StarNovax Microprocessor Chip Info

[gerrimat]

Gang at Cheers, here's some data on the StarNovax Micro used
in quite a few machines...

Manufacturer: STAR Electronics
Second Source: NEC Electronics
Date of Manufacture 1990 to 2000
This is an OBSOLETE DEVICE...

Manufacture Last Time Build: 2002

Large number of these chips produced several Thousand and its
very inexpensive in the surplus market.

Data Sheets: Due to Chip Obsolesence Data Sheets are Nearly
impossible to come by. One web site selling Chinese Commondity
chips claims to have a data sheet but when querried shows nothing
available.

Data that is available: Z80 Microprocessor Core Based Instruction Set.

Contains 2764 of One Time Programmable EPROM.

Not Erasable or Reprogrammable. Electrically programmed through
its data and address lines upon initialization.

Normally programmed through a device programmer like a Needham's
or any other number of common programmers. BUT, due to the limitation
on getting the data sheets developing an interface socket to program a
chip is nearly impossible.

Is it possible to 'read out the contents of the onboard prom'? YES

Can you overwrite it or change the code in a pre-programmed chip...
Form all information available: From all Indicators answer is: NO.
Unless there is an EEPROM Form of the chip available which does not
appear to be the case.

Can you transfer program contents with modifications to a BLANK CPU?
Answer is: YES with properly configured programmer.

Chip Packaging: Normally sold as a 64 pin DIP Pack. But also available
in a QFP Quad Flat Pack and a SMD cliped pin DIP pack.

Normal application in the Pachislo Machines is the 64 pin dip.

Since this chip is OBSOLETE, any use by the manufactures will rely on
existing chip stock or purchases of 'grey' market parts.

It would suggest that new machines built after 2004 will begin to
incorporate a new MicroController variant and get away from the
StarNovax Part.

Any new variant part will more than likely incorporate EEPROM or
Flash Ram in its structure to permit the machine manufactures to more
easily change/ revise/ or modify a chip through a normal production
life of a machine chassis style.

Also with more complex graphics, music and play options the day of
the simple 8 bit Z80 has probably ended. Look for new parts in the
32 bit varations in new machines with complex LCD displays.

Since everyone here has a newer machine of some type examine the
main cpu board and look for the large multi-pin ic on the board and
write down the part numbers on the chips.

Newer machines may be easier to reprogram than the older ones.

I have spent several days using my best contacts to get this much info.

Hope it helps or if anyone has more data if you can add it to this or if
I have made any errors here please add your corrections.

Will continue looking for the elusive data sheet.