Old MOS Mask-Programmed ROM forgetfulness?

[John Robertson]

On 02/15/2016 10:25 AM, Rick Bensene wrote:
> Hi, all,
>
> I have a question about old Mask-Programmed ROMs
>
> The part in question is the National Semiconductor MM5231.  This part is
> a 2K-bit PMOS Mask-Programmed ROM, generally organized as 256x8, but
> also can be organized (via a MODE pin)as 512x4 bits.  In this particular
> application, the parts are used as 256x8.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone knows if these particular ROMs (from the '72
> timeframe) have a tendency for bit rot over the years?
>
> I know some of the early MOS ROMs had issues with metallization creep
> that would cause data loss/corruption.
>
> I have an old calculator that uses these ROMs as the micro and macrocode
> stores.
>
> The machine is catatonic, though the power supplies, master clock
> oscillator and divider circuitry, and the other obvious stuff are  OK.
> I suspect it is probably stuck in some kind of microcode loop, just
> cycling around doing nothing.  I have not yet put  logic analyzer on the
> microcode latches yet, but that's probably my next experiment.
>
> Sadly, if one or more of these ROMs (there are 18 of them!) has failed,
> it likely means that the machine can't be restored to operation, as this
> is quite a rare machine, and there just aren't many of them left around.
> I have three different EPROM programmers, but sadly, none of them have
> the capability to read these parts.   I was I had a Data I/O programmer,
> but alas, haven't come across one with all the Unipak modules I'd need
> at a price I can afford.
>
> Thanks,
> -Rick
> ---
> Rick Bensene
> The Old Calculator Museum
> http://oldcalculatormuseum.com
>
>
>
>
Rick, if you want to archive these PROMs (highly recommended) you should 
be able to find a Data I/O 29B and get one of the programming packs that 
supports NS chips. I may have such a combination in my collection, but 
that PROM is not listed in my DATA I/O library of readable parts. Part 
of the problem with the early PROMs is they needed a Sync or Clock 
signal to be able to be read.

If I think of it tomorrow I will go through my sets, but the best place 
right now is for you to post this request on the Data I/O mail list on 
Yahoo...."Data_IO_EPROM" and see if someone there can give you better 
advice.

John :-#)#

-- 
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, VideoGames)
                  www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"