about how a specific operation is performed or just wish to learn, the EPROM+ includes a complete TUTORIAL to assist you in mastering system operation.

CAN I COPY AN EPROM?

All eproms may be duplicated. There is no copy protection mechanism which prevents the data from being read and placed into another chip. With the EPROM+ system this is most easily accomplished using the COPY DEVICE command. You may however, wish to save the contents of an eprom or series (more then one) of eproms to a file. This allows you to create duplicate parts at any time without having the master chip(s). With the EPROM+ system this is accomplished using the SAVE DEVICE TO DISK FILE command.

CAN I PROGRAM A CHIP DIRECTLY FROM A DISK FILE?

The EPROM+ system includes a specific command (PROGRAM DEVICE FROM DISK FILE) which allows you to specify a filename and program the contents directly into your part(s). You may also navigate to the DIRECTORY or folder which contains your file, hi-lite the filename and press (ALT-1) to select the file and begin the programming process.

CAN I SAVE A CHIP DIRECTLY TO A FILE?

The EPROM+ system provides a single command (SAVE DEVICE TO DISK FILE) which allows you to save a single chip or a series of chips to a single file. This feature is unique to the EPROM+ as the data contained in the part is logged directly from the part to a file. You may also inform the system that you wish to save more than one chip to a file. The system will prompt you to insert each chip in your series until all have been logged to the file.

CAN I READ A CHIP INTO THE SYSTEM AND THEN EDIT THE DATA?

The EPROM+ provides the capability to read a single chip, a series of chips, a file or multiple files into the system's buffer. Reading a chip or chips directly into the buffer is accomplished with the READ DEVICE INTO BUFFER command. Reading a file or files is accomplished with the READ DISK FILE INTO BUFFER command. Once the information has been placed into the system's buffer, you select the BUFFER EDITOR which provides a complete set of tools for viewing, editing, reading, comparing, inspecting and programming the data.

CAN I COMPARE TWO CHIPS OR A CHIP WITH A FILE?

You may compare two chips or a series of chips to any data in the buffer. This is accomplished using the COMPARE DEVICE WITH BUFFER command. To perform the comparison, you first read your master chip or load your file into the system's buffer. You then instruct the system to compare. Upon completion of the comparison process, the number of non-matching bytes is displayed after which you may decide to view the non-matching locations.

CAN I TELL IF A CHIP IS ERASED?

The EPROM+ system provides a command (VERIFY DEVICE IS ERASED) which allows you to determine the erased status of any part. The system also checks to be sure the device is erased before the programming process begins.

HOW DO I ERASE A CHIP?

If you are working with UV EPROMs, you will require an EPROM ERASER to erase the part before it can be programmed. If you are working with a FLASH EPROM the system provides an erase function using the DEVICE OPTIONS command.

IF I EDIT THE CONTENTS OF A CHIP HOW DO I SAVE IT TO A FILE?

Saving the buffer or part of the buffer to a file is accomplished using the SAVE BUFFER TO DISK FILE command. You simply specify a filename under which to save the data followed by the buffer range (address range of the bytes) you wish to save. You may also save the buffer in a format which allows you to print and view the data with a word processor.

IF I EDIT THE CONTENTS OF THE BUFFER HOW DO I PROGRAM A CHIP?

Any changes to data in the buffer may be programmed into a chip using the PROGRAM DEVICE FROM BUFFER COMMAND. This command allows you to program the entire chip or a specified number of bytes. You may also program the chip directly from within the BUFFER EDITOR without leaving the edit mode.

HOW DOES THE EPROM+ SYSTEM DEAL WITH MULTIPLE CHIPS?

The EPROM+ system has specific options in each command to allow you to work with multiple chips. Many pieces of equipment, especially machine tools and other controls, have more than one eprom. A group of eproms which contain a program or data is commonly called a series. The system options allow you to save a series of eproms plus read, program, compare or calculate the checksum for any eprom in a series. The system will automatically calculate the proper offset based on the position of the part in the series. This is an extremely valuable feature if you are attempting to determine if a specific eprom has become defective or corrupt.

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