Can a Genesis Model 1 fit into a Megadrive Model 1 shell?

Discussion in 'Modding and Hacking - Consoles and Electronics' started by atreyu187, Aug 17, 2012.

  1. atreyu187

    atreyu187 Intrepid Member

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    So I hate my Genesis model 1 it is ugly but I can't use my backup cart for save using my Megadrive so i rarely use it though it is my choice deck. Anyhow I was thinking of trying a gut swap and using the MD shell and a USA innards. I was wondering if anyone had done such a thing? If not i will report back once I get time to tackle this but I have to fix my Ps2 first as I dropped the controller port cleaning it last night and the clips broke.
     
  2. omp

    omp Familiar Face

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    Yes you can BUT be sure that the revisions are close/same. The VA7 model 1 moved the power socket inwards a bit (about the same, if not the same as a Japanese MD).
     
  3. sonicdude10

    sonicdude10 So long AG and thanks for all the fish!

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    As long as it is the same revision or close, They'll fit. Most model 1 Megadrive, Genesis used the same parts with a jumper having different connections for language and region. You can make a NTSC-U model a NTSC-J, PAL-E, or PAL-J (for south Asian regions like Singapore) model by changing how the jumpers are connected. That might be the way to go. Unless the Megadrive not reading isn't related to region, I'd try a region change first. Only then would I do a gut swap. Try changing your Megadrice to NTSC-U first and see if it fixes the problem. I assume the Genesis is left as NTSC-U and Megadrive as PAL-E. Running the Megadrive as NTSC-U might do the trick. Easier than swapping the guts out. I'm gonna mod my model 1 Genesis to have 1 switch to change all 4 regions soon. (NTSC-U, NTSC-J, PAL-E, PAL-J) Won't do me much good since I have alternate ways to get PAL games to run NTSC but just to say I did it with a single switch. It is a weird one from an alarm clock radio with 4 positions and the right amount of pins for this to work.
     
  4. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

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    just get a megadrive and then change the jumpers so its NTSC/USA

    Dont bother swapping motherboards.
     
  5. atreyu187

    atreyu187 Intrepid Member

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    I prefer the MD as well as the Megakey works on this model but not on my Genesis so a swap is preferred as I can play any game without GG codes.
     
  6. Breetai

    Breetai Spirited Member

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  7. atreyu187

    atreyu187 Intrepid Member

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    Yes? LMAO but not the welch metal band Atreyu. Anyhow they will not swap out so I am going to buy a bios chip for my Sega CD to use with my Megadrive. This way I keep the better looking deck with no TMMS screen, megakey works and I can still use my Sega CD backup RAM cart and 32x. Thanks for all the input guys.
     
  8. Lum

    Lum Officer at Arms

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    I thought the NTSC version 32x needs a mod for 50hz?
     
  9. sonicdude10

    sonicdude10 So long AG and thanks for all the fish!

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    It's simply adding 1 wire into it.
     
  10. FireAza

    FireAza Shake! Shake!

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    Seconding what Bad_Ad is suggesting here. Unless you're able to find a case on it's own, you can easily mod a Mega Drive/Genesis to accept carts from any region (though if you get a Japanese MD you won't have to cut up the cart slot, which looks tidier ;)) And if you use a RGB SCART cable, you won't need to worry about no color when using a Hz setting that's different from the console's native setting, and RGB SCART is also the best cable you can use!
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2012
  11. omp

    omp Familiar Face

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    Yes both adding the switch as appropriate and swapping the crystal out if using composite (to get that PAL60 thing going).
     
  12. Yakumo

    Yakumo Pillar of the Community *****

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    Just change the top shell. That way you loose the ugly Genesis logo and don't need to worry about any socket port issues because they are all on the bottom shell.
     
  13. Lum

    Lum Officer at Arms

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    Not a bad idea. Myself I messed up getting the PAL high definition graphics shell, no EXT port hole.
     
  14. HEX1GON

    HEX1GON FREEZE! Scumbag

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    Oh yeah, dat Genesis logo looks horrible... thought I was the only one who thought so.
     
  15. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

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    Everyones suggestion (swapping top shell, swapping motherboard) requires 2 consoles to be messed with.

    Just changing a PAL MD into a US/NTSC console requires 1 (therefore cheaper. If you already have the genesis - sell it toward buying the MD).

    You do not need any codes, the setup of a MD is just some jumpers on the motherboard. Remove the PAL and move over to NTSC....

    If you want you can mod to get proper NTSC colour out or you can use RGB. Either way, why use 2 consoles when you dont need to?
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2012
  16. H360

    H360 Familiar Face

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  17. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

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    Link is to a model 2 guide, do you even check what you post is right?

    =/
     
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