In what format should I save old EPROM BIOSes ?

[neazoi]

Hello I own some old PCs with these EPROM BIOSes on them.
I have an eparom reader that supports these EPROMS, so I would like to keep a backup of their programs so If something goes wrong I can re-program them.

I read the EPROMs and I get the usual hex sequence in the reader software. The reader software lets me save the sequence as .HEX .BIN or .ROM

The question may be a bit dummy but I need to make sure wheather I need to save the backups in hex bin or rom?

 

[betwixt]

eprom cloning

Most programming units will accept HEX or BIN, fewer will accept ROM types.

HEX is by far the most commonly used.

Brian.

 

[ark5230]

Old BIOS cloning

As you wish to use the backup for programming purpose, use the format that is supported by your programmer. Else at pointed by betwixt the intel Hex format is one of the accepted standards and other formats can be converted from this. What do you lose if you save all the three formats, it does not take much of storage space.

 

[neazoi]

Re: Old BIOS cloning

Yes of course. In EPROMs there is no such thing as "code protection" like in microcontrollers, is that right?

 

[ark5230]

Old BIOS cloning

Is it a new thread on "Code Protection" ?

 

[neazoi]

Re: Old BIOS cloning

no I am asking this in terms of copying eproms. I guess they do not have any microcontroller "code protection" feature..?

 

[betwixt]

Re: Old BIOS cloning

EPROMs must be readable to do their job so they cannot be protected.
Just copy them, it will work.

Brian.