Having thoughts of installing a region switch (D-Lite)

[Keranu]

This thread mainly applies to you, D.

Over the past couple of days I have been curious about the installation of installing a region switch on a Turbo Duo. Just yesterday I finally looked up information on how to do this exactly and I found one of D-Lite's posts on the Neo Geo forums that links to this site. I was thinking that I have about 12 Japanese HuCards laying around that I can't play because I don't have a PCE system of any kind and maybe I could save some money by installing a region switch on my own instead of buying a PCE system. (or consider sending it to you since you're deal is actually pretty decent)

However I am a little skeptical on this. There could be a very good chance that I might screw up my system by doing this. I was a little dissapointed with  Duo-R's page on how to install one because it didn't have any picture of his Turbo Duo opened up and the text file didn't have step-by-step pictures which would've been quite nice. I don't have very much experience with technical electronic stuff like this, but it might help to say that I have built an arcade stick box out of a Playstation controller PCB and that I have opened other video game consoles up and examined/fixed them. I'm thinking about following D-Lite's instructions on how to install a region swtich on a Genesis Model 2 first so I can get some practice, mainly because my Genesis 2 is almost unplayable because of this controller port problem.

I was also wondering, D-Lite, that if you have a specific page somewhere that has instructions on how to install a region switch on a Duo, especially a nice one with step-by-step pictures. I checked your sitep, but you didn't have a page for such yet. Or if anyone else has links on doing this, please post them! Thanks in advanced for helpful information.

[twor2005]

Working Duos (especially American) are getting to the point where any kind of modification gives me the heeby geebies, even if it works. And wouldn't it be cool to own a PCE? Well anyway, good luck if you decide to go through with it. Post pics of your results on this or the Genesis!

[Keranu]

I do plan on getting PCE systems someday mainly because I am a collector. The reason why I am thinking about doing this instead of buying a PCE system is because money is becomming strict it seems and if I could do this, then not much money at all would have to be spent... except the cost of risking my Duo's life. Also it would be nice to have my Turbo Duo play Japanese HuCards so incase if I did ever get a PCE, I could keep it unhooked if I wanted to and just use the Duo instead. Another reason why I would want to do this is to learn more about the system because I like doing stuff like this and to learn more about electronic hacks like this in general. It's cool stuff.

I'll try to post pics if I do this.

[D-Lite]

Long story short, I've yet to post any pics or description of the mod because I've been quite busy, but it's still something I want to do.

Realize that there is a good description of doing it on the Turbo List server, which is where I learned to do it.  You just need an 8PDT switch and 16 pieces of thin wire or a computer cable to do it.  

I have recently taken pics of the inside of a Duo-R I modded, just haven't gotten around to putting up a page for it.

In terms of screwing up your Duo, that isn't that easy to do I think.  I would recommend cutting the required pins on the HuCard slot, NOT desoldering from the board.  Much much more reliable.

[Keranu]

Your reply makes me more confident about this, hah.

Realize that there is a good description of doing it on the Turbo List server, which is where I learned to do it. You just need an 8PDT switch and 16 pieces of thin wire or a computer cable to do it.

Yeah I checked this out on the Turbo List and Duo-R's page as well. It doesn't sound too hard for me, but the thing is that I would like to open my Duo up and check it out first so I can get used to it before I consider anything. I don't have the right tool to take out the screws though and I'm not quite sure what Duo-R ment on his instructions when he said this "You can make your own tool by cutting a notch in the end of a blade-type screwdriver with a hacksaw." I might be able to find something laying around that could open it, or buy the neccessary tool.

I have recently taken pics of the inside of a Duo-R I modded, just haven't gotten around to putting up a page for it.

Actually I did see the pics for that and it was quite helpful! I'll definitely focus on that if I consider doing this.

In terms of screwing up your Duo, that isn't that easy to do I think.

That line makes things feel a lot easier .

I would recommend cutting the required pins on the HuCard slot, NOT desoldering from the board. Much much more reliable.

Excellent tip because I wasn't so sure about that myself. Would I even need a desoldering iron at all for this then, since that is a tool I am missing?

Thanks for the awesome help. I'm also wondering if I should cut a hole in my duo to put the switch in, or use a box that hangs out like Duo-R did because the thought of cutting plastic off of my sexy Turbo is a bit frieghting.  :oops:

[Keranu]

By the way, do you or anyone else know where I can buy an 8PDT switch? They seem to be a little hard to find on the net for me :O .

EDIT: Nevermind, I found a couple of links from doing some Google searching and found some of D-Lite's posts on Neo Geo forums that helped.

Just to make sure, the 8PDT - Push On / Push Off Maintained Contacts switch here will work, right?

[nimtene]

Did you ever try installing the 8PDT
Push On / Push Off switch, Keranu?
Does anyone know if this will work?

[D-Lite]

Did you ever try installing the 8PDT
Push On / Push Off switch, Keranu?
Does anyone know if this will work?

0_o

You bet it works.  That's how this whole thing is done

[Keranu]

Did you ever try installing the 8PDT
Push On / Push Off switch, Keranu?
Does anyone know if this will work?

Nope, I ended up buying a PCE+CDROM2 for a good deal instead.

[rolins]

What would be a good cutting tool to create a hole for the region switch?

[D-Lite]

What would be a good cutting tool to create a hole for the region switch?

Unibit.  Can find them at Home Depot or Orchard Supply Hardware.  Be ready to pay $15-20 for one.

did you get my e-mail?

[grahf]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but i just wanted to say thanks for that first link. I just got my Turbo Express today, and promptly region modded it so i can use my japanese hucards on it. I didnt install a switch yet, just cut the pins and soldered in a bunch of little jumper wires. I'll add a switch later, since i dont have any US hucards yet. (just started collecting).

[rolins]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but i just wanted to say thanks for that first link. I just got my Turbo Express today, and promptly region modded it so i can use my japanese hucards on it. I didnt install a switch yet, just cut the pins and soldered in a bunch of little jumper wires. I'll add a switch later, since i dont have any US hucards yet. (just started collecting).

I was planning to install a region switch on my TE as well, but I never got around to doing it. I already have 8PDT switch small enough fit, model EG-8202. I just don't have the guts to operate on my minty TE.

[grahf]

Its not very hard, but it IS a tight area to work. The pins are fairly close together. As long as you have fairly steady hands and good eyes, you'll be ok. From my understanding, the pins you swap are just data lines anyhow. So if you were to screw something up, you dont have much chance of frying anything- games just wont boot.

[chop5]

i just did a hard mod (couldnt find a switch)to one of my tg-16 last tuesday to put in my cd unit. I have another tg16 for usa hu cards. And i would of been lost without that link. Or this site:)


Im still amazed at rhondo and strider ryu. Seekin and burning as many arcade and super cd games as i can find