Saturn Modchip Issues

Discussion in 'Sega Saturn Programming and Development' started by yaler, Jun 12, 2012.

  1. yaler

    yaler Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have four of these chips that I could not get them working on both of my Model 2 32 pin IC Saturn.

    -The first chip on the left is marked SSIC7A, the crystal is missing in this one. Moving the crystal over from another chip and the drive spun up like normal but it recognizes retail and backup as audio CDs. On the back I tried bridging the other two points next to the 5V but is also thrown me to the audio CD screen
    -The second chip marked SSB-02, when installed the laser/disc motor does not move.
    -Ignore the third chip pictured
    -Chip four marked EMSIC7 acts the same as chip two, I tried moving the jumper bridge and it does not make a difference.
    -Chip five (not pictured) is labeled STKEYFA, it's also causes a unresponsive disc drive like chip two. It looks like it has two sets of 21 pin connector soldered in. One side says grey and the other white. The connector on the grey side is loose, and the white printed socket has pins on both side.

    I have chips that work fine leading me to believe that the FFC, backup disc, and drive are fine. I tried thicker power cables and I am pulling the power directly from the power supply.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Any suggestions/ideas?
    Thanks
     
  2. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  3. yaler

    yaler Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    I've seen Rob Webb's guide as well as the blog of the older EMSIC chips, unfortunately they seem to be no help to me

    Both of my boards are VA7 and contains the JVC EXL-P605 drive

    Good to know. I have been connecting the cables with the pins facing the cut out corner of the socket, but tried them backwards with no luck either. I've also been connecting 'in' to the drive and 'out' to the mobo.

    There are only four chips I could not get working. Well only three now as I got the SSIC7A to work by replacing the 2.2k resistor with a 1K resistor as marked on the board.. not sure why.
    I've taken pictures of the three boards earlier but I had not taken off the stickers. I still can not get the disc to spin up on any of these three. I have touched up some of the soldering after taking the pictures
    Album
    SSB-02 Front Back
    EMSIC7 Front Back
    STKEYFA Front Back
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2012
  4. Calpis

    Calpis Champion of the Forum

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2004
    Messages:
    5,906
    Likes Received:
    21
    The resistor pulls up a TTL level output so it can drive a CMOS input.
     
  5. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  6. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

    Joined:
    May 26, 2011
    Messages:
    8,566
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    There is no transistor on the SSB-02?

    Are you talking about the ceramic resonator (or maybe a cap? cant really tell from pic) or the resistor?
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
  7. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  8. Trenton_net

    Trenton_net AKA SUPERCOM32

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    2,378
    Likes Received:
    58
    @Yaler: Sorry about all the trouble. Most of these chips are cobbled together using whatever parts they have left on hand so Quality Control is probably the last thing on these pirates manufactures minds. If you can't get any of them fixed, or simply don't want to do so, drop me a line and I'll be happy to do an exchange or refund. Though, I think some of those chips might be kind of valuable if you get get them to work. Especially the 20 pin compatible ones. From the looks of things, It sounds like the people on the assembly line just made some simple goofs.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
  9. madhatter256

    madhatter256 Illustrious Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2004
    Messages:
    6,578
    Likes Received:
    4
    bumping an old thread.

    Was going through my stuff and found a modchip I ordered from trenton a while ago. I finally found a saturn at a local flea market and its an older model (oval button). Not sure what model exactly as I have not purchase it.

    The chip I bought months ago is this:

    IMG_0982.JPG IMG_0983.JPG IMG_0984.JPG

    This chip came with the ribbon cables and was presoldered. Obviously, this chip is different than what is pictured (see chip #4) in the OP. Comparing both of them, I'm missing a few small components and a chip.

    SO, I was wondering what modifications, if any, I would have to do get this chip to work on the oval-button saturn I saw?
     
  10. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  11. madhatter256

    madhatter256 Illustrious Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2004
    Messages:
    6,578
    Likes Received:
    4
    "Working Jumper Combination"?

    What do you mean by that exactly? Something on the saturn or the modchip?

    How can I tell if it is a VA SD/SG model without opening it up?

    Also, I'm am good at soldering, so modifying the chip to work on a 20-pin shouldn't that big of a hassle can you point me to the right chip installation to modify the chip to work with that model?
     
  12. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  13. APE

    APE Site Supporter 2015

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2005
    Messages:
    6,416
    Likes Received:
    138
    There is a guide for modding the EMSIC 7 chips?
     
  14. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  15. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

    Joined:
    May 26, 2011
    Messages:
    8,566
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Which doesnt have a guide for modding for 20 pin afaik
     
  16. bart_simpson

    bart_simpson Dauntless Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2011
    Messages:
    768
    Likes Received:
    18
    Robb webb console goods now have 20 pin mod chips now.
     
  17. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
  18. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

    Joined:
    May 26, 2011
    Messages:
    8,566
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Yes, I know that. But he asked if there was a guide - not a pin out.
     
  19. APE

    APE Site Supporter 2015

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2005
    Messages:
    6,416
    Likes Received:
    138
    Indeed. If I really wanted to I could modify them with the known pinout. The problem is that the only model 1 Saturn I have doesn't boot discs last time I checked making it difficult to test any modifications.
     
  20. Druidic teacher

    Druidic teacher Officer at Arms

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    3,643
    Likes Received:
    129
    x
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2017
sonicdude10
Draft saved Draft deleted
Insert every image as a...
  1.  0%

Share This Page