You can actually "bypass" the checking, but then the CD-Drive "won't deliver" (I.E.: It will not unlock so you will get read errors out of access attempts. Same thing happens with the Dreamcast if you put a GD in and it has no barcode or has it's barcode obstructed.) :thumbsup:Originally Posted by Dr.Wily
PlayStation Aficionado.
MSX Maniac.
out of curiosity, are there any games which will not boot with a 4in1's region free mode that do boot with region free bios?
- Panzer Dragoon Saga.
- Any game that requires more space for savegames than the Saturn internal memory. Well, they would boot, you just wouldn't have enough space to save your game.
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Though it should be noted that Panzer Dragoon Saga can be booted if you enter a Master Key into the Action Replay. I think it was, ironically, actually implemented anti-cheat protection, though that had the side-effect of making the game unbootable with the 4in1 without a code.
I think it was just an anti-import method, not anti-cheat. Surely Andromeda wouldn't be that stupid to implement an anti-cheat cart code that can be knocked out with a cheat cart.
Also, netlink needs the cart slot free as well.
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well, I own saga, is that the only real problem child?
I will receive my two multiregion bios in a couple of weeks max.
I'll try it out and make a report on my Pal and Jap Saturn.
Edit 1:
Pics of motherboard from my Jap Saturn:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/fdkbc1
Edit 2:
I just read again Druid II wills.
Is it enough or you really want every component.
I can do it again and closer for each one if you need it.
Last edited by Emperor Udan; 06-21-2011 at 05:19 PM.
I'm told that the game works fine with standard import-playing cartridges though (ones without extra functionality). I could be wrong though.
Saga works with an ST-Key.
Not the very first model. Maybe suitable for BIOS swap.
It's a VA4 (VA SG) model, which is technically the third type of motherboard they did. If the Bios swap is just a question of changing the mask rom, then any Saturn should be suitable.
edit: thanks for the pics. I wonder why the hell the motherboard says VA SG instead of the expected VA SD though. I thought that VA SD signified the newer 21pin cd drive. As far as I can tell the only difference compared to VA5 models is the audio encoder IC. Same for VA2 models (also VA SG, also uses different audio encoder IC, also has apparently no other difference compared to its one-generation-later sibling, VA3).
In fact, it looks like VA4-5 are identical to VA2-3, except for one being model 1, the other model 2 and not having a memory reset button. Which makes no sense, since VA2 and VA3 model 2 machines have been spotted too.
When you next disassemble the machine, could you please take two more closeups: One on the upper left part, for the ICs around the video connector, and one on the upper right part with the video cd baseplate removed? Those are the only parts I can't see either clearly or because it's covered. Thanks.
Last edited by Druid II; 06-21-2011 at 07:38 PM.
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It seemed that the first run of Saturn mobo has a slightly bigger mask rom. Maybe I 'm wrong. Long time since I have seen this model of motherboard.
The very first VA0 motherboards, the ones with soft metal shielding and separate CD-block controller, used DIP maskroms (some very early boards even had eproms instead of maskroms!).
VA1 and above all used SOIC.
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Prettier version of the mod on my US VA7 Saturn ;)
I used an MX29F800TMC-90 (SOP44) flash chip instead of eprom.
The saturn use an SOIC40 chip but the only differents between the two package is that the SOP is a bit larger and have 4 more pin since it's flash and need additional IO for programming. The spacing between the pin is the same and the footprint on the Saturn PCB is large just enough to be able to solder the SOP chip.
Once the chip programmed by an external programmer, lift pins 1, 2, 43 & 44. You can connect the /RESET (44) and /WE (43) line to Vcc and A18 (2) to GND, leave RY//BY (1) unconnected.
All the other pins match the saturn BIOS.
I don't have original jap games but I burned (I have a modchip) one jap game without modifying the region of the ISO and it's working fine as expected :D.
I don't have any pal iso on hand but will try later this week. Should start in 60Hz.
Nice work. Also, you should test with VCD card too see if it works with this BIOS.
just a little curiosity : How he managed to modify the bios image ?
does he disasm it ? or maybe is there another way ?
I was convinced that IDA was able to disasm only PSX Bios Files (with the plugin) :)
It looks like IDA Pro retails for $540. Are people really using a legit copy? I don't know if a cheaper version exist (around $200 or less).
IDA can disassemble a lot of stuff and if it cant, you can write a plugin to support it.
its the disassembler of choice.
see supported architectures here: http://www.hex-rays.com/idapro/gallery/index.htm
also some more googling: http://www.hex-rays.com/idapro/idaproc.htm
According to wikipedia, the saturn was Hitachi SH-2.IDA Pro Advanced supports all the standard processors listed above plus the more complex ones listed below.
Analysis of 64 bit programs is possible with the IDA Pro Advanced.
x64 architecture (Intel x64 and AMD64)
DEC Alpha
DSP563xx, DSP566xx, DSP561XX (comes with source code)
TI TMS320C2X, TMS320C5X, TMS320C6X, TMS320C64X, TMS 320C54xx, TMS320C55xx, TMS320C3 (comes with source code)
Hewlett-Packard HP-PA (comes with source code)
Hitachi SH1, SH2, SH3, Hitachi SH4 - Dreamcast, SH-4a
@n64coder
probably not, most people into that type of thing either dont mind downloading software they have not paid for or work in a field that require it (so they already have it for hobby use).
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