Ray from ktronicslc.com replied to my mail with more informations about the CL9 CORE Firmware rebuilding. Because I do not have a DOS Windows computer I seem to be stucked here.

This was my mail to Ray:

Dear Ray,

thank you for the informations! It seems I need to get in touch with serial interfaces... Can I use a Macintosh or Windows XP computer to do the job? The software looks like Windows DOS?

Greetings from Berlin

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

the first thing you need is the serial interface box.  As the info says, these programs only run under PC-DOS - they are not Windows (GUI) based.  Once the interface box is assembled, you run the program which sends data through an RS-232 serial port  to the CORE. 

You need to boot the computer with PC-DOS (MS-DOS, etc), most likely using a floppy .  Then connect the serial interface adapter.  The documentation details how to set which port to use.  Then run the program that uploads the firmware to the CORE.  An older Windows computer would work fine.

You are probably missing the hardware interface box.  This has to be built in order to upload the firmware to the CORE.  Good luck.

Best Regards,
Ray

Ray is right - I do not have the Serial Interface Unit,
I think I can not bring the CORE back to live actually - to sad.

Picture courtessy of www.ktronicslc.com

Ray from ktronicslc.com replied to my mail with some detailed informations about the CL9 CORE internal battery - seems I need to get in touch with a serial interface...

Hi Oliver,

the internal battery makes sure the firmware stays intact.  Remember, this was before flash memory so the memory that stores the firmware is volatile memory - It will lose the code when the AA batteries run low.  That is why the internal battery is so important.  It must have the correct voltage or the the firmware will be lost anytime the AA batteries run low, or are removed.  This lithium (internal battery) cell will last a very long as long as the AA batteries are fresh.  If you let it sit around so the AA batteries run low, it then draws from the internal battery.  This battery does not have the capacity to run very long.  It's purpose (and is only used) when the AA batteries are replaced.

The firmware is loaded by you, (you program it using a serial interface) so it can't be bad unless your file is corrupt for some reason.  If I remember correctly, it will let you now if it did not program correctly.  You're picture looks like a unit that has not been properly initialized.  Once the internal battery is replaced, it should come right up after you reload the firmware.

I hope this makes sense. Good luck!

Best Regards,
Ray

I have added 4 AAA Batteries, but the screen comes up with letter garbage. The Time is set to 11:00 and starts to count, but other LCD elements are highlighted. After 2 minutes the CORE powers off automaticly and I cant wake it up by pressing any button. I need to remove the batteries and add them again to wake up the CORE.

I found a note about this problem at ktronicslc.com:

INTERNAL BATTERY
If the unit has been sitting idle for a long period time (dead AAA batteries) and you see only garbage on the display or the unit doesn't operate, the first item required is probably a new internal lithium battery. Although the unit was exceptional for its day, a major flaw with the unit was allowing the firmware to be lost if this battery ever lost power (no flash memory back then!). I don't think the designers ever thought the unit would be idle for long periods of time with the user-replaceable batteries going low.

I try to contact the author of ktronicslc.com to ensure my Problem is the one discribed. Here is a photo of the first startup (after 20 Years?):

Reset the WOZ CORE CL9
In the Manual is a reset procedure described - unfortunately it doesn´t help to restore my CORE.

1. Open the door to the programmers keys.
2. Take a paper clip and insert it into the reset hole between the KEY and DO keys. The display should come on and you´re ready to continue. (Sadly not...)

Reseting the WOZ CORE CL9.

CL 9 was a universal remote control company started by Steve Wozniak, the inventor of the Apple I and Apple II computers. The company was in business for three years, from 1985 to 1988, coming out with the 6502-based CL 9 CORE remote control in 1987, the first universal programmable remote control.

I am happy for every tip or link you can give me.

Interesting WOZ CORE links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CL_9
• WOZ describes CL9 invention
• WOZ details CORE functionality
• http://www.ktronicslc.com/core.html
• CORE serial interface manual at ktronicslc.com