CardMaster
If you're using a Mini Millenium or Chipdrive Mini programmer, you're in luck. There is no software available that will make smart card programming easier or faster than this great combination: Mini Millenium or Chipdrive Mini & CardMaster.
Depending on the software version you will either see a promotional message from the manufacturer, or you won't. But the software will also check your connection, programmer and card. That's why there is a time line running at the bottom of the window.
As soon as all functions are checked, you'll see a program window looking like the one down here.
The "Not Connected" message indicates that there is no programmer connected, or the wrong Comport is selected.
If your screen also indicates the "Not Connected" message, you should first configure CardMaster.
From the "Setup" menu at the top, select the Comport, your programmer is connected to.
If the serial connection is OK, your screen will show like this if there is no card inserted into the programmer:
If you haven't inserted a card yet, please do so now.
Your screen should look like this:
Now first choose the type of card you want to program (the card you have inserted).
I will demonstrate with a Goldcard.
Next, choose the Pic file you want to write to the card.
To do this, you have to click on the "Open File" icon next to the line "File to Pic:".
Choose the Pic file you want to put on your card.
And what Eeprom file.
The loader file field is best left blank. CardMaster will use its own internal loader then. The internal loader files in CardMaster are suitable for the supported card. And they are very quick. But if, for any reason, you want to use your own external loader file, you can.
Now before proceeding with programming, I suggest that you first erase the cards eeprom. It's a good practice to always erase your card before (re-)programming it.
So from the pull-down menu choose "Eeprom". The Pic doesn't need to be erased, although it can't hurt to do it anyway.
You will be warned that this function will delete all data from the Eeprom.
So if that's what you want, hit "Yes".
Before the program can erase the Eeprom, it needs to write a loader to the Pic.
That is why you will see the message "Preparing Card!" before the actual erasing starts.
After successfully erasing the card, the software will tell you so.
Hit "OK" to continue.
Now click the "Write" button, to program the card.
From the pull-down menu, choose "Auto" if you want to program your card completely (Pic and Eeprom).
At the bottom of the program window there is a time line that will show the progress of each consecutive step.
Down left, the current phase in the process is shown.
So in this screen, the Eeprom was being programmed.
And here you see the Pic being programmed.
And here the programming is finished.
Indeed, it's that simple. No switches, no programming sequence to remember. Just simply choose a card, tell CardMaster which files to use and hit the button. That's it :-))
Have fun.