Comments on: IC testers to see if vintage chip is good or bad https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/ All about electronics and circuit design Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:53:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.14 By: Emily Hunder https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1870728 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:36:14 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1870728 This is a great overview of IC testers! It’s helpful to know these tools exist for troubleshooting vintage electronics. Finding a faulty chip in old computers can be a real headache. Imagine the satisfaction of quickly identifying the culprit and getting the machine back up and running. It’s like playing a real-life version of block blast, clearing away the problem chips one by one. I might just look into getting one of these myself! https://blockblastfree.com

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1867154 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:18:45 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1867154 Ram-Tester Is an Open-Source DIY Solution for Retro Computer RAM
https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/open-source-diy-ram-tester?fbclid=Iwb21leAOmAeVjbGNrA6YBz2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuVoL5sfr-N-4UTf9MoRt2ePMv4Ao4-SrVQK0jnKyXeDxweZ_6r7ET3Qci5a_aem_NHgGOTgLvw7WhAHRB4aBhg

The retro-computing scene has a new bench tool worth noting: an open-source DIY RAM tester. The Ram-Tester project by tops4u provides a fast and modern way to validate classic DRAM chips from the 1980s and early 90s. It works with many of the RAM types used in machines such as the TI-99/4A, Commodore C64/128, Amiga, Atari, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, and others — ideal for anyone restoring vintage hardware or repairing boards with failing memory.
What the Ram-Tester Does
The unit tests typical 1-bit or 4-bit DRAM ICs, using either a DIP socket or ZIP adapter, and identifies faults in seconds. Output can be displayed via a small OLED screen or simpler LED status indicators, depending on how minimal a build you prefer.

]]> By: Barry Cummings https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1847778 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:06:51 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1847778 Interesting article! IC testers seem vital for vintage computing, keeping those old chips alive. https://papaspizzeriagame.com

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1821696 Sat, 03 Feb 2024 19:09:57 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1821696 Chips testing with TL866 programmer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQqjeNmvXeY

]]> By: alexreynolds https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1819392 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 01:37:59 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1819392 I’m very grateful for the information you’ve given https://quordle-wordle.com

]]> By: Incredibox https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1808631 Thu, 20 Jul 2023 04:02:56 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1808631 In the past, IC testers were costly and considered special instrumentation devices, not essential for regular test and measurement equipment collections. However, nowadays, https://incrediboxgame.co/ there are cheaper alternatives available in the electronics experimenter price range, starting from tens of euros/dollars.

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1808509 Sat, 15 Jul 2023 20:34:58 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1808509 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005266799568.html

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1808508 Sat, 15 Jul 2023 20:33:57 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1808508 Ordered
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005001323801365.html?spm=a2g0n.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.1f75f19czJQNAz

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1808454 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:49:04 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1808454 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001323801365.html

]]> By: Tomi Engdahl https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2022/04/23/ic-testers-to-see-if-vintage-chip-is-good-or-bad/comment-page-1/#comment-1808397 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 08:57:15 +0000 https://www.epanorama.net/blog/?p=189946#comment-1808397 Evan Allen’s FPGA-Based Logic Chip Tester Compares Actual Outputs to a Verilog Simulation
Designed to test 74- and 40-series TTL chips in-circuit, this debugger relies on a 64-pin 5V-tolerant bidirectional level-shifting add-on.
https://www.hackster.io/news/evan-allen-s-fpga-based-logic-chip-tester-compares-actual-outputs-to-a-verilog-simulation-c1a30e143a28

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