Saturn Mod Install 64 Pin Model 2 help.

[Surf_Kahuna]

I just received my Saturn modchip from the Racketboy store. For installation, I chose the A+B method, since I have the 64-pin IC (Model 2). Sadly, when the system boots up, I get a green cube on the left-hand side and a green sphere to the right. The message is "Checking disc type" (or format... one of the two).

What puzzles me is the fact that the pins on the modchip seem to be on the opposite side of the metal contacts on the PCB. However, I installed the modchip so that the soldered side faces away from the system, with the ICs facing the system (as noted on all Websites). For giggles, I turned the chip around to no avail. When I remove the chip, my system works just fine.

Any ideas?

[Niode]

Sounds like you have the same board as me. I never managed to get mine to work. No matter what I tried.

[Surf_Kahuna]

I'm sorry, I did not give enough information. I've been modding consoles for years now, so I should have known to include more info.

What I've done:

- Removed ribbon cable from the motherboard
-= Ribbon cable is twisted, with blue stripe on bottom (facing mobo)
- Plugged ribbon cable into the chip (with blue line down)
- Rather than bridge A+B, I soldered the wire from A to B, since removing a bridge is harder for me than removing a soldered wire
- Soldered the power (red) wire to the +5v mentioned in the install guide

Now, when I first turn on the unit, the CD unit "clicks," once. However, I get no lens movement. When the unit turns on, there's a green cube on the left and a green sphere to the right w/the error message "Checking Media Type (or format, one of the two)."

What I've tested:

Using a Voltmeter, I tested:
- +5 volt from the mod chip to the red wire solder point and I have A) a valid connection AND B) +5 volts when the unit is turned on.
- A->B solder point and I have a solid connection

Therefore, I have no idea what can be wrong. I used the A+B method since I have the 64-pin IC (arg!). Now, I figure soldering to pin 8 won't fix my issue, as my CD-ROM doesn't even spin up the disk at this point. I'm perplexed because the pins on the chip seem to face the mobo (inward), whereas all install pics have the ICs facing the mobo and solder points facing away... which makes it seem like the pins don't connect correctly. As such, I tried flipping the chip, yet I get the EXACT same results. Any ideas?

[alitomari]

Hey I'm having the same issue. Did you figure this out?

[alitomari]

I installed a mod chip in my 64 pin Saturn (I used the A+B method). I can boot retail games but not backups (it usually shows them as music cds). I've tried the, put in backup game, let it load, then open the disc drive and then close it again. And it still didnt work. So my question is, since I can boot retail games but not backups:

1. Did I do something wrong in the installation?
2. Is it something wrong with the mod chip, or is this par for the course with 64 pin Saturns?

Many thanks for any help!

[Niode]

Is it a model 1 or model 2 64 pin? I have a 64 pin model 2 and no matter how much I fiddled with it I could not get it to play backups without having to use the swap trick.

[BigTinz]

That's the risk you take with a 64pin.

[alitomari]

Ya its a Model 2 64 pin. Prettttty annoying as I spent a lot of time soldering and resoldering connections making sure I didnt do anything wrong. If anyone has any more tips I can try, I'd really appreciate it!

[Niode]

Don't think anybody has managed to do it successfully 100% yet. Check the other thread on this exact problem.

[gtmtnbiker]

Has anyone ever figured out the technical reason(s) why 64-bit Saturns are problematic?