Dreamcast Devbox Bios on retail Console!

Just to get this straight, you're saying you don't think the requisite bus has an extra pin available to be able to use the extra 128kb?

Isn't the flash only really used for PSO account data and region settings? Of course that is precluding any possible re-purposing of the flash space.

Oh and that really late Puyo Pop was it that could change the background at the BIOS. I don't recall specifically where the data was stored (IIRC a theory was presented that it resided on the VMU) but I'd imagine the flash would have to be written to in order to invoke the loading of the background (I guess?).

 

The 3d menu was on the bios, but activated if a certain filename with a name i dont remember is on the vmu, then you press start and have the bios in 3D, this file also could store an image for the menu.

 

I had the same problem as some here with my old dreamcast that could not start the dreamshell disc.
I solve this repacking the cdi with audio/data+dummy track + link83 bios instead the original data/data track that old dreamcast cannot read (at least with original dshell cdi image)If someone need it, I will up the cdi image to be burn with A120% on megaup.

 

Ape, I think the filename just has to have the *.PVR extension. Then the actual save data on the VMU is a normal PVR file (the first bytes of game data should be "PVRT")

 

Nothing useful to add here, just wanted to say that Link83 pointed me towards this post, and now I'm very interested in trying this out, just ordered a couple of chips to try it on, and love the fact that you can program it whilst it's installed in the console (I have read that right haven't I?)

Thank you to everyone for sharing this info, especially Link83 for the bios and posting it, and DarthCloud for the posts with links to downloads, ooh and l_oliveira for trying it out ages ago by the looks of it!

IF I get it to work okay, is it okay for me to mirror the downloads and info on my own site?

ta
Pete

 

I cant speak for anybody else but anything I have posted you are more than welcome to host/mirror.

Without your site I would not have got into modding in the first place :nod:

 

I've got a board here with a slightly different revision from the one I originally did and the one DarthCloud has shots of. IC302 doesn't have a large space to solder to. Am I correct in assuming the pad connects to pin 1 for 3.3v? The pad is there, its just covered up.

EDIT: Nevermind it says it is in really small print.

Problem: when I tried to boot Dreamshell with Link83's BIOS inserted (the image from earlier in this thread) it'd boot to a black screen. Tried the original Dreamshell image and it wouldn't go past the orange swirl. Now nothing I put in will get it past the orange swirl. It won't even drop into the BIOS.

Leaving it unplugged seems to remedy the problem but it refuses to boot one disc and as soon as it posted the ip.bin logo for Dreamshell it decides to reboot and refuse to load the disc.

UPDATE:

I got the damn thing to boot the disc once and then it locked up when trying to flash to the new chip. Either my wires are inappropriately too high a gauge, I need to use solid core wire, or the chips need 5v and not 3.3v. Not entirely sure what. Maybe the DC is bipolar...

 

i dont know but dreamshell worked fine on mine and im guessing that it is mine

 

Flash chip will only run on 3.3v.What AVG did you used ? 28-32 should be fine.

Like as said in other post it's easier to solder the chip directly on top of the other. Check all wire with a multimeter for continuity. You might have some cold join.

 

I'm hoping its a cold joint. As far as I know I'm using 30 AWG wire but I got a fresh batch in today that I'll replace it all with. Just never have seen a DC behave this strangely before.

 

Hey folks I saw something HORRIBLE on the earlier posted pics on this thread.

I've seen people running a VA0 Deamcast motherboard with a 29LV160 chip.

VA0 board (Heatpipes model) feeds 5v to the maskrom chip.
So the RIGHT flash there MUST be 29F160 not 29LV160.

VA1 and newer (no heatpipes, 3 wires plastic fan) need 29LV160 chips.


Also, regarding the boot block unlock with the already existing flash memory for the region changing process, the datasheet for the Fujitsu chip used on the VA1 motherboard states that the chip can deal with 12v on it's reset pin for an cumulative time of 48 hours, meaning that you're supposed to feed it 12v only while it's being reprogrammed then have the connection removed. :shrug:

 

Then after 48 hours it'll cook off? Or a variable? Better safe than sorry, should I clip the reset wire on the replacement chip?

 

I'm talking about the region change mod. The wire you connect from the 12V to the round pad for changing the region (or swirl color in case of the region free bios) and change the video mode setting should be removed after the deed is completed. Otherwise the TSOP flashrom chip will fry.

Now regarding the SOP flash chip (the one with the modified bios) it SHOULD be a 29F160 instead of 29LV160 if your motherboard type is VA0.

Putting a 29LV160 on a VA0 Dreamcast motherboard will result on a fried flashrom. Putting an 29F160 chip on a VA1 motherboard will result on apparently dead Dreamcast (chip requires 5v to work but is supplied 3.3v).

If your motherboard is VA1 or newer 29LV160 is fine.

Also this should explain the issues Link83 had with the chips he bought when he was developing the hacked bios.

I believe they were 29F160 and he was trying to hook them on a PAL VA1 motherboard which supplies 3.3v for the flash chip.

At the time I was unaware of this problem too and could not help. :shrug:

Edit: sorry if I keep repeating myself, and repeating what DarkCloud is saying. I just don't want to see another DC fry ... lol

 

New DC porn for everyone.

Quick question, does anyone who bought a set of chips still have any? If not does anyone want any? Willing to get 30+ from a supplier but I don't want to spend good cash for something I'll just have sitting in a box for a few weeks.

 

I might want one, still need to mod my system for full use of my SD card and Dreamshell.

 

How much we talking?

 

First time around they were $10 each but I don't know what prices LVNeptune and DarthCloud got theirs for *at cost*. I'm assuming some mark-up was involved to cover costs but obviously if you buy a pallet load of something you can get it cheaper on a per unit basis than if you buy one unit off the shelf.

From the quotes I was given earlier in the month I could easily make $10 (possibly less) per chip as the final cost.

There is also the fact that the VA0 as l_oliveira mentioned needs a different chip than the VA1 and above do. Not a big deal as I personally have yet to see a VA0 Dreamcast that wasn't hand picked for purchase because it was a VA0 DC. But if anyone has one they will need to speak up and I can procure a quote from a supplier.

 

I got mine from http://www.utsource.net/

With shipping I think it cost me 6.10$ per chip.

 

At 30 pieces I was quoted roughly half that IIRC.

 

This happened to a friend of mine's Dreamcast. Nice to finally be able to make sense of that...

EDIT: How the hell is the DreamShell guy then able to keep the R512 and 12V connected on his Dreamcast so he can switch regions from the DS menu? I can only assume he has been using his Dreamcast for more than 48 hours after creating DreamShell? :/