PROM socketing

[mnorton]

I’ve also got an R10 but I want to do the mod myself. I can get access to a burner (it would take some time ) and can do the socketing also.

I have a few questions:

1) The chip: I’ve seen some people reference this one:
SST39LF010
And some this one:
AM29LV010B-70JC (AMD)
So, which is the preferred? I’ve seen more references to the SST, but some recent posts about the AMD.

2) Alternate burning process?
Some of the messages and other threads that I’ve read seem to hint that there is a way of burning a new chip while it’s in the unit. Do you simply boot from the existing prom and pop the new one in (system running, this sounds dangerous?), and login via serial port? If so, can someone point me to the code that I would need to run? Can this be done on the R10, or do I need an older model to support this?
If this were to be done without the burner, I would need an image, and the only one I can find is this one:

http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/at...9&d=1102223963

This appears to be for the standalone, not the Dtivo,

This looks like the right flash utility correct?
http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/at...3&d=1055428577

3) The tbielawa Kit:
It seems that tbielawa has done some excellent work putting this kit together. If so, would someone mind PMing a link to me? If this is taboo, please accept my apologies but it seems like a waste .


Thanks for your help,

Mark

[ScanMan]

Probably a dumb question but here goes:

After I soldered the socket in and cleaned up a bit, was testing with an analog multimeter - got a little confused. If I'm checking adjacent (next to each other) points, there should be infinite resistance, i.e, the needle shouldn't move? And if the needle moves to 0 ohms, that means there is continuity b/w the pins (this is bad?) and I have a short/bad joint/bridge which needs correcting? Or do I have this backwards? Do I want 0 ohms or infinite resistance (no needle movement) between the points? Most adjacent points have infinite resistance; a couple have 0 ohms and 1 is in the middle...

Related question(s)

1. Do I need to have a replace_initrd kernel in place for the tivo to boot or will it boot the mod chip w/ stock kernel?

2. Also, assuming I didn't fry my original chip, could I stick that in the socket and boot up stock - or would that not work?

I'm just thinking in terms of testing and diagnosing problems, I would like to test boot the machine before I make kernel changes, etc., making things more difficult to troubleshoot. Basically, I just want to make sure my socket solder job is OK before I go ahead and make kernel/script changes.

[mnorton]

Mr ScanMan

While some connections would read infinty, some may not. This is only going to depend on the components in the circuit between the pins.

I don't have all my parts yet but like you suggest, I plan to use the existing package to test the socket installation. This should give you a good idea if you were sucsessful or not. You may want to use a lupe or magnifier to inspect each pin.

I believe that the unit will boot with the modded chip and no further modifications.

Originally Posted by ScanMan

Probably a dumb question but here goes:

After I soldered the socket in and cleaned up a bit, was testing with an analog multimeter - got a little confused. If I'm checking adjacent (next to each other) points, there should be infinite resistance, i.e, the needle shouldn't move? And if the needle moves to 0 ohms, that means there is continuity b/w the pins (this is bad?) and I have a short/bad joint/bridge which needs correcting? Or do I have this backwards? Do I want 0 ohms or infinite resistance (no needle movement) between the points? Most adjacent points have infinite resistance; a couple have 0 ohms and 1 is in the middle...

Related question(s)

1. Do I need to have a replace_initrd kernel in place for the tivo to boot or will it boot the mod chip w/ stock kernel?

2. Also, assuming I didn't fry my original chip, could I stick that in the socket and boot up stock - or would that not work?

I'm just thinking in terms of testing and diagnosing problems, I would like to test boot the machine before I make kernel changes, etc., making things more difficult to troubleshoot. Basically, I just want to make sure my socket solder job is OK before I go ahead and make kernel/script changes.

[Vegas]

Originally Posted by ScanMan

I'm just thinking in terms of testing and diagnosing problems, I would like to test boot the machine before I make kernel changes, etc., making things more difficult to troubleshoot. Basically, I just want to make sure my socket solder job is OK before I go ahead and make kernel/script changes.

The volt meter could read anything, depending on what components are in the path between the pins.

Here is what I did when I added the socket to my Tivo:

1. Used a good magnifying glass to check for solder bridges (found one) and cold joints.
2. Place the original chip in the socket. Tivo should boot. If not, recheck for bridges and cold joints. (or you fried the chip during removal.)
3. Place the modified chip in the socket. Tivo should boot. If not and you got past step 2, then there is a problem with the programing of the new chip.
4. Hack as desired.

Use a BIG magnifying glass and take your time with the soldering job.

Good luck, hope it works the first time.

Vegas

[cheer]

Originally Posted by ScanMan

1. Do I need to have a replace_initrd kernel in place for the tivo to boot or will it boot the mod chip w/ stock kernel?

I think it will boot, but it will nuke your hacks. Might as well try a replace_initrd kernel anyway.

2. Also, assuming I didn't fry my original chip, could I stick that in the socket and boot up stock - or would that not work?

That should work fine.

[jasch]

AFAIK 6.1 is practically identical to 6.2. Except one is for R10's, the other for the rest of them

[drez]

You WILL need to flash the prom to add all those things, no software hack for Series2.5s.

I don't have a link/know any search terms you should use because I never looked into it but I know the code/info you need to flash your prom is here at ddb.

Cheer, PlainBill, Jamie,etc should be able to find a link or give you some terms.


Also, are you sure you have a compatible programmer for the PROM?

A Willem is usually what I see recommended around here.

[Rapitharian]

Drez,
Thanks for the info.
I will wait on links or terms from the senior members.
Compatable Programer. Nope I will have to buy one along with the chip and scoket.

Rap

[ScanMan]

I will wait on links or terms from the senior members.

Why don't you try searching? If you did you might have found this post (hint it's right in this thread - you might want to read the "Prom Socketing" thread before you actually do it ). Just using the search term "r10 prom mod" would have led to this gem as well...you've got some searching and reading to do!!!

[Rapitharian]

Originally Posted by ScanMan

Why don't you try searching?

I did just didn't seem to get the right combo of terms.
Searching is how I found the tread we are in now.

Originally Posted by ScanMan

You might want to read the "Prom Socketing" thread before you actually do it ). Just using the search term "r10 prom mod" would have led to this gem as well...you've got some searching and reading to do!!!

Thanks for the Help.
I found the first Post. Thanks for clearing up that the prom there is also for the R10.
The second post I did not find and will read in its' entirety before I make any changes.

Thanks Again,
Rap

[jmayes]

I just did my R10 and used the 'Piggy-Back' method of stacking the new PROM over the OLD one, from what I have read lots of people have damaged or destroyed their boards from trying to remove the old PROM but most people do have the skills to do the soldering. This method may provide a solution for them.

I have attached a Step-by-Step How-to describing how to do it.
I hope it helps!
Jmayes

[mnorton]

Originally Posted by jmayes

I just did my R10 and used the 'Piggy-Back' method of stacking the new PROM over the OLD one, from what I have read lots of people have damaged or destroyed their boards from trying to remove the old PROM but most people do have the skills to do the soldering. This method may provide a solution for them.

I have attached a Step-by-Step How-to describing how to do it.
I hope it helps!
Jmayes

Nice work. I can appreciate this as removing the old chip can cause some tense moments. I've found that using ChipQuik as AlphaWolf has pointed out does work well though.

Noticed that you are using the 2MB 90ns chip. I was wondering if the larger chips would work.

Mark

[pentium101]

Originally Posted by jmayes

I just did my R10 and used the 'Piggy-Back' method of stacking the new PROM over the OLD one, from what I have read lots of people have damaged or destroyed their boards from trying to remove the old PROM but most people do have the skills to do the soldering. This method may provide a solution for them.

I have attached a Step-by-Step How-to describing how to do it.
I hope it helps!
Jmayes

Instead of your method, have you tried soldering 2 low-profile surface-mount PLCC sockets back to back?

You would still have to modify the pin 24 connection, but I would think that this would work.

[jmayes]

Yes, the larger chips work just fine, that 2m chip was the only one I could find on the fly that fit the bill, since it's a double size chip I load the program twice (back-to-back) which allows the extra address pin to be high or low and things still work. I measured it to be low in the tivo but just to be safe I loaded the pgm twice.


I like the back-to-back socket idea! That could even be a item that could be sold to people with limited soldering skills. I will expore that idea. I did solder a socket piggy-back to the first unit I did and found it was extreamly hard to get up under the lip of the socket to do the soldering so I decided that job was not for the Nubies at all but the double socket idea just might work, will report back on that one.

Jmayes

[gcherw]

Sonicos was offering to perform prom replacements in the "for sale" section however he has been less than responsive. I was all set to send him my 540's to be upgraded and asked him a couple of questions prior to shipping and I haven't heard from him since 7/7/06. Nonetheless, I didn't send my tivos to him. Is there anyone offering legit prom modding?