mod chip for saturn (old)
- Thread starter gollum
- Start date
If i want to start the "modboard trek" i have to know the insides of a modboard, that's it:
1) components ... PIC model, etc etc
2) a pcb draw would be great
If i know what pic do it use i can buy a 21 pin mod and try to dump it. Notice that i have experience with 16xXX models ........ so its better if the modboard uses one of these. Also it will be easier to try to dump.
Or perhaps somebody wants to try it with his own mod???
I'm waiting for answers.
1) components ... PIC model, etc etc
2) a pcb draw would be great
If i know what pic do it use i can buy a 21 pin mod and try to dump it. Notice that i have experience with 16xXX models ........ so its better if the modboard uses one of these. Also it will be easier to try to dump.
Or perhaps somebody wants to try it with his own mod???
I'm waiting for answers.
Go to this site:
http://www.trsoft.demon.co.uk/saturn.htm
It has quite a bit of infor on mod chips and thier layouts.
http://www.trsoft.demon.co.uk/saturn.htm
It has quite a bit of infor on mod chips and thier layouts.
That's not "quite a bit", it's "a bit". Here's what it says, summarized:
These let you play copied games. There are 20-pin models, 21-pin models, and models with connectors for both. They go between the CD board and the main board. Here are 3 pics that are just barely crappy enough that the chip markings are unreadable. Here's two outdated links to places that might sell them.
These let you play copied games. There are 20-pin models, 21-pin models, and models with connectors for both. They go between the CD board and the main board. Here are 3 pics that are just barely crappy enough that the chip markings are unreadable. Here's two outdated links to places that might sell them.
For the pictures i can see the bodboards on that page use a pic 16c54. Its a common pic and quite simple, used mainly for controllers and apliances.
However, the pics seems to be of older (very old) version modboard. I need to know if current 21 pin modboards use the same chipset, it will point me to believe that also use similar software.
So, perhpaps someone could send a detailed photo of both sides of his modboard.
However, the pics seems to be of older (very old) version modboard. I need to know if current 21 pin modboards use the same chipset, it will point me to believe that also use similar software.
So, perhpaps someone could send a detailed photo of both sides of his modboard.
Interesting... I can't read most of what's on there, but it looks like there are empty places for a clock crystal and a 7404 (inverter). Maybe the "signal" (clock) wire isn't needed if the crystal and inverter are added? I also saw a label for a GAL16V8, which doesn't seem to be a terribly complex device, though I'm not sure how to design an analysis of it since it could be sequential...
The capacitor is probably used to give a "sure" current voltage (i dont know how to say this in english, i'm spanish).
The other components seems to be the same.
So until now we know:
1) it uses a 16c54 pic
2) with a 7404 and a quartz crystal it doesnt need a wire to any other component/pin in the saturn mainboard.
3) the capacitor would be also worth to add/solder.
So, at last, you only need to worry about the wires to the power supply just like older models ....... and it still uses the same pic.
Now, i / we need to see the back of the board to confirm these hipotesis.
The other components seems to be the same.
So until now we know:
1) it uses a 16c54 pic
2) with a 7404 and a quartz crystal it doesnt need a wire to any other component/pin in the saturn mainboard.
3) the capacitor would be also worth to add/solder.
So, at last, you only need to worry about the wires to the power supply just like older models ....... and it still uses the same pic.
Now, i / we need to see the back of the board to confirm these hipotesis.
Why dont you just get a new sat and a couple of mod boards then you can use one to play and hack on the second. Posible its just a simple ribbon cable pin out that needs to be changed. Seeing a the picture of a mod board with both connectors on it leads me to believe its just a pinout difference.
After seeing some photos and installation instructions here and there i'm now convinced that the 21/20 pin difference is not crucial.
I also have seen a page that told you that cutting out a pin of the ribbon does the trick, the only need are the correct pins fit the modboard to allow the chip to do the fake to the controller.
I have currently sent some emails to some companies about their modchips, because i'm trying to buy a good quality board with crystal built-in and then try to solder pin by pin and with another ribbon to my saturn mainboard, just like older modboards with two ribbon cables.
The only question i do myself is... why has not anybody try to do this before........¿? Of course, i'll keep the forum informed if i have success.
I also have seen a page that told you that cutting out a pin of the ribbon does the trick, the only need are the correct pins fit the modboard to allow the chip to do the fake to the controller.
I have currently sent some emails to some companies about their modchips, because i'm trying to buy a good quality board with crystal built-in and then try to solder pin by pin and with another ribbon to my saturn mainboard, just like older modboards with two ribbon cables.
The only question i do myself is... why has not anybody try to do this before........¿? Of course, i'll keep the forum informed if i have success.
