Sega Saturn Swap Disc

[tzp2]

So recently I was acquired two Sega Saturns and I have been trying the Swap Disc technique. Both Sega Saturns are model 2 (meaning they have no oval buttons, they are circular). I am trying to get the Swap Disc technique to work. I burned my discs in Nero using 4x speed using the cues I got from the disc. I burned the .cue which burned the .bin to a disc.

I modded the Saturn to think that the top was always closed and tried the swap disc technique. I put in the burned disc like I was told and then put another real disc in to read the outside security strip. Then when the laser moves inside again I swap discs and I get the SEGA logo to come up, the blue one but then the whole thing freezes. I can't get it to move past this screen. The disc in the drive is spinning at a consistent speed but it won't load at all.

What am I doing wrong? What can I change? Thanks for any help.

[replicashooter]

I've only just picked up a Saturn myself (model 1, oval buttons) and the swap trick is working fine for me - bearing in mind that the model 1 is a lot more forgiving with the swaps.

I concentrate on the sound of the laser mech moving, ignoring all other factors so:

1) Turn on Saturn with CDR in (mute TV for less distractions and more listening) and original in hand ready to swap when...

2) You hear the laser mech starting to move from in the inside to the out. Before it gets to the end take out the CDR and drop in the original.

3) Drive spins up again, reads the security on the outside of the disc and then...

4) You hear the mech starting to move from the outside in. Take out the original, drop in the CDR and voila you are ready to go.


Forget all of the "watch the LEDs", "time it to logos" "only swap discs on a full moon" stuff as that tends to complicate the issue.

The whole point of this is to get the CDR TOC into the Saturn so the audio is correct (step 1), verify the security (step 3) and load the game (step 4). Doing this with the top off of your Saturn will give you the visual you need to know when the laser is moving then soon you can do it with your eyes closed.

This video uses the exact same method and timing as I do but on a model 2, it should help you get the rhythm of it.

Good luck

[tzp2]

So I kept trying and I'm still perplexed why it won't work. I get the disc to spin and it gets stuck on the SEGA logo. It keeps spinning at the right speed (constantly instead of sputtering) but never moves into the game. I have read a few places that 8x is the prime speed to burn at so I may try that, all my discs are burned at 4x and I'm using some bad quality CDRs. They are 52x, 700mb, Office Depot CDRs. Could that be a problem too, the type of disc I am using to burn? Thanks for any help once again.

[racketboy]

I drove myself crazy with the Round button Model 2's back in the day.
I don't think I ever did get the swap to work on those.

[Mozgus]

I drove myself crazy with the Round button Model 2's back in the day.
I don't think I ever did get the swap to work on those.

If you've had a ton of practice doing it on a model 1, it's actually not much harder with the model two. You just dont have the LED to guide you. You just have to carefully observe the disc speed.

[racketboy]

I drove myself crazy with the Round button Model 2's back in the day.
I don't think I ever did get the swap to work on those.

If you've had a ton of practice doing it on a model 1, it's actually not much harder with the model two. You just dont have the LED to guide you. You just have to carefully observe the disc speed.

Well, back then, I only had a Model 2...
Still do.

[lordofduct]

I always used an AR 4 in 1. For some reason I had it in my had it went through the processes slower giving me an advantage.

It turned out it was the only way for me to get it to work.

But I did it for only a week and got sick of it and decided to get a chip.

[tzp2]

So what is this AR 4 and 1. Is that the thing that goes in the expansion slot and allows you to play ROMs and such? Any info on that and how it works to play backups? I haven't had a chance to try again with different discs at 8x but if it works I'll let you all know. Thanks.

[nerdydesi]

I know I'm reviving a thread that's almost 5 years old, but it pertains to my own issue.

I have a Japanese Model 2 Saturn which had worked fine with disc swaps for the several months I've had it. Just starting yesterday, now all my burnt games are either stuck at the Sega logo screen or at the Sega Saturn splash screen with the disc spinning normally like it should. I have tried multiple burnt games as well as several Japanese games to perform the swap with. Same problem.

Have I finally burnt out the motor, which people on the internet have warned about with disc swapping? Its still able to play normal Japanese games just fine. Or maybe the motor works harder at reading CD-Rs which it finally cannot do? Thanks.

[nerdydesi]

Hey, could anyone chime in on my problen in the previous post?
Thanks!