joe
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4 
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Post by joe on May 10, 2015 1:17:47 GMT
Hey all, Saturn player since the old days  till a few years ago I was the unknowing user of a bootleg memory cart that looked like a genuine one(till I opened it). So as of a couple of years ago I'm using a genuine one, now it looks as though my internal battery has expired, as I need to set the time in each power up, but interestingly enough, the internal memory saves are still there! This is the first time the battery has failed since using the genuine cart. If the cart protects the internal saves too, then I must say I'm impressed! Funny how in 2015 I've learnt something else about this charming old machine Is that normal behaviour for the cart? |
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Post by MIK on May 11, 2015 10:30:08 GMT
I would pat your self on the back for not having any internal or external save memory issues with your Sega Saturn for the last 20 years. You should also tell the Guinness Book of Records 2015, has to be the longest yet!  If there is any truth to this Sega Saturn clock battery lasting 20 years then just maybe the TV screens you have been using have been sending just enough power down the video lead to trickle charge the battery acting as life support. Maybe your TV's from the past have been leaking power even when switched off seeing as most people have them plugged in 24/7... and with that in mind the battery has finally given up regardless but that TV is still sending power down the video lead keeping the internal memory alive. Fuck knows... |
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joe
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
Location:
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Post by joe on May 11, 2015 21:46:10 GMT
Hey bro,
I wish it lasted 20 years! To clarify, I've had battery failures in the past when using the non genuine cart, and as expected, not only the clock goes down, but the saves get wiped too.
Did a few more power down tests before replacing the battery, sure enough the clock was still going down, but the internal saves have stood firm. Using a white jp Saturn with a white official backup mem cart.
20 years of sega rally high scores, now that would be awesome...
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antime
Saturn Player
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 86
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Post by antime on May 12, 2015 7:11:32 GMT
Since the schematics of the Saturn are available, you can check for yourself that there's no connection from the cartridge port to the backup battery. Whatever is going on, that's not it. Try what MIK suggested and disconnect all cables (but do copy your saves over to the cartridge first).
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Post by MIK on May 12, 2015 9:41:47 GMT
Yeah, not that we want you to lose any data. Once you have removed the power cord and video lead... don't forget to remove the clock battery if you have already put another in.  |
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joe
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
Location:
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Post by joe on May 13, 2015 23:22:18 GMT
Ok, did a power cycle with the battery removed and sure enough, memory erased (everything backed up to the cart of course). Took a measurement of the old battery which came in at just over 2v, so that could be the borderline voltage that won't hold the clock, but still holds the saves. Thanks for everyone's input.
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Post by MIK on May 14, 2015 5:58:55 GMT
No worries, food for thought wasn't it. |
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till a few years ago I was the unknowing user of a bootleg memory cart that looked like a genuine one(till I opened it). So as of a couple of years ago I'm using a genuine one, now it looks as though my internal battery has expired, as I need to set the time in each power up, but interestingly enough, the internal memory saves are still there! 
