Hello ! Do you know if it's possible to change region (with Dreamcast Region Changer) on JAP VA0? Because I tested,and nothing change...I read in some forums that it was not possible...but maybe now you have found a solution? Thank you !
I think it depends on which boot ROM is installed. I had one early production Dreamcast (one of the Japanese ones that came in the box with Yukawa on it) and the region changer didn't work on that. I also had a later unit (still VA0) where it did. The only thing I can think of is to open the unit up and change the boot ROM to one of the later ones that uses the contents of the flash to determine region.
Ok I found the solution with Megavolt,need to change the bios with freezone or dreamshell,and after you can change the region changer
Yes I saw that after .. Do you think with VA0 and MX29LV160 the 5V is dangerous and need 3,3V for Pin23,or is it ok?
I would use the MX29F161. The 3.3v chip doesnt work in all consoles. I have had many support emails/pms about all this. Mmmonkey will be changing his guide soon too.
In fact my question is, 3.3V or 5V work for MX29LV160 I tested..but 5V it's ok or no..because no problem when I use...but maybe in the future?
The mx29lv160 works in SOME va0 consoles. I have sold many hundreds of these chips and I can assure you, it doesn't work for all consoles. Not only that, even if it does work, it's above max limits and is not recommended. Use the proper chip.
Look, you asked for my advice. I have sold close to 1000 of these chips. I'm telling you now, they don't work in all va0 consoles. Using the correct chip does. It's also not operating above the max spec given to the chip (which is there for a reason). If you want to choose to ignore it. That's up to you. But then maybe don't ask for advice?? But seeing as you are selling to people, it's in your best interest to use the correct chip.
I am sorry but this is the correct chip "MX29LV160" : I listen your advice,it's just I don't understand why I have no problem with ALL console VA0 VA1 VA2.1 with all serial number..and you tell me there is a problem..you understand?
The original bios of the va0 is 5v. The va1 and Va2 are 3.3v. The mx29lv160 is a 3.3v chip. The mx29f161 is a 5v chip. The mx29lv160 is not the correct chip for the va0 consoles. That install diagram is old and even then it was never "correct", just that it worked for some. The mx29f161 wasn't supported by dreamshell back then either (so you had to preflash the chip before installation). But dreamshell supported the mx29f161 for a few years now. There is no reason to use the incorrect chip. The only reason people do is because they don't know better and are following old guides. I have been selling these chips for 6 years. I've had people buy the 3.3v chip because they are following an old guide. They have installed it and it's not worked. They have blamed my products and not listened to me. They have sent me the console and I have removed the chip, tested in programmer that it's programmed correctly and also works in a va1. I've then installed the correct 5v chip and the va0 worked no problem. Ive been doing this a long time. I'm sharing my hard earned experience.
The issue isn't the vcc (pin 23) of the chip. It's that the data lines and address lines are also operating at 5v and the mx29lv160 isn't 5v tolerant. Other devices that share the bus are going to be driving those signals with 5v (or close to it).also,the mx29lv160 is only going to be putting out 3.3v on its data lines,which I assume is the reason I've had some not work.
@Bad_Ad84 I have my NTSC-U VA0 dreamcast modded with your mx29f161 5V chip and I'm using the latest pre-compiled DreamShell release from here: https://github.com/DC-SWAT/DreamShell/tree/master/build I run it from my CF-Card which I've soldered onto the test-points on the bottom of the mainboard. One thing I notice, is that when I try to flash it, it'll always fail the first time (during the erase) using some error code (can't remember which one atm.. but I believe it's error code 5). Then when I try to flash again, it'll succeed. I've did this like 10 times now.. flash (fail), flash again (success), reboot (works fine), Any ideas why it does this? I've wired it up using this scheme: https://imgur.com/a/yMH27 Which means that pin 23 is connected to both chips (piggy-back).
not absolutely, an essence one, but I built the response on the facts, I disassembled a part of BIOS responsible for check of the region
