Mega-CD real region free on game discs

[TmEE]

the bigass cool looking Wondermega is only one that is problematic since it has some extra hardware with it that is not present in other models, but Xeye is nothing to worry about.

[dutchconsolefreak]

the bigass cool looking Wondermega is only one that is problematic since it has some extra hardware with it that is not present in other models, but Xeye is nothing to worry about.

True, but how much of this extra hardware directly controlled by the bios? I think the automated lid is the only thing that is really different, maybe some extra code for the MIDI port.

All audio stuff (DSP etc) is probably seperate electronics, just like the wireless controller board in the M2 console.

So yes, the wondermega needs it own bios hacked and replaced, but i don't think its structurally different than the regular Mega/Sega CD bios.

[TmEE]

The stuff running on MCD side seems to be same on Wondermega, the MD side interface code apparently is different....

The DSP has software controllable funtions and it probably can respond back, and if the interface code expects the responce and won't get it you'll get the hang.... I don't know where this extra HW is mapped too... there's not whole lot of places in MD to put stuff without getting in the way of existing stuff.... perhaps things are placed where no DTACK is generated normally and access of those areas in other MDs will cause a crash.

...just speculations

[dutchconsolefreak]

Didn't realise the dsp-audio was software controlled, but it has been a while i've seen the wondermega audio menu. Anyway, the region protection is probably almost or completely the same as in the regular Japanese Mega CD bios.

Checking my mcd bios collection, i realise that the wondermega m1 bios is not included, probably have to dump it myself then. It has been a while i've done something in assembler, can anyone recommend a good 68k disassembler for windows?

I do not hope there is any difference between the Sega and Victor editions of the M1? Can't remember if they had different animated intro logo's or something else.

[l_oliveira]

I have an working region free BIOS for the Wondermega v1.

It does not work on emulators but I was able to test it on a normal Mega-CD. It did boot and play a USA game. Also it does not care about the status of the MD part region jumper so it's effectively region free. :thumbsup:

I'll probably toss it along with the MD-CD2, X'Eye and CDX/MultiMEGA BIOS I have already patched.

[dutchconsolefreak]

@l_oliveira

I can test it on the real m1 hardware with eur/jpn/usa games if needed :-)

[l_oliveira]

@l_oliveira

I can test it on the real m1 hardware with eur/jpn/usa games if needed :-)

I've tested most of them already. I need a tester/guinea pig for the X'Eye bios as it would not run on a standard system. :thumbsup:

I'll update the links once I pack them up.

[dutchconsolefreak]

I've tested most of them already. I need a tester/guinea pig for the X'Eye bios as it would not run on a standard system. :thumbsup:

I'll update the links once I pack them up.

Okay, very good. I assume you tested the modified wondermega m1 bios on a standard Japanese MD/MCD combo? What happens when you select the eject or pitch function? Does the bios crash because the proper hardware is not present or nothing happens?

I'm disassembling a Victor M1 right now, it already had issues with the automated lid so it needed a checkup anyway :-)

[l_oliveira]

Nothing happened. It simply worked as it was supposed to.

Out of curiosity, does this appear on the real Wondermega when you open the lid ? (Attached picture)

It doesn't show on the real hardware when I eject but does show on KEGA Fusion.

[l_oliveira]

By the way, here:


http://www.4shared.com/file/_6bn2f0y...ONDERMEGA.html

Package contains:


JP_Wondermega_02061992_regionfree.BIN - JPN Wondermega 1
US_X'EYE_27121993_regionfree.bin - USA Wondermega 2
EU_MegaCD2_30031993_regionfree.BIN - EURO MCD2
JP_MegaCD2_22121992_regionfree.bin - JPN MCD2
US_SEGA_CDX_930907_regionfree.bin - USA CDX/Multimega

:thumbsup:

[Rodrigo]

Whoa, although I don't own a Mega-CD, makes me happy to see you guys working hard on it!

Keep it up! :D

[dutchconsolefreak]

No, that picture is not displayed on the real hw, i think that the emulator recognized the special bios call involved with opening the automated lid or detects the bios accessing a specific memory region where access to this hw is mapped (like TmEE suggested).

I'm going back to disassembling the console, its a real piece of quality hw from what i can see. And thanks for uploading the bios :-)

[l_oliveira]

No, that picture is not displayed on the real hw, i think that the emulator recognized the special bios call involved with opening the automated lid or detects the bios accessing a specific memory region where access to this hw is mapped (like TmEE suggested).

I'm going back to disassembling the console, its a real piece of quality hw from what i can see. And thanks for uploading the bios :-)

Yah I suspected it would be from the emulator. Thanks for confirmation.

[ElBarto]

FYI I just made perfect dump of the megacd2 jap and euro bioses (using TmEE dumping utility).
Jap Bios
Euro Bios Rev 2.00c
Euro Bios Rev 2.00W

[DarthCloud]

Big thank for this, I just replaced my US Sega CD 2 BIOS with your RegionFree Jap Mega CD 2 BIOS. Working fine as expected :)

Is there any hope to get a US Sega CD 2 BIOS region free also?

Thanks again :thumbsup:

[l_oliveira]

Big thank for this, I just replaced my US Sega CD 2 BIOS with your RegionFree Jap Mega CD 2 BIOS. Working fine as expected :)

Is there any hope to get a US Sega CD 2 BIOS region free also?

Thanks again :thumbsup:

Working on it buddy. :flamethrower::evil:

:thumbsup:

[l_oliveira]

Is there any hope to get a US Sega CD 2 BIOS region free also?
Thanks again :thumbsup:

http://www.4shared.com/file/X7GcvL-p...SA_930314.html


It's a rush job but it's tested and proper. (By rush I mean I just picked the first version of the bios I saw and hacked.) I'll do more versions later.

This version in particular has an bug where it doesn't stop playing the logo screen music when you press A to reach the disc menu instead of just starting the game.

[DarthCloud]

http://www.4shared.com/file/X7GcvL-p...SA_930314.html


It's a rush job but it's tested and proper. (By rush I mean I just picked the first version of the bios I saw and hacked.) I'll do more versions later.

This version in particular has an bug where it doesn't stop playing the logo screen music when you press A to reach the disc menu instead of just starting the game.

Awesome Thanks, Will try when I receive my new UV Eprom this week (Used OTP one previously)

Thanks again :D

[DarthCloud]

http://www.4shared.com/file/X7GcvL-p...SA_930314.html


It's a rush job but it's tested and proper. (By rush I mean I just picked the first version of the bios I saw and hacked.) I'll do more versions later.

This version in particular has an bug where it doesn't stop playing the logo screen music when you press A to reach the disc menu instead of just starting the game.

Finally received my new UV eprom, working fine :D.

Probably not the best looking BIOS of all, but I'm used to it.

Thanks again!

[APE]

Just placed an order for UV EPROMs as well with the intent of trying out these BIOSes. Any progress on fixing that music looping bug? I'd be happy to offer any assistance but I doubt you'll find my technical skills in the way of programming to be very useful unfortunately. More of a hardware engineer type really.