Sega Mod chip installation

[ark9898]

I have a model 2 Saturn and have installed my mod chip several times. All I am getting is static sound and the cd drive does not spin. Once I uninstall the mod chip and put it back to original settings the system works as expected. Do I have a bad modchip. I have filed down the edges and made sure everything fits as expected.

[Hobie-wan]

Please search for one of the many other Saturn mod chip threads that have been made. There are some that are model 2 and it is likely that you will find some help or advice that has already been given.

[neonsage]

You could have gotten a faulty chip, mine never really worked properly. Though I think you might be able to ask politely if RacketBoy can send you a replacement. I think I am out of luck as I have waited too long to send my replacement back for any kind of refund. Could be your Saturn system. I might just try to trade in my chip for a couple original discs to the local classic game store. Mabe someone else will have better luck than I did.

Hope you get your situation resolved.

[Hobie-wan]

You could have gotten a faulty chip, mine never really worked properly. Though I think you might be able to ask politely if RacketBoy can send you a replacement. I think I am out of luck as I have waited too long to send my replacement back for any kind of refund.

You had posted here back then though, right? Can't hurt to ask nicely and reference your old posts.

[GSZX1337]

Since there's so many Sega Saturn mod chip threads, I decided that instead of creating yet another one I'd instead hijack this one. I've modded an extra Model 2 Sega Saturn with one of the RacketBoy Mod chips and I'm having a problem reading discs. I've done the A-B method and it appears to have a JVC board. The problem is the usual disc reading problems and cleaning the laser eye with a cotton swab didn't work. The disc spins and the laser moves so I don't think the drive is dead.

The Saturn could read retail discs prior to the mod. Because of this, I tried tweaking the pot to see if the extra power would help things. I've gotten mixed results. At first it worked fine, it was able to read retail discs and burns from a cold boot. Eventually, it stopped reading burns and then later retail. I pushed the pot a bit further and like before, the improvements were only temporary. I pushed the pot a bit further (probably further than I should have) and then the results were inconsistent. Sometimes I could play burns, other times I could only play retail, and other times I couldn't get a disc to play at all. Since I was still having trouble, I dialed the pot back to its original position leaving it in the original state where the console could only see the discs as audio CDs.

I did a quick search for this problem and there doesn't appear to be anyone else with problem like mine. Either that or the OP just never updated their thread. I've checked out SegaStyle's TroubleShooting Page and I'm guessing that I should turn my attention to the No power to mod (either bridge) section since I have the chip soldered to the power pin and I have two green cubes. The solder job is bad (kinda an embarrassing story). Though, the disc does spin so maybe I'm just lost.

If you've read all of this, I'd like to thank you even if your advice doesn't solve the problem.
~gszx1337

[Saskatoonguy]

Since there's so many Sega Saturn mod chip threads, I decided that instead of creating yet another one I'd instead hijack this one. I've modded an extra Model 2 Sega Saturn with one of the RacketBoy Mod chips and I'm having a problem reading discs. I've done the A-B method and it appears to have a JVC board. The problem is the usual disc reading problems and cleaning the laser eye with a cotton swab didn't work. The disc spins and the laser moves so I don't think the drive is dead.

The Saturn could read retail discs prior to the mod. Because of this, I tried tweaking the pot to see if the extra power would help things. I've gotten mixed results. At first it worked fine, it was able to read retail discs and burns from a cold boot. Eventually, it stopped reading burns and then later retail. I pushed the pot a bit further and like before, the improvements were only temporary. I pushed the pot a bit further (probably further than I should have) and then the results were inconsistent. Sometimes I could play burns, other times I could only play retail, and other times I couldn't get a disc to play at all. Since I was still having trouble, I dialed the pot back to its original position leaving it in the original state where the console could only see the discs as audio CDs.

I did a quick search for this problem and there doesn't appear to be anyone else with problem like mine. Either that or the OP just never updated their thread. I've checked out SegaStyle's TroubleShooting Page and I'm guessing that I should turn my attention to the No power to mod (either bridge) section since I have the chip soldered to the power pin and I have two green cubes. The solder job is bad (kinda an embarrassing story). Though, the disc does spin so maybe I'm just lost.

If you've read all of this, I'd like to thank you even if your advice doesn't solve the problem.
~gszx1337

I apologize I am not familiar with Racktboy's chip, I use Rob Webb's chips in my Saturns so I have no idea of the install process involved with this chip. I will try to help as best I can. Let me get this straight.

What kind of Saturn is it specifically?? Model - drive board - assembly - IC Pin ??

-So the Saturn worked fine and you added the modchip.
-After the modchip the unit could read retail but not burns.
-You lowered the resistance of the laser, it then started to read both burns and retail. What Was the pot when you started and what you adjusted it to? Did you actually take a reading or just turn it?
-You adjusted the pot further once the unit failed to read games. It once again started to read games both retail and burnt, once again did you take this measurement?
-The unit stopped reading both kinds of games and you adjust the laser back to it's original position. If you didn't take the first two measurements you didn't take this one, and you probably see what I am getting at by now.
-The unit now sits, modded, with the laser at what you either believe to be the original position or the actual proper position depending on your measurements, and the unit reads games as audio and fails to boot games either retail or burns.

First and foremost, remove the modchip and see how the unit responds without the modchip. If the issue persists without the modchip, the issue lies within the system. If you didn't take measurements on the laser there is a high chance you burned it out, those pots adjust VERY quickly. I have only seen 2 Saturns internally and both of their lasers used different resistances, so it helps to know what your unit looks for. Somebody more informed could confirm this for you. I am pretty sure your laser is toast, you'll need an Optima 6-S (or 150-S?). If the unit stills reads games as audio after a fresh laser and with the modchip out I've got bad news for you. You will need a whole new drive assembly.

If you still need assistance let me know, I will try to remember this thread but PM me if there hasn't been a response for a while.

[GSZX1337]

I apologize I am not familiar with Racktboy's chip, I use Rob Webb's chips in my Saturns so I have no idea of the install process involved with this chip.

The RB chip is a different beast, but it's a simple install process. Basically, you solder two joints together (the A-B method) and then solder a wire to one of the power pins.

I will try to help as best I can. Let me get this straight.

What kind of Saturn is it specifically?? Model - drive board - assembly - IC Pin ??

It's a model 2. I'll get more details when I get another chance to look at the Saturn.

-So the Saturn worked fine and you added the modchip.
-After the modchip the unit could read retail but not burns.

Yes.

-You lowered the resistance of the laser, it then started to read both burns and retail. What Was the pot when you started and what you adjusted it to? Did you actually take a reading or just turn it?
-You adjusted the pot further once the unit failed to read games. It once again started to read games both retail and burnt, once again did you take this measurement?
-The unit stopped reading both kinds of games and you adjust the laser back to it's original position. If you didn't take the first two measurements you didn't take this one, and you probably see what I am getting at by now.
-The unit now sits, modded, with the laser at what you either believe to be the original position or the actual proper position depending on your measurements, and the unit reads games as audio and fails to boot games either retail or burns.

You got it all straight. I really should measure the pots of drives I mess with. It's just that I assume that I would only turn it slightly and that'd be it. Of course, this is almost never the case so I really should've learned by now.

First and foremost, remove the modchip and see how the unit responds without the modchip. If the issue persists without the modchip, the issue lies within the system.

I figured that's the next thing I needed to do. I was hoping that someone would have an idea to try before undoing my mod.

If you didn't take measurements on the laser there is a high chance you burned it out, those pots adjust VERY quickly. I have only seen 2 Saturns internally and both of their lasers used different resistances, so it helps to know what your unit looks for. Somebody more informed could confirm this for you.

I don't think I burned the laser since the Saturn can still read games as music CDs. Of course, I'd need to remove the chip and play a retail copy to confirm this.

I am pretty sure your laser is toast, you'll need an Optima 6-S (or 150-S?). If the unit stills reads games as audio after a fresh laser and with the modchip out I've got bad news for you. You will need a whole new drive assembly.

Hah, if I need a new drive I'm putting this thing on eBay for parts.

If you still need assistance let me know, I will try to remember this thread but PM me if there hasn't been a response for a while.

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Thanks for the help so far.

[Saskatoonguy]

If the drive has failed it is extremely easy to replace, I found a drive for less than the cost a broken system. Not much less but I pay $10 for a broken system so compare off that. You would need to know specifically what drive though. You can sell a working Saturn for more than a busted one. They go for around $100 with a modchip, cables, and controller.

With the chip out does it read retail? If not, can you adjust the laser to read them? What happens when you play back the audio? Does it play fine until the later tracks? Does it skip or freeze? Does it skip or freeze only at later tracks?

If the laser sees the disc as audio no matter what strength it might be as weak laser but at that point I would guess it is the whole drive.

You didn't adjust the other variable resistor on the board did you? It faces up under where the disc spins. The left facing one is a switch I think. Do not touch either one of those, I am quite sure the upward facing one adjusts the speed of the disc drive so do not fudge it up.

[GSZX1337]

If the drive has failed it is extremely easy to replace, I found a drive for less than the cost a broken system. Not much less but I pay $10 for a broken system so compare off that.

Hmm, I'll have to look into a new drive more. Didn't realize they can be had for so cheap.

You would need to know specifically what drive though.

Can do!

With the chip out does it read retail?

Yes, I removed the chip and the Saturn read my scratched-up copy of Bug! with no problem. Played through the first stage alright and the cutscene played without a hitch.

You didn't adjust the other variable resistor on the board did you?

Hell no!

Since the Saturn reads games fine without the chip, I think I might re-install the chip, resoldering the wire onto the pin and redoing the A-B connection. If anyone else has something to say, post it and I'll read it before I go ahead.

[Saskatoonguy]

Glad to hear you Saturn is ok.

Really all you can do from here is attempt another install with the modchip but if you are 100% certain on the install the chip has failed.

Glad to help.