Emax

Maybe it's the most stupid idea launched on this board (mea culpa) but I was wondering whether an eeprom programmer can be connected to the 9306 on the Emax-II itself by wire instead of desoldering the IC.

If that's possible, these wires could be connected (soldered temporarily) to the Emax-II board (bottom side), or - OK, maybe even more stupid - these wires could be put in the pin holders of an empty 8 pin socket, and this socket could be temporarily put (taped) on top of/around the 9306 IC in such way that it makes contact with the 9306's pins.

Is this nonsense or can this be done ?
(I'm not a hardware guy, but maybe I want to become one :-)


Note: I think we can indeed assume that this 9306 is the only chip containing the crucial data for memory upgrades, stereo upgrades and calibrations. 
Here is an extract from the diagnostics guide:
(...)"Adjust Features - 
This function allows a technician in the field to restore software
dependent features (such as memory size and stereo sampling) in
cases where the EEPROM has been erased or damaged. If you
have an Emax II that has forgotten what options it has, call the
factory for instructions."(...)
And here's an extract from the service manual:
(...)"There is also a EEPROM which contains important non-volatile information such as calibrations. The EEPROM is interfaced to the main CPU using a bizzare combination of the floppy side select, the MIDI off signal, a chip enable, and the MIDI interrupt lines."(...)

///E-Synthesist

--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, Ted Summers <djtbs1@...> wrote:
>
> Well, I don't have an Emax 2, but I believe i can safely remove and re- 
> install the 9306
> This chip is actually a National Semiconductor 93C06. its current 8  
> pin direct replacement is the 93C46 which is 30 cents at mouser.
> 
> My EEPROM programmer that makes the PALs for the SCSI upgrade has the  
> 93C06 and the 93C46  in the device list.
> 
> I have a static safe solder station and a PACE for safe successful  
> removal of the chip.
> If someone with Emax 2 models lives in the Washington / Oregon area I  
> would be willing to put my skills to use and pull the IC, place the  
> socket and read the IC.
> In preparation, we could get some 93C46 and verify that they actually  
> work in replacement for the 93C06, though since they are in the Cross- 
> reference I don't see any reason why they wouldn't.
> 
> That being said, anytime you touch a static sensitive device with a  
> soldering iron there is a *chance* of damage.
> But as far as minimizing risk, I am probably one of the people who has  
> all the equipment to have the most successful outcome.
> 
> I just don't have an Emax 2, or I would just test it out  
> myself.....Emax 2 is on my wish list when I have money. Even a dead  
> one- I might be able to bring back to life....
> 
> Regards,
> Ted
> 
> On Nov 8, 2009, at 9:24 AM, Laurent/LIFELIKE wrote:
> 
> Sounds very dangerous to perform that desoldering.
> Maybe we should simply try to enter the Diagnostics submenu 'adjust
> features' that contains a kind of challenge code response algorythm
> that could be easily decoded. Did somebody tried to check that option?
> I wrote down the numbers but cant find any sense, they seem to be
> generared randomly, or am i wrong?
> On the other hands, there was this online shop "soundlogic usa" in
> California that was selling Emax upgrade boards and that floppy back
> in the days. The website is still there, but has been rebuilt, you can
> still find upgrades for EIII and other brands.
> On the news it says that Mike, soundlogic's owner, studios burned with
> the big fire in California a couple of years ago, maybe the floppies
> died in there, sounds like the Emax malediction :-))
> Ok not so funny.
> 
> Laurent
> 
> Sent from an iPhone
> 
> Le 8 nov. 2009 à 16:08, "Everett" <evy_newt@...> a écrit :
> 
>  > I'm curious, but maybe not THAT curious. I can't find those chips
>  > anywhere either. It's only an 8 pin DIP though, so I have plenty of
>  > those sockets lying around from various projects. It's only a 16 x
>  > 16 bit array... seems like it wouldn't be able to hold too much
>  > information. I guess they are just placeholders for options
>  > installed? I'll check my programmer for support. I just have one of
>  > those universal SIVAVA boards.
>  >
>  > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "tristanupton" <tu@> wrote:
>  > >
>  > > You need the remove 9306 EEPROM, its a small 8 pin chip soldered
>  > to the main board and designated IC24. You will need to desolder
>  > this chip to read in your burner and then you will need to resolder
>  > it back onto the main board. I suggest soldering an 8 pin DIP socket
>  > in its place and then just inserting the EEPROM into the socket
>  > rather than resoldering it direct to the board.
>  > >
>  > > If you are not 100% sure what you are doing and confident in your
>  > soldering skills then I suggest not doing this. You run the risk of
>  > damaging the EEPROM and then your Emax II may no longer recognise
>  > the full memory or the stereo sampling. It is also possible you
>  > could damage something else on the Emax main board during removal or
>  > reinsertion of the chip. Also check whether your EPROM burner
>  > actually supports 9306 series EEPROMs, some EPROM burners may not.
>  > >
>  > > /Tristan
>  > >
>  > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "Everett" <evy_newt@> wrote:
>  > > >
>  > > > I can try to do this, but I'm a little nervous about killing my
>  > box. If somebody can do a little more leg work before I crack into
>  > the hardware I would feel a little better. I have an EPROM burner so
>  > I would be able to produce a bin file for an 8MB machine. Let me
>  > know which one is needed and if there is a risk of this disabling my
>  > machine.
>  > > >
>  > > > Thanks...
>  > > > Everett
>  > > >
>  > > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "dwv1957" <dwv1957@> wrote:
>  > > > >
>  > > > > That makes more sense,I have never heard of the 27C64 being
>  > reprogrammed in circuit. If anyone has a 6 or 8 meg machine, and can
>  > read the eeprom, send me the .bin file, I have a spare 9306 I can
>  > reprogram, to test in my machine. If it works, I'll see if I can get
>  > a bunch of eeproms, and program them for 4/6/8 meg machines.
>  > > > >
>  > > > > --- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "esynthesist" <esynthesist@>  
> wrote:
>  > > > > >
>  > > > > > I thought these configurations parameters (memory size,
>  > calibration settings, ...) are written to the 9306 eeprom instead of
>  > the two normal eproms. So I guess the eeproms must be reprogrammed,
>  > not the eproms. Am I wrong ?
>  > > > > >
>  > > > > > ///E-Synthesist
>  > > > >
>  > > >
>  > >
>  >
>  >
> 
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