ROM Cartridge Research

[LANmass]

I am conducting research into the workings of ROM Cartridges like the ones used for older Nintendo systems and LeapFrog LeapPad units.
Mostly, I'm researching how these cartridges are fabricated, programmed, interfaced, etc.
If anyone has a good information source (web sites, books, etc), could you please pass it on.
Fabrication companies and/or contacts are welcome also.
Thanks for the help.
P.S. I am not a student....just trying to expand my knowledge.

 

[micker377]

For one thing, the cartridge was a large box, to hold a standard ROM chip. This chip was mounted on a small card which held the ROM, and the commector for the game set. Back in the Atari days, we would use one card (with a ROM socket), and plug in the different chips. We had "burners" so we could "download" a program and burn it into a new chip.

 

[micker377]

Got curious: Google "Atari cartridge". Many pages to get you started.

 

[LANmass]

Thanks micker!
You seem like a knowledgeable person. Do you remember...was it challenging to get the ROM programming (what language?) correct to work with the base unit? Was it trial and error?
I appreciate the info.

 

[micker377]

Sorry, too long ago to remember. This was back in the old DOS days! Seems like we'd "dis-semble" the code, make changes, reassemble and test. Burning a "UV-Flash" ROM was like burning a CD RW today. You could try "Hackaday.com" (spelling) to check on ROM mods. I don't know if anyone still does it. By the way, this is a "good" hacking site. Hacking used in the traditional way, not evil "script-kiddies"! (There's a special place in hell for them).