64DD

[ChrisUK]

Does anybody know if theres a way to get hold of a 64DD for a Pal N64....and maybe where from?


By the way...what happened to that post about PD Kiosk?April Fool?


[This message has been edited by ChrisUK (edited 01 April 2000).]

[April O'neil]

Chris, the PD Kiosk is being spread as we speak (i cant give out the website here), i have no idea what happened to the original post.

[ch1mp]

You can get bulkydrives from www.madeiragames.com... (http://www.madeiragames.com...) I dunno if they work with PAL systems tho, it probably has a lockout on it...

But if you do get one, see if you can dump it's BIOS http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif

[ChrisUK]

HOLY CRAP!!!! http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/eek.gif, http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/eek.gif, http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/eek.gif
£700 for a 64 DD, what a rip off
Is mario paint the only game for the 64DD or are there others?
anyone know where other games for this can be found/bought?
Also...any other info on
changing the bios to accept PAL N64?
i also have z64 so maybe it would automatically work with this???
thanx...

[This message has been edited by ChrisUK (edited 01 April 2000).]

[ch1mp]

I know about it... they are probably inflating the price so much because there is nowhere else selling them! (I think).

Anyway I've heard that inside is a mask ROM (like a normal cartridge) and a CIC (don't know which it is tho).

So to convert it to PAL I think you would have to... (I think - I'm probably just talking bollocks as per)

-Open it up and un-solder the mask ROM containing the BIOS
-Remove the mask ROM from another game
-Put the 64DD one in there
-Dump it
-PALadin it to remove the country check (and convert it to PAL if needed)
-Burn it to an EEPROM that would work with it, and is the correct size
-Solder the EEPROM into your 64DD...

Either that or work out how to program a PIC to modift just the required parts of the mask and correct the CRC (like a PSX BIOS is never ripped out, just 'patched' with a PIC. That's all a modchip is.)

But even after that, the disks probably still set the video mode to NTSC, and have a lockout of their own...

This is what really pisses me off about Nintendo and the like. A short while after the console is released, they announce some amazing upgrade. Then they release it really near to the end of the console's life, and it never leaves the shores of Japan...


[This message has been edited by ch1mp (edited 01 April 2000).]

[Adolescent]

Actually, the 64DD comes with it's own custom N64. I saw an article that said it didn't work with regular N64s. Not sure if it was correct but it would make sense.

So no, it probably won't work with your PAL N64.

[Mr.Mucho Romz]

Adolescent....I think you must have heard wrong...
"Actually, the 64DD comes with it's own custom N64."
I see no reason why it would ahve its own custom N64! I dont think alot of folks in japan would buy a new n64 to have a n64dd!
no way! You MUST be able to use it with your old n64....

/MMR

[ChrisUK]

hmmm.....
thanks ch1mp but I dont think I want to spend £700 just to get it home and invalidate the precious warranty by ripping the back off and unsoldering all the chips http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif
..do you really know that there is a mask rom inside? or is it hearsay...
sorry to pressure but obviously i dont want to spend the money unless it will work.
I e-mailed madeiragames and asked them but they probably will not know anyway, but the way i see it why would they bother to sell a 64DD in the UK unless it was compatible with PAL machines, i also thought the signal from the N64 runs through the Z64 and thats the reason its possible to play NTSC games on a PAL N64, if thats the case surely the signal from the 64DD will be converted with the country fix from the Z64 too...(or is that bollox)Anyway...i managed to mod my own psx and i was shaking all the way through the 'operation' the chips are just too small
...plus if the chips on the 64DD are surface mounted you cant very well change one if you melt it by accident can you(i can imagine they are very hard to get hold of..
http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif
P.S. You make that sound so easy Ch1mp...hehe http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/confused.gif
any other ideas anybody?

[This message has been edited by ChrisUK (edited 01 April 2000).]

[Lithium]

If u want to get a 64dd from madeiragames, you will need some sort of japanese ID, or they wont sell u 1. Its all noodles im afraid http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif

[ChrisUK]

it does not say anything on their website about needing japanese id to buy one....in fact, i went right up to the confimation of credit card part of the order and there was no word of this.....how did you get this information Lithium? Surely if they let you order with your credit card then they cant say after that that you can only be Japanese
to buy one
that is preposterous!! http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[ch1mp]

Originally posted by ChrisUK:

..do you really know that there is a mask rom inside? or is it hearsay...

I'm thinking it has a BIOS to boot the disk... like PSX, Dreamcast, PCs, Macs, etc all have a BIOS program to startup.

[Lithium]

Originally posted by ChrisUK:
it does not say anything on their website about needing japanese id to buy one....in fact, i went right up to the confimation of credit card part of the order and there was no word of this.....how did you get this information Lithium? Surely if they let you order with your credit card then they cant say after that that you can only be Japanese
to buy one
that is preposterous!! http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

To prove you wrong CrisUK I mailed madeiragames and asked them wether i needed Jap ID to buy a 64dd from their site and they replied with :-

"yes you do need some sort of japanese identification, they are very hard to get hold of mate"

Cheers

Jojhn



[This message has been edited by RedboX (edited 03 April 2000).]

[RedboX]

We have been over this before, but here we go again...


1) The dd64 DOES contain a ROM, which is the dd64's BIOS, this handles disk access and all that crap, it also contains extra data, like fonts,etc and some soundbanks, (and also the animation of mario messing about with the Nintendo logo you see if you dont have a DD64 disk inserted)


2) When you connect a dd64 to a n64 it functions in the same way that a v64 does, as the cartridge port is replcated on the bottom of the n64 as it is on the top the dd64 looks to the n64 as a cartridge, the data on the cartridge is the systems's BIOS/OS


3) when Maderia say "you do need some sort of japanese identification" they are refering to the process of walking into a shop in downtown Tokyo and buying a DD64, you whould need identification there, but as we have to assume someone has done this FOR Maderia, you dont need identification to buy from Maderia, what are they going to do,ask to buy the unit and then go "no I dont have any identification, but I'll mail it to you the ID of the person I sell it to, in erm, about a month, erm, maybe".. I dont think so...


4) When Maderia say "they are very hard to get hold of mate" they are upholding the myth that has been spread around about how hard to obtain the units are, which they can then use to charge 700quid for a unit that costs around 150quid to buy in japan..


Someone who once a "scener" told me that it's possible to get a DD64 from most shops without going through the Japanesse ID process, you just say that you dont want to sign up for Randnet, which is why they want ID.. This was quite common last year as the DD64 was released without RandNet being available.


Now I want to think about something for a minute...

Maderia are charging 700 quid for the DD64.. you get a copy of Mario Artist...


In Japan the dd64 sells for around 150 quid, and you get Mario Artist, Kyojin no Doshin 1, and more games sent to you during the corse of the year..


Now how many DD64's you think maderia have sold?


I think the logic went..

Maderia 1-"hey we cant be cool, and sell the DD64 on our webpage..."
Maderia 2-"but what happens if someone tries to buy one?...
Maderia 1-"ahh well just charge a stupid amount... that way no one will buy one"
Maderia 2-"yeah thats a great idea.."


Creeply accurate I'm sure

[This message has been edited by RedboX (edited 03 April 2000).]

[nemesis112]

Just to stoke the fire a bit, this place also claims to sell them :
http://www.anotherworld.co.uk/

------------------
"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips
over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come."
--Matt Groening

[ChrisUK]

well I got my e-mail back from madeira games and they said:

Hiya

Ok
The N64 DD is VERY VERY collectable it is all in jap and comes with a drawing machine AND a matching clear black NTSC N64 machine

I can do the whole package inc the N64unit for £750

Please let us know if your interested

Thanks alot

John

| \/ | /_\ | \ / __| /_\ | \/ | __/ __|
| |\/| |/ _ \| |) | (_ |/ _ \| |\/| | _|\__ \
|_| |_/_/ \_\___/ \___/_/ \_\_| |_|___|___/
Madeira Games Ltd
Import VideoGames Specialists


so is that a good price?? and not a mention of any JAPANESE ID!!! http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/wink.gif
p.s. Looks like Mr Mucho Roms was right after all that!!!!!!
chris


[This message has been edited by ChrisUK (edited 04 April 2000).]

[Qcoder]

It won't work with a PAL console for the same reason that all USA & JAP games don't work with a PAL console.
Or are you going to tell me that you can fix the N64DD with PALadin? http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif

[ch1mp]

Originally posted by Qcoder:
It won't work with a PAL console for the same reason that all USA & JAP games don't work with a PAL console.
Or are you going to tell me that you can fix the N64DD with PALadin? http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif

Like I said above, you might be able to dump the mask ROM, PALadin it, burn it to an EEPROM and solder that in its place.

[WT_Riker]

Or you could just use a software hack to get around it.

------------------
WT_Riker - OBSIDIAN

[RedboX]

The clear n64 is just a standard one, theres nothing different about it..

The DD64 is available in two different packages, with with a n64 and one with out...

Looks like maderia claim to be selling the n64 bundle

[CrowTRobo]

What the hell is a drawing machine? http://www.dextrose.com/ubb/smile.gif

I'm guessing he means a drawing pad or maybe a mouse.

CrowTRobo

[RedboX]

Are you thick or what?


In Japan the dd64 sells for around 150 quid, and you get Mario Artist, Kyojin no Doshin 1, and more games sent to you during the corse of the year

The Drawing machine is Mario Artist.. Ok maybe the guys from madera should of explained it a little better, but thats prolly because they have never seen one and are going from what some japanesse guy told them.


If Maderia want to prove me wrong, I'll be happy to take reciept of a DD64, I will publicly appologise and turn dextrose into an advert for Maderia (again)