Saturn woes

[Big Seany]

Few probs with me Saturn, which is a MK1, fully modded (region, 50/60hz etc).

1) Just bought a couple of Capcom fighters that require the RAM cart - X-Men vs SF and Marvel SH vs SF.

Sometimes, the console won't recognise that the RAM cart is in the machine, and a message in Japanese comes up then it goes to the screen with the CD player and whatnot and you have to launch the application again. On Marvel vs, sometimes it loads, but then after a few seconds resets back to this screen, or just freezes on the bit where it says who the superheroes are copyrighted to and stuff.....what is going on? Why won't it let me enjoy my fighting games without incident?

2) Does my console support RGB scart? If not then what can I do? I am using an RGB lead but when I switch it to RGB on my scart switching box then nowt happens.

3) Whether it does support RGB or not, why is my picture so "washed out"? The colours don't seem bright enough, and the picture just has a kind of washed out quality to it. Why? How can I resolve this?

help me people, because I love my Saturn to bits but want to enjoy it in the best way possible.

[Kubrick]

The cartridge slots are notoriously iffy on Saturns. Try pushing the RAM all the way in, then pull it out slightly. You sometimes need to do this for it to be "recognised" by the machine.

[Geoff D]

Are you using a ram cart or an Action Replay? Some earlier AR's won't load certain games without a bit of modification (I asked about this in the retro forum here.)

[Big Seany]

It is the RAM cart that came with my X-Men vs SF. Kubrick - could the RAM cart be causing the game to reset itself? I guess that as soon as the machine realises that the cart is not in, or being recognised, then it panics and throws you out of the game, right?

[Kubrick]

Possibly. I don't think I've experienced that though, just the Japanese message saying no cart was being detected.

Could be an issue with the switched machine though. I know that Metal Slug wouldn't run on my switched PAL unit - it just kept crashing. Would work fine on a JP machine though.

[msm13579]

my mate has metal slug and it works on his switched pal saturn, strange. i have experienced strange problems on my switched pal saturn, dodonpachi crashes when you set it to stereo sound! i think rs did the same as well.

[stoofle]

I have a PAL Saturn that is just set to play Japanese games (It seemed like too much work to put a switch in ), and it's a bit funny with Outrun, and Bubble Symphony frequently crashes/freezes after the first level.

[Big Seany]

I reckon it is Satan's way of telling me, nay making me buy a white Jap Saturn.

[trickytree]

As said earlier, your RAM cart just needs lifting slightly for it to be recognised (and a good blow on both of the contacts won't harm it either) - not while the machine's on of course!

As for RGB, the Saturn puts out lovely RGB - even nicer than the Dreamcast I reckon - are you sure your telly's set to RGB and not the default 'AV1' PAL/composite cack?

Edit: Oh and ignore Satan, a PAL modded console (pref. with both switches at the back) is the one to have!

[wheelaa]

Edit: Oh and ignore Satan, a PAL modded console (pref. with both switches at the back) is the one to have!

No. Its a great setup granted, but a jp saturn not only looks sexier, but has none of the issues discussed in this thread save the old cart chestnut (and in the hunt). And jp saturns and well cheap now too.

[Kubrick]

JP machine has a cooler logo and start-up animation too

[Big Seany]

I run a three socket scart switching box into the back of my telly. Normally I have 2 RGBs in it one each for DC and PS1/2, and they work fine, giving an absolutely incredible picture (there is an RGB button on the box) - however the Saturn just seems poor by comparison. I bought a new lead and everything - I just don't like the picture at all. And whereas pressing the "RGB" button when the DC or PS1/2 are on instantly makes the picture crisper and takes away any jagged edges, when I do it with teh Saturn it makes the screen go black.

I am sure it is something technical I am doing wrong. Need someone to come round and plumb everything in proberly, TBH!

As said earlier, your RAM cart just needs lifting slightly for it to be recognised (and a good blow on both of the contacts won't harm it either) - not while the machine's on of course!

As for RGB, the Saturn puts out lovely RGB - even nicer than the Dreamcast I reckon - are you sure your telly's set to RGB and not the default 'AV1' PAL/composite cack?

Edit: Oh and ignore Satan, a PAL modded console (pref. with both switches at the back) is the one to have!

[wheelaa]

Very true. Even better looking is the hi-sat logo!

[trickytree]

No. Its a great setup granted, but a jp saturn not only looks sexier, but has none of the issues discussed in this thread save the old cart chestnut (and in the hunt). And jp saturns and well cheap now too.

Oh you big girl, worrying about which looks nicest...

I was thinking practicality, what do you do when you want to play a PAL/US game on your JP Saturn, which also needs to save to a memory cartridge? Eh? EH??

[trickytree]

I run a three socket scart switching box into the back of my telly. Normally I have 2 RGBs in it one each for DC and PS1/2, and they work fine, giving an absolutely incredible picture (there is an RGB button on the box) - however the Saturn just seems poor by comparison. I bought a new lead and everything - I just don't like the picture at all. And whereas pressing the "RGB" button when the DC or PS1/2 are on instantly makes the picture crisper and takes away any jagged edges, when I do it with teh Saturn it makes the screen go black.

Is this the Argos ?10 switcher? Tried fiddling the A -> C and A -> B buttons? Also have you tried unplugging the DC or PS1/2 Scart and using that socket?
With the screen going black when you press RGB, it does sound like your Scart lead isn't RGB, except I thought they all were for the Saturn? (can't remember now).