View Full Version : Internal Backup RAM Message (help)
hellfire45
08-11-2011, 06:19 PM
So I finally got my Sega CD running. I got this console for the sole purpose of playing the original Lunar RPG. So I played the game and I saved my data. The next day I turn it on and I get a message that reads.
"Internal Backup RAM has not been formatted yet. Okay to format it?"
I had this error once before and when I formatted, it let me play my game but it erased my save data. Now, it's doing it again. How can I make it so that this error goes away and stays away so that I don't need to keep formatting and erasing my Lunar save data?
Thanks guys!
APE992
08-11-2011, 08:08 PM
1)Leave it plugged in 24/7 until you no longer wish to keep the save data.
2)Replace the internal battery
#2 will still require you leave the SegaCD powered from time to time. IIRC the manual states that you should leave the system plugged in and powered on for 15 hours if the system runs dry like you're seeing there. There is always the option of offloading your game saves to a backup RAM cart but they aren't exactly the cheapest thing ever (nor worth their weight in gold).
I've got the schematics for the RAM cart and I've been tempted to build a few of them myself. The best part is that you can fit them with chips many times larger than the one SEGA put in their official cart.
hellfire45
08-11-2011, 10:40 PM
It was always plugged in. I never unplugged it. So I guess #1 isn't the problem.
How do I replace the internal battery?
How much does a backup RAM cart cost?
hellfire45
08-11-2011, 10:41 PM
Wow. Ebay says $50. That's as much as the entire console...
FABombjoy
08-12-2011, 12:20 AM
It was always plugged in. I never unplugged it. So I guess #1 isn't the problem.
Have you left it powered on long enough to recharge the internal battery?
APE992
08-12-2011, 05:29 AM
As FABombjoy pointed out, it needs to be powered on to charge the internal battery. Replacing it is as easy as opening it up, desoldering the old one, putting in a socket and popping in a new one. Easy to screw up, badly.
hellfire45
08-12-2011, 08:31 AM
Ok sorry. So it not only needs to be plugged in, but needs to be powered on as well? I'll just leave it on while I go to work I guess.