Help w/ Mega Backup

[undamned]

Maybe this belongs in HW, but I'll start it here incase anyone can help, being as it doesn't involve technical know-how

So I started playing Lufia II on teh Sega CD and thought that I was saving as I went (when I would activate an Althena statue). Well I switched off my system and restarted it the next day only to find that no saves had taken place when I looked in the "continue" menu.

So my predicament/question is this: I currently have about 4 hours into the game (system still running). I believe it's just the battery is dead in my backup RAM cart. If I replace the battery and insert the cart will I then be able to save while the system is already running or would I need to turn off the system in order for the RAM cart to be recognized?

I guess one could verify this by:
- start a game w/out the backup RAM cart installed
- at first save point insert the RAM cart and try to save
- reset system and see if that save is available now

Thanks!
-ud

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Hmm I have a bad feeling about playing with the circuitry while the power is on. I never bought the RAM backup cart so I'm not much help. Stupid battery powered saving devices.

[junkeR]

You mean Lunar 2? IIRC, call Sega CD systems have a rechargeable battery inside.. that charge while the system is on. Even if your battery is near death you should be able to turn it off, put the cart in, and copy the save from the battery to the cart.

The bad thing is, the backup cart is also battery... so that will die eventually as well.

[undamned]

You mean Lunar 2? IIRC, call Sega CD systems have a rechargeable battery inside.. that charge while the system is on.

Yeah, Lunar Blue [something]

I'm playing on a CDX, which, I don't believe has internal game save-ability
-ud

[Specineff]

Isnt' the battery in the cart a standard CR 3032, or 2032? You should be able to open it and replace it. Sega was quite fond of those batteries, and used them on the Sat and DC VMU. I see no reason for it to be different on the SCD backup cart.

All Sega CD units have a save feature. Perhaps the battery on your CDX is going bonkers all right.

[junkeR]

I don't think they're CR2032. I opened up my Model 1 Sega CD unit and it had a 'rechargeable' battery soldered in... it was placed in where it would be hard to replace/remove.

Uhh.. Good luck UD.

[Specineff]

Then it could be a capacitor, rather than a battery.

[undamned]

Isnt' the battery in the cart a standard CR 3032, or 2032? You should be able to open it and replace it. Sega was quite fond of those batteries, and used them on the Sat and DC VMU. I see no reason for it to be different on the SCD backup cart.

No it's bigger than that. It's like a CR2045 or something huge (it's rated for ~500 mAh, which is 2.5 times longer running than a standard CR2032). I ordered one online, yesterday. I'll try and post here for success or not. I was just curious how hosed I am (i.e. whether I should leave my system on till then or just give up and turn it off until battery replaced).

I considered soldering in a battery holder for a CR2032 (same voltage, just less life), being as those are something I have around for DC VMU's etc., but w/ battery holders, I kinda cringe thinking about dropping the cart and dislodging the battery and losing my saves
-ud

[Ganelon]

EDIT: duplicate post

[Ganelon]

Uh, the CDX definitely has internal memory (even though I remember reading some BS online claiming that it didn't). It might be wise to get a MegaCart to save games permanently via flash memory. However, similar to the Action Replay Plus for the Sega Saturn, this method won't let you play games that require the CD Backup RAM Cart such as the combined scenario for Shining Force CD. If you push or pull carts from any cart system live, get ready for your cart slot or some other part of the system board to die.

[undamned]

It might be wise to get a MegaCart to save games permanently via flash memory.

You know of a good place to find a MegaCart dealy?
-ud

[Ceph]

I don't think the cart will be recognized if you plug it in while the system is running. If you do, the game will most likely crash and chances are your hardware will be damaged. Don't do it, it's not worth it.

[undamned]

So I opened up my dear little CDX, last night, and found that the battery on the mobo was only holding like +2.5V. It's a ML2016 (basically half of a CR2032 only it is rechargeable). These are expensive little buggers (especially after paying 8million dollars for shipping a tiny battery )

Oh, well. I've got both the battery for the backup cart and the CDX coming so hopefully my game save woes will soon be over.

One thing I did find interesting was that I measured the voltage on the backup cart's battery and it was up around 3V which should be good enough to hold a backup, yet when I went into the save menu on Lunar EB, it did not give an option to save to the backup cart (should be selectable for either built in or cart memory). I wonder if the system first checks built in memory and if it can't find any (i.e. battery dead) it just gives up saving altogther? Could be that the backup cart came out after the CDX was designed and Sega hadn't accounted for alternate methods of game saving...
-ud

[undamned]

Well, both batteries are now replaced and the thing is running like a champ

I accidentally ordered a battery bigger than a 2016, but it's still 3V, rechargeable, and doesn't get in the way of the case screwing together properly. The battery for the RAM Cart had a different leg configuration, but was still easy enough to solder in properly. $20 seems like a lot for a couple batteries (shipping from two different sources ), on top of what I paid for the CDX, itself, but at least I know it should be good for another 5 years or so...

Luner EB, here we go!
-ud

[Ganelon]

Have fun; I think Eternal Blue is the best reason to have a Sega CD.

[kozo]

Have fun; I think Eternal Blue is the best reason to have a Sega CD.