Saturn proof-of-concept bootloader Pseudo Saturn

I just got this working. Thanks boffins
I must say that I could boot backups via swap trick (Model 2 Saturn) but could not boot Atlas etc disc. I must have burn about 5 different versions. In the end it was the timing of the swap not the discs.
Although backups booted, it seems you have to be more accurate with timing when booting the Atlas disc it seems. Probably something to do with the disc size being so small.
I used the 'reset' swap trick method by the way

 

ccd is also not supported but img and bin files are no different except for the track gap are 00's in one and FF's in the other, that makes 0 difference and sub data is created even if the drive can not read that data from a CD even when it can the resulting sub file can only be burned back to a CD-R if the burning hardware supports it

Great for preserving but practically for CD-R use is limited to the hardware used to burn to CD-R and not even sure if sub data played any part in Saturn Discs at all I know some PSX games used sub data as part of protection that was removed by making the game not check the sub data

sub data was also used by karaoke CD's if I remember that correctly

 

I am quite new to this, but I have also experienced this. Going to 0.831 has so far generated no Error 1 etc.
I have model Mode 2 VA7 motherboard.

 

Yes, I also have reverted to 0.831 and will probably wait for Pseudo-Saturn Kai to be released.

 

I did the same yesterday to my Alien Trilogy. I also did the tweek to MegaMan X3 and got that working too

 

Both CD-R loaders (good old 0.831 and panzer dragoon saga compatible, but picky 0.832) will be available, so hopefully one among them will work

 

Exactly.

If 0.831 already works fine for many games then perhaps 0.832 should be only used on those that actually require it to boot, in order to keep any hassle to a minimum.

 

I get the errors once in a while (possibly more often with 0.832) but only on boot and did with 0.831 also but a quick reset and it then boots the game, 0.831 I was sure I had to fully power off before it would get past the errors but it has been a while since I used it

No cart nudging or anything like that either, that I would not recommend doing, if the cart is having issues being read clean it with rubbing alcohol (just the connections on the cart)

To be honest I thought a dual booting method was not needed but if the issues are worse than I first thought (still not done big tests as of yet, just too much going on in real life ) then maybe a dual boot option is a good idea providing there is space to do so and the issue is not isolated.

 

This is something that still baffles me.

0.831 works flawlessly for me (except on incompatible games of course), but 0.832 gave me a lot of errors.
Yes, resetting often made the game to boot but it was getting on my nerves...
I don't think it has to do with the cartridge being incorrectly read because I used the same cart for 0.831 and 0.832.

As strange as it may seems, and contrary to logic, I felt that 0.832 changed something in the way the cart works or how it is read by the saturn, I can't explain it, but the fact is that the ID's became different (how is that even possible?) and only reversing to ARPlus firmware allowed a successful flash to 0.831 again.

And since then everything is working properly again.

Maybe something was not ironed out and there are cartridges/saturn models combinations that awake the gremlins inside!

 

It did seem like a random update, like I said I have yet to do any big tests with the update as of yet but feel kai done a better job in fixing a few of the same issues well one being panzer dragoon 2 and saga though saga still had the action replay detection but you can bypass that via patching the disc images anyway so not a real issue and 0.832 bypasses the action replay detection

P.S. to stop the gremlins
don't feed these after midnight
don't get them wet
don't let them sit in direct sunlight

lol two of those are good advise

 

Zorlon, just how complicated is to patch the disc images? Or is it similar to pseudo-patching? Is it necessary to patch the four discs?

 

Depends if all four detect the Action replay (that is something I don't remember sorry) but as you only have access to Pseudo 0.831 that can't play that game anyway (even after patching) and 0.832 that can play that game and does not require the Action replay code patching anyway the question is redundant for now

As for how complicated it is, it's not unless you don't know what code to change, the checksum would still need to be fixed though.

 

Has anyone gotten Batsugun, Wipeout (first one), or Parodius Deluxe Pack to work with the new version or with patching?

Sorry in advance if stupid question. Thanks to everyone working on this!

 

Batsugun works with 0.832 with no patch.

Reportdely, wipeout still needs to be patched.

I have no information about Parodius, sorry.

 

Somebody interested in beta testing ?
Requirements :
- Saturn (plain, no need of modchip/whatever)
- CD-Rs
- Know how to write Saturn games to CD-R
- SD card
- Know how to perform swap trick
- Follow my instructions
- Free time

Serious tester welcome

 

x

 

Testing on various Saturn is finished, but additional verification is always welcome

> Bit low on free time though.

Me and previous beta testers are low on free time, that's why it was written in bold my my previous post ^^
Next testing is about load/save states from/to SD card, and as few games don't write anything until finishing a stage or so, it may require some free time.
Populating full compatibility list is not required, just testing on a dozen of games, in order to verify that everything is working well before official release should be enough.

Please let me know if you have time for testing or not.

Also, additional beta testers are still welcome.

 

It needs some knowledge in electronics?, because I have a lot of free time and I'm interested.

 

Everything is already soldered, and -probably- working, so knowledge in electronics are not required.
Purpose is to verify that that games can use SD card as backup memory, so basically free time, and exchanging messages with me about testing progress is enough.

Please let me know if you fulfill the requirements

 

Yep all of them, let me know what are the next steps. Thanks.