Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

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Tormenter
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:17 pm

Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by Tormenter »

I have a few different brands of the 74LS257's, all work, TI etc, except Motorola. Some games, seems to work fine, but other games, it causes graphical and sound issues. Any idea why this would be? They are the same pinout etc. SN74LS256BN (TI, works fine), SN74LS257AN Motorola for example, causes issues in some games. I have verified this by swapping them out again on multiple occasions. Any idea why this would be happening, and/or a easy fix? Appreciate it.
lidnariq
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Re: Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by lidnariq »

No idea if this is it, but that "A" vs "B" at the end denotes some change in specific properties (but not form fit or function). I can't find any useful documentation about the '257AN on line, however.

Any idea if the "some" games are FastROM vs SlowROM?

Also, the first two letters originally marked the silicon foundry that made the part, although that's not been particularly useful for quite a while now. SN = TI; MC = Motorola; CD = RCA.
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krzysiobal
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Re: Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by krzysiobal »

Any schematic or photo of subjected cartridge to see what is this chip responsible for?
BW. From all cartridges I have analyzed so far, it appeared only twice:

1) Ai Senshi Nicol (FDS port)
sch.png
2) MGC-002 TXC's MMC1 replica
http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17067
Tormenter
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:17 pm

Re: Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by Tormenter »

I will get some photos. I use an adapter board that uses 2 of the chips. Most brands are fine, Motorola on the otherhand isnt, which is sad because i've got probably 500 of them here lol. I will have to try and remember which ones it didn't work with. Bahamut Lagoon for sure messed up on, while the TI and other brands work just fine. I am thinking some Super Metroid games didn't work with them either just off the top of my head.
lidnariq
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Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:12 am

Re: Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by lidnariq »

Oh, also ... any chance the Motorola '257s are counterfeit? (e.g. not actually a LS part)
Tormenter
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:17 pm

Re: Repros work with TI 74LS257 but not Motorola?

Post by Tormenter »

lidnariq wrote: Tue Jan 05, 2021 3:22 pm Oh, also ... any chance the Motorola '257s are counterfeit? (e.g. not actually a LS part)

I've gathered them over the year from several places. I think majority came from someone that I have never had an issue with. Some of the games load up but just have garbled graphics, or in parts of the game itll just cause it to glitch out etc.
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