CommodoreVIC-20 Dead Test Rom.

NEW from AnyRetro!Everything you need to test your beloved Commodore VIC-20.This Dead Test Rom, plugs into the internal Kernel ROM socket of your VIC-20 computer. If your Kernel ROM is soldered to the main board, then you must first de-solder the ROM and replace it with an IC socket. Some boards already have the Kernel ROM.The Kernel ROM is identified by the following numbers depending on the machine:

• 901486-06 - NTSC VIC-20
• 901486-07 - PAL VIC-20
• 901486-02 - Japanese VIC-20

This Dead Test makes a great addition to our new Diagnostic Test Cartridge (not included) that completely tests the inner workings of the computer, this set also includes all the necessary dongles to test the external ports:

• Keyboard
• Serial
• Joystick controller
• User Port
• Cassette Port

See our other listing for the diagnostic cartridge and harness.The dead test ROM is especially important as it can indicate faults that the diagnostic cartridge cannot, such as RAM faults that stop the machine booting. The dead test ROM achieves this by running dedicated RAM tests as soon as the CPU is initialized. It can indicate RAM faults by flashing the screen RED to indicate a fault before the rest of the system is even initialized.The number of flashes indicates the fault and the affected IC:
FlashesEarly board (eleven 2114s)CR board (two 24-pin RAMs plus three 2114s)1UD2, low RAMUD2, low RAM2UE2, low RAMUE2, low RAM3–6UD3, UE3, UD4, UE4U157–10UD5, UE5, UD6, UE6U14 (includes the screen)11UE1, color RAMUE1, color RAM
In addition to the low level initial RAM fault tests, the dead test performs the following diagnostic tests:

• ZERO PAGE
• STACK
• INTERNAL RAM
• EXTERNAL RAM(If present)
• SCREEN RAM
• CHARROM
• BASIC ROM
• VIC CHIP SPECIFIC TESTS
• COLOR RAM
• VIA1
• VIA2
• IRQ/NMI
• SOUND

The advanced memory testing algorithms go deep to find RAM faults:

1. March C- — w0; r0,w1 up; r1,w0 up; r0,w1 down; r1,w0 down; r0. Catches stuck bits, transition faults, and address-decoder faults.
2. Solid patterns — $00, $FF, $55, $AA, each written then read back.
3. Address uniqueness — low byte of the address stored in each cell, then the high byte. Catches aliased or shorted address lines.
4. Walking ones — $01, $02, … $80 written and read at every address. Catches stuck bits and bit coupling.

What's in the box

• VIC-20 Dead Test ROM: Including adapter to plug into kernel socket.

Compatibility

• Works with PAL and NTSC VIC-20s and detects which one you have.
• Works on a stock, unexpanded machine. Tests 3K and 8K expansion RAM if you have it fitted.
• No disk drive, tape deck or software needed. Everything runs from the ROM.

How to use it

1. Switch the VIC-20 off.
2. Remove the original Kernel IC from it's socket.
3. Plug the dead test ROM board into the kernel socket, paying attention to the chips lip alignment with the board lip and not bending pins.
4. Switch on. The tests start straight away.
5. Watch the screen for any RED flashes, before the test progress to testing the system mainboard components.
6. After each full pass it pauses for a couple of seconds and starts again. Leave it running as long as you like to soak-test the machine.

Made in the USA. Fully compatible with all Commodore VIC-20 models, including PAL & NTSC versions.

Elevate your gaming and computing experience today!

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