Dreamcast Region Changer - instructions/help?

[Link83]

Its a shame I couldnt reply earlier - I had exactly the same issue when I did mine - as you found out theres a bug in Region Changer 1.7 which seems to set your console to NTSC/Japanese no matter what options you try.

I downloaded Region Changer 1.5 and that works great, no problems. With Region Changer 1.7 the only way to get back to your original region is if you have backed up your flash to a VMU before making your first region change.

Region changer 1.6 was pulled/canned as they incorrectly thought they had managed to make a 'region free' setting, but they hadnt.

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Also id just like to add here that if you do the region changer mod I highly recommend you either fit a switch, or remove the wire once you have changed the region - or else you may suffer 'the black swirl off death!'.

You can be merrily playing along on your favourite game, turn the console off to switch games - and then the next time you turn your console on your greeted with a black dreamcast swirl, which you think is odd - then you find out your game wont load - and then you realise you cant boot any disks at all - which ultimately means you cant even boot the region changer disk to fix your problem - bascially, your console is now a fancy paper weight.

Why does this happen? A certain number of games write data to the internal flash chip (Small strings of info - like the date the last time this game was played, stuff like that)

This would normally be fine as the flash chip is 'split into two' internally with one half of the memory 'protected' - containing system data, the region setting etc, and the other half free for use by games or web browsers, etc (For example your ISP settings get stored here).

Once you have linked the R512 and +12v points you are basically allowing the Dreamcast to 're-flash' this protected area of the flash chip - this is what we want as we need to change the region code. However, some games can now accidentally write over this protected area aswell.

The result? The Dreamcast gets set to an unidentifiable region code with a black swirl - nothing at all will boot. Basically the protected area of the flash has now been corrupted by the data the game accidentally wrote to it.

Needless to say - please either remove the wire when done, or fit a switch. One other thing - if you do fit a switch DONT FLICK THE SWITCH ONCE THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN TURNED ON! I did this without thinking, and I paid the cost - one corrupted flash

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As an interesting idea I had thought about de-soldering the flash chip off one of these 'black swirl' dreamcast motherboards and using a Chip Reader/Programmer to copy the flash data to see what the unidentifiable region data is actually set to. The idea (This bit I read on another forum) is that you could then make a 'Region Changer Recovery Disk' which would have the correct corrupted region code to allow it to boot with the corrupted flash on the Dreamcast (if that makes sense) Its just an idea though, nobodys actually done it yet.

Thanks for your help, Link. I keep coming across you on forums far and wide through google atm!

Glad to help I do seem to end up on quite a few forums I have only just recently started getting into console modding/repairing (past 8 or 9 months) I have read a heck of alot, but still end up with a load more questions than when I started!

Anyway, enough of my ranting!

[egparadigm]

OK, I'll leave my Dreamcast unplugged until I decide what course of action to take. I suppose I'll use a switch, although the idea of a dangerous switch is a little disconcerting; then again, I managed never to flick the one on my GameCube while it was on, so it's probably fairly safe.

I was open to this possibility thanks to mmmonkey, but I didn't understand why it was a problem, so thanks for the explanation.

If I was to fit a switch, would I need to take ground from somewhere for the other side of the switch? If so, is there a place nearby?

EDIT: out of interest, what happens if you flick the switch with the console on?

[egparadigm]

Actually thinking about it it's probably because I'm playing backups... though it definitely does play original UK games, and it's set to US (or possibly JP...).

I suspect this is just a misunderstanding of some kind, but you really know how to tease! From all the information I've read, the only way to play games from different regions is to use a modchip or boot-disk. The SWAT team claimed they'd found a "region-free" setting, but, as Link stated, this turned out not to be the case.

What exactly have you done to your Dreamcast? Which version of the SWAT disc are you using and which settings?

Do you mean to say that you're playing European original games (not copies) and CDR copies of US/foreign games?

I'm now seriously considering getting a modchip, although I worry about ruining the integrity of the original machine by using foreign components.

[gunrock]

The only thing I find worrying, is that you say you change region everytime you need to play a title from a region that's not the one you last played with?

EEPROMs can only be flashed so many times (admittedly, it's thousands of times), so every time you do it you're shortening the useful life of your Dreamcast. Also, if you ever get a hiccup or loss in power when you're doing it, you can pretty much say goodbye to your console.

[Link83]

OK, I'll leave my Dreamcast unplugged until I decide what course of action to take. I suppose I'll use a switch, although the idea of a dangerous switch is a little disconcerting; then again, I managed never to flick the one on my GameCube while it was on, so it's probably fairly safe.

I hope I didnt worry you to much! - Alot of people have done this mod for ages and never had a problem, its just that in some ways its a bit of a ticking time bomb in my opinion, as others have had it happen to them on the first day they tried it. It all depends on the exact games you like to play - I have read of a few Japanese games that have caused it but I cant remember their titles off hand.

On one forum I read somebody was playing House of the Dead 2, and then rebooted and got the 'Black Swirl of Death'. I have no idea if its specific region of the game, but still you can see why I wouldnt want to risk it.

I was open to this possibility thanks to mmmonkey, but I didn't understand why it was a problem, so thanks for the explanation.

No problem

If I was to fit a switch, would I need to take ground from somewhere for the other side of the switch? If so, is there a place nearby?

I have to say I honestly dont know about that - I had it wired up so that with the switch one way the two points were linked, and with the other way they were disconnected. It seemed to work fine whilst I switched it with the console turned off.

I think once you undertand how it works and know what your doing its nothing to be too worried about - simply flick the switch with the Dreamcast off, insert region changer disk, turn Dreamcast on, change the region, turn the Dreamcast off, then after 5 of more seconds flick the switch off aswell (I like to wait for any residual system power to dissapate, but thats probably overkill) Then carry on playing your favourite games!

On the brightside even if you do get the black swirl you still have a perfectly working GD-Drive which in my opinion is probably the most 'valuable' part of a Dreamcast as they are the part most prone to failure. You can then go out and buy a faulty Dreamcast with a broken drive (or even broken controller ports etc) and swap whatever bits you need - even just take the motherboard if thats all you want to do.

EDIT: out of interest, what happens if you flick the switch with the console on?

Well, I flicked the switch just at the boot animation, and nothing noticeable happened at first, then the region changer disk loaded up and I switched regions - all fine - but then as soon as I reset I got the black swirl of death (Come to think of it, I wonder if its because I didnt connect the switch to ground ) Even worse, this was the Dreamcast that a few weeks before I had just fitted an internal VGA port too!

[Link83]

The only thing I find worrying, is that you say you change region everytime you need to play a title from a region that's not the one you last played with?

Yeah but the great thing is not only can you change the region, but also the video mode aswell - that in my opinion is the key reason to use it. Once you switch to NTSC video mode you can even force 50hz only games like Sega Rally 2, Virtua Fighter 3tb and Power Stone into 60hz - no prompts or anything - it just does it

EEPROMs can only be flashed so many times (admittedly, it's thousands of times), so every time you do it you're shortening the useful life of your Dreamcast. Also, if you ever get a hiccup or loss in power when you're doing it, you can pretty much say goodbye to your console.

I see what you mean, but its doubtful anybody will flash it thousands of times, and the loss of power problem - well I think it kinda goes without saying - as with any firmware or bios upgrade etc, a loss of power in the middle of doing it would be a killer - it only takes few seconds to change the region though.

Oh, and what I think Honemustard is saying (correct me if im wrong) is that hes set his console to a different region using region changer (probably NTSC/Japanese region if he used 1.7) but uses backups of other region games (as you can boot backups from any region without any modificiation)

A modchip would be great if you can find one - the only place I can think off that still sells them is:-

http://home.clara.net/robwebb/shop/index.htm

If you do get a modchip you should definitely remove the region changer wire (as it has been known to kill modchips, as you may of read on mmmonkeys site) Id set the video mode to NTSC before you do though.

[egparadigm]

I feel like this thread has created a stir...

I think all signs are pointing in the direction of a modchip. I actually looked at Rob's site this morning - pretty reasonable price, overall.

I have one question regarding the video mode option. I only have two games, one of them is Chu Chu Rocket. With the console set to NTSC (and, by implication, 60Hz) and Chu Chu Rocket on 50Hz (it has a 60Hz option), I get the image halfway down the screen. Is this what the R422 wire is meant to prevent? Will this happen with games that have no 60Hz option?

Also, if R422 is best to be bridged, is that also a risky thing to leave attached? (I assume not...)

I guess I'd like to have the machine set to USA + modchip, just to be contrary/have the "dash" in fullscreen.

Thanks for your time.

[Link83]

I feel like this thread has created a stir...

I hope it doesnt sound like ive offended/argued with anyone it wasnt my intention, im only trying to help!

I think all signs are pointing in the direction of a modchip. I actually looked at Rob's site this morning - pretty reasonable price, overall.

I have one question regarding the video mode option. I only have two games, one of them is Chu Chu Rocket. With the console set to NTSC (and, by implication, 60Hz) and Chu Chu Rocket on 50Hz (it has a 60Hz option), I get the image halfway down the screen. Is this what the R422 wire is meant to prevent? Will this happen with games that have no 60Hz option?

Also, if R422 is best to be bridged, is that also a risky thing to leave attached? (I assume not...)

I guess I'd like to have the machine set to USA + modchip, just to be contrary/have the "dash" in fullscreen.

Thanks for your time.

Yes, thats exactly the problem the R422 mod fixes - no-one seems to be entirely sure why or how it does it though!

The R422 mod should be perfectly safe - never encountered a problem with it (apart from the fiddly nature of actually linking the points!)

I have yet to find any 50hz only PAL games that isnt forced into 60hz mode once you have the video mode set to NTSC and the R422 mod. From what i've seen even PAL games that have the '50/60hz prompt screen' will skip it entirely and default to 60hz.

Also, dont forget that the video mode is independant of the region your consoles set to, so if you are getting a modchip and set the video mode to NTSC, then the only benefit of having the the region set to USA is the orange swirl! You can quite happily select PAL region with NTSC video mode to give you a blue swirl instead should you prefer (I usually flash it so that the swirl color always matches the one on the top of the consoles case )

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I just want to say though, for all the cons I have mentioned before about the Dreamcast Region Changer - it is still a great mod
Its practially free and very easy to do. The DC Swat team have done a great job making the Region Changer program, and I still think its a great solution for those who dont want to splash out on a modchip, or who want to change the video mode.
As long as you are aware of the possible risks beforehand, then you should have no problems

[egparadigm]

I hope it doesnt sound like ive offended/argued with anyone it wasnt my intention, im only trying to help!

Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing. Thanks for your help.

[honeymustard]

Btw does anyone have a link to the 1.5 version?

[egparadigm]

Here's the forum I found it on:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-98372.html

Just copy and paste the link.

[Shinebi]

BUMP

Now busy giving my beloved DC a huge make-over: VGA, overclock (once more with new crystal) and cinch input... BUT before finalizing all connections, I wanted to try the Region Mod once more.

Tried with the 1.5 version on a Japanese motherboard, it stil WILL NOT show a blue swirl! Has anybody ever succeeded in doing this??? (and the reason for me is because everything is installed in a PAL case with 220V power and blue led) I can only change the output signal: NTSC is fine obviously, PAL is 60 Hz apparently, the other two PAL options (M and N) are 50 Hz which show up black and white (I can understand why).

Language change never worked, not on 1.0 or 1.5. I'll try 1.7, tonight, but as I understand, this WILL NOT give me a blue swirl... Can anyone verify if this works, as the SWAT team only tests on PAL consoles...

[Link83]

The language select has never worked for me either, on any version of region changer - I can only assume DCSwat made an error in the programming (or in the conversion to a selfboot CDR) I have never found it to be an issue though as the language is easily changeable in the Dreamcast main menu - at least it is in PAL console.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the reason you may be having a problem with the region changer is because some very early Japanese Dreamcasts have the region information actually stored in the BIOS itself, not in the flash memory. Usually these Dreamcasts only have 128KB flash instead of the 256KB flash in all other units.

Because these early units dont store there region setting in the flash the region changer disk wont work with them These Japanese Dreamcasts usually have the first 'VA0' board and are quite rare (Usually have a heatpipe cooling system aswell - perhaps thats why you bought it?) The BIOS chip should also have printed on it 'MPR-21068'.

AFAIK you could just swap the Japanese motherboard for a PAL one as the heatpipe system should still fit fine. (In fact if you havent already carried out all the other modifications on it I may have a spare PAL motherboard I could swap you for it - as id be interested in studying an unmodded 'VA0' board - PM me if interested)

Heres a quote which may help:-

Few info I'd like to add to the thread:
1- The bios does all regional and security checking. It reads a flag in the flash at the first boot after power on to know which region it has to behave as.
2- It also stores the video system, initial language settings (for 1st power on after un-boxed) and a unique per unit ID number. (Edit: Here I mean the flash)
3- Early japanese consoles (with heatpipes) use a older bios which don't support region flag in the flash. Putting that bios on a newer dreamcast would cause it to behave as a japanese unit regardless what setting it has on the flash. Also it is worth mention that the old bios is made for boards with 128KB of flashrom and might not work properly on newer motherboards...

...By the way, on the old boards of "VA0" revision (Board with heatpipes) the flashrom size is 128KB. Newer Dreamcast units have 256KB flashroms.
The dreamcast shown is a USA VA0 board which had an MPR21931 bios.

Taken from a thread I made here:-

http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3163.0

I also found more info about these early Japanese Dreamcasts in a French forum, think I may have the link somewhere if you interested...

[Shinebi]

Whoa, you been reading up a lot I see...
Thanks for the info!

Hmmm, well I have two of those, one which I'm modifying completely, the other has to stay original (only put a reset switch in that one) because it's on the Drikara and has the BBA also attached. It looks nice like that. Sorry man...

I contacted Dan Potter quite some time ago on his forum if they were interested in producing a new chip with plugins (in the same fashion as the Cube has got one), but it was too much work (to put it short). A piggyback solution would be the only way to get a new BIOS for the heatpipe-model, it seems...

[Link83]

Sorry for the delay in replying. No need to apologise - I only thought you may want to swap motherboards if it would help you

Pretty cool to have a Drikara aswell! I had thought about getting one but read that you have to use it with a 110v Dreamcast with a Stepdown? (Cant swap power boards) and it only outputs Composite? Those two reasons put me off (Aswell as the fact the service isnt online anymore!) Still looks cool though

Would have loved to have studied that Dreamcast Zip Drive Prototype that was on eBay a while ago

An upgraded Dreamcast modchip would be fantastic, but I cant see it happening to be honest - unless somebody very knowledgeable in that area who is also a big Dreamcast fan is willing to put the work in

The BIOS piggyback solution probably wouldnt work im afraid, as although you could solder the newer BIOS in (which checks for the region in the flash) the flash memory chip wouldnt be what the newer bios is expecting (Only 128KB instead of 256KB) and there could be other issues aswell.

I suppose you could try and replace the flash memory aswell, although that would be a very tricky mod as the legs are so tiny and close together (I know because I tried it on the 'black swirl' Dreamcast mentioned previously) Im not sure it would be worth it?

Is there any particular reason you want to mod this Japanese Dreamcast instead of a cheapo PAL unit? Im just curious as you already mentioned that the casing is from a PAL console...