Saturn modchip simply stops working? Possible?

Post by **devante** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:24 am

Is it possible for a Sega Saturn modchip to simply stop working?

I've been lightly/rarely using my model 2 Sega Saturn a few years now for backups.
The last time I've used it successfully was about 2 weeks ago.

I just tried a backup in my Saturn today and it doesn't work.

The disc doesn't even spin. Original or backup, the drive doesn't spin.
The Saturn doesn't read the disc in the Saturn menu/audio player.

I've made sure the power link is securely connected.
The signal link has been soldered together using the "A+B" method, which has worked fined up until now.

The disc drive won't spin if I unhook the power link but leave the chip plugged in.
The disc drive/Saturn WILL work if I take the chip out completely.

Anyone ever have this problem?

Thanks for any input.

Post by **SEHF** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:58 am

IDK much about the SS chips, but I can speculate. From my experience the chip gets very hot, and this probably lead to parts of the chip eventually failing.
Also, I many of these chips are not very well-made so the chip can eventually go bad from the assembly failing. Again, I don't know much, but I would recommend buying a few modchips for these type of cases, so you can continue to play backups.

Who knows, maybe somebody will finally figure how to make self-booting SS games...

Post by **racketboy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:49 am

While it doesn't happen terribly often, it does happen on occasion.
Just send it back to me and I'll get you a new one.
Email me for details.

Post by **devante** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:59 am

Thanks for the replacement, Racketboy!!!

I had a question about it.

I had to file it down a little to make it fit.
And I've installed it using the A+B method (soldering them together).

Now the CD drive will spin, but won't read the games. Original or backups.
Instead, it reads them as audio CD's and plays the audio track.

Could this be because I used the A+B method and haven't soldered the 2nd wire to the Saturn?

I will try soldering both wires to the Saturn, but thought I'd ask here since I'm waiting until tomorrow to do it.

Thanks again!

(by the way, the chip first had was blue, this one is purple. Is there any difference?)

Post by **racketboy** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:31 am

It is posible that it's because of the A+B -- it's kinda hard to tell.
And the color of the board isn't anything other than the color of the PBC material.
Everything else is the same

Post by **devante** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:14 am

I just want to give a little update.

So I desoldered the A+B connections and soldered the A (signal) straight to the pin of the Saturn.

Same issue.
It reads all games as audio discs and will play the audio tracks.

But if I take out the chip, it will read an original disc with no problems.

I have another Saturn in my closet.
I think it might be the same model so I'll test the chip out on that tomorrow and report back here for future reference.

Post by **devante** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:27 pm

Well unfortunately the one in my closet doesn't even work.
I think I remember picking it up just for spare parts or something, but it's not even the same model.

I guess I'm at a loss on what to do.

I see Fiercegaming has the same problem.

By the way, I remembered something.
I replaced the battery for the first time ever. Usually I just set the time and language each time.

But I didn't use the batteries it's supposed to take. There were two batteries the same width of a CR2032, but they were thin enough to fit two in the slot. If I'm not mistaken, they were 3V each.

Now I got a DL2032 (Duracell's replacement for CR2032) and put it in there.
That's the only thing that's changed after all these years.

Kind of weird I'd replace the battery finally and the Sega gives me these problems at the same time.

Update #2:
I figured out that if I boot the Saturn with a disc in the drive (original or backup), it will just read them as audio CD's.
However, if I boot it without a disc, let it get to the menu, then put an original disc in, the disc will play. Backups still do not work this way. They either read as audio discs (the one I tried showed 2 data tracks, no audio tracks), or give me the "Unsuitable disc" error.

Post by **racketboy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:14 am

It sounds like I should try replacing it again.
Sounds like you're getting pretty unlucky with these things.
Email me again

Post by **Fiercegaming** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:13 am

Yup, I had the same problem you are having. I think Racketboy will send me another when he has more in. Racketboy, let me know when you get the mod chip I sent back to ya. Also, I bought another Saturn, hopefully it will be a 32 pin, unfortunently the guy is totally slow with shipping. If that one is 32 pin I will try that one first, and if that doesn't work I will try my other saturn. I will let ya guys know. I hope I get that saturn atleast by the 23.