TOP2004 programmer review

I have Willem eprog programmer, but I was sick changing LPT cable each time I need to reprogram some chip. Also, Willem damaged two chips of one manufacturer. I don’t like that small DIP switches too. Also, Willem can’t program GAL chips.

So I searched the internet and eBay for some recent programmer. My wish list is small: USB, easy to use, GAL. And I found some Chinese made TOP series programmer. They are cheap, USB and jumper-less. Can they support CPLD? I found one in eBay, won, but didn’t pay. Next day I received message from eBay, that seller is fraud and all auctions are cancelled. Also, paypal told that all money will be returned. So, I found other seller with more feedback and ordered TOP2004 programmer again for 49.99 USD. The problem is, that package sending costs from Hong Kong is very expensive- 34 USD. The only good news that American dollars are cheap these days- I love inflation rate of USD. So I payed 218LTL 00 ct. and after about 3 weeks I received programmer. As good Chinese seller wrote in the documents that it is gift and valued on 13$, I don’t pay the VAT and customs fee.

I installed software, connected USB cable and everything is working. The only bad thing is that all messages in the software are written in so called chinglish language (like mine 🙂 ). but I don’t care- my English is not pure too. But sometimes I have big smile from pop-up messages.

TOP2004 universal programmer

And now review about the programmer itself…

You don’t need power supply for this programmer- all power is drained from USB port. It is jumperless device- all settings are done by software.

First of all I placed some EPROMs from my collection. It was UV erasable and OTP devices. Old and very old. All devices are working. Except two chips, but it is very rare chips: AMD AM27C2048 and Hitachi HN27C4096G… Also, one very old micro controller jumped to EPROM line (AMD D87C51), but programmer managed to read it too. Inside I found some software with 1991 copyright.

Next test point- various flash ROMs from personal computers and other MCU controlled devices. All available flash roms were read, erased and written again.

After flash rom, I tested programmer with SRAM with Liion backup cell. But this programmer can not read DALLAS timekeeper chips- DS1230AB. Also some static cache RAM chips from old computer were tested.

Intel hub chip is supported too- using standard PLCC to DIP adapter.

Serial eprom chips… I have only few on my workbench: ATMEL 24C02, ST 24C04, ATC 93LC46. All working fine. I can adjust the Vcc- 5, 3.3 and 2.5V.

MCUs: Atmel ATTINY2313, 90LS2343, ATMEGA8L-8PU; Microchip: PIC16F84, PIC16F84A, PIC16LF876A – all working fine.

Now time for CPLD, GAL chips. Few lines in Lattice ispLever software and I have fuse map for my GALs. Also, I need to build special PLCC to DILL adapter for GAL chips. GAL16LV8 is working- also tested in my breadboard for proper logic. Tested small GALs from Lattice and NS (National semiconductors). 20V8 working too. But 20V10 is NOT WORKING! It is bug in current software related to the size of fuse-map. Also, after experimenting with config files I found support for PALCE devices… but it is not working. I hope, that next version of the software will fix these bugs.

After manual browsing I found that this programmer has TTL logic tester. Just plug standard logic chip (74xxx, 40xxx, 45xxx), select chip type and press test. And you’ll get message if the chip is working. Also there is interesting feature- logic searcher. Just insert unknown chip and press find. The result is the chip number (or group of number as programmer can not differ OK, normal or high voltage outputs).

I like this device. Just cleanup language, adjust user interface and fix problems with GAL. And maybe enable PALCE and it will be cool device.
Here is the official supported device list from manufacturer’s site. But I didn’t find Intel hub chips in this list and the device HAS support for them. I just think, that list is not updated.

About Administrator

I am owner of this site.
This entry was posted in Anything. Bookmark the permalink.

59 Responses to TOP2004 programmer review

  1. Everybody! FYI, this article was posted in 2007. Currently I rarely use this programmer and I have dedicated XP computer for it. It was much easier to do this. This fucking device is old and unsupported. Event it didn’t work in “XP mode” in windows 7 (virtualbox).

  2. CH.Srinivasa Rao says:

    Dear Sir, I have a TOP 2004 Programmer I want to use but i don’t have programmer tool drivers

  3. Muhammed abdul motaleb says:

    Hi,
    I have top2009 programmer,
    We need Top2009 driver softwear,
    please help me
    Regards/
    Muhammed Abdul Motaleb

  4. Queria saber o funcionamento da máquina estou estudando ela o top 2004 programmer me ensine a trabalhar com ela e os adoradores me entre e contato e me envie. O driver e o tutorial dos componentes presciso urgente por favor mesmo por favor

  5. Hello Friend

    You would have the software version for this TOP2004 programmer to run on Windows 10, you know where I can find it.

    Thank you so much

  6. nope. This device is too old. I am using dedicated computer for it. Recently I found (http://www.vabolis.lt/2019/09/19/edumster-diving/) ELNEC Smartprog2, and it solved all windows10 problems. 🙂
    I swear, I found it. It is ridiculously expensive.
    Also, check comment in Lithuanian version of the post, there some links. (http://www.vabolis.lt/2007/04/16/top2004/)

  7. Where are the files and programs on this device, that is what matters about it, put the programs and drives, otherwise there is no point in talking about it.

  8. The only files for this shitty device: topwin5.exe and topwinen3.zip in http://www.vabolis.lt/stuff/ folder. No direct link because google do not like these files. Combine URL manually.

  9. Para os usuários que falam Português do Brasil

    Eu consegui fazer este Programador TOP2004 funcionar em Windows XP 32 bits, mas somente com instalação real, preparei um HD com o sistema operacional, instalei o programa com driver TOPWINEN V.2.52 e funcionou perfeitamente.
    Entrem no site descrito acima procurem o campo de Pesquisas digitem GRAVADORES DE MEMORIAS ANTIGOS que estará tudo lá explicadinho, inclusive os drivers.

    Boa sorte Ă  todos

    Radioamador – PU4ASL

    google translate:
    For users who speak Brazilian Portuguese

    I managed to make this TOP2004 Programmer work on Windows XP 32 bits, but only with real installation, I prepared a HD with the operating system, installed the program with TOPWINEN V.2.52 driver and it worked perfectly.
    Enter the site described above, look for the Search field, type OLD MEMORY RECORDERS, everything will be explained there, including the drivers.

    Good luck to everyone

    Amateur Radio – PU4ASL

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *