USB Universal Programmer for TL866II EEPROM Flash 8051 AVR MCU GAL Update Tool with 9 Adapter

The one i received does not appear to be a knockoff. Downloaded the software and manual XgproV1267_Setup.rar (google it). Device firmware was already up to date.Was able to read and write to a flash chip within minutes of opening the box, no problems so far. will update if i do.

Shipping was slow but that was stated in the listing. Purchased to manually re-flash a chip that a traditional BIOS update had failed on and worked great.

The word "serial" was used referring to the product. All that the term "serial" means, is that the product is supposed to be able to read and write eeprom integrated circuits which have very few pins because instruction code can be entered or extracted, line after line, using very few connecting pins. That technology has been common in laptop computers for decades, especially in "BIOS chips" which could be "reflashed" by downloading special executable files which would reprogram the chip, therefore modifying the characteristics of the computer. But hackers (including certain governments) could make undesirable changes that could not be reversed nor overcome using any downloadable files, but by force-feeding a data stream into the serially programmable chip (using a programmer such as this one), the corrupted internal code could be overwritten with desirable code. The problem with this programmer is that the clip that fits on a SO-8 (Small Outline chip with 8 pins) could NOT be connected to the programmer because of incompatible connectors supplied in the "kit." The serial interface on the main module has a 6-pin connector in one vertical side of the main box. But there was NO connector supplied in that kit that would plug onto that connector in a way that was guaranteed to be error-free, with no mistakes that could destroy the programmer and/or the connected equipment. I wish that zero stars was a viable selection.

the TL866 was what I wanted and this package was perfect. the adapters saved me a bunch of time and money from having to locate specific ones I needed. and the price was amazing. it was less than others that came without any adapters. the TL866II is a handy little device and works well with every setup i've tried. even had it working on linux within 10minutes.

It worked well to read out EPROMs and GALs from some old tech that I needed to repair. Software worked even on Windows 10 it is using standard WinUSB drivers so no backdoors as far as I can tell.

The software, if you can download it, is in Chinese. Everything about the software download, installation, and running the program is ridiculously sketchy. Was unable to find any alternative, and after a week of download attempts, reboxing to return, and screaming through my rolodex of curse words...i was able to get the program installed on a 2000's era laptop (not exaggerating). The device itself is adequate as an EEPROM, but the connections and adapters are as hokey as the software. When it came time to use this for the intended/purchase purpose, it was like playing the game 'Operation" requiring you to hold a wire or angle the device 'just right' while beads of sweat pour off your head - to get it to work. Thank goodness Jupiter and Saturn were in line and Mars was visible next to the moon that night...or maybe it was like a mini-Vegas on my dining room table where you pray for lady luck, roll the dice and hope the dealer will pay. It worked once, and that was all I needed on an instrument panel.

The unit had promise, regardless, plain and simple - it didn't work.1) You will need to turn off your virus firewall in order to download the install .rar - apparently it communicates back to a remote server. Note: Norton Called it a malicious download2) After you download the software find the install instructions and load in order3) Make sure you install in Admin mode4) A dialog box will require a firware update - I tried and it did not work.5) Contact support - they insisted that I do not use a hub and try another computer6) That did not work; returned thinking it may have been a defective unit.7) Uninstalled the software & driver.8) New unit came in... same issue.The replacement unit did not work.

The units I received didn't include any in-circuit programming cables.