panasonic m2 blackboxes

So, it is possible that some M2 software could solve the problem. Possibly . . . I mean - - If we knew how the filesystem worked, in theory we would be able to solve the problem of the game crashing [more or less] - - Which arcade games did you try to boot? (just asking outta curiousity) - - How did you go about creating the disc? (arcade game disc . . . that is . . . ) - - The reason I ask this is because I was under the impression that the M2 wouldn't be able to boot CD-Roms/CD-Rs and so on . . . Either that, or there was a "special" way of going about creating the discs for it . . . I never quite understood clearly as to what went on with that. I mean, that's actually new information to me - - Ya know, an M2 being capable of booting a disc. I couldn't get anything to run on it at all.

Sandman

 

Whenever you get the chance, if you can even get the chance, and/or time - - Is it possible that you would be able to email/host/upload an iso/any image file of one of the discs you have?

 

Well, I did want to study the special characteristics of a FZ-35s Disc. Hell, let's be real, this is as good as it gets for now. Lol. Besides, I think it'll be a good opportunity to better understand the way the M2 works. Keep me posted as to when you'll host the 600mb disc . . . By the way, what exactly do you need a dump of the firmware for the M2 for? Also, isn't possible to do it yourself? (I don't know . . . lol)

Sandman

 

I understand . . . Would it help for me to send you another M2 and see if you'll be able to desolder the rom. I mean, I practically see these things floating around for about $20 a piece [the M2s I mean] - - Or . . . is even attempting to do that too wreckless to begin with, as there may be many errors, and $20 could turn into $100 easy? - - I think you get the point . . . I forgot to mention/ask . . . The discs you have are on CD-Rs or CD-Roms? (Probably just another dumb question . . . ) - - Lastly, what kind of equipment would you need to get the dump?

Sandman

 

I don't have a spare FZ-35s, however, I'll be willing to buy one just for this project alone. I mean, hell, isn't it all worth it in the end? Anyways, I'll be on the lookout for one, so, I'll either tell you or jwhazel if a FZ-35s goes on sale or something. Either that, or I'll buy it and mail it off to him and see if he can dump the firmware . . . It's worth a shot . . . I got mine not too long ago, however, there seemed to have been several for sale (like 3 or 4 more on sale at that same time) and now, Poof! I don't get it.
By the way - -Do you know of anywhere else besides ebay in which they occassionally pop up? (I got mine off of ebay . . . ) Let me know. Peace.

 

By the way . . . Did you create the discs yourself? Or you had to get them from someone else - - Also, what were the discs specifically made for? (Battle Tryst+Polystars) What format were/are they in on the disc?

 

Where did you find your copies? Also, where can I get a copy?

I'm assuming the files you're talking about are the files that you wrote right? I remember that earlier you mentioned that you had to do some programming . . . Also what kind of programming did you use?

 

I know this is almost inconsequential, but in case anybody was ever wondering, cdmotion was a windows only tool. Matsushita was never keen on using macs for development. I turned my search for this software into overdrive when you were trying to get the arcade games to work. I was hoping it would somehow help you understand the boot process better. I emailed developers, past developers, key people at 3do, etc... and came up with nothing.

It may be possible to do this non-destructivly. I need a better look at the hardware though. It might be possible to use a bit blaster, much like how you extract the contents of the original 3do rom. I haven't a clue until I get my hands on one. One of the main problems is (at least with the original 3do, I'm assuming with the FZ as well) the rom contents are encrypted. The guys at freedo seem to be intentionally vague about exactly what type of encryption is used. I myself can't hardly even decrypt morse code let alone your fancy md5's and rc4's (obviously I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point). If I obtain the encrypted rom, anyone here think they can make something out of it?

Regardless, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a FZ on ebay and yahoo japan (do they ever pop up there?) As soon as I get one, I'll hack it apart. The last one that popped up went for some crazy amount just because it had the stupid chevy demo with it.

 

Yeah, I think obtaining cdmotion involved dealing directly with matsushita (and consequently in japanese). Many links on obtaining it existed on there official m2 site. At one point, after digging deep through archive.org with babelfish, I uncovered what I thought might possibly be a set of x86 based tools for dealing with the FZ's. There was a compiler and some misc tools available (or in the works) from matsushita, but it may very of well been a translation error.

 

My idea exactly. The issue though would be who to contact though. I quick search through archive.org and I can't retrieve the page that had the contact on it for m2systems.com, but if someone is interested, I'm sure I can find it somewhere.

Possible. Encryption is definatly not my thing. I'm only basing that on the fact that the original 3do bios was encrypted. Any particular reason you think that the FZ one isn't?

I don't actually have one so I don't know for sure, but weren't dev kits supplied a bios file to reflash the card that it came with? If so writing a program would be pointless since if you have the devkit then you (probably) have the bios file to begin with (unless you really need the FZ-35 one for some reason).

 

The people, who I know speaks Japanese are GaijinPunch, Warakia Yakumo-sama. And well I think either gaijinPunch, and Warakia, would be the best bet. If I remember right, but ask Yakumo too. And if you want to go into the extreme, then also ask Japan-Games.com. Since he is a member too.

 

Regardless, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a FZ on ebay and yahoo japan (do they ever pop up there?) As soon as I get one, I'll hack it apart. The last one that popped up went for some crazy amount just because it had the stupid chevy demo with it.[/quote]



:lol: Well i got that one but i dont care,i saw movement in fz35s at last...
anyway because i can see that there are people sharing the same insane interest for my beloved 3do. i can send my extra fz35s to anyone that can REALLY make a dump of the bios.just contact me and we can find a way to send this... i really want to help and i dont care about money if its gonna make sth special...

 

Awesome. I was about to ask if I could borrow somebodys. Pitsunami are you willing to part with your spare (I would purchase it from you) or are you only interested in loaning it? Honestly, I'm not a collector, I could care less about owning one of these things. What I am interested in is taking a few pics of it for my website and also dumping the rom for windowskiller. I think that I can do it non-destructivly (no desoldering) but I'm not for sure until I see the layout of the mobo. But the part of me that does actually want to own one of these (hence my offer) is in case something were to go wrong. I'm pretty confident in my abilities, but in general I hate messing with something unless I own it. I actually didn't start fixing 360's until I could find someone willing to sell me a busted one for me to play with first (got it up and running well).

 

i now have two and as said i want to help, if windowskiller can make sth with the dump then i think it worth the try.if you want i can send it to you as donation offcourse.personally i hate that the seller of the auction sold me a dvdr that im sure he made a copy for so much money,but somebody non collector had to do it.maybe sometime i will give the damn dvd iso to you,im not going to take it with me to my next life,so release knowledge is for everybody. but i will be pissed if sb take the iso and sell it. its a difficult situation. anyway back to topic, pls send me your adress and i will ship it on monday.

 

if thats it,i think its easy...but dont know how to do it so...

 

I know this is a pain in the ass but do you by chance have a higher rez pic? I'm interested in seeing the traces on this, would like to see if I can possibly jtag it before I remove it with a rework gun.

edit: i meant of the bios chip

 

I hope this helps . . .

 

Excellent thank you much.

PS: might want to talk to windowskiller about your dipswitches there.

 

(DUMB QUESTION ALERT!) Thanks on the tip, but why would I? (I'm seriously asking . . . )

 

Yeah, I guess I should've elaborated on that. He was trying to figure out what the dipswitches did awhile back (theres a topic here somewhere about it). My memory is fuzzy, but I think yours may be set differently than his. Whats the full model # listed on the back of your console ( I think its in a white rectangular box)? I always hypothosized that those settings may be exclusive to the model type based on the configuration. But I couldn't tell because panasonics literature seems to contradict itself on which models offer what.

Also, thanks again for the picture.