Sega Saturn Modchip help - Audio only no picture

[ekocv]

This is a US Saturn, model 2, with the 64 pin chip.




I installed the mod with the component side facing away from the CD unit since the ribbon cable is twisted.

The mod didn't fit in this way around, so I had to bend the metal back from the main board and file down the chip so it would fit snug. so now the modchip fits perfectly.

I’ve put the chip in both ways using the A+B method, and also tried soldering the signal wire to the 8th pin on the IC chip, but it didn’t work so I bridged A and B and it still doesn’t work
Originals work just fine with the mod installed, CDRs don’t. The failure is either “Disc is unsuitable for this system” or offering just the audio tracks. I don’t understand why needs help with this.

I used this guide here - http://www.angelfire.com/pa/Raluminat/model264.html

Here's a couple of pics to show what I did...





The start-up screen loads up just fine..



So this is pretty much what it does.. Now.. This is a backup of Night Into Dreams.. Just loads up audio..

[newt42]

Has this ever worked before? If not, then it might be the CD brand. I wouldn't know what CD brand would for sure work properly, but this is just stuff I've heard around.

[opticledilusi0n]

and burn at like 1x
if it works, try increases x's until it doesn't work

[Niode]

If it's loading originals without a problem then I would say probably the images you are using. Have you tried to do a 1:1 copy of an original game (IE making a cue/bin image from your own disc then burning it to disc).

The "disc is unsuitable for this system" error is due to the game not being the same region as the system. You can either perform the region mod, use an AR 4in1 to change the region or patch the image with SRP to the region of your Saturn.

Generally, I've found that discs that just show the audio tracks were because the cue sheet isn't correct. So it's burnt the audio tracks but not the data. Check the bottom of the CD-R to see where the data was written to the disc. Sometimes theres a gap between where the audio finishes and the data begins (it's not often though, some of my working backups have this gap in the CD).

All else fails, you should try and load a backup using the swap trick. If the game loads using the swap trick you can rule out it being a backup issue.

[Hobie-wan]

Make sure you're burning slow, 4X if possible. Use better discs than the cheapo GQ ones from Fry's. IMHO those are only good for burning throwaway CDs for use in the car. Also, that's a memory only card, isn't it? It won't let you play imports or import burns. You'd have to change the region of the image before burning.

[ekocv]

Thanks for the feedback.. I'll try and give these options a try..

Edit:

I tried the swap trick method.. and it works, so I know its not a backup issue. Do you guys think it could be the chip itself. If it is... then, who do I need to talk to.. about getting another one.