[tulip] Flash EEPROM problems

Bernd Dammann bernd@kemi.dtu.dk
Tue, 27 Jun 2000 16:24:07 +0200


On Jun 27,  9:50am, Donald Becker wrote:
> Subject: Re: [tulip] Flash EEPROM problems
> On Tue, 27 Jun 2000, Bernd Dammann wrote:
> 
> > libflash.c I found a list of supported Flash EEPROMS, and I got hold
> > of an Atmel AT29C256 (12PC).
> 
> Hmmm, a "-12" part?  That's 120ns access time, a little slow.  The required
> specs depend on the exact chip you use it with.
> 
I was afraid of that, but that was the only AT29C256 available at the
shop where I ordered it.  Or better put it that way:  I ordered an
AT29C256, not really knowing that there are 90ns and 120ns versions,
and they didn't tell me, of course.

> A plain RTL8139, or a rtl8139-A, -B, or -C?
> I don't recall offhand which chip can write the Flash parts, but earlier
> chips often cannot write Flash.
> 
D-Link has relabeled the chip, and on the adapter it says DL10038.
>From /proc/pci:

Bus  0, device   9, function  0:
    Ethernet controller: Realtek 8139 (rev 16).
      Medium devsel.  Fast back-to-back capable.  IRQ 14.  Master Capable.  Latency=32.  Min Gnt=32.Max Lat=64.
      I/O at 0xa800 [0xa801].
      Non-prefetchable 32 bit memory at 0xdd000000 [0xdd000000].

> Same issue -- which Tulip chip?
> 
DEC 21140-AF (it says on the chip), /proc/pci says

Bus  0, device  11, function  0:
    Ethernet controller: DEC DC21140 (rev 34).
      Medium devsel.  Fast back-to-back capable.  IRQ 10.  Master Capable.  Latency=32.  Min Gnt=20.Max Lat=40.
      I/O at 0xb800 [0xb801].
      Non-prefetchable 32 bit memory at 0xe2800000 [0xe2800000].

> It's easiest and cheapest to use an Ethernet card.  How else can you get a
> programmer for $10-$20?  You can even recover motherboard Flash from a
> corrupted upgrade.
> 
I thought so, too, especially after I heard the price for an EPROM
writer...  

If I succeed in finding an Ethernet card that can do the job, do you
think it will be possible to move the Flash ROMs to the Ethernet cards
I have and use them as BootROM?  

Regards, Bernd

-- 
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