The Blog

Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1 BIOS Dump: MPR-15768-T

Nix McRetro // 21st January 2013 // Hacks, Repairs, Sega

This one became a three-part project: disassemble the Game Unit desolder the BIOS ROM dump the contents The BIOS chip is labelled MPR-15768-T. It is a mask ROM rather than an erasable 27C1024 EPROM, but I was able to read it using a 27C1024-compatible setup. A 27C1024-class device stores 1... Continue reading

Sega Mega Drive 32X Jittery Video: VA4 Service Bulletin Diagnosis

Nix McRetro // 20th January 2013 // Repairs, Sega, YouTube

This is another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Sega Mega Drive 32X on PAL hardware. For convenience, the original problem video is below as well. I had tested multiple 32X units and investigated grounding and other possibilities. Later, I found a documented explanation through Assembler Games. Sega’s service... Continue reading

Removing an EPROM from a Sega Prototype / Test Cartridge

Nix McRetro // 20th January 2013 // Guides, Sega, YouTube

So I was thinking, why not? What a fun video it turned out to be! The practical part here is removing the EPROM from the cartridge board without damaging either the chip or the PCB. I described this at the time as a Sega prototype or test cartridge, but the... Continue reading

Sega Mega Drive 2 50 Hz / 60 Hz Mod, Mark II

Nix McRetro // 20th January 2013 // Hacks, Repairs, Sega

This is the Mega Drive 2 I was talking about in the previous video. I knew I had it somewhere. More importantly, I knew this one worked properly. Well… Close to properly. This is my second pass at the 50 Hz / 60 Hz modification. Mega Drive region configuration is... Continue reading

Drilling Region-Switch Holes in a Sega Mega Drive 2

Nix McRetro // 18th January 2013 // Hacks, Sega, YouTube

Some sock puppetry is also in this video. See if you can spot it! This is the irreversible cosmetic part of my Mega Drive 2 region modification: drilling the case for the switches. The electrical side comes later. Measure the switch bodies and decide exactly where they are going before... Continue reading