Apparently on Crazynation there used to be source code for an IDE to Disc Drive converter for the GameCube. The site is down now unfortunately. I found this thread where people are talking about the code and I also had a look with the Wayback machine, which indicates that indeed there once was source code. Unfortunately I can not find the files anywhere. Is there anyone who still has these files and is willing to upload them? Thanks!
I looked into this a while ago and saved a bunch of stuff, I've uploaded it all here: http://jaytheham.com/NGC DVD Emu.zip Looks like the source is there, I think
Thanks, this should help a lot! Did you ever do anything with the code? The REV004 seems to have audiostreaming. Is this a working implementation? My first impression is that it does not seem very hard to make a drive emulator. It seems like a fun challenge and the source will definitely help.
Sorry I can't really answer any questions, it was a couple of years ago and I never really got anywhere - I was hoping VHDL would be more like writing software than hardware. It didn't seem terribly complicated if you already knew what you were doing.
Hi, bagheera, As you've seen, I also looked into this a few years ago, and even had a GC hooked up to an FPGA board back then, but I quickly realized that it wasn't really worth the effort / expensive when you could then just buy a WiiKey Fusion instead. lol The WiiKey apparently works fine on the GC with a few very minor caveats like having to use a separate switch for disk image "eject" etc., but then I think that's required when using the WiiKey on the Wii anyway? http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/gamecube-dvd-drive-emulator.39591/#post-590963 The CZ source code is probably a tad over-complex tbh, although it was a very good effort by destop. I do have the files on my old PC too, but I see the zip that MoiBoi posted has every bit of source code in there anyway, as well as some forum notes etc. Obviously a few of the photos in that zip are from the official Nintendo dev units though (with the removable HDD caddy.) Apparently, Marshall said the original PCB was given to him in the end, but he also didn't think it would be something worth pursuing much further (he said the original code didn't work too well in it's unfinished state.) I do recall someone doing some extra work on it recently, but I can't find the thread / forum atm, and I'm not sure how far they got with it? Honestly, just buy a WiiKey instead, it will save you a lot of hassle and reverse-engineering. (There was that "WODE" product as well - is that even available any more?) Although, FPGA boards are so cheap now, and it likely wouldn't require even half of a 10,000 LE chip to implement, so you could always hook one up if you wanted.
Oh yeah - I think some of the notes in the zip (and / or in the html links) relate to the Viper GC type of mod chips as well, and that could be something worth looking into for booting games without needing tons of wires or having to disconnect the original DVD drive completely. There's some source code in some of those html links, and I recall it being for the Viper or something very similar. I'm not sure how easy it would be to make a "mod chip style" thing compatible with all the games though, so depends what you are looking to do tbh. OzOnE
http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=7d63e86f61f8731e137caede9ba43472 That forum should get you started. It's a project that uses an adapter that plugs into the memory card ports. Completely open source and well documented. Keep in mind, using an SD gecko or Wiikey fusion is a better/more compatible option.
You know what, I completely forgot about emu_kidid's project. That's probably the one I was thinking of.
Thanks for the answers. I want to make my own version to learn something. I have always wanted to be able to make a flashcard/optical drive emulator for a system. Considering there is code available means I do not have to reverse engineer too much. So this seems like a fun challenge to learn something and it has a higher chance of success. I believe that there currently is not a drive emulator that supports audio streaming? Anyone knows if the DVD connector for the GC is a standard part that can be ordered somewhere?
That disk drive connector sparked a huge discussion over on gc-forever! End of the (absurdly) long debate is that no, it is not a standard part and can't be cheaply mass produced. The only way to interface with the mainboard is to cannibalize the connector from another 'cube or desolder the connector and solder wires directly to the main board. That second option is not impossible, but requires a level of skill I don't have.
MEGA from the GC_Forever site has made plug and play devices for use with WODE or WASP Fusion. http://www.badassconsoles.com/. They work amazing and high quality.
What's the install method for the WASP? My GC's drive hasn't worked in a long while, and if something needs replacing might as well raise the black flag.
There are a couple ways to install the wasp. One is to remove the Drive and direct wire from the main board to a breakout board and plug the WASP into the breakout board. I did this originally it was tedious bulky and prone to frustration. The other is to use one of the options from badassconsoles. They have a few different options two are plug and play. Just remove the original drive and plug in the WASP. the others are basically breakout boards but fit for purpose and much easier to deal with than a generic breakout board. Either way GC-Forever has detailed instructions on either method.
The GC-HDD connected like the SD-Gecko is too slow. Even ingame videos are stuttering while loading from memory card bus. The drive replacement is the better way to go, talking about audio streaming and speed. But in the end, now that nintendont can load GC games from usb with audio streaming from usb on a wii, with org. joypad and memory card.... i'm only using the gc in combination with the gameboy player these days.
