Saturn modchip doesn't work unless I twist it

[justin991]

Hi - I've just received my modchip in the mail, and I'm not happy. At all.
See, I bought it because I didn't want to keep doing the swap trick to play patched imports and backups, and wear out my motor doing so.
But the chip refuses to work.

I've installed it in a 64-pin, 21-pin ribbon Australian model 2.
At first, it didn't work. Everything was installed properly, I followed instructions, but when switched on the Saturn logo has no sound or animation, the disc didn't spin and menu sounds were drawn out.
With the chip removed, everything works perfect.
After several infuriating hours I found that I had to physically hold and twist the damned useless chip to get it to work - and it does, backups boot just fine, no problems... Except that I have to hold and twist the damned chip for it to work.
Tried it in several consoles: exact same thing.
And it's not the contacts; I cleaned them, I even put a plastic strip in the slot to make it tighter.
The chip's board itself must twist for it to work.

What was the point of buying this irritating thing if I have to hold it? How is that better than the swap trick?

[Purkeynator]

Its not. 64pin systems are notoriously bad for mod chips though.

[fvgazi]

You may have to file the edges of the connector down so that it's seated properly. You can get it to work by moving the actual chip, so there must be some sort of problem with the connections or soldering.

I had problems installing my chip on a model 2, but after lots of combinations and properly fitting the chip, it has been working for 2+ years.

[Niode]

I'd just solder the chip directly to the pins instead of using that flimsy ass connector. It'll be more permanent.

[jinn]

I'd just solder the chip directly to the pins instead of using that flimsy ass connector. It'll be more permanent.

+1

I do the same and never had any issues .

[bretth]

Finally took the dive and modded my Saturn, first console I ever bought for. It's an Australian model, oval buttons, 64-pin chip, 21-pin ribbon cable.

Initially had some problems but it's working well now.

I used a half-round file to create a small curve in the metal shield - easier than removing the whole thing. I also had to file the connector down ever so slightly for a nice fit - before I did that it would only play original discs as audio CDs.

On the mod-board itself, the 014 joint was already bridged. I removed the signal wire and did the A+B method.

Tested it with an original PAL game (Virtua Fighter 2) - worked. Tried it with an original Japanese game (J.League Victory Goal '97) - worked (with a Game Shark plugged in). Tried it with a downloaded US game (Sonic R) - didn't work. Tried it with a backup I did myself (Hebereke's Popoitto) - worked! Almost. Title screen comes up but then the graphics are corrupted. But it is recognising the disc at least. So don't know if it's a problem with the rip or the burn ... or even the mod-chip still.

I've backed up all my games using CDRWIN (via VMWare Fusion as I'm using a Mac) - produces a single BIN plus a CUE file - burns nicely with Roxio Toast on my Mac. The downloads I've found are an ISO+CUE+MP3 so I'll need to fiddle around with those I guess - not so easy to burn with Toast it seems. I've patched the region using Saturn Region Patcher 3 ... but I'll have to pop out and get a bunch more CD-Rs as I feel there'll be a few coasters made.

[bretth]

Looking good!

My own-ripped backups are working fine now - simply used the demo version of CDRWIN in Windows 7 via the VMWare Fusion emulator ... works perfectly now! Don't know if it was the slow burn speed that the demo limits you to or the different software (Toast not so good for ISOs?), but I haven't created any coasters yet.

Also patched the downloaded ISOs to Euro region ... they're working fine too.

So the mod-chip was a excellent purchase. A little tricky, but it'll work if you follow the hints scattered around the place. Have a 2nd Aussie Saturn on the way, with round buttons this time (compared to my oval buttoned original).

Now back to checking out Astal ...