Tutorial: Switching an HKT-01 Dev.Box from Emulation to GD-ROM Mode (Without SDK)

Follow this guide at your own risk. We are not responsible for any loss!

Have you ever managed to come across a rare Sega Dreamcast Development Box, just to find out that you are unable to play GD-ROM discs? One factor may be that the development box is in Emulation mode (reading data through the internal HD) instead of GD-ROM mode (reading data through the GD-ROM drive). That would involve switching it to GD-ROM mode. However, there's just one problem. You don't have access to a SCSI PCI card, cable, or terminators, and not to mention the Katana Software Development Kit software.

Well there's an alternative method to switch it to GD-ROM mode. However, it involves opening up the unit.

The first step is to unscrew the case off the Sega Dreamcast Development Box. When that is done, remove the 4 screws on the sides of the front plate, then the 4 screws on the front and back of the development unit, along with the 2 on top. After, remove the metal top of the unit to reveal the internal HD, as well as the boards.





Now that the top has been removed, locate the screws on each side of the unit holding the internal HD and unscrew them (4 total). After, fully unplug the internal HD from the power supply and development box, along with the C1/C2 board.

Once that is done, locate the connector located underneath the fan. That connector connects the DA Board to the GD-M (emulation) board. Once it has been disconnected, put the development box back in place and test it out. It should now boot in GD-ROM mode, enabling you to play GD-ROM discs!

 

Now you're just being silly! If someone can afford a kit surely they can afford the SCSI hardware required to hook it up.

Nice guide btw.

 

Hey, I am trying to do this tutorial actually and without the screenshot it's kind of hard to locate the plug to unplug, i tried almost avery single cable of the unit without success, can anyone help me please

 

Sorry - unable to help you, I never had to do this with the devkits I've worked with, I was always able to switch it via my pc.

Did you try to switch it via software ?
(ie, installing a SCSI card, a terminator, the Katana SDK, and launching DACheck to reset the devkit)

 

When Mark30001 wrote this, I think he was assuming you would have the unit standing up infront of you with the unit facing left. The connector is then "under" (below) the smaller fan - or, look for the two 5v and 3.3v LEDs and it's the first connector to the right.

The SCSI card is the preferred and safest way of doing it.

 

I have send the guy a pm to help him.

 

Thanks a lots to all of you, i knew i could count assembler community, i'll manage to hook my kit to a SDK finaly...

 

Hi I am new to the forum and I recently got a HKT-01 dev kit. After following this guide I was able to get the system to boot but I only get the Dreamcast screen (no animation) and then the main menu shows up with the message "please wait while disk is being checked". After a couple if min the system gives up on reading the disc.