[time-nuts] Maintaining boatanchors (was Capacitor Failures)

Bob Camp lists at rtty.us
Sat Oct 23 13:44:46 UTC 2010


Hi

The issue with the mask parts is the same as pretty much all IC's. The packages aren't quite hermetic / the passivation isn't quite perfect / the top metal goes away over time.

Bob


On Oct 23, 2010, at 9:01 AM, Chuck Harris wrote:

> Hi Magnus,
> 
> I keep an old Toshiba 1963 486 based laptop in good working condition
> to allow me to run my old ADVIN U84 DOS based programmer.  I check it
> out from time-to-time.
> 
> I can't do much about the mask rom'd parts, though I don't think they
> have any higher of a failure rate than any other IC.  The eprom based
> controllers, can be a worry, but I can program most of them from the
> 1980's on... assuming they aren't protected.
> 
> There are a myriad of open source format converters available... things
> that convert S to intel hex, etc... I seem to recall even writing some
> of them...but that is a foggy memory by now.
> 
> I find my violins' EPROMS are very stable, and last centuries.
> 
> -Chuck Harris
> 
> 
> Magnus Danielson wrote:
>> On 10/23/2010 01:02 AM, Chuck Harris wrote:
>>> I don't believe the parts are failing due to structural
>>> problems, but rather are just leaking down their buried charge.
>>> 
>>> It should be quite possible to refresh them by erasing them and
>>> reprogramming.
>> 
>> If you maintain EPROM programmers for them in workable shape. With this
>> I mean you need to ensure the complete path, not only the programmer
>> hardware but also any supporting software and interfaces such that you
>> can upload/download images, convert formats etc. etc.
>> 
>> Most of the 27xx EPROMs are not my main worries, but older and stranger
>> stuff. If a ROMed controller fails, what happends then? The 5334 has no
>> less than three microprocessors with EPROMs... where do I get a spare of
>> those?
>> 
>> Backup of EPROMs is a concern to take serious. I have been sloppy on my
>> side. It is not only for the measurement instruments, I have the same
>> issue with my musical instruments too.
>> 
>> 
> 
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