Hi all

What else hardware-wise would I need to get started using this, an official VB dev cart?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8218493911&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I was thinking of having a go at converting Elite to the VB. I haven’t had a good look at what’s possible and what’s not with the available VB tools and documentation, etc. Am I being over ambitious?

dasi

You would need to pick up an eprom programmer/eraser and some eproms, that would run about $100. Eproms have a slow turn around time, about 20 minuts between programming, so you should consider geting several eproms so you can shortin that cycle. I would look to pick up 10 at least, and they should cost between $2-$6 apiece.

That cart takes 32 pin, 8 bit, 5V eproms in the 4mbit-8mbit range, You can use the following part numbers:

M27C4001
M27C401 – if you can find it
M27C801

You should try to get eproms in the 80ms range but anything from 80ms-120ms should work. If the eprom is to slow you will have to run the virtual boy off of AC power in order to stabalize everything.

If you can find a flash or eeprom in a 32 pin dip package it would be a better way to go, but eeproms are VERY expensive, and flash usualy comes in a surface mount package.

David Tucker

[dasi]

Thanks for that, David. So for memory flash is preferable. Okay, this looks compatible with the cart, am I right?

AM29F040B

FLASH MEMORY IC MEMORY TYPE: FLASH;
ACCESS TIME (NS): 55/70/90/120/150
SUPPLY VOLTAGE MAX.: 5.5V;
PACKAGE/CASE: 32-Pin Plastic DIP;
MEMORY ORGANIZATION: 512K X 8 (4 MBIT);
MOUNTING TYPE: THROUGH HOLE

http://www.spansion.com/products/Am29F040B.html
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/21445.pdf

They’re about $3 each.

Thanks again,

dasi

• This reply was modified 17 years, 9 months ago by dasi.
• This reply was modified 17 years, 9 months ago by dasi.

Yes, that would work great, get the 70ns chips. Most any eprom programmer should be able to handle a 32 pin flash chip, but verify it before you purchase something. Also you should get a pair of ZIF sockets to put on the cartrige. Thease are dip sockets that have a switch so you can remove the flash without bending up the pins. There between $5-$30 depending on where you get them and what style (id go for the low profile ones myself)

David

$787 . . . insane. I guess I better have a go at making my own!

…And then sell it for $750 😀 😛