urgent Saturn country mod question

[randombs]

I can't find info on this anywhere. Tony's saturn page had it but its been closed down. I need to perform the mod quick-o

any pics or info would be greatly appreciated. i've already done the 50/60hz switch just need to perform a full UK/US/JAP mod...

...and figure out how a DPDT switch works (dont let that put you off - i'll be alright)

[Yod@]

Some info here:

http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/arc_sat1.html

[randombs]

Hi. thanks for the info but i read that one already - he uses a hex inverter which i don't know about neither do i know where to buy one from...

just the basic 2 switch country mod - the ones i find are only US/JAP switching, not UK/US/JAP

[gIzzE]

All the info is still there on page 3 of the how to.

[randombs]

thanks but he's still referring to the hex converter. i can't figure out how to wire it all up by just looking at those diagrams on page 3.

i remember seeing a pic on tony's saturn page that used two switches to achieve the country mod - the wires were linked to these switches.

i can do a straightforward country conversion (eg. UK->JAP hardwired) but dont get how to incorporate the switches into the equation...

oh wait i think i'm starting to figure it out...basically i'm looking at 3 switches that are flicked either on or off to get one of the 3 regions. hmm i need the 2-switch version where one switch is DPDT and the other is SPDT

[randombs]

right. through the wonder that is the Wayback Machine, I have managed to download Tony's Saturn page intact (only one pic missing but it's not really needed anyway - just a pic of the entire saturn mobo)

for your benefit, it can be found here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20030605145229/www.trsoft.demon.co.uk/satmod.htm

the link may not work if it's session-based. if so, go to:

http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

and enter

http://www.trsoft.demon.co.uk

in the Wayback Machine URL box and you're all set. You can choose which archived version to open (i chose the latest) and away you go

I'm off to Maplin tomorrow to get the bits - will let you lot know if it's a success or not

thanks for all the help thus far

[Saurian]

Easiest way to assign the switches I feel is this way:

x2 DPDT switches -

(switch 1) *PAL/NTSC select*
____
|1 2|
|3 4|
|5 6|

1 = 5v
2 = 0v
3 = jp12/13 common
4 = vid select
5 = 0v
6 = 5v

(switch 2) *Language select, ENG - JPN*
____
|1 2|
|3 4|
|5 6|

1 = 5v
2 = 0v
3 = jp 6/7 common
4 = jp 10/11 common
5 = 0v
6 = 5v

Mod works as follows:
NTSC + ENG = USA
NTSC + JPN = Japan
PAL + ENG = UK
PAL + JPN = no use

[randombs]

i like that setup saurian but i've already got a pal50/60switch on the machine. i've managed to find a place in UK selling those hex inverters that the mameworld guy uses so i've ordered a few of those. this way, i can use a 3-position switch from maplin to select uk/us/jap. that way i can play uk games in 60hz if i want/need

[Yod@]

i like that setup saurian but i've already got a pal50/60switch on the machine. i've managed to find a place in UK selling those hex inverters that the mameworld guy uses so i've ordered a few of those. this way, i can use a 3-position switch from maplin to select uk/us/jap. that way i can play uk games in 60hz if i want/need

You'd still be able to play UK games in 60Hz - boot the UK game first, *then* switch to 60Hz.

Mind you, I prefer just to use the separate 50/60Hz and UK/US/JP switch - easier to explain.

[randombs]

good point. well i've had my hex inverters arrive this morning and i'm all set to go. got the 3-position switch as this will be easier to label when i sell the saturn (each position selects a different region). we'll see how my electronics skills fare now (as soon as i figure out the orientation of the resistors )

[randombs]

well i just finished the mod and while it appears to be more or less working, i've got two probs:

1) If i switch to 50Hz the machine won't boot
2) The machine keeps crashing but the multiregion function works fine

Anyone know why it would keep crashing?

[randombs]

ok it seems crashing occurs if there's a problem with the 50/60Hz switch.

finally completed the mod successfully and it works great. had major probs with the 50/60Hz switch in that when connected to 5v the screen would go black and a slight screeching noise would come from the console dunno how but it stopped happening when i removed the motherboard and put it back. now it's all cool. hmm if i get a good price on it tomorrow it may be an incentive to try again on another machine but damnit that took ages (started last night, finished this afternoon - i slept of course)