F/S Dreamcast Internal SD Mod

Glad I stumbled on this site. I have been looking for months for something like this. Cant wait to get some cash so I can send your way when I get paid. Dusted off my Dreamcast a few months ago and this will bring some new life to it.

 

Not sure if it was you or not but whoever bought a kit it'll be out tomorrow.

 

Any chance of a soderless install?? Your build is 100% worth the price... I'm just scared to hurt my dreamcast

 

A fine tipped soldering iron makes this a quick and easy installation provided you use a little flux.

 

Are these still available? I'll buy a couple if they are.

 

They are still available, if you buy more than one it's a good idea to do so in one purchase to save on shipping.

 

Got mine and installed it today. I have medium to low soldering skill and was able to install it with relative ease, here are some installation pics.
http://i.imgur.com/5eKPWSv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j0kcNSo.jpg

Thanks again Helder, I'm a customer for life.

 

Thanks! I'm glad the install went smooth, did you use flux?

 

I didn't have any and I wanted to try installation without it first. Went well.

 

Payment sent for one with Addon Board, Ribbon Cable and Blue LED. Thanks for making these!

 

No problem, it will be out tomorrow and you will likely have it by the weekend.

 

Hi Helder, thanks for putting this together.
Have sent through payment for 1 unit with addon board + ribbon + red LED.

Cheers

 

Already got it and will be out tomorrow, enjoy!

 

Awesome.
Thanks mate!

 

Got it, Love it! Thanks again my friend.

 

Good to hear it got there fast, show some install pics if you can.

 

Hi Helder,

mine arrived a couple of days ago, packaged really well.
Will post some pics once I get it installed.

Cheers again

 

Great, I'm looking forward to seeing them. From here on out the addon board which is version 1.4 is even easier to install with longer pin slots and a cut out for one of the Motherboard components that usually get in the way of a nicer looking install.

 

I have received and installed the SD unit with the add on board, it fits well and I like the design.


I am having some problems though. I have a VA1 PAL console. I have used it with genuine Sandisk cards 8GB Class 4 SDHC & 2GB Class 2 SD.


What happens is it works to start with, but after switching the console off/ on, removing/ replacing the SD card, playing some CD games the console will begin to refuse to see the SD card any more. It usually takes a full format of the card for the Dreamcast to want to see it again. At best you will take the card out a couple of times then it will stop working. I have tried this with Dreamshell 4.0 RC1 + RC3, same problems on both.


I have checked continuity, connections etc and it all seems fine. I have done some research online, and have found some conflicting information regarding which SD cards are best, but as far as I can tell at least the 8GB Sandisk SDHC should work consistently.


The other thing I have found are suggestions to remove capacitors C605 - C609. Before I try doing that, can anybody tell me if the symptoms I am having are known to be resolved by the capacitor removal? I am not keen on removing the capaitors blindly unless it really is known to resolve the issue I am having. Also are there any side effects to removing the capacitors?


Otherwise, has anybody experienced these problems with this unit? I am keen to get this working better, and like this design.


Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Just an update on this. Using Dreamshell 4 beta, the SD card is recognised every time now. I guess the class 4 card is flakey with newer version of a Dreamshell. I guess I need to try a class 6 or better with later a Dreamshell.

I am am glad the problem is not related to the adapter or the installation.