Neo Geo Conversion Help

[GohanX]

I'm trying to create a Metal Slug Neo AES conversion, and I could use a little help here. I wasn't sure if anyone on here knew anything about making them, I would post on NG.com but it creates a shitstorm anytime anyone says the "c" word. For what it's worth, this is for my personal use, as I prefer to use my awesome modded home system to my flakey and tempermental CMVS.

Basically, I had a Metal Slug MVS cart that was nasty, and a spare Japanese Samurai Shodown 2 home cart, so I said "what the hell." I found this site with instructions on how to do it. I followed the instructions, and the graphics and gameplay are perfect, but I'm having the same sound problem the guy is describing in the instructions.

The thing is, the instructions for doing the rewire of the chips aren't that clear, and the image on the website makes it difficult to tell which pin the wires are soldered to, especially the small chip in the lower center area. I believe I have all the jumpers in the correct spots, or at least, they seem to match the sample picture. Can someone take a look at mine and see if I did anything wrong? My soldering/desoldering work was pretty good, so I don't think I messed up any traces, but I wanted to see if anyone spotted an obvious error before I spend hours going over every trace with a multimeter.

Conversion med size.jpg
(sorry for the massive size, I wanted detail!)

If all else fails, I may just have to find a cheap Fatal Fury 3 or KOF 95 since they are closer matches, but I was trying not to spend money here

[Guntz]

I don't have much to offer with trying to solve your problem (your wires appear to be in the right places), but you should tighten up the wiring itself. Try using IDE wire or something and shorten it all up. And what of the CHR board?

A CMVS is only as flaky as the modder who made it. What's wrong with it? Do you just not like the hodge-podgy-ness of it?

[GohanX]

The CHR board should be fine, the game plays perfectly, and it doesn't require the rewiring mess that I have to do on this board. I don't have any IDE wire on hand, but I could try either 30 gauge (too thin?) or Cat 5 wire. The one I used was 26 gauge.

The CMVS's problem is in the cart slot, it needs to be replaced I think. It acts like a dirty slot, but it and all my games are squeaky clean, and I've tried bending the pins a tad to tighten them up. I can make it work, but on some games I have to push the game in, then pull one side of it out slightly so that the cart sits at an angle for it to work.

[Guntz]

The CHR board should be fine, the game plays perfectly, and it doesn't require the rewiring mess that I have to do on this board. I don't have any IDE wire on hand, but I could try either 30 gauge (too thin?) or Cat 5 wire. The one I used was 26 gauge.

So... Did you test this Metal Slug conversion yet or not? You never made this distinction in your first post. Or are you just wanting a double check?

The CMVS's problem is in the cart slot, it needs to be replaced I think. It acts like a dirty slot, but it and all my games are squeaky clean, and I've tried bending the pins a tad to tighten them up. I can make it work, but on some games I have to push the game in, then pull one side of it out slightly so that the cart sits at an angle for it to work.

Have you ever thought of, you know, cleaning it's cart slot? All you need is some isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush.

[GohanX]

Oh, sorry. Yes, I've tested it. I'm having the same issue that the guy in the guide did, it looks and plays perfectly, but the audio is messed up. There's something I got wrong with the audio chips, I just can't figure out what.

As far as the CMVS goes, I've cleaned it countless times, both with alcohol and contact cleaner. Same thing with the games, the contacts on most of my games sparkle. The thing's just worn out, I think.

[Guntz]

Probably just wrong wiring then, since presumably Samurai Shodown 2 worked fully before. (by the way, did you at least put the SS2 chips on that old Metal Slug MVS cart and re-wire?)

I remember reading a thread in NG.com Tech Support where somebody listed the content of each type of Neo cart mask rom (V1, SP2, EP1 etc). I can't remember the name of the thread or any significant keywords and therefore I can't find it. This is driving me nuts! If I knew this information, I could just tell you which chip you need to pay attention to... If I find that thread, you'll be the first to know.

About the CMVS, weird. My MVS board works fine (I effed up the battery mod thing though, needs a replacement SMD component to complete the circuit properly), I guess that's the beauty in Superguns eh? Perhaps you could speak with Xian Xi about improving your CMVS's performance. (or perhaps doing a complete transplant of the mods over to a new MVS board)

[Guntz]

This isn't quite what I was looking for, but it's of a similar subject (bad sound in Metal Slug 1). Perhaps the information here could be of assistance??

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showth...t=cart+sp+chip

Inside it is mentioned that only the V and M1 chips affect sound.

[synbiosfan]

Xian Xi can also be contacted at his site http://jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/index.html

[GohanX]

Problem solved!

I'm not sure if he saw this thread or the identical one I posted at Neo-Geo.com, but the author of the guide contacted me and after exchanging a couple of emails we figured out what I did wrong. I have one of the pins soldered to the wrong leg, and more importantly, the pins of the V1 and V2 chips need to be lifted from the board, I had them soldered in. I snipped the legs and the game works perfectly!