Need help modding model 1 saturn with model 2 modchip

[gtmtnbiker]

My understanding of how the mod chip works is that it is supposed to be passive. That is, it's listening on the data bus for the request to read the security ring and then intercept it and feed it the security data that it's looking for.

So if the drive is not spinning, it seems to me that you don't have a good pin connection into the connector.

Which model 1 installation guide did you follow? Did you buy the chip from racketboy or was it from another site, SegaStyle or ConsoleGoods?

The concern I have is the solder you have on the fingers. I'm just wondering if it's not making good or correct contact with the socket. Looking at this guide (http://www.angelfire.com/pa/Raluminat/model1Alt.html), I don't see him coating a bunch of the fingers. Just enough to secure a couple of wires.

The guide has pictures for a horizontal installation which he recommends. I wonder if you would have more success with that approach.

As for if the chip is dead or not, I couldn't tell you. You would need some sort of logic/data analyzer to hook up to the pins of the chip to see if it's working.

[mysterio82]

BOTH mod chips were purchased from the site you linked the guide. I printed out BOTH guides, Racketboy's and the link you sent me. My father went by both to see if there are any differences. I've purchased 3 mod chips, all 3 from the site you linked. The 1st I modded on my model 2 32 pin Saturn using AB bridge, that chipped lasted a few months and stopped allowing backups to boot, would just read them as audio discs. The 2nd replaced the AB bridge failure and is STILL working to this day (over a year). When I bought the 2nd I bought the 3rd with it for a backup and NEVER tested it because the 2nd was successful.

I'm thinking you're right about the solder on the fingers, it must be that it's not allowing a good connection from the drive to the mother board. I'll keep tinkering with it, but right now I'm ordering another chip, this time from Racketboy.

I just want to know if anybody has info on model 1 Saturn motherboards. If the smaller revised model 1 board carries signals the same as the bigger launch boards. the giude shows modding the chip for a early model 1 saturn, where's mine is a revised board.

[gtmtnbiker]

It would be nice if there was an easy way to add one or two LEDs to the mod chip to act like activity lights. Kind of to help you indicate if the mod chip is working or not. Not sure if it's possible. Will require some research.

[mysterio82]

Screw it, I'm not wasting anymore time on this. I'm working blind, I dont know if the chip is good or not, and I don't know if this board revision even works with this chip mod. Also I'm using a guide that shows no proof that this mod even works, so I'm not wasting anymore time on it.

This mod chip goes in the trash since its useless now and this model 1 Saturn goes on ebay since it's useless to me as ALL my saturn games are cd-r's.

Thanks for your help

[mysterio82]

If anybody can find a model 1 modchip I'd buy it. If anybody has SUCCESSFULLY altered a model 2 modchip to work on a model 1 Saturn please show proof. If anybody can alter 1 for me and wants to sell it, please let me know.

[gtmtnbiker]

I wouldn't throw the modchip in the trash yet. It still might be useful to someone. At least give it to someone who is willing to pay for shipping.

The model 1 guide that you used was developed by Pinchy who is/was active at http://segaxtreme.net forums.

Here's his thread http://segaxtreme.net/community/topic/11753-hacked-a-21pin-mod-to-20-pin-saturn/

You might get some tips/advice by reading through the thread. You might try sending him a PM to get some advice on how to debug your installation.

If I recall correctly, I believe he did some extensive analysis of the saturn (I think he was researching the security ring and how it worked. He may have also come up with his own mod chip).

[gtmtnbiker]

You might also want to drop Rob of ConsoleGoods to see if he has any old stock of model 1 mod chips.

His site is at http://www.consolegoods.co.uk

Also, do a search over at http://segaxtreme.net. The site has a lot of good archival information on modding the saturns.

Here's someone's guide on installing a model 1 mod chip:
http://www.nerdcave.de/stuff/modchip-howto.html