Dumping bios on prototype dreamcast

[ASSEMbler]

I was wondering if there was any other way besides a coders cable?
Just to check the bios version.

[T_chan]

I would think of
- the Broadband adapter & dc-load, but that would be quite similar to the coder's cable... :)
- making a program to show the bios version & burn it into a cd... which would be more time-consuming than the first option :)

I don't know if the Sega GD's like the Loop Checker/System Disc2/... have that option though...

[Storm]

Assuming the unit is Mil-CD enabled writing a program that dumps the bios version* or/and a checksum of it would be trivial.

To dump completely you really want a c-cable/BBA or SD-writer. But if you are all out of that and we are assuming small changes from retail BIOS; One could burn a disk with a normal BIOS on and a program that does an binary diff, compresses it and then present it on the screen as checksummed data lines in base64 or something other readable enough.

Someone on that side of the pond must be able to hook you up with something better that reading off the screen though...

[hotaru]

@ASSEMbler- httpd-ack was my weapon of choice when i was actively dumping/documenting for Dumpcast. you'll also need a Broadband Adapter and Dream Passport3 or it's equivalent. hope this helps. btw, nice find!

[APE]

httpd-ack is a pretty sweet application, it has (had?) problems with dumping GD-Rs when I was using it a while ago. I could dump the data using a swap technique but never could get it to dump usable data, at least not usable in any way I could tell.

It does dump the flash and BIOS rather nicely if memory serves.

[Dreamcast]

Ape: httpd-ack outputs the data in GDI format, so you have to convert it. Familyguy has a nice application for that: link.

[l_oliveira]

httpd-ack outputs the data in GDI format, so you have to convert it. Familyguy has a nice application for that: link.

Bios and flash dumped from HTTP-ACK are just plain binary files.

I believe you're thinking of when people dump discs using it ...

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

Bios and flash dumped from HTTP-ACK are just plain binary files.

I believe you're thinking of when people dump discs using it ...

Yeah, GDI are for game images, dc_bios.bin and dc_flash.bin are always the same format no matter which software you use to dump them.

FG

[Dreamcast]

I know about the BIOS / flash files. I was referencing Ape's first paragraph (he mentions dumping GD-Rs).

[neoblast]

Using a BBA and dcload it won't even take half a minute to dump the proto bios.

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

Yeah, but I don't think dc-load can dump games in gdi format with BIN tracks (2352bytes/sector), only in ISO. And purist prefer BIN format as it preserves the game as it is on the gd-rom more than a iso.

I've made a ripping GD-R tutorial on this forums some years ago, I guess it could be modified to work with http-ack and Dump in BIN glory!

FG

[ASSEMbler]

I doubt anyone will loan me a bba, so any other method?

[-=FamilyGuy=-]

If you only want to dump the bios the sd-card cable would do the job, a coder cable too, and the parallel port cable too.

The coder's cable advantage over the sd-card cable is that you don't have to mod the mobo (you have to remove capacitors for the SD-card cable). So your precious prototype DC is left intact and unopened.

Parrallel port stuff: http://f17.aaa.livedoor.jp/~takotako/index.php#dcpprip

I've used this cable myself to dump GDI and my bios/flash. It's faster than a coder cable, cost next to nothing (cable printer and 4resistors) but requires a bit of work to build it yourself. Also connector for serial port is very rare nowadays!

FG

[splith]

"Also connector for serial port is very rare nowaday"
Yeh was gonna say it sounds perfect minus that I wouldn't have a clue where to source the connector from.
Are there any places that sell the connector en massé at all?

[Storm]

"Also connector for serial port is very rare nowaday"
Yeh was gonna say it sounds perfect minus that I wouldn't have a clue where to source the connector from.
Are there any places that sell the connector en massé at all?

There never was. Lik-Sang where the only ones I know of that didn't source the connectors from butchering DC serial cables.

[splith]

Could be a demand to get a mould made to produce a batch of them... Humm

[Storm]

Could be a demand to get a mould made to produce a batch of them... Humm

I doubt it. Most people who wants a coders cable and are willing to pay for it has one by now. Other uses like SD-adaptor would probably drive a few sales, but not to the point where producing new contacts would be economical I'd say.

[1nick9]

i had 2 of them back in the day. will go on a hunt for em and see what i can dig up. lik-sang gave em to me for free with rewards points from memory.

cheers