Running TL866II Plus in Manjaro Linux

Running TL866II Plus in Manjaro Linux

13 Sep 2019, 08:21pm TZ +05:30
linux, manjaro, programmer, hardware
tips, tools, Embedded

TL866II Plus on Manjaro (Arch Linux)

The TL866II Plus is a Parallel programmer. Freqenty used in my lab for programming age old chips like AT89C51.

One might wonder what use I have for these old 8051. Well I have big box full of these ! And many of my project still run 8051. Yes!

All this time, Windows was the only way for this programmer.

Since, I am using Manjaro Linux wanted it to work there.

Lets look at how I mad this possible.

Install Wine #

First step would be get Wine Working on Arch Linux your machine.

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sudo pacman -S wine wine-mono wine_gecko

For ubutnu linux users:

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sudo apt install -y wine wine-mono wine_gecko

This would allow us to run Windows Programs and some .NET programs as well.

Download the Xgpro Software #

The UI provided for TL866II Plus Programmer is called

Xgprog a.k.a TL866II PlusApplication Software.

Current Version: V8.51 Support:15511--2019.5.13

http://www.xgecu.com/MiniPro/XgproV851_Setup.rar

Note: This is a very slow download so its best done with wget.

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wget -c http://www.xgecu.com/MiniPro/XgproV851_Setup.rar

In case it gets stuck or you terminate the download just repeat the above command.

Installing Xgpro Software #

Once download completes you would have the XgproV851_Setup.rar

Extract it would have the XgproV851_Setup.exe in the directory.

If you need direct extract command Here goes:

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cd ~/Downloads
unrar x XgproV851_Setup.rar

Note: Internet must be available when first time running the Wine Loader

You can run this from the Terminal :

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# Directory where XgproV851_Setup.exe is present
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x XgproV851_Setup.exe
./XgproV851_Setup.exe

Wine Interface should automatically start.

In case this is the first time you are running - it might ask you to install few dependencies.

You would be greeted by a familier install window.

Make sure to set the Install Path to C:/Xgpro

Setting Setup Path for Xgpro Installation

Installing Interface Dependencies #

USB driver permission is the first thing.

So edit the actual USB driver permission file:

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sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/80-minipro.rules

And write there -

BUS!="usb", ACTION!="add", SUBSYSTEM!=="usb_device", GOTO="minipro_rules_end"

ATTRS{idVendor}=="04d8", ATTRS{idProduct}=="e11c", MODE="0666"

LABEL="minipro_rules_end"

Save this file.

Note: Its best to reboot the PC after modifying this file.

Other wise if you are in hurry just use sudo udevadm trigger.

Installing Required DLLs #

In order to make the Xgprog to work under wine a special DLL driver is needed.

More details on this can be referred at :

https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866

Here is direct link to download the TL866II Plus Programmer Driver:

https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866/raw/master/wine/TL866II/setupapi.dll

Note: I am using the TL866II Plus model of the programmer. There are other versions out there. So be careful to choose the right DLL file.

Now this file needs to be placed in the Xgprog directory.

Typically under wine this is located at:

~/.wine/drive_c/Xgpro

That is under you Home Directory indicated by ~.

So the copy command would be:

cp ~/Downloads/setupapi.dll ~/.wine/drive_c/Xgpro/

Running the Xgpro Program #

Now to run this we would need to use elevated permission.

Since we are going to interface directly to Hardware.

Hence in the Terminal:

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# Go to the Xgpro Directory
cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Xgpro
sudo ./Xgpro.exe

Note: This might again run the wine install of dependencies hence make sure that Internet is available.

If everything goes well you should have your UI operational.

Xgpro UI with Programmer Connected

Best thing now to do is to Test out the TL866II Plus:

Go to the Menu Tools->System Self-check

Self Test window in Xgpro

Remove any chip in the programmer and Click on the Test button.

Self Test window Success result in Xgpro

Finally Press the Cancel button to close the Self test window.

You can now use the programmer. To burn / flash any IC you needed.

Here is the List of Supported IC in the Current Version:

http://www.xgecu.com/MiniPro/TL866II_List.txt

References #