Modding a PAL SNES (n00b questions)

[Kohza]

I have a PAL SNES. It was made in 1992 so it's one of the early models.

If I follow this guide correctly: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/ni...switches-1.htm

Will I be able to play NTSC Games? Such as FFIII? I'm sure they wouldn't fit in my SNES due to the physical size..?

I'm sure using a Soldering Iron on one of those chip legs will just carry the heat straight into the chip and burn it out?

Would I have to have some kind of TV Converter, like an NTSC to PAL converter? I've got one that accepts scart leads, so would that mean I would have to buy a scart lead for the SNES.. even though I doubt there was one ever made for the snes.

Sorry for all of these stupid questions, I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing. Thank you.

[vertigo]

OK, I'll try my best here.

I have a PAL SNES. It was made in 1992 so it's one of the early models. If I follow this guide correctly: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/ni...switches-1.htm
Will I be able to play NTSC Games?

Yeh, that's the whole point of the mod.

Such as FFIII?

You can play FF3 using a convertor cartridge on an unmodded SNES or you can just plug it straight into a modded one. However, it uses very hardware specific timing that might still mean you get crashing in the ending on a PAL system, even in 60Hz, because the timing crystal value still isn't exactly dead on.

I'm sure they wouldn't fit in my SNES due to the physical size..?

Leave the top of the console unscrewed and take the lid off when you want to play a US game. This is why most people who do this mod do it to a US one, because that's completely compatible without the size problem of US cartridges.

I'm sure using a Soldering Iron on one of those chip legs will just carry the heat straight into the chip and burn it out?

How do you think they attach chips to boards in the first place? Glue? Chewing gum? Sellotape? Be sensible with your soldering iron. Do you have one that has a temperature control? If not, buy one and read the instructions to see the best temperatures for soldering and desoldering jobs.

Would I have to have some kind of TV Converter, like an NTSC to PAL converter? I've got one that accepts scart leads, so would that mean I would have to buy a scart lead for the SNES.. even though I doubt there was one ever made for the snes.

There was an official RGB SCART lead made for SNES. However, good luck getting one out of Nintendo these days that isn't for Gamecube (i.e. the wrong sort for a PAL SNES). Go to lik-sang.com and order one from there, they cost about ?3, you won't need a colour convertor or any of that guff because RGB doesn't rely on NTSC or PAL colour. Note that your TV having a SCART lead doesn't necessarily mean it accepts RGB. However, the likelihood is that it does, especially if it has teletext.

Sorry for all of these stupid questions, I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing. Thank you.

A question isn't stupid if you don't know the answer, so stop apologising and you're welcome. Good luck with your mod. Apply patience and planning, especially with regard to pin 4 of the CIC chip, they can sometimes break easily.

[Kohza]

How do you think they attach chips to boards in the first place? Glue? Chewing gum? Sellotape?

It's done by a machine with temperature controll soldering irons. Getting a temperature controlled soldering iron would be very pricey indeed.

Thanks for answering all of my questions.

Edit-----

I checked Liksang and this is all I could find, it says it works with a Gamecube though?

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=76&products_id=220&

[vertigo]

It's done by a machine with temperature controll soldering irons. Getting a temperature controlled soldering iron would be very pricey indeed.

That's interesting, because mine cost me ?20 in a special offer and there are two on this pagefor ?29.99

[gIzzE]

You don't even need a temperature controlled iron if you are careful, put a needle under the leg you want to lift, heat the solder and prize it up slowly, it will soon come away from the board.

Real easy mod to do with nice big solder points.

[Kohza]

I have actually brought two SNES consoles from ebay, just incase I mess up. So now I have 3 to play with. >=)

[vertigo]

gIzzE yeh, you don't need one, but temp controlled is definitely the way to go coz different temperatures are best for different jobs instead of just roaring hot for everything, which you might not want.

[gIzzE]

I agree and I use a solder station with temp control, but for this job you would have to leave it on that chip for minutes to do damage to it.