is it possible to create power/reset button mod, Genesis?

[infidelity]

I searched online in hops of finding documentation, of a hardware mod on both the Genesis and it's controller, to allow the user to perform a hard reset of the system. I have the MED_X7, but you can't exit a 32x game, or a sms game, so I wanted to know if it's possible to perform the mod I mentioned? If so, what steps and parts would I need? I'm using a Model 1 VA6, and an original Sega 6-Button.

[Fusion916]

I searched online in hops of finding documentation, of a hardware mod on both the Genesis and it's controller, to allow the user to perform a hard reset of the system. I have the MED_X7, but you can't exit a 32x game, or a sms game, so I wanted to know if it's possible to perform the mod I mentioned? If so, what steps and parts would I need? I'm using a Model 1 VA6, and an original Sega 6-Button.

I'm not familiar enough with the genesis if there is any kind of unused global reset pin on the board but you can always add a power relay between the board vdc input and have it controlled by a mom switch and some kind of RC network. Or a uController for more accurate control.

[tjstogy]

Borti made something where you can do a hard reset from a controller combination-- it's on his github somewhere. I'm interested in this as well-- because as you mentioned you can't soft reset to menu when using the everdrive for 32x or SMS games.

Edit, found it here: https://github.com/borti4938/Switchless ... simple.asm

I'm hoping that Voultar or Rene might consider including this in their upcoming RGB bypass amps

[highzeth]

There is also the couple years old MegaDrive++ project; https://github.com/SukkoPera/MegaDrivePlusPlus
There is a lenghty thread over on Assemblergames where the creator is active; https://assemblergames.com/threads/mega ... mod.61273/

[FBX]

The very first mod I did some years ago was to actually add in a counter-sunk reset button on my Genesis controller, which I then fed the lines out along the controller cord (glued to it), and then to a special jack I made that was wired to the reset terminals on the Genesis main board. It was a crude but effective solution for my needs at the time, which was due to a game that required many resets to get the best of the random layouts.

Will definitely have to look into Borti's method though!

[highzeth]

An update on my previous post.
I had a couple Arduino Nanos to spare from a different project, and had meant to try MegaDrive++ out, so I programmed one and installed in one of my Genesis.
And it works as advertised, in-game-reset (to Everdrive menu) & region/language change from your controller. I used a RGB LED to easily identify region it's set to. Well worth the hour spent on it, especially considering a Nano is dirt cheap, 3 USD?

[tjstogy]

That's awesome-- do you have a 32x? Does it reset that as well?

[infidelity]

Is there anyone that can build this chip, and sell it with installation diagrams? I'd really like to purchase it.

[highzeth]

That's awesome-- do you have a 32x? Does it reset that as well?

Don't have, nor know anyone nearby that have a 32x sadly.

[infidelity]

Is there anyone that can build this chip, and sell it with installation diagrams? I'd really like to purchase it.

[highzeth]

Is there anyone that can build this chip, and sell it with installation diagrams? I'd really like to purchase it.

There is nothing to build, you buy an Arduino Nano, I've bought from this place in the past; https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-USB-Nano- ... 1548871778

Instructions are written in the MegaDrive++ wiki; https://github.com/SukkoPera/MegaDriveP ... stallation

[infidelity]

OK I just purchased the board. I have a model 1 VA6 system.

[infidelity]

I received that USB board in the mail. I looked at the instructions, but I'm seeing a microchip in he diagram called "pic16f630" and it shows spots to solder wires to it. But I don't have that chip, am I supposed to buy that chip too?? Sorry this is just confusing, especially those instructions.

[ApolloBoy]

I received that USB board in the mail. I looked at the instructions, but I'm seeing a microchip in he diagram called "pic16f630" and it shows spots to solder wires to it. But I don't have that chip, am I supposed to buy that chip too?? Sorry this is just confusing, especially those instructions.

No, you don’t need that chop because the Arduino is what’s going to be controlling the switchless functions. Look at the diagram of the Arduino Nano on there, then look at this page here: https://github.com/SukkoPera/MegaDriveP ... stallation That tells you what the colors on the installation pictures stand for, and from there it’s just a matter of soldering the wires to the right pins on the Arduino. It’s not hard, it just requires a little thought beforehand.

[infidelity]

Ohhhh, OK perfect! Thanks for clearing that up, I'll start this tonight after work.

2 more questions.

1: I "believe" I flashed the nano correctly, I received no errors but got a message which I believe is telling me the size remaining after the file was flashed. My question is, is there a way to read back the nano, to display its contents so I know for sure it was flashed correctly?

2: does this megadrive++ work with the official Sega 6 button controller? Those are the only controllers I own.

Thanks!

[infidelity]

Well I installed the chip, the IGR works, on my 3 button & 6 button controller. I don't have my Mega Everdrive X7 back yet, so I'm hoping that gets back to me asap, cause that device is the main reason why I wanted tissue modchip installed.

[tjstogy]

Well I installed the chip, the IGR works, on my 3 button & 6 button controller. I don't have my Mega Everdrive X7 back yet, so I'm hoping that gets back to me asap, cause that device is the main reason why I wanted tissue modchip installed.

Good stuff-- keep in mind some 6 button controller games (a handful) won't work unless you hold the mode button down while powering the system on with said game in it. Tough to do with an everdrive... I wonder what the workaround is, if there is any. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxHBIG_tFU

Also, do you have a 32X? I'd be curious to see how the in game reset works with it attached and the everdrive...

[Syntax]

Should modify the IGR to accept another wire from the cart slot for the master system reset button that an everdrive or powerstation has.

[tjstogy]

Should modify the IGR to accept another wire from the cart slot for the master system reset button that an everdrive or powerstation has.

I could be wrong, but I think the IGR is similar to turning the consoles power off and on- in which case it would work as-is.

[Syntax]

Pretty sure console reset and MS reset/mode are 2 different things.

If you reset the console in a MS game on an everdrive you'd be back in the everdrive menu.

[highzeth]

Well I installed the chip, the IGR works, on my 3 button & 6 button controller. I don't have my Mega Everdrive X7 back yet, so I'm hoping that gets back to me asap, cause that device is the main reason why I wanted tissue modchip installed.

Hey, glad to see you getting it sorted! Was swamped during Xmas, but finally had a couple evenings where I could enjoy some casual gaming, and this IGR solution has been splendid.

[tjstogy]

Well I installed the chip, the IGR works, on my 3 button & 6 button controller. I don't have my Mega Everdrive X7 back yet, so I'm hoping that gets back to me asap, cause that device is the main reason why I wanted tissue modchip installed.

Hey, glad to see you getting it sorted! Was swamped during Xmas, but finally had a couple evenings where I could enjoy some casual gaming, and this IGR solution has been splendid.

Could you explain if it is indeed turning the system off and then on again or if it's just bringing the everdrive back to the main menu? If you're in the middle of a master system game and do the reset, where does it bring you?

[Syntax]

Well I installed the chip, the IGR works, on my 3 button & 6 button controller. I don't have my Mega Everdrive X7 back yet, so I'm hoping that gets back to me asap, cause that device is the main reason why I wanted tissue modchip installed.

Hey, glad to see you getting it sorted! Was swamped during Xmas, but finally had a couple evenings where I could enjoy some casual gaming, and this IGR solution has been splendid.

Could you explain if it is indeed turning the system off and then on again or if it's just bringing the everdrive back to the main menu? If you're in the middle of a master system game and do the reset, where does it bring you?

Lets get our terms correct, I'm the worse for it.
Master system PAUSE BUTTON
different to turning the system on and off or internal reset, the master system pause button uses a resistor inline on one of the cart pins to ground to initiate MS pause.

So id assume the IGR does not allow for this (just yet )

[tjstogy]

Ahh-- the pause button is what you've been talking about. I've never used it, but could see what you're saying how it could come in handy programmed in with the IGR. Honestly, this IGR is intriguing because it would allow you to reset your master system/genesis games or 32x/genesis games. Someone needs to figure out how you can just leave a 32x in and be able to play all 3 systems via the everdrive next.... and hopefully someone here is able to test to make sure the IGR resets the 32x back to the main menu

[FBX]

... I've bought from this place in the past; https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-USB-Nano- ... 1548871778

Bought two of those boards, couldn't install the Arduino drivers for them. Spent an hour getting enraged at the instructions on the Arduino site NOT matching what I was seeing or working to install the drivers as they say it does. Did some googling to find out I have Chinese counterfeits that required their own driver, which I had to download from a site entirely in Chinese and just cross my fingers I wasn't installing a virus or malware. Thankfully THAT finally installed the fucking drivers and made these counterfeit Nanos work.

[infidelity]

I received my MD_X7 today. I was able to do some tests with it, along with the nano board.

I can reset the system with the 32x connected, back to the everdrive menu.

However, I'm unable to run Master System games. I think it's because my Genesis is a VA6. Very upsetting, I was able to run Master System games with this device, but my old Genesis was a VA2.

[tjstogy]

I received my MD_X7 today. I was able to do some tests with it, along with the nano board.

I can reset the system with the 32x connected, back to the everdrive menu.

However, I'm unable to run Master System games. I think it's because my Genesis is a VA6. Very upsetting, I was able to run Master System games with this device, but my old Genesis was a VA2.

Awesome!

Have you tried disconnecting the 32x? Unfortunately master system games don’t work when the everdrive is plugged into the 32x.

[highzeth]

... I've bought from this place in the past; https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-USB-Nano- ... 1548871778

Bought two of those boards, couldn't install the Arduino drivers for them. Spent an hour getting enraged at the instructions on the Arduino site NOT matching what I was seeing or working to install the drivers as they say it does. Did some googling to find out I have Chinese counterfeits that required their own driver, which I had to download from a site entirely in Chinese and just cross my fingers I wasn't installing a virus or malware. Thankfully THAT finally installed the fucking drivers and made these counterfeit Nanos work.

Sorry, didn't see your reply until now. I didn't install any drivers, chose Nano as the target and off it went. I'm on linux and used version 1.8.5 of the IDE for whatever that's worth.

[infidelity]

Awesome!

Have you tried disconnecting the 32x? Unfortunately master system games don’t work when the everdrive is plugged into the 32x.

Yeah i tried with the 32x disconnected, unfortunately it appears the Genesis wants to load the sms rom, but after 4 seconds of a black screen, I get kicked back to the everdrive game list. I know it's not my everdrive, because I was able to play sms roms with it, but the Genesis i had at that time was a VA2. The 2 systems I own now, are a VA6 & VA7, both with the TMSS, and both systems have not allowed me to play sms roms from the everdrive. So I'm pretty bummed about it. Been trying desperately searching the Internet, to see if this sms issue is actually due to later Model 1s not having that feature implemented? Or if there is an internal mod I can do to restore it? Can't find anything.

But again, with the 32x connected, you CAN reset back to the everdrive menu from a 32x game. I was able to do this with an official SEGA 6 button controller. All 32x games that use those buttons, such as Star Wars Arcade, Doom 32x, Virtua Racing Deluxe, all functioned properly. Even the MODE button worked correctly in Star Wars Arcade, switching from cockpit view, to ship view.