Official Rhea Discussion

Discussion in 'Sega Saturn Programming and Development' started by citrus3000psi, Jul 16, 2015.

  1. krisk77

    krisk77 Peppy Member

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    Don't see why you would not want too, as checking the Ribbon cable is a must, if the Saturn is returning to the main BIOS screen, as this is a comms error most of the time.

    However, I think you have answered you're own questions there, if the console had issues before replacing the CD drive and will most likely be nothing related to the ODE and SD card, etc. My guess is faulty caps on the motherboard/PSU maybe?? Try replacing the PSU?
     
  2. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    If the motherboard is faulty why doesn't give errors with small SD cards? I am afraid of checking the Ribbon cable because I read that is very fragile, but should do it. Also will try to leave the Saturn open with a fan on the PSU to check if this improves stability.

    Edit: With the Saturn opened and a fan pointed to the PSU problem persists. I removed the ribbon cable and put it the other way, problem still happens. As the Saturn is opened I managed to see that when a game quits to Saturn bios Phoebe Led blinks (SD card error).
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2016
  3. krisk77

    krisk77 Peppy Member

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    Yeah, but like I say, if the issue was there before using the stock Cd drive, then it's not the ODE and not rocket science to figure that out.

    I don't know why it doesn't give errors on small SD cards and yeah, the ribbon cable can be fragile due to it not being ZIF (Zero insertion Force). It's only if you keep removing and re-inserting could cause issues, yet again that is not the issue. The issue is the console MB/PSU or combination of the two, so if I was in you're shoes, i'd look into that before messing with the ODE/SD, otherwise you will be running in circles. That is my opinion:)
     
  4. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    Yes maybe is that, as I have the feeling that the warmer is the Saturn, the less prone to crash. What can I check that has these symptoms, caps, motherboard, PSU?
     
  5. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

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  6. krisk77

    krisk77 Peppy Member

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    I have been using a 64/128gb SD error free on Rhea and Pheobe and he mentioned he had issues before using the stock Cd-rom.
     
  7. lovewiibrew

    lovewiibrew Site Supporter 2012

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    It seems like duenan only sells Rhea. When was the last time he opened orders for phoebe?
     
  8. Atolm

    Atolm Spirited Member

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    I have been using a 64gb card without issue as well. If temp seems to be affecting operation, pop open your Saturn and look for loose solder pads that need to be reflowed.

    He just did a Phoebe order like two months ago. He alternates.
     
  9. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    Had some testing and here is the evidence:
    1) Cold Saturn (all night off) with a 32gb card inserted runs Magic Carpet intro during 5 hours without problems
    2) After these 5 hours with warm Saturn I insert 128gb card and runs Magic Carpet during 2 hours without crashes, I turn off Saturn
    3) The next morning with cold Saturn the 128gb card runs Magic Carpet during 3 minutes and crashes. Again if I leave it warm during 15 minutes or so it seems the crashes are gone.

    Conclusion is that something is bad with my Saturn (maybe a capacitator) but the problem doesn't happen with smaller cards. At the moment I will continue to warm a bit the Saturn before playing, if problems arise more often then I will try reflowing some pads, but I am not good with a soldering iron.
     
  10. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

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  11. Olschoolgamer

    Olschoolgamer Spirited Member

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    I used a PNY 64gb and it gave me no issues. It really does depend on the sd card, which is a bummer. The device is so amazing that it feels like a pointless thing for me to be disappointed in.
     
  12. cleeg

    cleeg Rising Member

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    It makes me wonder if there are two problems occurring simultaneously: The too big card and the Saturn's mystery problem, it could be just a question of which one rears its head at any given point...
     
  13. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    Hi, opened the Saturn and I think I got a leaking cap on the PSU. Please look at the pictures and tell me if this is leaking or some kind of grease.

    Also, can the Saturn be damaged if I still use it before replacing that cap?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

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  15. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    Thanks for all that info, another thing I noticed on my Saturn, that happens randomly is like an horizontal line interference (similar as if it loosed vsync), I thought it was the RGB cable or even the TV but I have read that is associated with faulty PSU. I am going to try to find the TOP202YAI or TOP204YAI in my town and check if it does solve the problem. Maybe I should open a new thread with this as it is not related to Rhea/Phoebe.
     
  16. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

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  17. splatterhouse

    splatterhouse Member

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    I have swapped my PSU with another one from a model 1 saturn that works flawlessly and the symptoms are the same. I checked the motherboard and to my eyes it seems ok, so i stop looking for solutions and concentrate in gaming after heating up the console.

    Thanks for your help, maybe my saturn has something bad, maybe is just some kind of issue with the sd card but not worth the hassle to find the problem.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2016
  18. Moray Saville

    Moray Saville Newly Registered

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    Hi Everyone,
    I'm new to the forum although been lurking for a while - Very keen to get my hands on a Rhea board, although ordering is suspended at present. Anyone know when orders will be taken again? I doubt any sane member would have one for sale but would be interested if one became available.

    Cheers

    MJ
     
  19. krisk77

    krisk77 Peppy Member

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    Nobody can answer that question of orders, as only Deunan can. Keep checking the site and have a RSS feed setup, as it's not actually hard to miss his updates and order his ODE's. I have 2 GDemu's, 1 Rhea and 1 Pheobe in my collection, yet for some ordering 1 device is a chore for them.
     
  20. lovewiibrew

    lovewiibrew Site Supporter 2012

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    I had RSS apps set to notify me of changes to his site (aka he opens orders). I created a wordpress account so that I would be emailed when his blog was updated. I posted a comment on his blog and ticked the boxes to be notified when a new post was made. And I STILL never got notification that pre-orders were open. So it's not always a matter of "being easy" to get the device. I've since resorted to checking the blog twice a day.
     
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