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Maxim wrote

When the gun trigger is pressed, the system is driving that line low. When the trigger isn't pressed, the system's driving it high while it is also being grounded. So something somewhere is being shorted unexpectedly.

Would it therefore be safe to implement a region switch such that when grounded, the existing trace is not connected?

EDIT:

I'm contemplating a few things here, first is to check how that rev is different than the published schematic.
BTW: Is there another one out there thats different that on smspower's documentation page?

Currently messing with the Hello World (enhanced) you made to run the region detection code in a loop... and to monitor a few things.

Will post results later

Cheers

Maxim wrote

When the gun trigger is pressed, the system is driving that line low. When the trigger isn't pressed, the system's driving it high while it is also being grounded. So something somewhere is being shorted unexpectedly.

Would it therefore be safe to implement a region switch such that when grounded, the existing trace is not connected?

Yes, you could add a switch like that, which you'd turn on during power-up and turn off during gameplay. You'd still have a potential for damage during the region check routine I suppose, and you'd have to remember the flip the switch on then off when using the reset button.

For the adventurous, here is the schematic for a region mod that is compatible with the light gun, the FM unit, *and* is safe for the system. You will need to desolder (or cut) and lift pins 13,14 of the 315-5216 chip which requires some care. It is untested so use it at your own risk

With the switch on, reading port $DD always returns zero in D6 and D7. If that causes a conflict with some game after the initial region check, you can always turn the switch off. Say at the title screen.

If you don't want to add a switch to your system, you could connect the JP_MODE# input of U1 to the pause button and hold down pause when powering up the system to set the Japanese region. You can also use HCT parts if you don't want to use LS, and add a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor across the ground and +5V pins of each chip for decoupling (not shown).

Hi Charles.

Sounds like a fun weekend breadboard experiment :)

I think with both this and a good coffee over the port explanation page i now get it.
Its a miracle this hack ever worked anywhere. the high voltage set by the 315-5216 chip _internally_ in the detection phase can hardly be pulled down by its pin. Some revs of 315-5216 could have varying internal protection/ diodes or whatever. Its all happening in "there".

If i get the chance ill try your circuit this weekend ... I don't mind cutting traces and pins.(nothing that cant be reverted anyway).

Thanks!

Ah, I has insufficiently understood the problem - it's the fact that it's a tri-state pin being grounded while driven from the chip that causes the risk. Can you explain how your design avoids this, for those of us that can't figure it out?

Just to make sure I understand (will need to do a Truth table) .. unless Charles has one (probably).

Since we cant reliably (safely) mess with the input/output pins 31/34 of 315-5216, the idea is to temporary steal the system-wide-shared data lines D7 and D6 under very strict conditions and put 0v on those only when the cpu requests reading $DD.

When it is not the case the system acts just like before the hack was made, and the (pins 13/14) of the 315-5216 are reconnected to the bus.

The reason there are so many logic gates and a 74XX139 demux is because there are lots of handshake lines at work that arbiters the data bus (!WR !RD !A0 and also KBSEL and KILLGA -although these are not linked to CPU's requests). I think if the hack doesnt work it will be a matter of timing. If the databus is not working as it should, then the cpu will not read the ROM properly and you can guess what happens then :)

Started doing the truth table and something does not make sense to me, maybe I'm wrong. In the second pass logic processing of the 74ls139:

!G = DOUT#
B = JP_MODE#
A = Z80 A0

74LS139 Thruth Table (from datasheet):

Input Output
!G B A | !Y0 !Y1 !Y2 !Y3
1 X X | 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 | 0 1 1 1
0 0 1 | 1 0 1 1
0 1 0 | 1 1 0 1
0 1 1 | 1 1 1 0

then the Y's go into OR gates 74LS32 like
(!Y2 OR !Y3) (always true) , which ORed to anything else, !Y0, or otherwise is always true, so gate# is always 1 in this schematic

Perhap[s it would help to get more details on the exact intended logic 'algorithm' which was intended?

Could it be as simple as adding a simple timing circuit to the region mod, so that at start-up it times out after say 30 seconds? Or is there more to it?

There's more to it. The I/O chip's pins are bidirectional - i.e. tri-state. Tying them to ground when the chip's trying to output +5V is going to hurt the I/O chip, and it's still somewhat unreliable as to whether the chip then "reads" GND or +5V. Since you can't mess with that side of the I/O chip, you have to mess with something further up the chain - the link between the I/O chip and the CPU.

The proposed solution is to have something that changes the data going between the CPU and I/O chip so that when the inputs are read, the mod talks to the CPU instead of the I/O chip, on the data lines corresponding to the TH inputs.

However, it may not work if a game chooses to region-test only on the TR pins. Making the mod handle that would be a lot more complicated...

Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems.

Maraakate wrote

Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems.

but that would bypassing all the fun!!

plgDavid wrote

Maraakate wrote

Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems.

but that would bypassing all the fun!!

So much fun! :D

plgDavid wrote

Started doing the truth table and something does not make sense to me, maybe I'm wrong. In the second pass logic processing of the 74ls139:

OK I made a lot of mistakes with the previous design, and I'm very sorry. :D

I don't have the discrete parts to build this, but I implemented it in a single 16V8 chip and modified my SMS1. I tested it with several games; Wonderboy III, Penguin Land, Space Harrier, and Alex Kidd & Lost Stars. All worked correctly.

Here's the JED and CUPL source for the 16V8 design.

http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/smsmod.jed
http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/SMSMOD.PLD

And here is the corrected schematic. It's untested but I triple-checked all the logic again to match the 16V8 design:

http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/smsmod.png

I replaced the 74LS32 OR gate with a 74LS11 AND gate. I also changed the result when reading port $DD on a Mark III; the bits should be fixed to one.

If anyone tries it with the FM board, I'd like to know if it works with it. It should.

smsmod.png (8.29 KB)

Attachment fairy

Quote

However, it may not work if a game chooses to region-test only on the TR pins. Making the mod handle that would be a lot more complicated...

Do any games do this? If we can find one, I'll adjust the design to support TR too.

I don't know. They may avoid it because then the control pad buttons may interfere with the test?

Maraakate wrote

Paul Baker wrote

Maxim wrote

The Action Replay can probably override the region check in software.

Indeed it can: 00cf8500

However, that'll still give you the PSG music. To force FM, you'll need to use a different code (either with or without the one above): 00c23201

I hope this method works for you, Maraakate.

EDIT: Again, I'm basing this on tests using an emulator - perhaps someone with an Action Replay can try the codes on real hardware. Even without an FM unit, the effect of each code should be obvious.

It works!! I can't believe it, it actually works! Took me a while to learn how to use the PAR, I thought I was doing it all wrong, the bottom switch position and hitting pause brings up the code menu. Huge thanks!

So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :)

Charles MacDonald wrote

Here's the JED and CUPL source for the 16V8 design.

Thanks Charles. I got sidetracked a bit, but will resume trying this out soon.
Cheers

Hi Charles

Just posted a video with the results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKerbe86JPY

This is a flaky breadboard hack, but seems like its working so far, i might do a small protoboard job.[/img]

Nice work!

plgDavid wrote

Hi Charles

Just posted a video with the results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKerbe86JPY

This is a flaky breadboard hack, but seems like its working so far, i might do a small protoboard job.

Awesome! Glad it worked, and thank you very much for making the video. The most recent mod I posted is even simpler and works fine too (I've tested both myself).

cr4zymanz0r wrote

Maraakate wrote

Paul Baker wrote

Maxim wrote

The Action Replay can probably override the region check in software.

Indeed it can: 00cf8500

However, that'll still give you the PSG music. To force FM, you'll need to use a different code (either with or without the one above): 00c23201

I hope this method works for you, Maraakate.

EDIT: Again, I'm basing this on tests using an emulator - perhaps someone with an Action Replay can try the codes on real hardware. Even without an FM unit, the effect of each code should be obvious.

It works!! I can't believe it, it actually works! Took me a while to learn how to use the PAR, I thought I was doing it all wrong, the bottom switch position and hitting pause brings up the code menu. Huge thanks!

So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :)

The code is the RAM address.

If I want to mod my SMS 1 to play SG-1000 and mk III games and I replace the BIOS rom with a Japanese BIOS, would I still have to do this mod to play all imports?

blue lander wrote

If I want to mod my SMS 1 to play SG-1000 and mk III games and I replace the BIOS rom with a Japanese BIOS, would I still have to do this mod to play all imports?

Some games detect the region and change difficulty and/or language to suit. I don't think any games use this as a lock out.

cr4zymanz0r wrote

So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :)

sorry to resurrect this old thread but is there a solution for everdrive users?

keropi wrote

is there a solution for everdrive users?

See this thread.

Paul Baker wrote

keropi wrote

is there a solution for everdrive users?

See this thread.

thank you very much!

Hi there,

I have just a theoretical question:
Would a PAL Wonderboy III work including FM sound with a modded PAL SMS with a Japanese BIOS EPROM and a 60Hz switch installed, without switching the FM board to the JPFM_EN# signal (I mean by only using the standard FM_EN# signal)?

segatom wrote

Hi there,

I have just a theoretical question:
Would a PAL Wonderboy III work including FM sound with a modded PAL SMS with a Japanese BIOS EPROM and a 60Hz switch installed, without switching the FM board to the JPFM_EN# signal (I mean by only using the standard FM_EN# signal)?

I would assume it does. But cannot say for sure.
I got WBIII to work with FM sound on a JP region switched GameGear, without the need of the region switch included in the SMSFM board.

Okay, I've tested Wonderboy III (PAL) with my PAL console with a Japanese BIOS and a 50/60hz switch attached and Wonderboy III still won't output FM sound with the FM_EN# signal of the FM board.
But of course FM sound works with the JPFM_EN# signal.
I've also tested After Burner (PAL) and it works with the JPFM_EN# signal, too.
So is it possible (and also advisable) to use the JPFM_EN# signal permanently instead of the FM_EN# signal of the FM board for all games supporting the FM sound?

segatom wrote

So is it possible (and also advisable) to use the JPFM_EN# signal permanently instead of the FM_EN# signal of the FM board for all games supporting the FM sound?

I remember Omp mentioning he experienced some weird game behavior with some games while using the JPFM setting. I assume from your question that you possibly do not want to drill a hole in your console for the switch.
If that is the case, you can hide the switch behind the expansion port door without any modification to the case. Check at the end of first post for exemple.
http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?25130-Sega-Master-System-FM-sound-upgrade-guide-SMSFM-2-0-board-from-Viletim

Yes, you are right - I don't want to drill holes into my console. :D

But I want to get one step further by controlling 3 modes by a microcontroller...

Mode 1 (PAL): 50hz, no FM sound, original BIOS activated

Mode 2 (NTSC): 60hz, no FM sound, original BIOS activated

Mode 3 (JAP NTSC): 60hz, FM sound, Japanese BIOS activated

:)

Therefore I'am still looking for the best solution to implement the FM board.

BTW: I also have 2 other questions...

1) What is exactly meant by "Japanese Mode/Language Switch"? Is it the connection of one Pin of the I/O chip to GND which could cause damage to the console eventually? If so, I won't install this feature because it seems to be to risky to me....

2) And what about the joypad combo "left+1+2" for Wonderboy III - this works only in combination with the language switch, right?

More or less. Language detection involves an I/O chip, nothing to do with the BIOS.

MaxWar wrote

I would assume it does. But cannot say for sure.
I got WBIII to work with FM sound on a JP region switched GameGear, without the need of the region switch included in the SMSFM board.

You've successfully region modded GameGear? It's been talked about but I wasn't aware of an actual attempt.

lumclaw wrote

You've successfully region modded GameGear? It's been talked about but I wasn't aware of an actual attempt.

I think we have to thank the recently revealed GG service manual/schematic. There is a pin on the ASIC that controls the region, its basically Jap=on/0ff . When switch to Jp mode the console behave just like a japanese GG. When sms games are played on it they behave like on a Japanese master system ( ie. PowerStrike becomes Aleste, WBIII works with FM. )

Sounds promising. I'm not one to be able to write up any kind of newbie's guide to that.

I know this is an old topic, but I just got the new v2.2 FM board, and it has the JP mode switch that goes to pin 23 on the IC. I get the JP version on the game but no FM sound. for Wonderboy in Monster Land the FM works great in both US mode and JP mode, but I get nothing on Wonderboy 3. any help? I would ask Tim but he is on vacation.

Author	Message
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:59 pm
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Maxim wrote When the gun trigger is pressed, the system is driving that line low. When the trigger isn't pressed, the system's driving it high while it is also being grounded. So something somewhere is being shorted unexpectedly. Would it therefore be safe to implement a region switch such that when grounded, the existing trace is not connected? EDIT: I'm contemplating a few things here, first is to check how that rev is different than the published schematic. BTW: Is there another one out there thats different that on smspower's documentation page? Currently messing with the Hello World (enhanced) you made to run the region detection code in a loop... and to monitor a few things. Will post results later Cheers

Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:59 pm Last edited by Charles MacDonald on Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:07 am; edited 1 time in total
Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Maxim wrote When the gun trigger is pressed, the system is driving that line low. When the trigger isn't pressed, the system's driving it high while it is also being grounded. So something somewhere is being shorted unexpectedly. Would it therefore be safe to implement a region switch such that when grounded, the existing trace is not connected? Yes, you could add a switch like that, which you'd turn on during power-up and turn off during gameplay. You'd still have a potential for damage during the region check routine I suppose, and you'd have to remember the flip the switch on then off when using the reset button. For the adventurous, here is the schematic for a region mod that is compatible with the light gun, the FM unit, and is safe for the system. You will need to desolder (or cut) and lift pins 13,14 of the 315-5216 chip which requires some care. It is untested so use it at your own risk With the switch on, reading port $DD always returns zero in D6 and D7. If that causes a conflict with some game after the initial region check, you can always turn the switch off. Say at the title screen. If you don't want to add a switch to your system, you could connect the JP_MODE# input of U1 to the pause button and hold down pause when powering up the system to set the Japanese region. You can also use HCT parts if you don't want to use LS, and add a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor across the ground and +5V pins of each chip for decoupling (not shown).

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:36 am
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Hi Charles. Sounds like a fun weekend breadboard experiment :) I think with both this and a good coffee over the port explanation page i now get it. Its a miracle this hack ever worked anywhere. the high voltage set by the 315-5216 chip _internally_ in the detection phase can hardly be pulled down by its pin. Some revs of 315-5216 could have varying internal protection/ diodes or whatever. Its all happening in "there". If i get the chance ill try your circuit this weekend ... I don't mind cutting traces and pins.(nothing that cant be reverted anyway). Thanks!

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14740 Location: London	Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:34 am
	Ah, I has insufficiently understood the problem - it's the fact that it's a tri-state pin being grounded while driven from the chip that causes the risk. Can you explain how your design avoids this, for those of us that can't figure it out?

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:32 pm
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Just to make sure I understand (will need to do a Truth table) .. unless Charles has one (probably). Since we cant reliably (safely) mess with the input/output pins 31/34 of 315-5216, the idea is to temporary steal the system-wide-shared data lines D7 and D6 under very strict conditions and put 0v on those only when the cpu requests reading $DD. When it is not the case the system acts just like before the hack was made, and the (pins 13/14) of the 315-5216 are reconnected to the bus. The reason there are so many logic gates and a 74XX139 demux is because there are lots of handshake lines at work that arbiters the data bus (!WR !RD !A0 and also KBSEL and KILLGA -although these are not linked to CPU's requests). I think if the hack doesnt work it will be a matter of timing. If the databus is not working as it should, then the cpu will not read the ROM properly and you can guess what happens then :)

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:49 pm Last edited by plgDavid on Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Started doing the truth table and something does not make sense to me, maybe I'm wrong. In the second pass logic processing of the 74ls139: !G = DOUT# B = JP_MODE# A = Z80 A0 74LS139 Thruth Table (from datasheet): Input Output !G B A \| !Y0 !Y1 !Y2 !Y3 1 X X \| 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 \| 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 \| 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 \| 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 \| 1 1 1 0 then the Y's go into OR gates 74LS32 like (!Y2 OR !Y3) (always true) , which ORed to anything else, !Y0, or otherwise is always true, so gate# is always 1 in this schematic Perhap[s it would help to get more details on the exact intended logic 'algorithm' which was intended?

omp Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 219	Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:58 pm
omp Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 219	Could it be as simple as adding a simple timing circuit to the region mod, so that at start-up it times out after say 30 seconds? Or is there more to it?

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14740 Location: London	Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:17 pm
	There's more to it. The I/O chip's pins are bidirectional - i.e. tri-state. Tying them to ground when the chip's trying to output +5V is going to hurt the I/O chip, and it's still somewhat unreliable as to whether the chip then "reads" GND or +5V. Since you can't mess with that side of the I/O chip, you have to mess with something further up the chain - the link between the I/O chip and the CPU. The proposed solution is to have something that changes the data going between the CPU and I/O chip so that when the inputs are read, the mod talks to the CPU instead of the I/O chip, on the data lines corresponding to the TH inputs. However, it may not work if a game chooses to region-test only on the TR pins. Making the mod handle that would be a lot more complicated...

Maraakate Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 757 Location: Pennsylvania, USA	Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:11 am
	Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems.

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:09 pm
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Maraakate wrote Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems. but that would bypassing all the fun!!

Maraakate Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 757 Location: Pennsylvania, USA	Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:28 pm
	plgDavid wrote Maraakate wrote Man, I am just glad that PAR can bypass all this bullshit in Wonderboy 3. Someone should do a rom hack to remove the check. It would be easier to burn your own ROM than to play around with this, it seems. but that would bypassing all the fun!! So much fun! :D

Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:36 am
Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	plgDavid wrote Started doing the truth table and something does not make sense to me, maybe I'm wrong. In the second pass logic processing of the 74ls139: OK I made a lot of mistakes with the previous design, and I'm very sorry. :D I don't have the discrete parts to build this, but I implemented it in a single 16V8 chip and modified my SMS1. I tested it with several games; Wonderboy III, Penguin Land, Space Harrier, and Alex Kidd & Lost Stars. All worked correctly. Here's the JED and CUPL source for the 16V8 design. http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/smsmod.jed http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/SMSMOD.PLD And here is the corrected schematic. It's untested but I triple-checked all the logic again to match the 16V8 design: http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms/smsmod.png I replaced the 74LS32 OR gate with a 74LS11 AND gate. I also changed the result when reading port $DD on a Mark III; the bits should be fixed to one. If anyone tries it with the FM board, I'd like to know if it works with it. It should. smsmod.png (8.29 KB) Attachment fairy

Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:29 am
Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Quote However, it may not work if a game chooses to region-test only on the TR pins. Making the mod handle that would be a lot more complicated... Do any games do this? If we can find one, I'll adjust the design to support TR too.

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14740 Location: London	Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:32 am
	I don't know. They may avoid it because then the control pad buttons may interfere with the test?

cr4zymanz0r Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 13	Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:40 am
cr4zymanz0r Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 13	Maraakate wrote Paul Baker wrote Maxim wrote The Action Replay can probably override the region check in software. Indeed it can: 00cf8500 However, that'll still give you the PSG music. To force FM, you'll need to use a different code (either with or without the one above): 00c23201 I hope this method works for you, Maraakate. EDIT: Again, I'm basing this on tests using an emulator - perhaps someone with an Action Replay can try the codes on real hardware. Even without an FM unit, the effect of each code should be obvious. It works!! I can't believe it, it actually works! Took me a while to learn how to use the PAR, I thought I was doing it all wrong, the bottom switch position and hitting pause brings up the code menu. Huge thanks! So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :)

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:53 pm
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Charles MacDonald wrote Here's the JED and CUPL source for the 16V8 design. Thanks Charles. I got sidetracked a bit, but will resume trying this out soon. Cheers

plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:34 pm
plgDavid Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 11	Hi Charles Just posted a video with the results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKerbe86JPY This is a flaky breadboard hack, but seems like its working so far, i might do a small protoboard job.[/img]

Logbomber Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 207	Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:47 pm
Logbomber Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 207	Nice work!

Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:18 pm
Charles MacDonald Joined: 28 Sep 1999 Posts: 1197	plgDavid wrote Hi Charles Just posted a video with the results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKerbe86JPY This is a flaky breadboard hack, but seems like its working so far, i might do a small protoboard job. Awesome! Glad it worked, and thank you very much for making the video. The most recent mod I posted is even simpler and works fine too (I've tested both myself).

Maraakate Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 757 Location: Pennsylvania, USA	Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 1:55 am
	cr4zymanz0r wrote Maraakate wrote Paul Baker wrote Maxim wrote The Action Replay can probably override the region check in software. Indeed it can: 00cf8500 However, that'll still give you the PSG music. To force FM, you'll need to use a different code (either with or without the one above): 00c23201 I hope this method works for you, Maraakate. EDIT: Again, I'm basing this on tests using an emulator - perhaps someone with an Action Replay can try the codes on real hardware. Even without an FM unit, the effect of each code should be obvious. It works!! I can't believe it, it actually works! Took me a while to learn how to use the PAR, I thought I was doing it all wrong, the bottom switch position and hitting pause brings up the code menu. Huge thanks! So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :) The code is the RAM address.

blue lander Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 11	Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:36 pm
blue lander Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 11	If I want to mod my SMS 1 to play SG-1000 and mk III games and I replace the BIOS rom with a Japanese BIOS, would I still have to do this mod to play all imports?

viletim Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 191 Location: Sydney, Australia	Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:04 pm
	blue lander wrote If I want to mod my SMS 1 to play SG-1000 and mk III games and I replace the BIOS rom with a Japanese BIOS, would I still have to do this mod to play all imports? Some games detect the region and change difficulty and/or language to suit. I don't think any games use this as a lock out.

keropi Joined: 01 May 2012 Posts: 21	Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 9:09 pm
keropi Joined: 01 May 2012 Posts: 21	cr4zymanz0r wrote So, all this time later I finally got me a Master Everdrive so now I just need a little extra help. I just need to hack the rom to force FM audio. I don't really know how a PAR works but if someone could tell me the hex address and value to change in the rom that's the equivalent of that code then i'd be very grateful :) sorry to resurrect this old thread but is there a solution for everdrive users?

RetroSpark Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 488 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:52 am
	keropi wrote is there a solution for everdrive users? See this thread.

keropi Joined: 01 May 2012 Posts: 21	Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:42 pm
keropi Joined: 01 May 2012 Posts: 21	Paul Baker wrote keropi wrote is there a solution for everdrive users? See this thread. thank you very much!

segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Wonderboy III with Japanese BIOS and FM board Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:03 pm
segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Hi there, I have just a theoretical question: Would a PAL Wonderboy III work including FM sound with a modded PAL SMS with a Japanese BIOS EPROM and a 60Hz switch installed, without switching the FM board to the JPFM_EN# signal (I mean by only using the standard FM_EN# signal)?

MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:27 am
MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	segatom wrote Hi there, I have just a theoretical question: Would a PAL Wonderboy III work including FM sound with a modded PAL SMS with a Japanese BIOS EPROM and a 60Hz switch installed, without switching the FM board to the JPFM_EN# signal (I mean by only using the standard FM_EN# signal)? I would assume it does. But cannot say for sure. I got WBIII to work with FM sound on a JP region switched GameGear, without the need of the region switch included in the SMSFM board.

segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Can I use the JPFM_EN# Signal permanently? Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:52 pm
segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Okay, I've tested Wonderboy III (PAL) with my PAL console with a Japanese BIOS and a 50/60hz switch attached and Wonderboy III still won't output FM sound with the FM_EN# signal of the FM board. But of course FM sound works with the JPFM_EN# signal. I've also tested After Burner (PAL) and it works with the JPFM_EN# signal, too. So is it possible (and also advisable) to use the JPFM_EN# signal permanently instead of the FM_EN# signal of the FM board for all games supporting the FM sound?

MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:47 pm
MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	segatom wrote So is it possible (and also advisable) to use the JPFM_EN# signal permanently instead of the FM_EN# signal of the FM board for all games supporting the FM sound? I remember Omp mentioning he experienced some weird game behavior with some games while using the JPFM setting. I assume from your question that you possibly do not want to drill a hole in your console for the switch. If that is the case, you can hide the switch behind the expansion port door without any modification to the case. Check at the end of first post for exemple. http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?25130-Sega-Master-System-FM-sound-upgrade-guide-SMSFM-2-0-board-from-Viletim

segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:21 pm
segatom Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 36	Yes, you are right - I don't want to drill holes into my console. :D But I want to get one step further by controlling 3 modes by a microcontroller... Mode 1 (PAL): 50hz, no FM sound, original BIOS activated Mode 2 (NTSC): 60hz, no FM sound, original BIOS activated Mode 3 (JAP NTSC): 60hz, FM sound, Japanese BIOS activated :) Therefore I'am still looking for the best solution to implement the FM board. BTW: I also have 2 other questions... 1) What is exactly meant by "Japanese Mode/Language Switch"? Is it the connection of one Pin of the I/O chip to GND which could cause damage to the console eventually? If so, I won't install this feature because it seems to be to risky to me.... 2) And what about the joypad combo "left+1+2" for Wonderboy III - this works only in combination with the language switch, right?

lumclaw Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 117	Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:17 pm
lumclaw Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 117	More or less. Language detection involves an I/O chip, nothing to do with the BIOS. MaxWar wrote I would assume it does. But cannot say for sure. I got WBIII to work with FM sound on a JP region switched GameGear, without the need of the region switch included in the SMSFM board. You've successfully region modded GameGear? It's been talked about but I wasn't aware of an actual attempt.

MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:05 pm
MaxWar Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 22	lumclaw wrote You've successfully region modded GameGear? It's been talked about but I wasn't aware of an actual attempt. I think we have to thank the recently revealed GG service manual/schematic. There is a pin on the ASIC that controls the region, its basically Jap=on/0ff . When switch to Jp mode the console behave just like a japanese GG. When sms games are played on it they behave like on a Japanese master system ( ie. PowerStrike becomes Aleste, WBIII works with FM. )

lumclaw Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 117	Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 1:21 am
lumclaw Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 117	Sounds promising. I'm not one to be able to write up any kind of newbie's guide to that.

douglie007 Joined: 29 Dec 2013 Posts: 37	Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:58 am
douglie007 Joined: 29 Dec 2013 Posts: 37	I know this is an old topic, but I just got the new v2.2 FM board, and it has the JP mode switch that goes to pin 23 on the IC. I get the JP version on the game but no FM sound. for Wonderboy in Monster Land the FM works great in both US mode and JP mode, but I get nothing on Wonderboy 3. any help? I would ask Tim but he is on vacation.

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