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From: lenoil@mit-eddie.UUCP (Robert Scott Lenoil)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: Is there a C64 EPROM BURNER???
Message-ID: <3578@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 16:49:48 EST
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.3578
Posted: Wed Feb  6 16:49:48 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 17:22:51 EST
References: <422@utcs.UUCP>
Reply-To: lenoil@mit-eddie.UUCP (Robert Scott Lenoil)
Distribution: na
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 37
Keywords: PROM

Jason Randheim Co., in California (possibly San Jose), makes a product
called Promenade.  It costs approximately $100, and consists of a little
box with a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket that plugs into the C64
user port.  Also included is a software package called PROMOS.  Besides
the ability to burn and read PROMs, PROMOS patches the kernel to make
the Promenade function as a disk drive (device # 16, I think).  You can
perform loads, saves, and even open sequential files.

The system supports a wide array of PROM types, by means of a "control
word" that is added to all PROMOS commands.  The hardware even supports
a certain brand of EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), therefore
allowing the system to be used as a true non-volatile read/write storage
medium. (Note however, that these EEPROMs only hold 2K of data.)

Drawbacks:  All arguments are given in decimal, whereas hexadecimal
would be easier when dealing with PROMs.  Also, Jason Randheim seemed to
have some trouble patching the PROMOS software into the C64 kernal.
Sometimes it disengages itself, and the command arguments had to be
numbers, instead of any numeric expression as the manual stated.  I also
found several times when the software, though engaged and apparently
working, refused to program or read the PROM.  This condition was easy
to spot, however, as the LED marked "PROGRAM" on the hardware failed to
light.  When this happened, I had to reload PROMOS.  My system is
approximately a year and a half old (PROMOS version 1.0), however, so it
is quite likely that these defects have been corrected.

All in all, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Promenade product.  It
is inexpensive as compared to stand-alone units, and works with virtually
all PROM types.  By the way, Jason Randheim also sells all the materials
necessary to produce software cartridges for the C64, including EPROMS,
PC boards for the expansion port, and cartridge cases.  Note that I am
not affiliated in any way with Jason Randheim Co.  If you need their
address or phone number, write me and I'll post it.

Robert Lenoil
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