New life for a dead Genesis 3 - with clone hardware

[Ace]

First off, I'm not sure if this belongs here, as it's a technical thread.

All right, so already the title of the thread may put some hardcore Sega fans up in arms. But, if you've been following my thread where I tried to Genesis 3 working with Virtua Racing, you'll know that the Genesis 3 is dead. BUT, I have a clone system that I'm sacrificing to bring my Genesis 3 back to life(the Gen-X). Now, this may sound crazy, but I have already done some progress on the project(dubbed "Project Rebirth"). The NES board is gone(will probably make a stand-alone Famiclone or a portable NES out of it), and the power plug has been glued into the hole where the power supply's supposed to go into the Genesis 3. The power switch will need to be replaced, though, as it's an ON-OFF-ON switch. I, however, don't know how to wire an ON-OFF switch onto the Gen-X's motherboard(anyone know?). So far, I've completed this:

-Glued the power supply input plug to Genesis 3(hopefully, it won't break off from repeated insertion/removal of the power supply)
-Removed NES board from Gen-X

And this is what I have to do:

-Replace the Gen-X's power switch by an ON-OFF switch
-Relocate the Gen-X's Reset button
-Relocate the region switch
-Add an extension to the controller ports(will still be limited to Gen-X controllers)

I actually think it makes sense to ditch my dead VA2 Genesis 3 motherboard, and replace it with the Gen-X's motherboard, which works with Virtua Racing, and works to some extent with Master System(no inputs registered from D-pad, Two-Mega games display graphical garbage, Four-Mega games don't load) and 32X games(32X audio missing, 9-pin Mini-DIN missing).

[TmEE]

what can I say, good luck....

[nathanallan]

Wish I could help, but don't have more than one Gen3 and no GenX at all. Sounds like a very cool project, though.

If I understand correctly, an ON-OFF-ON switch isn't that hard to wire up. Common pole, one position not connected, and two that are that go to their devices.

Will the motherboard from the GenX fit? Probably have to make it fit, I doubt (even though I don't have the hardware) that things will line up. Grab the dremel and glue! Always makes for a fun project.

And from me, too, good luck. I'd like to know how it goes.

Nathan

[Ace]

So far, all is well. The hookups have been glued in place and the casing has been slightly modified so that the Genesis board fits. The Control Board(controller ports and switches) will be mounted at an angle to get the power switch and Reset buttons to line up with the Genesis 3's power switch and Reset plastic moldings(they will be relocated, obviously).

Actually, Nathanallan, I have to REPLACE the ON-OFF-ON switch. It's already installed on the Gen-X's Control Board, and I want to replace it by an ON-OFF switch from a dead Genesis 1. The switch looks to have 2 poles on the Gen-X, while the Genesis 1(and 3) have just 1 pole. I will have to check the motherboard to see if the poles are linked up, and the thing actually only has 1 pole.

Yep, the poles are linked. However, I don't know how I would be able to add a Genesis 1 power switch in there. If anyone has a Gen-X, can you tell me where to solder an SPDT switch?

The "Project Rebirth" Genesis 3 is operational! I got power running through the unit, and it outputs video glitch-free. However, there's no sound until I build my LM324 audio amplifying circuit.

[17daysolderthannes]

if anybody cares, the chips found in US Genesis clones are identical to the Brazilian Tec Toy licensed Mega Drive "X-in-1" systems. Last I checked clone hardware had to be unlicensed (otherwise Genesis 3 would be a clone), but since in the Brazilian market it is licensed its technically not really a clone.

[Ace]

Yeah, I actually freaked out when I found the TecToy-580G inside my Gen-X. It's weird seeing the equivalent of original US hardware inside a clone. I actually call the Gen-X/GN Twin a semi-clone, as it's a clone, but contains original Brazilian hardware on the Genesis side. I actually think I'm doing a favor to the Genesis 3 by sticking the TecToy board into the unit, as most compatibility that's been broken is restored:

-Unlicensed games will work, as there's no TMSS
-Virtua Racing works
-Some Master System games work(Four-Mega carts don't work at all)
-Believe it or not, the 32X WORKS! But I need to find out how to get the add-on to properly mix its video with that of the Gen-X(and add its ADPCM output to the Gen-X's FM and PSG)

[Ace]

Update: The conversion has just become permanent. The Genesis board has been mounted into the casing and soldered to the power supply plug and the 9-pin Mini-DIN. Check the "to-do" list in my signature to see what's left.

[Cauterize]

Some photos of your work in progress would be fantastic if you have any!

[Ace]

Currently, I don't have any, but I will have some up during the weekend.

[Ace]

Major update: almost done! Just to align the power switch/Reset button and solder the new audio mixing circuit, and the "Project Rebirth" Genesis 3 will be complete.

[Ace]

"Project Rebirth" is almost over! Just to finish my LM324 audio circuit and solder it into the Genesis 3, and it's done!

[Ace]

"Project Rebirth" has reached the finish line! Due to some roadblocks I hit along the way, I had to revert to the stock mixer, due to the many problems I had with getting an LM324 mixing circuit(but I did manage to get PSG louder). Some things have also been omitted, most of which are related to the 32X:

-RGB output for 32X/32X ADPCM sound
-LM324 mixing circuit(I had also considered using the Sega 315-5684 chip off my VA3 Genesis 2, but I don't know what goes where on that chip. Anyone have the pinouts?)

Pictures to come.

[TmEE]

me want pictures

[Ace]

Picture time!

From the outside, it's identical to a real Genesis 3. In fact, you'd swear it'd was 100% original: http://myfreefilehosting.com/f/75dd1b7366_3.83MB

But on the inside, it's an entirely different story. Here's what makes the "Project Rebirth" Genesis 3 tick: http://myfreefilehosting.com/f/e08a305c19_3.49MB

And thanks to that, Virtua Racing works, as does the 32X(but compatibility is still not 100% with the 32X, as I'm missing the TecToy-580G's RGB output and the LM324 audio mixing circuit).

[TmEE]

When soldering, you should cut the tinned end of the wires much shorter (2mm is sufficient...). Nice work none the less.

[nathanallan]

That's quite cool-- upgraded! Nice work!!

[Ace]

Thanks, guys. That was really the main objective with "Project Rebirth" - make the Genesis 3 compatible with what it normally doesn't. And it was also done to replace the dead VA2 motherboard that used to be there.

[TmEE]

now finish Neptune

[MEGADRIVE Jeroi]

Youre Pictures links dosent work anymore... Should you place those pictures to some permanent place?

[Ace]

I don't think I have those pictures anymore. I'll have to look through all my files on my laptops and desktop computer.

[Sega Genesis]

Pictures do not work.

[Ace]

I know, they've been removed for some reason. I did botch the board pretty bad and it doesn't work anymore, but I've since put in my GN Twin's Genesis board, which works the same, but with better Master System compatibility. Player 2 controls don't work as there are some badly damaged traces for the Player 2 controller signals, but it's not like I care. I don't do much, if any, 2-player gaming on the Genesis. And besides, I'm still on the lookout for a REAL Genesis 3 with a VA1 motherboard so I can apply the Virtua Racing/Game Genie compatibility fix and write up a guide on how to do that.

[MEGADRIVE Jeroi]

This is why image hosts are stupid place to save photos, they are deleted already...