Problem With Getting Street Fighter Zero 3 To Work

[linkt101]

I have a burned CD-R of SFZ3 and a modified AR 4-in-1 cart which allows any burned CD-R game to be played from any region, but SFZ3 won't work, because it doesn't detect a 4mb expansion cart, which is baffling given that I was told that games requiring the expansion cart should work on such a device. For the record I'm using a PAL console. 

[zyrobs]

Could be either because some pins on the cart slot are not connecting properly, or because you are using a rare early AR which only has 1mb ram, or maybe SFZ3 does not work fine on PAL machines (but I never checked that and I don't recall anyone mentioning that it doesn't).

[linkt101]

Having checked the box the AR 4-1 cart came in. It's definitely contains 4mb ram expansion.

[caseh]

Just burnt a copy to test it, works fine with the AR4-1 cart (flashed with Atlas) on a PAL Saturn.

It's either the cart itself or the software you flashed your cart with. If the 4MB expansion worked before it was flashed then that narrows your problem down.

[zyrobs]

It would help if you'd explain how exactly does the game "won't work". If your cart is not a 4mb cart, the game will specifically point it out after booting.

It's also very likely that the backup you burned is defective, or you ended up with a bad burn (try using a different burning software). And verify your cd image with CDMage, to see if it has no errors.

[linkt101]

OK, I burned another disc of SFZ3 and installed what I think is the most up to date version being Pseudo Saturn v0.831. However, I still run into the same problems with the game not detecting the 4mb ram expansion. While I was at it, I tried X-Men vs SF and the game run, but it started going glitchy and after about 30 seconds the game went to one of those black debug error code screens.  

Incase anyone is in any doubt this is the AR cart I own.

[zyrobs]

You could be having an early AR cart that needs a fix for the 4mb functionality to work properly:
www.shinforce.com/saturn/information/4MBRAM-mod.htm

Or, you are just burning broken cd images.

[linkt101]

I unscrewed the AR and had a look at the board and can't see anything that matches what's shown in the link. Soldering does sound scary to me, but if it needs to be done I can obtain the necessary equipment. If you want a raw link here it is.

[alf]

hmmm maybe you've got a newer version of AR4in1. I would suggest reflashing the cart with original AR4in1 firmware and then test the game (use swap trick method if you don't have modchip to run the game). If the game works with original firmware, then something with your pseudo saturn firmware is not right.

[linkt101]

To remove any doubts that having a sub-standard burn could cause the 4mb ram expansion not to work. I bought a copy of X-men vs Street Fighter and tried to play it via the Pseudo Saturn, but I got the same 4mb ram cart not detected message that I get in SFZ3. I then used my second AR cart, which I primary use as a backup for all my games, and it worked as it should. I then unscrewed it and had a look at the board.



You'll notice the board looks entirely different, and it's only about half the size. I checked board model, which can be found in tiny writing on the back on the cart. The board number for this cart is #1308, while the board number on the AR cart in the previous post is #1412. I then put it all back together again and made sure the cart still worked. At this point I was thinking of reflashing my modded AR and transferring saved data between the two carts and then modding the other one. I put the cart back into the Saturn to make sure the AR still worked, buy to my surprise I got the 4mb ram cart not detected message. It was at that point. I got the idea that maybe the modded AR cart was loose and the #1412 board needed to be fitted more snugly. I then did that and tested it with my burned copy of SFZ3 and BOOM



At least now I know it was due to having a loosely fitted board, of which I've heard of previous instances in the past.

[alf]

So the solution was just to push the cart a little harder or with a little trick into the slot to get it to work ?

[linkt101]

Sept 28, 2015 18:07:45 GMT alf said:

So the solution was just to push the cart a little harder or with a little trick into the slot to get it to work ?

Nothing to do with pushing the cart in harder. Believe me, that is one of the first things I tried when I could not get the ram expansion to work. I just needed to unscrew the AR 4-in 1 cart and tweak the board adjustment in order to make sure a proper connection with the cartridge slot was being made. 

[alf]

Mhm, so i get it that the board was a little askew and you needed to straighten it within the plastic casing.

[mahone1985]

It's got to the point now guys where my AR4Mplus won't save games or do region unlocking. The 4M ram still works but then again only intermittently, sometimes games show the 4m ram message and fail, sometimes they boot. Saying that though the cart was bought sometime in 2003/2004 so it's kinda old!

[zyrobs]

Oct 12, 2015 19:19:49 GMT mahone1985 said:

It's got to the point now guys where my AR4Mplus won't save games or do region unlocking. The 4M ram still works but then again only intermittently, sometimes games show the 4m ram message and fail, sometimes they boot. Saying that though the cart was bought sometime in 2003/2004 so it's kinda old!

The cart itself is probably fine (might need to be reflashed), with only the connectors being too dirty. The Saturn cart port has pins packed awfully dense, so a little dirt is enough to cause major problems.