Right, this project has been on hold whilst I was doing commissions; i've turned away some commissions for a while as I wanted to get back to this project, and do it justice.
Tying together some posts on my forum's thread to bring this up to date:
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Originally, I chose "Alpha Omega", the beginning and the end; as I thought i'd covered all the console systems from Atari 2600>PS2 in the system. It was also because after making that system, i'd have no other modding projects left (of any substance) of interest.
Well, actually discovered of course there are about a dozen other console systems not covered, obscure systems like the Commodore 64 cart system, Eye, 3DO, Pippin and a few other systems - all failed and not great systems, and also very expensive now. That means my system is more a cost of "more than half all systems from end of the 1970's to mid 2000's! One of the reasons I perseveared with the tempremental CD32 in my system before was I wanted "complete"; and put in CD-i although only wanted one game on it.
The reality is I have the Alpha Omega Jnr (or whatever I end up calling it) to follow, and that is liable to be as far as my modding will go (that system and this one).
Therefore, I was thinking about a name change for the system, as the old name and its reasons are not as relevant as was.
I decided to change the name of the project to "Unity" as the central point of this project is to have 17 or so original console systems work with each other, and one controller for all; ie working in unity... So, "Project Unity" is the new name for the project.
Removed the CD-i as decided one game for the system was pushing it a bit, and the CD32 was removed because the laser was failing/other issues, and unreliable. Down to 16 console systems, plus plug'n'plays too (17 slots in total).
Put the PS2 section back in, need to wire it back in (at the back), screwed it into its final place on the base. Used a piece of wood as guide so I can get the front straight. The gadget to the left of the PS2 is something I got from a car boot sale, bought about 6 for £4, they are exhaust fans, 12v, from recording studio desks (you know, the large mixing desks), so this is quiet and also pumps out quite a bit of air. I was intending originally to have a large fan at the back of the case bringing air in, however this is better - i'll close the backing, air vents at the top and the air exhaust at the bottom, that will give airflow through the case. I'll also make sure when mounting the console sections, that there is airflow around the console boards.
The gap between the PS2 and the exhaust fan, i'm thinking of using that for the GBA game cart, not sure yet, i'll see how it goes.
As i'm making a new drive unit tray for the GameCube and other systems, probably just rip apart a new GameCube when get to that part of the system, probably easier to start that part again than salvage from what I did before.
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Anyway, my old Sega Saturn seems to work! Had power supply (only kettle lead) and one controller, however couldn't find video cable so had to open up the Saturn to get the board out to solder composite and ground to the connections before could turn system on for the first time!
Interestingly, the Saturn can do RGB, S-video and composite - handy.
Anyway, had a black Saturn (ie UK model), here's the boards with the covers removed:
Drive unit has a small port connector, a large ribbon connector and the motherboard a similar ribbon to connect to the controllers. The mains power transformer seems to say it wants 3.3v, 5v and 9v; although i'll play with that.
After wiring the video line, tested the system, bare. Seemed to work fine; set system date, etc and pressed the lever so it thinks the drive door is closed, reset; worked first time.
First time i've used a Saturn, ever, let alone opened one up; quite interesting.
Not many games on the Saturn i'm interested in, but am interested in Dark Savior and Bugs! so I bought them on ebay in the hope the console worked (if not, i'd buy another). I've got Spot goes to Hollywood (cost £1 at car boot sale), Doom (cost 50p at car boot sale) and a couple of other titles, will look out for other good Saturn games worth getting; not interested in the usual fighter or driving games, which are the other ones you get at car boot sales easily.
I'll post details in the reference section on the Saturn when have more to add.
