I can't get them to last longer than a year.

I refuse to add one more to my collection..


Craig, build a programmer than can handle a 2732

 

Using hobbyist equipment (Xtronics, Craigs stuff, etc) for cheap money means you have to be VERY careful. It was not designed for harsh use and are built using cheap electrical parts. Therefore, you will see failures. A "real" programmer will cost you about $1000+ but will last forever. The engineering is better. It is built by people that do that stuff every day, not people doing it on the side in their "free" time. If you looked at the chips used in Craigs stuff you would not see much of a difference from Xtronics stuff. You really are looking for production grade material that many electronics businesses use.
I am not knocking Xtronics or Craigs products. They are great for the money they charge. It seems you want more though.

 

I only had problems with the power supply. The programmer has work great for several years.

 

Same here. I bought a new 2.1 or 2.5mm connector and soldered it in and put heatshrink tubing to minimize the flex breakage point of the wire.

Also, If something does break internally of the PPII you can probably fix it yourself with the help of an EE. All of the chips inside it are commercial off the shelf parts that you can get from mail order electronics store. I think the most expensive electronic part in it is like $1 or so.

 

I've had mine for 6 years without a single problem. There was a "bad batch" a few years ago. Maybe there is something that you are doing that is "zapping" it? But I've used my hundreds if not thousands of times without a single problem.

 

Ive had some troubles with mine. Luckily, it was relatively minor and easy to fix.

 

That sounds funny. Isn't everything easier with the help of an EE?

I have yet to have a single problem with my PPII, but have heard of many others having problems.

Maybe Craig should consider designing the BURN2 (Flash & Burn 2). Then again, I'd venture to guess it's a minority using the standard (stock) EPROMs anymore. Aren't most using EEPROMs now? The reason the BURN1 can't be updated for 2732A or any of the EPROMs, I think, is because of the programming voltages required. It would require a re-work to the design. But then, I'm not an EE. (Hey, neither is Craig!)

Craig - BURN2! Get on it!

 

I got one of mine working again. The cable was bad. And someone else is giving me another


The other one still reports "device in socket properly"

I have a feeling that its the ZIF socket wore out... It ohms out ok but I've noticed that even the burn1 won't read threw some hypertech adapters I think because of some small resistances.

 

I have had zero problems with mine, including the power supply and ZIF socket. I bought mine at the beginning of 2003, so over 3 years of use, AND I even used it during a term for an upper level EE course I was taking. That certainly impressed the prof

But seriously, I store mine in a duffle-like bag along with the UV eraser, cables, and other non-electronic items (like slippers). I try to be careful with the bag but I won't say I've never dropped it. I've also been known to keep the bag in my car over night during freezing weather. STILL no problems. Lucky? Maybe. Though I do the same with my laptop and digital camera and those don't seem to be suffering for it either...