Action Replay firmware upgrade???

[beharius]

Does anyone know how to update the firmware of Action Replay 4in1 plus(EMS)? I saw it in a french forum but lost it.

[Druid II]

The readme on the action replay commslink software explains it.

But to upgrade it, you need a cart which still has the communication port on top, an old PC that has a parallel port, a cable to connect it, and the system should run an old OS that can use that hardware - not even XP may be able to use it.

[beharius]

But mine has no db25 port unfortunately....
I know it's done by running a disc on Saturn, but lost the guide so the files...

[Druid II]

The only AR software I have uses the comms link to upgrade firmware.

[Bad_Ad84]

You could probably add the port anyway.

[APE]

You could probably add the port anyway.

Yes, but it requires populating the PCB with some additional components. Not hard by any means.

http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/DataLink/

[Bad_Ad84]

If the port isnt there, you are obviously going to need to populate the board with missing parts. Even if it was just the connector itself

[beharius]

I know it, but no need for it. I also don't want to avoid the warranty by opening the cartridge, I had 2 damaged ARs, I sent them back to EMS for repair before for free.
There is a special disc to update the firmware.
I saw it on the saturn.netboarder.com forums, however it's down now.

[Druid II]

You mean this?
http://saturn.netboarder.com/t2115-s...-action-replay

Looks like it can work, but I don't have a spare AR to ruin in case it doesn't.

[beharius]

That site is working ? Unfortunately it doesn't work here, maybe its access is restricted here...

[beharius]

I found it...
http://rapidshare.com/files/432620923/atlas.rar
It can upgrade the firmware to v2.02 of AR 4IN1 PLUS...

[mdmx]

You can also download the The Rockin'-B All Stars compilation:
http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn-rb-all-stars.html

It contains a savegame manager and an AR flash utility.

[beharius]

Thanks. What an interesting site! I didn't know that there is an Snes emulator for SS...

[APE]

If the port isnt there, you are obviously going to need to populate the board with missing parts. Even if it was just the connector itself

My original assumption with these was a cost cutting measure, usually the board has been redesigned as well in my experience. Then again the Chinese aren't usually big on original work.

[beharius]

A while ago I opened one, and as I remember it's possible to solder a db25 port there, traces are there and seems nothing missing, just a little dremel work...

[Bad_Ad84]

Need the port and a 74HC245.

Thread: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums...t=33490&page=2

[beharius]

I just received the Action Replay 4in 1 black version from EMS, and it's version 2.02, latest one as I know. I think it's nicer in black case...

[gameofyou]

I just came across this topic. Yes, for most of the older ARP cartridges, you may add a 74HC245 and a 25-pin connector to the circuit board, & get it working.

HOWEVER....

I opened up an ARP cart for modification today. When I opened it up, to my surprise, they have changed the circuit board design radically. They completely got rid of the ability to add a communication connector. See here for a look at the difference (the new board rev is on the left).

http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/...RP_New_PCB.jpg

This is very discouraging. I didn't think that they sold enough of these to warrant doing a pcb re-design, but I was wrong.

[APE]

The reduction from 8 chips to 5 as well as PCB foot print would reduce costs quite a bit on a per board basis. The chips they require may also have been hard enough to acquire at a good price point that switching to newer alternatives was a requirement in order to not drive up the price.

Wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't still add the additional hardware to get the interface running but it would take a bit of work to reverse engineer it all.

[beharius]

I had 3 malfunctioning ones before, one was stuck in 4mb games, one had backup memory problems, the other caused glitches and resisted on booting on other consoles, also behaving strangely in the menu, like auto scrolling without any intervention. Probably after many complaints and returns they corrected these problems. It would be great to add all the codes in it.