Elektronika MK-90 cartridge reader/programmer

The MK-90 cartridge can be read and written with a simple circuit connected to the parallel port. The required +5V supply can be drawn from the keyboard, PS2 mouse, or USB port.

For a similar device controlled through the USB port please refer to the SMPReaderUSB designed by Ilya Danilov.

Circuit diagram

circuit diagram of the MK-90 cartridge programmer

Any general purpose small signal npn transistors can be used, for example 2N3904, BC547.

Photograph of the MK-90 cartridge programmer

Software

The control software is as simple as the circuit.

mk90prog.zip - file size: 18kB, source and executable

Requirements

a PC running DOS or Windows 95/98/ME
a parallel port at address 0x0378, configured as SPP

The program won't run under Windows 2000, NT, XP, because these systems don't allow direct hardware access from user programs.

Usage

Insert the cartridge, apply +5V then run one of these programs:

READ.COM - reads the cartridge RAM contents to the MK90.BIN binary file
WRITE.COM - writes the MK90.BIN binary file to the cartridge RAM

Linux version

http://www.sensi.org/~tnt23/mk90/mk90_lpt.tgz