Techies, anyone: Need some tips on Saturn mod

Post by **fuch** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:37 pm

Before posting this I scanned and read through the entire Technical Help forum looking for any mention of my problem. A few mentions but no luck. Hoping to get some help here. You can't even imagine how much I'd appreciate it.

I enjoy soldering now and again and told my roommate he should mod his Saturn (I have previously modded an xbox and gamecube). He was thrilled with the idea. So was I.

Model 2 32-pin Saturn:
It looks simple. It should be simple.
I filed down the edges of the chip so it would fit picture perfect, connections and all. I then made a better than picture perfect A+B bridge. Then I soldered the red wire. Bada-bing. Pretty easy.

I burned an image with Nero and imgburn to cover the bases while modding.

Both discs went straight to the audio CD player, then "Invalid Disc Format" or something or other, so I tried a normal Saturn game. Same thing, but it would actually play the audio off the game CD.

I've opened the Saturn several times since, troubleshooting, checking everything, until deciding to hit that 14th pad with some solder and the black wire. It was tough but I got it. Still the same thing: Audio CD player.

This was a few days ago. I've now had time to cool my frustration and today's my day off, so I'm ready for another go.

I just need suggestions, anything.

While reading the forums I've read mention of this problem, but no real official thread. I've read the chip may need to sit even further down, but I don't believe mine does (I think it's up against its end).

Sorry for the lengthy read - just wanted to make sure I covered everything.

Would love love some suggestions

Big thanks to anyone for a reply

Post by **Mozgus** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:25 pm

Am I the only one on this forum who has had a flawless modding experience with my model 2 saturn? Seems like the vast majority have issues with the chips, or something.

Post by **fuch** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:16 pm

I've read a lot people's posts who mentioned they had no issues. I expected the same.

More importantly, any suggestions?

Post by **Mozgus** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:42 pm

fuch wrote:I've read a lot people's posts who mentioned they had no issues. I expected the same.

More importantly, any suggestions?

Well, I was ganna tell you to check your iso's region codes, but since you tried a previously working legit game and it failed...

I got nothin'.

Post by **lordofduct** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:31 am

well if the CD audio data will play then the motherboard is talking to the CD-board which means the chip is in properly and transmitting the information just fine.

Now why it won't allow you to play games (even legite) is strange. If it strait up just didn't spin the disk, or if it didn't do anything then I'd just assume bad solder job, chip not inserted fully or incompatible Saturn.

You have a 32-pin though which is one of the MOST compatible versions. I can only go with bad chip personally. It is very strange though.

Try something for me though, on the chip on the lower left when looking at the side with the cable slot is 2 solder points, flip it over and in the same spot you'll see the 3 pads. The path of which is either soldered top and middle... or bottom and middle. Swap it with whatever it is (top middle swap to bottom middle... vice versa). This may fix your problem.

You will need it soldered to the pin 14 for this trick to work.

Right at that white arrow there.

**Funny thing about this image... I googled Saturn modchip and this was the 1st good image (3rd actual image) of a modchip... and it was from my very own photobucket account! HAHAHAHAHA!

It happens to be from a Racketboy blog of which he utilizes my photobucket account for hosting.

Post by **fuch** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:24 pm

Hey thanks for the reply, funny stuff about that image.
Guess you guys are the Saturn modders to go to.

I think I understand what you're saying:
Remove the solder bridge (for me it's bottom to middle) and then bridge the opposite (top to middle)

I hope I'm understanding right because I'm about to try it as I sit here and type this.

Let's see what happens...

Edit
Same thing. Will only play the audio of the game CD. Frustrating.
I'm gonna come back to it later, time for work anyway, and see what I can tinker with.

Post by **lordofduct** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:45 am

swapping it won't hurt the chip... just put it back to the original setting if it didn't work.

I can't tell you what the problem is really. Either the blue wire isn't sending the signal it needs to or the chips just isn't functioning properly. That's all I can get from your information... mainly as you said it still allows the audio data through which means it is plugged in all the way and...

wait... you have it hooked to the correct power pin right? And is the power connection nice and clean? (i'm suspecting it is, you say you're a regular with a solder gun).

Post by **risk** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:37 am

Mozgus wrote:Am I the only one on this forum who has had a flawless modding experience with my model 2 saturn? Seems like the vast majority have issues with the chips, or something.

i modded my model2 here with one of racketboy's chips. works flawlessly.. actually, i modded it months ago and just barely testing it today, heh. works 100%

Post by **fuch** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 4:01 am

I mean, it's connected to the right power pin as say the directions (5v)... should I try another?

I thought it odd I tried that trick (swapping the bridge like you said) and still got the same results (nothing changed). But thanks for the idea, I think I read somewhere it does work sometimes or something rather.

EDIT: (For anyone who stumbles across this) Yeah, the chip was defunct. racketboy exchanged it for another and the new one works wonderfully. Glad the headache is over.

My conclusion: A chip that's only playing the audio of your games is no good. Give up.

Post by **philipofmacedon** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:21 pm

Hey Fuch,

I modded my model 2 saturn a few months ago and the AB bridge connection didn't work at all for me. I ended up with the CD Audio screen until I soldered right to the 14th pin on the motherboard. After that it worked for months like a dream. I don't know why AB works for some and not others but that's my experience. Best of luck.