Acquiring Flash Parts

[Jeff Noxon]

Two suggestions:

Find out on the SST website who your local distributor is.  Ask for free
samples (specify the complete part number(s) and quantity you require).
They usually take less than a week.  You'll probably have to provide a
project name, description, completion date, manufacturing quantities, etc.
Just make it up.  That's what my local SST distributor told me to do ;)
I got five 8-mbit LPC chips this way.

Whether this practice is ethical or not is a matter for another discussion
group.  (I'm not going to worry about it myself, since the SST rep was
the one who suggested I "make stuff up" in order for the sample request to
be approved.)  Generally manufacturers only want to give parts away when
they can lead to more sales.  However, savvy manufacturers provide a way
for hobbyists to purchase parts in single quantities at reasonable prices.
Many offer free samples overnight with no-questions-asked.

You may be asked to pay for shipping.  A shipper account number will
suffice in those circumstances.  You can get a shipper account with just
about any carrier by calling them up and giving them a credit card number.

Something else you can do is purchase a rail and offer chips for sale to
the group.  I suspect you'll eventually sell them. ;)

Regards,

Jeff

On Mon, Sep 08, 2003 at 02:29:54PM -0600, Nathanael Noblet wrote:
> Hello,
> 	I have an EPIA 800. I would like to start with linux bios on this 
> machine. Unfortunately, they only sell the flash parts in rails of 30. 
> at 2.70 a piece we're not talking a passive investment. Wondering two 
> things. Can I use a different part. If so, how do I find out, and which 
> ones would work? Are there places I can order in fewer quantities? Does 
> anyone else with an EPIA board have a different flash part then me (SST 
> 39SF020A 70-4C-NH)? What parts are they using etc...
> 
> How worried should I be, could I just flash it with linux bios? what is 
> the likelyhood that I'd have problems?