GoldMate PC
That way you can use the Gold-Mate PC as a programmer instead of a mere copy station.
Some theory:
First some explanation about the philosophy behind the Gold-Mate PC.
Look at the Gold-Mate PC as a stand alone copy station, which was upgraded afterwards, with a serial interface to make it possible to let it communicate with a PC. The advantage of PC communication is evident. Editing your card files is done on your PC. So the data is (generally) stored on your PC in the first place. So you wouldn't be able to get the data from the PC onto your card if there were no means of communication with the Gold-Mate PC.
So the copy station was equipped with a serial interface. But the architecture is that of a copy station nonetheless. The Gold-Mate PC contains a buffer memory which holds the data for the PIC and Eeprom of the card, and some embedded software which is capable of reading and programming a PIC type card. The software on the Gold-Mate PC will either read data from a card into the buffer memory, or write the data from the buffer memory to a card. That's all it does.
Now look at it this way. The buffer memory on the Gold-Mate PC holds all data. It gets that data either through the front door (reading a card) or through the back door (filling it from the PC, using the serial interface). Once the data is in the buffer memory, you don't need the PC any longer to program a card. The Gold-Mate PC can do that on its own. It just needs power.
OK then, let's play a bit with the software and it will all come to life I'm sure.
In practice:
Connect your Gold-Mate PC to your PC, using a serial cable.
Apply power to the programmer. Please note that it needs 16-20 Volts.
Now start the Gold Mate PC Plus software.
Configure the COM port either from the menu, or by ticking the appropriate tick box.
Check if you have communication with the Gold-Mate PC.
Click the Get GM/PC+ Info button.
If the programmer is connected and configured correctly, the software will read the programmers firmware.
As you can see down here, the firmware serial number is displayed: SER#: GM-15070.
So, now that we have established that the communication is OK, we can continue.
Click on the tab Card and File Selection.
Select the card type you want to load the appropriate files for (Silvercard in this sample).
Please note the two red indicators near the bottom of the window.
As you can see, they indicate that no PIC file, nor an Eeeprom file was buffered.
So that's what we are going to do first, load some files.
Click on the Open Hex File PIC button.
Select the PIC file you want to load.
Click on the Open Hex File 24Cxx button.
Select the Eeprom file you want to load.
Note that the indicators have turned green, to show that files are loaded correctly for both devices.
Now to load these files into the buffer memory of the Gold-Mate PC, you simply click Update.
A window will pop up, to ask confirmation that you want to overwrite the buffer space of the programmer.
If you are sure that you have loaded the correct files, then press OK.
You will notice that in the upper right corner, a counter will keep track of the progress.
The message bar at the bottom of the window will keep you informed about the current operation.
So in this sample down here, the PIC file is currently loaded and it is 1% ready.
This process can take from 10 to 52 sec. depending on the file types you selected.
When the data is loaded into the Gold-Mate PC buffer memory completely, a window will pop up.
Just press OK now, to confirm that you have read the message.
Now there is one nice surprise left, the buffer will hold 2 filesets:
- 1 Goldcard fileset
AND
- 1 Silvercard fileset or a Piccard-1 fileset.
So if you want, you can repeat the above steps to load a second set.
If you are done loading filesets into the buffer, you can start programming cards.
Programming cards with the Gold-Mate PC is done without any intervention from the PC.
- Simply put the red mode jumper in position 2 (see the picture down here).
- Insert a card (you will see the red status led light up).
- Wait until the status led goes out (between 18 and 72 sec. depending on the card type).
Just keep an eye on the red status led during programming. It should not start flashing.
If the status led did not flash, your card is ready for use now.
If, on the other hand, the red status led did flash, this table indicates what's gone wrong:
| # flashes: | Meaning: |
| 1 | No card inserted |
| 2 | The PIC is code protected |
| 3 | Error verifying PIC |
| 4 | Error verifying 24C16 Eeprom |
| 5 | Error verifying 24C64 Eeprom |
There is just 1 last feature that I need to mention:
You can code protect the cards you write by setting the jumper to position 3 instead of position 2. The rest of the procedure remains the same. You can not read the PIC from a code protected card, so be careful with this option.
That's it.
Have fun.