Grrrr, Saturn Game Burning Problems

Post by **movax** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:35 pm

So, I just got another soldering iron today finally, and got a chance to install the chip. The chip is working fine...but my games aren't.

At first I was using the region patcher (SRP by Madroms), but those discs wouldn't play (Radiant Silvergun...all I got was the Saturn happily offering to play the audio tracks for me. It offers to play tracks 2-19, but according to SRP, the Disc should have one data track and 18 audio tracks)...

So I did the region mod real quick, and still no dice. I've wasted around 5 CD-Rs I think at this point. Tried both Alcohol 120 and Nero, two different torrents of Radiant Silvergun, burning in RAW DAO, DAO, etc, and no dice.

Is this just a problem burning games, or is the chip being weird? I'm operating under the impression that the Saturn could never read burnt discs, so the fact that it's at least playing the CDA off the disc indicates its working.

*EDIT* Looking at a thread in the Hacks and Mods section, I'm going to double-check the power getting fed to the chip; I didn't see a Ground oddly enough, I'll try changing the +5V source and making sure the IC's ground pins match up with PSU grounds.

Post by **claudio** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:43 am

you need a region cartridge there buddy, a modchip wont let you play import games.

unless you patch it with a sega saturn region patcher before you burn it (google it)

also make sure you dont burn them to fast

Post by **z0de** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:11 am

SRP should work fine, make sure you follow the guide fully, repairing wth cdmage or using acohol on the correct settings.

Post by **movax** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:47 am

Oops, my bad, forgot that a chip only doesn't help with imports... you need the Action Replay cart, or will just a "regular" RAM expansion cart work?

I did burn one of the discs with SRP + CDMage (and one with SRP + Alcohol with 'Bypass EFM Error'), I bet those will boot after I double-check the modchip...I guess a symptom of it being improperly installed is that it treats the games like audio CDs?

Post by **racketboy** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:51 am

Or you can use a ISO region converter:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2005/05/ ... tcher.html

Post by **movax** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:09 am

Yeah, I meant if you don't want to patch ISOs (for some reason), then you must have the AR cart then I think.

BTW, checking now, my model chip is different than yours, I got it from robwebb where you pointed me while you were out of stock (http://www.robwebb.clara.co.uk/shop/sat ... uide_2.htm). Apparently I did have the 21 pin Saturn as required (otherwise the ribbon cables would not have fit), so I guess the chip isn't configured properly. (According to that guide, I've got the v0014 new console). Will have to play around with it / probe with oscope when I get home I guess.

*EDIT* You're in Michigan? Where at? I'm in Grand Blanc / Flint area.

Post by **racketboy** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:27 am

Point to the middle of your palm.
That's where I am

Post by **Adderall** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:24 pm

I wouldn't recommend using A120 to burn... I know it works for some people, but I've always had issues with it burning the 2 second gaps.

Here's what I do that works:

1. Patch the image or make sure you have an AR cart
2. Mount the image using Daemon tools or A120's Virtual drive
3. Copy the image to CDR using Clone CD

I've never had any problems this way.

Post by **executioner** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:15 pm

racketboy wrote:Or you can use a ISO region converter:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2005/05/ ... tcher.html

To my surprise I was using version 1.1 ... well it works so will upgrade for next burn.

Had that problem once and wasted several discs when I started with saturn. My personal suggestion is when you patch the ISO with SRP close it and open it again to check the region. Or do what I did, get another app called Saturn Country Converter and check it with both before burning. Redo the cues with Sega cue maker just in case. Then use whatever burning app like Nero. This method worked flawlessly 100% for about 120+ copies.

If you can, get an Action Replay plus and forget about regions and enjoy the games that need the 4MBs!!

Post by **movax** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:52 pm

Alright, I checked with my DMM, the modchip IS receiving power on all the appropiate pins. Pin 14 off the CD Drive board is also connected properly via the ribbon cables (ohmed that out as well).

I tried burning off a native US image I got (Darius Gaiden), it also rang up as an audio CD...

I don't know what's up, I guess its a problem with my burning? I don't the think the chip is defective as it is at least allowing the CD-R to make it to the stage of being read as an audio CD.

*EDIT* I'll see if I can even get a replacement from Rob over in the UK... hopefully yes, but I'm not sure. I mean, I've burned around 15 copies so far using different methods + programs, and ALL of them being picked up as audio CDs leads me to blame the modchip...

If no replacement...Nick, let me know when you've got some chips back in stock, since at least those have some people who've made 'em work!