FZ-35S and GMC 2003.5

Mixed degree of success.

Rename Cadillac DVD file Opera00.dat -> Opera00.dat.iso -> burn to CD * BOOTS *

Rename IMSA ISO file: mycd.iso -> Opera00.dat -> Burn to DVD in UDF format ** DOES NOT BOOT **

 

Okay, i burned the IMSA CD image file (renamed to Opera00.dat) to DVD using the UDF filesystem and it does boot (displaying the imsa loading screen) and after 5 minutes of DVD activity it crashes the fz-35. The settings i used are: UDF/ISO9660 (mode1), also used an DVD-R.

I don't know what to make of your results, your unit *can* boot from DVD and CD so we can conclude the DVD drive is ok. I have no idea why it refuses to boot the IMSA and shooter-demo images. It seems to be a software problem, so i think it has something to do with the bios version in your unit. If i am not mistaken your unit originally contained a superdisk drive, maybe the bios was modified to support this hardware?

Anyway, when you have the spare CD's you can burn the other files (Opera01/02/03.dat) to create the extra disks to finish the installation and check if the Cadillac demonstration will start.

edit: before you burn the extra cd's, you should check if the unit reboots when ejecting the dvd drive (when it asks for the 2nd disk).

 

Burning Opera01.dat to a CD didn't work, so it is odd behaviour for sure.

When I have some time, I will play around with the dip switches.

I see a similar FZ-35 is for sale by the same vendor that I purchased mine from. It looks very similar to my unit, and doesn't have a Superdisc drive either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-M2-3DO-FZ-35S-Console-System-Only-Japan-/280759013655

 

I do see a difference in the screenshot the seller posted and what my unit displays.



On my unit there is only the text "Please Insert Disc !" (flashing), but no picture of that cd with questionmark. I think this is another sign the problem has something to do with the bios version of this (and your) model FZ-35.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMVeMea3pu8

 

Hey guys,
Indeed, the 5-J units do have a different BIOS. I just pulled mine out last night to give it a look.
This is the issue.

 

Mystery solved.

Thanks to all that contributed to this thread. The outcome wasn't ideal, but your time and effort to reply and help in testing is greatly appreciated.

 

Has anyone dumped the bios' on these?

 

Guess not. I'll have the Jpn one dumped and posted next week.

Edit: Jpn bios
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OW0FQEMQ

 

Anyone willing to dump their US bios?

 

What is needed to do this?

 

I'm having the same problem. Do I need to flash my BIOS somehow? The shooter demo and IMSA racing work fine. I can't get the GM Cadillac disc working however. Not sure what to do.

What's odd is my unit came from a GM dealership, as it was being used for a kiosk. I also have the nrg image that came from that Russian website... maybe that's the issue?

Can someone please upload that JPN BIOS again? Megaupload has been taken down, thanks. I'm also happy to upload my BIOS... just not sure how to go about it.

 

No need to flash the bios.

Open the case and check if there is a hard disk inside and if it works fine. Otherwise plug an old IDE hard disc like this :

http://www.assemblergames.com/forum...and-GMC-2003-5&p=537839&viewfull=1#post537839

 

You have the correct bootscreen and imsa works on your unit, so you have a different problem than discussed in this topic. Maybe you can check the harddisk in your unit and the dipswitch settings (number 4 should be in the 'on' position).

 

I stuck an old 6GB drive in my FZ-35S because the original drive had been removed. I didn't know about the jumpers and just wanted it to boot up and load IMSA racing and the shooter demo. I think the drive has an NTFS partition and needs to be formatted with FAT.

My stupid IDE to USB adapter didn't recognize that drive, so I didn't format it beforehand. I was hoping the GM kiosk disc would do it for me... wishful thinking.

I just pulled an old 20GB HDD out of the closet... click, click, click!! GRrrr

 

I think it works only on FAT partition (maybe FAT16 or FAT32).

 

I haven't found an adequate IDE drive yet.. I'll post once I get one.

 

Going thru a pile of junk the other day, I found an old 10GB IDE drive. Hopefully that will be sufficient.

 

And while you are doing that, also check if the disc drive is DVD. ;-) Most japanese units I had so far were only equipped with a CD drive, which can - of course - not boot any kiosk DVD.

After replacing the hard disk, you need to run the "IBC Reformatting Disk" once, otherwise the hard disk won't be recognized.

 

How do we get this "reformatting disk"?