syn
There can be only one. Not eternal spamnation
Joined: June 2009
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Post by syn on Nov 2, 2011 15:43:06 GMT
Serials starting with 169... are 1996 made VA9 models. Modchips work best with VA2 and above, which all use 21pin cdrom connectors. VA0 and VA1 use 20-pin connector. Inbetween 21pin models, there are 3 different CDRom boards which need different settings on the modchip, they are distinguished by whats on the cdrom board: - 64pin controller IC (VA2 to VA5) - 32pin controller IC (VA6 to VA9) - 32pin controller IC, no oscillator (VA10 to VA15) Not sure which one is easier to install, since the modchips I have were all literally plug and play on both my va5 and va9 saturn (PAL) saturns. I don't have a va10+ model. edit: you can get the motherboard revision of your saturn by checking the 7th number from the right in the serial. Great, helpful info as always! |
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Post by zyrobs on Nov 2, 2011 18:44:33 GMT
Well I'm not 100% sure on VA9 cdroms, VA9 PAL use 32pin IC, but that board also uses a LOT of older components that NTSC models from VA6 and above do not. NTSC VA9 boards may use the 32pin board without the oscillator. The modchip guide at rob webb describes the newer boards as "those having a white line at the edge".
Though, VA9 NTSC boards are only found on two kind of Saturns: the ones made by Sega Logistics, and the model 2 Hi-Saturns (made by Sieyo Denshi). Neither of those are particularly common.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2011 6:48:34 GMT
thx for the info, serial is 167040330, model mk-80200a-50
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Post by zyrobs on Nov 3, 2011 15:42:37 GMT
Yup, should be a standard VA7 model.
If you get to the point of installing the chip and you have a camera, can I ask you to take plenty of pictures while disassembling it? I have pictures of a VA7 model that was made in Korea by Hyundai, but yours should be a standard "made in japan" one.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2011 17:34:40 GMT
yeah sure will do, I'm feeling a little brave so much give the moodchip install a go  |
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Post by zyrobs on Nov 3, 2011 18:40:19 GMT
You shouldn't worry. It's just a question of connecting 2-3 ribbon cables in the right direction and plugging in the power cable to the +5v line. Some chips even have a hook on the power cable so you can plug it into the pin on the psu.
Well, unless you got those older chips which require soldering and setting different versions... But the ones I got were all plug and play.
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