Saturn proof-of-concept bootloader Pseudo Saturn

"When it's done".

 

"The Carmack schedule". "It will be done, when it is done"

 

Just to report that I managed to put a region free BIOS on my Saturn and the MPEG board is happy to run the movies without the need of an AR. Still Pseudo Sat hits an error if I try to run a VCD thru it, although it recognizes it and attempts to launch it.

I am happy the the region free BIOS allows me to skip the AR piece at least, I wish Pseudo would manage to do the same eventually.

Now for a more real request I'd like for Pseudo to be able to boot the FDD Operator disk, it simply errors out (maybe same cause as per VCD).

 

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates. Between work, family, poor health and trying to juggle my side projects, I'm having a hard time keeping on top of everything. I plan on doing one more release yet fixing the issues with game loading (v0.832) and then I think it's time to leave it up to the community to add the features and aesthetics they want.

 

Thanks for the update! Real life comes first no matter what.

So I take it that means direct saving to the carts will have to be left up to others to implement? I really had hoped cheats could be reimplemented before but I think most would say direct saving would be a more useful feature to prioritize but I understand wanting to move on.

Thanks for all you have done for us as most never thought our carts would have this much wanted feature.

 

I just wanted to get the facts straight. If I would connect the first 256kb of the saturn cartridge bus to a flash rom holding the code needed for pseudo saturn, i wouldnt need an action replay?

 

Hello i've got a datel action (1.6) replay with memory card but i get "Error detecting cart. HW not supported. HW ID:5345 54741" there is anything I can do? If you like I'm available to test anything.

EDIT. same exact thing with an ST-KEY v1.0

Thank you

 

It seems like cafe alpha is also working on it:
http://ppcenter.webou.net/devblog/article/65/iso-cue-loader-works.html

I hope you guys coordinate your efforts ;-)

 

Not sure but
http://ppcenter.webou.net/devblog/article/63/new-usb-dev-cart-for-sale.html

he sells also a USB cart with no USB which outside a LS245 and LS138 does just that (albeit he plans to support bigger EEPROMs 39SF040)

 

I believe STKey are not EEPROMs so you can't program them in place, the Datel 1.6 seems to be partially incognito,
anyway try the latest flasher from here:
http://ppcenter.webou.net/devblog/a...mware-flasher-utility-major-final-update.html

you can leave a post there with your code to see if cafe alpha can help in extending the flasher to your device.

 

Thank you for the advertising, phoenixdownita
From what I remember, STKey is not supported by my flasher utility.
"HW ID:5345 54741" means it couldn't retrieve flash related IDs, which is the case when read-only chips are used.

I still have boot carts in stock, please let me know (via PM or order form on my homepage) if you want one.

 

Hello, I have a few questions for which I couldn't find a clear answer.

One that I asked previously, I own an Interact Memory Card Plus similar to the one on this page > http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn/cartridgeport/SATURN-CartridgePort.htm , difference being 2x SST 29LE010 chips. Would this cart be compatible with Pseudo?

My cart supports direct save, does the included MCP firmware also have this feature or is it hardware related?

Has anyone tried homebrew? The compatibility charts I've seen only list official titles, I would like to use Pseudo to play games like Gaganoid and Planet De Pon.

 

If the flasher supports the chips you should be good to go.
Once flashed the MCP loses the feature of save card.

Pseudo can start "Atlas CDs" which are home-brew, but I have not tried to ones you mention.

Good think is you can flash it back to MCP, so as long as you have a way to "backup" your saves somewhere else you can give it a try and in case revert back.

 

Thank you phoenixdownita for your reply.

Yes I understand that Pseudo has no save support. From the docs on the page I linked I'm guessing the 29LE010 chips are supported.
I assume homebrew works, was just wondering if anyone has tried.

My MCP supports transferring saves through the Saturns memory manager and direct in-game saving. Some versions of MCP do not feature direct save.

What I'm most worried about is this...
If I flash it to Pseudo or have any problems with the flash and then decide to flash back to MCP firmware will my cart regain direct save?

 

I've gone back and forth Pseudo <-> MCP many times.
Afaik there's only 1 MCP bios around and it supports direct saving (which by the way doesn't work well in all games, Panzer Dragoon Saga always corrupts saves in MCP when writing but can read them back just fine [so you save internally then copy it over], other games have other issues).

Keep in mind that you will lose the actual content when you flash so that is up to you to back it up.

Anyway as long as you have the means to boot the flasher (swap trick or modchip) you can always reflash.

If you want to have some fun you can flash the GS 1.96 FW and then MCP can act as a cheat device (FW 1.94 is not region free while FW 1.96 is also region free), none of the AR FW worked for me, I tried to see what would happen.

 

OK, that's what I wanted to know.

That's cool it should work as a GameShark.

Thanks again phoenixdownita and to all the dudes making this happen. Homebrew here we come (fingers crossed) !

 

please where is the last version please? First page?

Thanks

 

First page.

 

thanks you

 

I flash it and it so magnificient...

One question can I launch a installer disc with a AR flashed, and when appear the flash menu swap with a AR non flashed, if I have not a saturn chiped.