Strange PS1-Modchip(?) found, what is it?

I’ve just opened up a PS1 i bought on the cheap from eBay, wanted to install the PSIO-Switchboard. Found something that most likely is not factory made.

If anyone got an idea what excatcly it is it’d be much appreciated. Seems like a modchip, possibly a really old one? Since I’m going to install the PSIO-Switchboard and have no need for a modchip you think I could safely desolder it?

Any feedback on this is much appreciated!

 

does it play backups?

 

i have found this, it looks somewhat similar, comes up as "stealth chip elf 168"

 

Hadn’t had a change to test yet, don’t have a cd burner here. Only thing I got is a legit France ’98 disc, it plays.

 

That one’s got 2 more soldering points, though. Found this thread on here, seems to be a very similar or the same chip: http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/please-help-me-identifying-this-old-psx-modchip.44888/

 

hmm, if you decide to trash it, hit me up, ive been wanting a modchip for my ps1 for a while now.

 

It doesn't look like stealth wiring - but it's very hard to tell exactly what chip it is, because all those glob-tops looked pretty much the same, although there were a large number of different ones. The wiring on that looks like 4 wire + clock.

If you don't care about the modchip function then probably the best thing to do is make a careful note of where all the wires go then remove it and try to boot an original disc - if it works, then that's all you need to do. If it doesn't work, then closely examine the board for cut traces (especially on the left hand side near the mechacon CPU and that little SMT chip).

It's also worth pointing out that PSIO is not a modchip - so if you do remove the chip you will only be able to boot in-region originals from the CD drive, although you can run disc images from any region from SD card.

 

I purchased 9002 ps1 in Korea and confirmed that it has the same chip [stealth chip elf 168 picture] as the photo of the post. The obvious thing is to bypass anti-protected games, But it is not as perfect as mm3. [Non-popular games are still prohibited]

This is a list of games that I've verified and bypassed.

BIO HAZARD 3 NTSC-J
DINO CRISIS NTSC-U, NTSC-J
DANCING STAGE EUROMIX PAL
DanceDanceRevolution 3rd Mix NTSC-J
Spyro 3 NTSC-U
SF EX2 Plus NTSC-J

List of games still prohibited

GUITAR FREAKS NTSC-J
LEGEND OF MANA NTSC-J