Is the US Gamecube optical drive unit compatible with a Japanese PCB?

Anyone know for certain? I'm exploring my options to get real JPN mode, it's necessary for some games to correctly play. May as well get the more remote possibilities covered.

 

Yes.

As far as I know, it's never been tried. However, I am certain that it would work.

You can attach an NR drive to a standard cube of any region and an NPDP drive to a standard cube of any region.
I don't think that a stock drive would give you any issues.

 

As I understood it - jp games only have problems on PAL consoles. US consoles have the jap fonts in the bios and work just fine.

 

Could be, I'm not leaving that to chance. I don't want to use a region switch US console for my special project if it'll have problems.

 

Probably worth checking first.

 

I don't have that soldering ability yet. My attempt failed. Such tiny wire and contact points.

 

Quote I found about the situation:

 

Yeah Freeloader doesn't itself actually cause the problem. A modchip won't toggle language either.

 

Yes, freeloader or modchip is the same in respect of running "out of region" games.

A hardware switch will work just fine, there is no need for a jap cube.

 

I have the equipment to find out. Problem is finding an newb-proof way to get solder onto nano sized contact points.

 

spare boards (any old pc cards etc.) and lots of practice

 

True, it isn't cost effective sending into somebody else to add the switch right now. I'll be getting a modchip install whenever my order arrives.

 

Use a thin wire, and you should essentially be able to test it by putting the wire into the contact points. Worked fine as a quick solderless method back in the day.

 

Given the region control can be subverted with a switch I don't see why American optics wouldn't be compatible with a Japanese PCB. Most modchips just patch the drive for backups and not much more AFAIK. At least the XenoGC does.

 

Edit: Not possible to attach wire there. I desoldered point R5! o_o

This cube will likely need the point drilled out to re-expose the board's trace.

 

Drilled?

I suggest you step away before you break it =/

 

Indeed. I sure can't think of a way to bore holes that tiny to find connections inside a PCB. >_>

 

You do not drill. There is no need to do that... ever.

 

Perhaps if a pinhole remains, thin enough liquid solder could flow into the exact right spot to make a connection. I don't own any microscope to find out.

 

The hole is a via. The connection is going from 1 side of the board to the other. You could just solder on the other side.

Or you can expose the trace...

No microscope is required.