Can somebody please tell me if an ST-Key or an Action Replay Plus will allow one to play CD-R backups of one's games?
Thank you,
-Jason
Can somebody please tell me if an ST-Key or an Action Replay Plus will allow one to play CD-R backups of one's games?
Thank you,
-Jason
No; only a modchip allows this.
I don't think it is a good idea to play cd-r's on a Saturn... it makes lots of strange noises...
My Saturn makes no sound when reading original media, but gets noisy with cd-r's... I guess I'll try again with a different media!!!
Not so. I have found you can play back-ups via the following method. Yes, it's a disk swap, but it's safe. You never need to grind the motor to a halt with this method.
Requirements:
- Model 1 (Oval buttons) Saturn unit - Open the case and tape the disk top switch so the lid can be open and function as it were closed.
- AR+, 4in1 etc (ST-Key type will not work, you need the menu to select start app)
- (1) each of a First Party and Third Party original Saturn disks at the ready for swap
Method:
- Identify whether the back-up you wish to run is First or Third party (the disk detection/protection is based on this)
- Load the appropriate original disk into the Saturn with the cheat cart plugged in. Leaving the tray open, boot the system and wait for the cheat device menu.
- After the disk completes the check and stops spinning, remove the original and replace with the back up. Close the lid now.
- Hit "Start Game" in the cheat device menu. The back up will load without a mod chip.
I've tested this on two different model 1 systems and it worked on both. For some reason, this has not worked on any Model 2 system that has come into my possession. Try it, you might get surprised.
Drop and play is nice, but this can serve until you can turn out a modded system.
Burn low and slow. Be kind to your laser.
Last edited by Icarus Moonsight; 02-04-2009 at 06:04 PM.
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Thanks, Icarus, but I tried this & it didn't work for me. I have a Saturn with round buttons. The sticker on the back says it's model MK-80000A.
There's no visible door switch in the CD tray area.
I booted Virtua Fighter 2 with the AR+, opened the door & swapped to a CD-R copy of Die Hard Arcade, a Sega game (I received no complaints or notices about the door opening), selected Start Game, and then I got the same disc spinning/laser searching that I did when I tried to boot the CD-R game straight...
I tried a handful of CD-Rs with Sega (1st party) & non-Sega (3rd party) games for both the originals & copies.
Any further ideas?
Thanks,
-Jason
I haven't found the safe swap to work with round button units, but that doesn't mean it won't (I've only tried 1 Sanyo and 3 JVC drive round button units).
You have to open the case to access the lid detect switch. It's to the top and left of the drive assembly viewed from the front. Use a circular band of tape to hold the switch in the proper position. Also note (I forgot to mention this in my last post), you can't tape the lid switch all the way down and get it to work. You have to monkey a bit and find the sweet spot. Easiest way is to open up your case, tape the switch, load a disk on the drive spindle and connect a power cable and turn it on while the unit is still open. If the disk doesn't spin, you're gonna have to re-tape the switch either tighter or looser. Repeat tinkering until it spins. A simple plug, spring or paper clip is not going to defeat the lid switch on the Saturn as it does on the PS1/PSOne.
If all this still doesn't work for you, you're looking at either a DYI mod chip install in your current model 2 unit (I suggest not going this route if you have a PC Trap Sanyo Drive <-- Read about my Sanyo woes and a possible solution from Bratwurst in this thread if you're inclined. Bratwurst's method did not work on mine for an unknown reason.), buying an already modded system or finding a model 1 (oval button) Saturn.
Best of luck to you.
Another member of this board (ProgrammingAce) has stated that he reverse engineered a Saturn mod chip and figured out how to burn disks that will run without a mod chip. In other words, the burn will read and clear the verify checks just as an original pressed copy. The information is on his forums, somewhere. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to look for the info let alone see if I can understand the method. My technical prowess is more than likely not up to snuff anyway, since he made it clear that you'd have to have a technical understanding of the process to utilize the information and defeat it.
Last edited by Icarus Moonsight; 02-05-2009 at 09:04 AM.
This signature is dedicated to all those
cyberpunks who fight against injustice
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