GAL Files for MATRIX Graphic cards ...

[frank.lukas]

... does anyone have the JED files for the various MATRIX Atari graphics cards?

c110matrix.jpg

[tOri]

Hi frank.lukas

It seems that no one has these files.

Anyway it is possible to recover firmware even from secured GALs like Lattice GAL16V8A or GAL20V8A if there is access to a working device.
I tried GALdurino but it didn't work for me. I use other more advanced technology to do some tricks

If you could find a brave Matrix card holder - I could give it a try.

Cheers
tOri

[frank.lukas]

I have such a Matrix C110ZV but without any GAL. All Matrix Graphiccards where back in these days very expensive so I doubt that anyone will provide their card and risk destroying it ...

https://www.matrix-vision.com/de/geschichte

[tOri]

Hi,

Frank. I guarantee that these cards because of used GAL chips will be destroyed sooner or later anyway PALs would be much better.
I once wrote about the bit-flip phenomenon. This is the reality of chips based on the phenomenon of electric charge trapping.
I have encountered this most often in flash memory chips. But EPROMs also lose bits. It's inevitable. That's why I've gotten serious about recreating those devices I can manage. I've already spent a lot of money on it but I think it's worth it and it needs to be done!

I am working on ICD AdSCSI you know but due to UK Royal Mail last "problems" a man from UK can't send me good piece of this interface.

If you find some brave - I will be happy to do it as long as the type of GAL circuits allows it because I can't read all of them. At least for now. Working on it...

cheers
tOri

[cyberish]

Hi !

I do own that card and remember that it came with two sets of GAL's : one for MegaSTE and the other for TT.
Lukas : if you get those GAL's you can copy them , right?

best regards
Raphael

[tOri]

Hi,

Lukas : if you get those GAL's you can copy them , right?

It is not so easy...

cheers
tOri

[frank.lukas]

Hi !

I do own that card and remember that it came with two sets of GAL's : one for MegaSTE and the other for TT.
Lukas : if you get those GAL's you can copy them , right?

best regards
Raphael

Hello Raphael, from my experience I can say that all Matrix GALs are copy-protected. So this is a job for tOri ...

[tOri]

Hi,

This looks like a task for me

First, I need to know exactly what type of GAL was used i.e. Lattice GAL16V8A or B or C or D. Likewise GAL20V8A or B. NS GAL, or ST GAL. This is important because not all protections can be overcome even if you want to.

Second - Procedures are subject to the risk of failure, so you need to be prepared for that.

Third - I need a fully operational, working device primarily because the certainty of effectiveness is 100% and it is necessary to check the recovered data. I need to get everything under control.

Cheers
tOri

[cyberish]

tOri

2nd risk of failure of the original GAL's ?
3rd : so you would need the graphic card ? - Lukas: do you have one which used to work before the GAL failure?
Just to make sure: on that card are how many GAL's and which components on the card ? (myself not an expert in those things)

[frank.lukas]

I have not a working card ...

C110ZV.jpg

... only one without SIL´s and GAL´s

[tOri]

Hi cyberish

tOri

2nd risk of failure of the original GAL's ?
3rd : so you would need the graphic card ? - Lukas: do you have one which used to work before the GAL failure?
Just to make sure: on that card are how many GAL's and which components on the card ? (myself not an expert in those things)

1st - I see on photo that there are 3 GAL16v8 and 3 GAL20V8 (?) - I need to know exact markings.
2nd - I warn you in fairness that there is a risk, such as GAL burning, but now that the technology has been refined, nothing bad is unlikely to happen.
3rd - yes. I explain why: unconditionally I must first run the hardware at home (on MegaST) to know that everything works. Then I have to label all the chips and deal with the data dump one by one. After reading all the data, I program the new chips, install them in the device and simply turn it on. It is supposed to work because previously it definitely worked.

I always do that. In the same way to avoid surprises. Once I deviated from this and took care of a malfunctioning AdSCSI interface (frank.lucas knows what this is about, but it can be fixed) and failed to properly perform a data dump. Since then, I always make sure that the device being tested is on my table and in working order.

The bottom line - I don't have to do it, but I can If you look at the history of what I have reproduced so far maybe your fears will not be too strong to make the equipment available. I'm a little afraid every time anyway.

I will immodestly write at the end - it seems that I am the only person on this planet who is willing and able to do such things for the preservation of devices for various Atari computers No one has done something like this before...

Cheers
tOri

edit: If I had a complete and working card in hand - I suspect I could even reproduce it. As far as I know - Intel processors are still achievable but for start I need to know the types of GAL chips installed

[Zippy]

On a related note, I encourage anyone who wants to see more of this type of Atari hardware preservation and reverse engineering to please consider making a small donation to Tori to help sustain his work. I already have.

[DarkLord]

Is there a link or something? I think his efforts (and results) are great and
a real service to the Atari community.

I wonder...if we might see an AdSpeed accelerator board reverse
engineered or even a Pak 68/3? Hmm...

[czietz]

Is there a link or something? I think his efforts (and results) are great and
a real service to the Atari community.

A link to what? tOri's numerous reverse-engineering successes? He has posted it repeatedly: http://atari.myftp.org/atari16bit/atari16bit.html.

[Zippy]

^^ I think he meant a link for donations. I donated via paypal but I'll leave it to Tori if he wants that info posted here.

[DarkLord]

^^ I think he meant a link for donations. I donated via paypal but I'll leave it to Tori if he wants that info posted here.

Yes, donations was what I meant.

[tOri]

Hi,

Thank you Zippy (The Great of course ) for mentioning the costs and support.

But...
Instead of donations, it would be better to try to get equipment that is suitable for reproduction. If necessary, we could do, for example, gather some money to buy some kind of card or accelerator. Often people need to be persuaded to hire the equipment they own...The problem often lies in accessibility.

I wonder...if we might see an AdSpeed accelerator board reverse
engineered or even a Pak 68/3? Hmm...

Who knows... If someone will donate or "hire" a working AdSpeed for example - I will try to remake it. It depends of version. But I need to know first what chips were used there. Not everything can be reproduced, unfortunately.

Thank you all. If necessary, I will write a direct request for support in the purchase or exchange of equipment.

tOri

[frank.lukas]

@tOri...I can send you for first tests a Matrix M110 Graphiccard. Build me myself a -5,6V ECL PowerSupply Adapter on one side 9pin Matrix ECL Connector and a 15pin HD Atari TT like ECL connection. You need a ECL to VGA Converter.

... is such a converter available?

Matrix_m110.jpg

[tOri]

Hi frank.lukas

I found a thread with schematic of ECL-VGA converter by alanh. So there is such converter but I don't have too much time for it now. I need to finish some other projects because I already have queued unfinished things We will talk on PM. I'll let you know.

Could you check under the stickers - what GAL chips are on this card? I don't know if I will be able to read them.

cheers
tOri

[frank.lukas]

I lift one up ...

MD40V00.jpg

[tOri]

I lift one up ...

MD40V00.jpg

How nice! I know this type of GAL. I dumped it succesfully. if other chips are from National Semiconductor then I suspect 100% yield.

cheers
tOri

[frank.lukas]

If someone has such a Matrix C110 Mega ST Bus graphics card (post #1) and makes tOri available it to read the GAL's if tOri has time to do it. I can offer a Mega ST Bus STGA incl. ET4000 card as an exchange if it doesn't work. This can work with NVDI ET4000 or the Nova driver.

stga_eingebaut.jpg