Dreamcast Devbox Bios on retail Console!

[DarthCloud]

Dont need a switch if you do not want to change between bios's.

You can just disable the original and use the replacement. You could also just remove the original completely.

If the chip is pre-programmed it's ok, but if not you need the switch at least until you program it with DreamShell.

[Bad_Ad84]

He bought it from me, it's pre programmed :)

[hellbelly]

I've got a DC with a VA0 motherboard now, and a bunch of pre-flashed chips from Bad_Ad84 :)

If I want to do a complete BIOS replacement, remove the old BIOS and put the flash chip in, am I right in thinking that the only funny business I have to worry about is the power going to legs 1 and 23? (get 3v from leg 1 of IC302).

Do I have to worry about legs 12 and 44 at all?

Thanks in advance :)
Pete

[hellbelly]

ignore my previous question. Leg 12 is already connected to the correct place anyway. Just had to wire up 44 as per the original diagrams :)

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

My eternal gratitude goes to the fine gentlemen, or lady for that matters, who tells me what is the error on my mod (click to enlarge):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0191.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0191.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0192.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0192.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0193.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0193.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0194.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0194.jpg)

Original bios woks quite well, but DreamShell can't write to the flash chip, it doesn't complain while deleting it though.

I know it's not the best solder job ever (big ass solder tip), but it should be ok imo... I'll rework every solder contact to see if it fixes it once I'll have the time...

Thanks in advance,

FG

[alex81]

check the quality of solder on pin 11

[DarthCloud]

I bet it's the write signal (pin 44) that as a cold solder joint. Try to put some flux on it and reheat.

Also are you sure the write signal in connect to the right pin of the 29LV002 should on pin 9. From the picture it look to be on the wrong via.

Sould be connect to the via that is right (on the picture) to the pin with the white dot.

[APE]

It'll erase the whole chip regardless of it being wired 100% correct or not.

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

So I guess it only says it erases, but actually doesn't?

@DarthCloud: It's on the right via, the line from pin 9 goes straight up then 45 degree counterclockwise to a via (on the 3rd picture I posted), I've soldered on that via. It could be a cold joint though.

@alex: I'll rework pin 11 for sure!

Thank you guys and let's hope it'll be working for me! I guess I could hardly have overheated the chip?

FG

[DarthCloud]

Probably not the case but it's always good to check that the flux is not acid base ;). Unlikely but better to checkout if everything else look ok.

[APE]

RaZiel has informed me that the hybrid BIOS with the Katana boot-up animation is incompatible with the black BBA.

Might be worth looking into, no idea if the black model has any differences hardware wise from the white.

[l_oliveira]

RaZiel has informed me that the hybrid BIOS with the Katana boot-up animation is incompatible with the black BBA.

Might be worth looking into, no idea if the black model has any differences hardware wise from the white.

Black BBA ? Such thing does exist ?

I mean isn't that just a HIT-400 with black plastic ?

I have my bios installed on three dreamcast consoles of different revisions. And an HIT-400 BBA. :shrug:

JPN with heatpipes
USA with heatpipes
PAL without heatpipes


No problem at all on any of the three... :confused:

[TriMesh]

I has a black cased HIT-300 "network adapter" (the one that only supports 10Mb/s) - maybe they are talking about that? It was a pretty useless piece of hardware, though - the only software I found that ever recognised it was the (Japanese) web browser disk that came with it.

[alphagamer]

I has a black cased HIT-300 "network adapter" (the one that only supports 10Mb/s) - maybe they are talking about that? It was a pretty useless piece of hardware, though - the only software I found that ever recognised it was the (Japanese) web browser disk that came with it.

There is also some homebrew that supports it, but that's about it.

[l_oliveira]

HIT-300 is based on a Fujitsu PCMCIA Ethernet MAC/PHY combo chip along with a custom SEGA interface chip for G2 bus.

HIT-400 is based on Realtek RTL8139B or C (3.3v version) and SEGA 315-6310 PCI bridge chip (looks like it's a Toshiba made part btw).
And is marked "837-14081 171-8124F PC BD LANMARU2 FOR DC"

[APE]

I'm pretty sure black BBAs do exist, they just were extremely uncommon. You'd have to ask him for a picture and confirmation of the part number.

I don't know why it isn't detected under the hacked BIOS but he said it wasn't. Wonder what is going on then.

[Bad_Ad84]

Because it sounds like its the 10mb one that was useless.

Which would also mean the retail bios is "incompatible" too.

[hju002]

Has anyone successfully installed a pre-flashed(thanks Bad_Ad84) on a VA2.1 dc board? I installed one on a VA1 with no problem, works brilliantly. But the VA2.1 is notably different. Wondering where to connect leg 44 to? See attached pics of VA2.1 board.

Note: My apologies on the terrible underside photo(third photo) - I can post a better one later if needed.

Many thanks

[Bad_Ad84]

Pin 9 of the flash chip.

Look to see if there is a trace/via connected to it. If not, solder directly to that leg.

Its only to enable writing to the chip. You could hardwire it so its not writable if you are never going to reflash it.

[hju002]

The 29LV002 chip seems to be the IC503 on the VA2.1 board, instead of the VA1 where it is IC502. So for bios chip replacement on the VA2.1, it appears new bios chip's leg 44 needs to be lifted and connected to IC503's leg 9, of which I cannot see an accessible via (unless there's one on the backside - haven't tried searching for it - but may be worth it to avoid that tricky 9 leg).

Is that right? I just wanted to be sure - but now that I've typed it all out - it seems to be obvious... :)

Thanks for your help Bad_Ad84.

[bart_simpson]

Pin 22 lifted I cant find where the trace is could someone help me please thanks.

[NateN34]

Awesome, got it working.

Picked up a few of these from eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/280774677182?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1952.l2649#ht_1290wt_905

Shipping was combined for ten cents more per additional item, so I ordered a few. Shipped in only 6 days from China to central US!

Although does anyone know how you would mod the bios the dashboard to get that watery effect? Would be awesome to have a Link83 Devkit region free bios and the cool eater dashboard thing.

This thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkHNyiJPZtk&feature=related


Pin 22 lifted I cant find where the trace is could someone help me please thanks.

You did the trick of heating up the leg and then trying to lift it, I am guessing?

If you did that, you pulled and ripped the trace off. I would recommend cutting the leg, then just pulling the leg remains out with a soldering iron. Then you can bend that pin up on the original bios chip. That way, the trace will remain intact.

[billcosbymon]

That's just from a game save, I believe it was the last Puyo Puyo game made for the Dreamcast that had that feature.

[Bad_Ad84]

Pin 22 lifted I cant find where the trace is could someone help me please thanks.

Pin 22 is not connected to anything as the chip operates in 8 bit mode (and pin 22 is used in 16 bit mode).

[bart_simpson]

Thanks mate i had cold solder joints on my chip now works 100% cheers.

[jinn]

http://i48.tinypic.com/21nfy0y.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/fz7o5.jpg

[Druid II]

HIT-300 is based on a Fujitsu PCMCIA Ethernet MAC/PHY combo chip along with a custom SEGA interface chip for G2 bus.

HIT-400 is based on Realtek RTL8139B or C (3.3v version) and SEGA 315-6310 PCI bridge chip (looks like it's a Toshiba made part btw).
And is marked "837-14081 171-8124F PC BD LANMARU2 FOR DC"

This info is interesting.
Do you know where I could get pictures of the internals of this thing (and any other DC or even any Sega pcbs in general)?

[bart_simpson]

I could do some scans or high res pictures of my bba insides.

[Druid II]

I'd be thankful if you could.

Seems there are also multiple revisions of it too...

[bart_simpson]

Mine seems to have a RTL8139C.
I am scaning mine now in high res.

[T_chan]

I took pictures of a lot of DC modems (http://users.skynet.be/t_chan/dc/dc_modems.xhtml) a while ago...

[Druid II]

I took pictures of a lot of DC modems (http://users.skynet.be/t_chan/dc/dc_modems.xhtml) a while ago...

Yes, these are exactly the types of pictures I was looking for! Do we have more comparisons like these for other DC / other Sega hardware?

[Zer0-2k11]

Hey Everyone.
Im currently pre-planning on doing the switchable bios mod on my DC. i need a little help on what resistors to get on http://www.digikey.ca/. if you could help me that would be awesome :D

[Bad_Ad84]

10k ohm

[Zer0-2k11]

alright found a bunch of 10k resistor but they seem to be different wattages. I dont want to get the wrong wattage and fry my retail and dev bios chips
http://www.digikey.ca/product-search/en/resistors/through-hole-resistors/66690/page/2?k=10k%20ohm

[Bad_Ad84]

any of them is fine.

[Zer0-2k11]

Sorry for asking so many question's but for the switch does it need to have a certain requirement. im thinking of something like this.
http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/SSJ1204/450-1634-ND/1308841
(http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/MS13ASW30/MS13ASW30-ND/1058336)

[APE]

Sorry for asking so many question's but for the switch does it need to have a certain requirement. im thinking of something like this.http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/SSJ1204/450-1634-ND/1308841
(http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/MS13ASW30/MS13ASW30-ND/1058336)

SPDT is the only "requirement".

One of the odder questions I've seen lately.

[Zer0-2k11]

Yeah I'm new to this project. I've done alot of soldering projects in my day. i was 11 years old when i did my first ps1 mod-chip (fluked it lol). I'm gonna be buying all the tools i need for this project and future projects as well (Hakko Soldering Station FX-888, Soldering Tips, Solder 28 AWG 0.015, Flux pens, Soldering Wick, Kynar wire 30 AWG etc). I'm gonna be doing the Sega Saturn model 2 modchip to fit with a model 1 system for the second time as i failed the first time. As well with a region free bios and a GameCube mod-chip for region free/home-brew purposes. Thank you Bad_Ad84 i will be ordering soon. Thank you APE for letting me know the requirements for the switch.

[mathieulh]

I'm pretty sure black BBAs do exist, they just were extremely uncommon. You'd have to ask him for a picture and confirmation of the part number.

I don't know why it isn't detected under the hacked BIOS but he said it wasn't. Wonder what is going on then.

I own one, so I am pretty sure they exist.

[Dreamcast]

Is it possible to upload the BIOS using dc-tool?

I installed the chip and the select seems to be working (one way, the original BIOS loads and the other, nothing happens because the new flash rom has nothing on it). I tried switching over to the new chip after dc-load-serial loads and using: "dc-tool.exe -u dc_bios.bin -a 0x0 -s 0x200000" to upload the BIOS. Dc-tool looks like it's sending the data, but when it finishes and I power cycle the Dreamcast, there's still nothing.

[APE]

Is it possible to upload the BIOS using dc-tool?

I installed the chip and the select seems to be working (one way, the original BIOS loads and the other, nothing happens because the new flash rom has nothing on it). I tried switching over to the new chip after dc-load-serial loads and using: "dc-tool.exe -u dc_bios.bin -a 0x0 -s 0x200000" to upload the BIOS. Dc-tool looks like it's sending the data, but when it finishes and I power cycle the Dreamcast, there's still nothing.

Doesn't mean an address line isn't properly connected. Using Dreamshell to write is nice in that the console displays if it fails or not and you can tell pretty much where the failure is based upon the output. From the sound of it dc-tool isn't telling you anything.

[Dreamcast]

I'm hoping it's not the WE pin. It broke off and I had to remove some of the casing to get to it, but it should be connected.

Is there a stripped down version of Dreamshell that I could send over the serial upload? I'm really trying to avoid having to write to another CD.

[APE]

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/sega-dreamcast-region-free-bios/

At the bottom there is a smallish disc image. It would take some time to upload it using bog standard serial.

[jinn]

Just finished a BIOS and SD Card Reader Install

http://i48.tinypic.com/fu2w0k.jpg

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

For those who might care, I've took the time to work on my non-working dual bios mod. I couldn't find the problem, so I removed every wires and resistor then reworked the pins soldering and put everything back. Yet it still didn't work! The problem was in fact the odd pin 9 of the flash chip, so I decided to solder directly to the pin rather than soldering to the via... And It Works!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG1655.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG1655.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG1656.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG1656.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG1657.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG1657.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG1658.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG1658.jpg)

Was a bit of a pain to solder on the flash chip, but in the end it has been the solution for me! (Used a smaller-ass solder tip though)

Cheers!

FG



My eternal gratitude goes to the fine gentlemen, or lady for that matters, who tells me what is the error on my mod (click to enlarge):

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0191.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0191.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0192.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0192.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0193.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0193.jpg) http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/th_IMAG0194.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/_FamilyGuy_/IMAG0194.jpg)

Original bios woks quite well, but DreamShell can't write to the flash chip, it doesn't complain while deleting it though.

I know it's not the best solder job ever (big ass solder tip), but it should be ok imo... I'll rework every solder contact to see if it fixes it once I'll have the time...

Thanks in advance,

FG