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Thread: What programmer is this?

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    Junior Member Gonz's Avatar
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    Default What programmer is this?

    I bought this yonks ago. Buggered if I know what type of programmer it is. A bloke out this way was making them.


    I've gotta bone up again on the whole programming bit (links to "how to" guides appreciated).

    Can any one help?

    Gonz.



Look Here ->
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    looks like an eeprom programmer

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    Default

    The presence of a DB25 and a DB9 suggest that it can be connected to a computer via the serial (RS232) or parallel (printer) ports.
    The slide switch might then be a changeover switch to select either a parallel or serial connection.
    Obviously cards and IC's can be programmed - so it's possibly for programming goldcards and PIC 16F84 etc.
    What frequency is the on-board crystal? This should indicate the frequency to use, either 3.58 MHz or 6.0 MHz.
    Try a program such as Propic, Picprog or similar.

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    Junior Member Gonz's Avatar
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    Thanks for the replies guys!
    6 mHz on the crystal. Yup it does pics and cards.

    I have a lack of RS232 ports on this laptop, I will have to source a usb/serial dongle.

    Gonz.

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    Junior Member Gonz's Avatar
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    On the bottom, next to the card slot. The red button is to zero inserted cards, the black button next to it (a pot), is a timer to adjust period of voltage applied during zeroing. I think.

    Slide switch, to switch between pic and card programmer.

    Any card programmer software you can recommend?

    Gonz.

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    Member badass's Avatar
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    I have a USB dongle and it doesn’t work with my programmer. It only works with a few things but not very well so try setting up an old computer with 98 on it would be your best bet.

    Cheers

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    Hi,
    The programmer you have is called a Zac4. I have one somewhere.

    It is 6Mhz. The black slide switch is for moving between wafer and phoenix cards. The wafers are programmed via the parallel port, phoenix via RS232. The jumpers at the top are for pic programming in the ziff socket.

    The red button is for pulsing Irdeto cards to zero them using proggies like Cardwizard so they can be recreated with different HMK/HSN details.

    All this is ancient history...I'm surprised I remembered that much....

    Cheers
    enf
    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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    Senior Member Jaz808's Avatar
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    Red button saves your wrist from wanking, i remember that

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jaz808 View Post
    Red button saves your wrist from wanking, i remember that
    Hahahahaha....I remember that....with old 1.2 Galaxy cards and my original phoenix....severe wrist strain....

    Cheers
    enf
    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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    Junior Member Gonz's Avatar
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    Thanks guys, I knew someone would know it. Still usable by todays standards??

    Gonz.

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    As enf said definitely a ZAC4, also have one here myself. I remember seeing some sort of doco on my hard drive not long ago. I have not bothered to look at it so not sure how useful it is.


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    Junior Member vautek's Avatar
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    yes thats a blast from the past is the 8 pin ic a 555 or eeprom

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    That is indeed a ZAC 4 and I still use mine. It was even working with my whitey back when we were able to have fun with these things.

    I have some instructions for these lying around somewhere (hardcopy only) if you get stuck let me know and I can scan them for you.

    Cheers
    SB

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    Default rs232 port

    The best way to get a rs232 port on yer lapy is with a cardbus pcmcia serial rs232 adapter.it actualy shows up as a com port. and you can pick what com to use. it works with all the old programs.
    I found it on ebay ages ago.and it didnot cost much as no body elce bid for it.I also tried the usb rs232 port adapter. but very few programs work with it.
    johna

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    Junior Member Gonz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sat_brat View Post
    That is indeed a ZAC 4 and I still use mine. It was even working with my whitey back when we were able to have fun with these things.

    I have some instructions for these lying around somewhere (hardcopy only) if you get stuck let me know and I can scan them for you.

    Cheers
    SB
    Pm sent mate.
    Gonz.

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    Senior Member gw1's Avatar
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    It's very similar to the Do-All programmer we discussed , so those wanting to understand the ZAC4 might find that discussion useful.

    I'm not familiar with their history but it appears as though the Do-All was made as a refinement of the ZAC4, getting rid of the PIC socket (not needed once gold and silver wafers became readily available), and adding a second crystal option.

    I've never owned either so I can't speak from experience with them. I just do postmortem on museum photos.

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    PM I have a software disc somewhere. harry

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    Quote Originally Posted by enf View Post
    Hahahahaha....I remember that....with old 1.2 Galaxy cards and my original phoenix....severe wrist strain....

    Cheers
    enf
    Hi enf,

    Remember me....!!!!

    Yes, it really is one and the same.

    I still have all the old cards, paperwork and I'm sure articles I wrote or updated.

    The Zac4 Programmer was designed and built by one of my Amateur Radio mates and I can remember testing out the early builds. Still have one in front of me and it's used from time to time. The 6 pages of instructions and diagrams are showing their age a bit.

    Just found out what happened to my old membership so registered again.

    All the best.

    Mega

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