Hardware Mod Navigation System (and FAQ's, Tutorials, etc)

Discuss modifications you have done or plan to do to your Dreamcast or any other hardware, or discuss devices you want to build. If your console does not work or is acting up, ask about fixing it in here.
MidnightObsidian
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Post by MidnightObsidian »

http://www.dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=23165

This FAQ really needs to be cleaned up. I wish I hadn't resigned my mod status and given it to Corta, or I'd do it myself. >= \
I'm not Clessoulis. Seriously.
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Post by Pong »

Sub Woofer,

You may want to add my "Boulevard of Broken Dreamcasts" posting to this FAQ as it's the only I've seen that mentions retensioning the laser transport flex cable for DC's that don't recognize any disc.


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Post by Matt »

Thanks a lot its useful and I don't fill up "my favorites"!!!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Post by NiGHTSFTP »

Where can i find a soldering iron?
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Post by Matt »

Maplin if you are in the UK but if your in the US Radioshack :mrgreen:
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Post by Matt »

Memebers/Modding sites:

Riva 16's Site (DC/PSX/PS2/Saturn etc)
http://djky2k3.tripod.com/kyleskustomiz ... index.html

Sorry I can't remeber whos this is
http://www.geocities.com/dreamcastmods/main.htm

Not DC but a great site for Snes/Nes mods etc
http://wwwkenya.freeuk.com/markk/

Shankhairs site(Everything)
http://www.magickcupboard.com/Skankhair/

Bitmaster (Crazy, amazing mods, eg: HD for DC)
http://homepages.compuserve.de/bITmASTE ... index.html

Console info:

Console Database
http://consoledatabase.retrofaction.com/consoleinfo/

Gamesx.com (Tons of pinouts/mods etc)
http://www.gamesx.com

Modding tools and supplys:

Maplin (UK)
http://maplin.co.uk/

Radioshack (US)
http://radioshack.com/

Theres tons more people, post the ones you have :)
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Post by JTARI »

http://www.dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11277 in this thread I was interested about the link regarding the LED controller mod, but the link posted seems to be broken =/

does anyone know if there is a new link or could help me with the DC controlller mod?

any help would be great ^^
JTARI
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Post by JTARI »

http://www.dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11277 in this thread I was interested about the link regarding the LED controller mod, but the link posted seems to be broken =/

does anyone know if there is a new link or could help me with the DC controlller mod?

any help would be great ^^
TheGreatCraig
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Modem LED

Post by TheGreatCraig »

You can Find a Modem LED Tutorial from here: http://www.geocities.com/dreamcastmods/main.htm

This site lists the output of the pins:
http://homepages.compuserve.de/bITmASTE ... allel.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The modem pins count in a zigzag pattern.
2. The pin that will give an access LED effect is #36**
3. You can wire to #2 as your power (5V) even if your LED isn't rated for that.

** The access LED has a few flaws. Firstly it will only work correctly if you close the lid and then turn the system on. If you dont the LED will come on and then stop soon after, not coming on again until the system is restarted. Also if you swap discs with the system on the LED will stop.
~~Credit to klone_DFA for finding the Access LED pin (that I know of).~~
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Post by gamefreak701 »

Is there any tutoriel that is very detailed (im a n00b) about how to add extra LEDs by taking power from the PSU? I know where to take it from, but I don't know exactly where to hook wires from my LED to the PSU and stuff...Hehe
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Tray-loading DC

Post by SuperLevel »

I was thinking...I have an old Sony CD player that is about the same size as a DC + 3/4 of another DC. I was thinking of taking the laser/reader unit out of my DC and putting it into this CD player, since the tray eject/insert still works...is there any way to get a longer cord that goes from the laser unit to the main DC board? Keep in mind that I have not yet opened up my DC to see exactly how it is built, but it seemed like something fun to try and do. Comments and suggestions, please!
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Post by Nintenter »

SuperLevel, I would suggest doing easier mods first, since you have never actually opened your DC. Try painting or replacing the LED on the controller board to start out.
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Post by ninja »

The Ohms Law

Ohm's Law is a very useful relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. It is usually stated:
V=IR
Where V is voltage in volts, I is current in amps, and R is resistance in ohms. So if you have a lightbulb with a resistance of 30 ohms and the current in the circuit is measured to be 0.5 amps, the supply voltage is:
30*0.5=15
15 volts.

Solving for current:
I=V/R
If you have the lightbulb from the previous example (30 ohms) hooked up to your 12 volt rail, the current draw on that rail would be:
12/30=0.4
0.4 amps.

Solving for resistance:
R=V/I
If you have a device of unknown resistance hooked up to your 12 volt rail and you have measured the current draw on the rail to be 0.3 amps, the resistance of the device is:
12/0.3=40
40 ohms. This equation is also useful for determining the value of the current limiting resistor for a LED. In this case, you just use the necessary voltage drop for V and the LED current for I. So if you have a 5 volt, 20 milliamp LED that you want to hook up to your 12 volt rail, the voltage drop would be:
12-5=7
7 volts and the equation would then be:
7/0.02=350
So the current limiting resistor would be 350 ohms but since 350 ohm resistors don't exist, the next highest standard value (360 ohms) would be used instead.
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Thanks.
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Post by Matt »

If you don't know how to use a calculator and you just want to find what resistor you need for an LED. I made this:

Image

You can download it Here

Supply Voltage is the amount of volts coming from the power source you are going to use. In most cases the DC PSU

The Voltage the LED is rated at. (Forward)

LED Current is the current that that particular LED is rated at.
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Post by Matt »

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Post by JellyWarrior »

Great guide Kyal, well done!
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Post by ShadyTree »

I had a DC keyboard and a DC controller now the plug on the controller broke so I took the lead from the keyboard that I never used & put it on the controller but for some strange reason it does not work??? Idea's
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Post by Prophet][ »

ShadyTree wrote:I had a DC keyboard and a DC controller now the plug on the controller broke so I took the lead from the keyboard that I never used & put it on the controller but for some strange reason it does not work??? Idea's
could have miss wired it, they could use different cable setups, could be a short. Could be anything really. Could be the DC it self.
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Post by MKE »

does anyone know who posted this faq on digg?
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Re: Hardware Mod Navigation System (and FAQ's, Tutorials, etc)

Post by mrbojangles »

New member:

I've been looking into repairing the dreamcast that I own... technically, it belongs to a friend. it was ordered "new" from a local retailer. The old one that I just recently took apart works fine when reading discs.

This one however, can only read one disc as of right now. It is a pristine condition copy of Aerowings. Yet when I try a copy of Blue Stinger, the game does not read. This disc is a bit worn, but still functional. I already replaced the Laser and then increased the calibration. I do not know if this is a viable fix however. And I am wondering if there is a better method in which I can utilize to fix this dreamcast.
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