Saturn:Modchips
[This information was taken directly from a Web Archive of segastyle.com, as the original site is no longer available.]
Sega Saturn V3 Installation Guide
If you know what model system you have then select it in the menu above for a detailed guide otherwise continue reading to determine your model.
The first step to modding your Saturn is determining which model you have. There are 2 different models with many hardware revisions circulating around from different regions, but for right now for the purpose of identifying we are only going to focus on North American and European Saturns. To try to simplify things look at the following breakdown. The ribbon cable refers to the white flat cable that connects the CD board to the motherboard; the IC pin count refers to a chip that is soldered onto the CD board. Look at the pictures below for better identification.
Model 1 Saturn:
- Oval power and reset button / 20 pin ribbon cable
Model 2 Saturn:
- Oval power and reset buttons / 21 pin ribbon cable / 64 pin IC.
- Round power and reset buttons / 21 pin ribbon cable / 64 pin IC.
- Round power and reset buttons / 21 pin ribbon cable / 32 pin IC.
- Round power and reset buttons / 21 pin ribbon cable / No IC (AKA Sanyo Board)
As you can see it is nearly impossible to tell what hardware revision your Saturn is just by looking at the outside of the console. You need to open it up and get a good look at the inside to be 100% sure.
Opening up the Saturn is simple, remove any game CDs in the tray, flip the system over and remove the 5 screws on the bottom, flip it back right side up and slide off the top half of the system. Now compare you console insides with the following pictures to determine what model you have.
| Model 1 Saturn | Step 1: Identify needed jumpers on the back of the Chip.
For the Model 1 system you can ignore the jumpers on the back on the chip. They are only needed for Model 2 consoles.
Solder a piece of wire (30 or 32 gauge) about 9 inches long to the 5v power solder pad on the chip. (We will identify in the next step were to obtain the 5v from the system.) For the model 1 20pin CD Board systems you want to use the white connectors. Connect to CD Board refers to connecting the ribbon cablefrom this connector to the CD board, and Connect to Motherboard refers to connecting a ribbon cable from that connector to the motherboard. Be sure to pay attention to the pins in the connector and the pins on the ribbon cable so that you don't put the ribbon cable in backwards! The conductors on the ribbon cable must be facing and lined up with the pins in the connector on the chip. Use this caution for both the chip and the connectors on the system.
Now connect the other end of the 5v wire you soldered in the previous step to the 5v source inside the sytem. There power supplyis mounted differently depending on what revison of the model 1 console you have. In Model 1 system labled "A" the 5v Power is the second pin down. You can verify this because it will be labeled 5v. Simply solder your wireto this pin and you are finished. In Model 1 system labeled "B" the 5v power is the second pin. If you are unsure, you can unmount the power board by removing 3 screws at which point you can flip it overand look for the 5v label on the power board. Note! Always be sure you are attaching to the correct power output! Failure to do so may damage the chip. If you are not sure check the label on the board or use a multimeter to test voltage. Finally, using electical tape, card board, or any electrical insulator your prefer, cover the bottom of the chip. If you do not insulate the bottom of the chip, and just set it on the metal shieldingin the system you will short the chip out and it won't work and could likely damage the chip. Once you insulate the bottom secure it in the system with a few pieces of electric tape. |
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| Model 2 64 Pin IC | Step 1: Identify needed jumpers on the back of the Chip.
For the Model 2 64pin IC system you need to connect points A and B together to bridge the 0014 connection.
Solder a piece of wire (30 or 32 gauge) about 9 inches long to the 5v power solder pad on the chip. (We will identify in the next step were to obtain the 5v from the system.) For the Model 2 64pin IC system, you want to use the black connectors on the chip. Connect to CD Board refers to connecting the ribbon cable from this connector to the CD board, and Connect to Motherboard refers to connecting a ribbon cable from that connector to the motherboard. Be sure to pay attention to the pins in the connector and the pins on the ribbon cable so that you don't put the ribbon cable in backwards! The conductors on the ribbon cable must be facing and lined up with the pins in the connector on the chip. Use this caution for both the chip and the connectors on the system.
Disconnect the original ribbon cable from the connector on the CD Board. Insert the end your disconnected here into the port labeled MB. (Ribbon Cable A) Connect the shorter 21 pin ribbon cables that comes with the chip to the CD board, and connect the other end to the chip labeled 21pinCD. (Ribbon Cable B)> Next, using electical tape, card board, or any electrical insulator your prefer, cover the bottom of the chip. (*Note* Make sure you have completed the 0014 bridge on the bottom!) If you do not insulate the bottom of the chip, and just set it on the metal shielding in the system you will short the chip out and it won't work and could likely damage the chip. Once you insulate the bottom of the chip, rotate it clockwise so that Ribbon Cable A goes underneath the chip. Now secure the chip in place with a couple pieces of electrical tape.
Now connect the other end of the 5v wire you soldered in the previous step to the 5v source inside the sytem. You want to solder to the second pin as shown in the image. Note! Always be sure you are attaching to the correct power output! Failure to do so may damage the chip. If you are not sure check the label on the board or use a multimeter to test voltage. Finally, using electical tape, card board, or any electrical insulator your prefer, cover the bottom of the chip. If you do not insulate the bottom of the chip, and just set it on the metal shielding in the system you will short the chip out and it won't work and could likely damage the chip. Once you insulate the bottom secure it in the system with a few pieces of electric tape. |
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| Model 2 32 Pin IC | Step 1: Identify needed jumpers on the back of the Chip.
For the Model 2 32pin IC system you need to connect points A and B together to bridge the 0014 connection. Ignore points D&E.
Solder a piece of wire (30 or 32 gauge) about 9 inches long to the 5v power solder pad on the chip. (We will identify in the next step were to obtain the 5v from the system.) For the Model 2 32pin IC system, you want to use the connectors labeled 21pin CD on the chip. Connect to CD Board refers to connecting the ribbon cable from this connector to the CD board, and Connect to Motherboard refers to connecting a ribbon cable from that connector to the motherboard. Be sure to pay attention to the pins in the connector and the pins on the ribbon cable so that you don't put the ribbon cable in backwards! The conductors on the ribbon cable must be facing and lined up with the pins in the connector on the chip. Use this caution for both the chip and the connectors on the system.
Disconnect the original ribbon cable from the connector on the CD Board. Insert the end your disconnected here into the port labeled MB. (Ribbon Cable A) Connect the shorter 21 pin ribbon cables that comes with the chip to the CD board, and connect the other end to the chip labeled 21pinCD. (Ribbon Cable B)> Next, using electical tape, card board, or any electrical insulator your prefer, cover the bottom of the chip. (*Note* Make sure you have completed the 0014 bridge on the bottom!) If you do not insulate the bottom of the chip, and just set it on the metal shielding in the system you will short the chip out and it won't work and could likely damage the chip. Once you insulate the bottom of the chip, rotate it clockwise so that Ribbon Cable A goes underneath the chip. Now secure the chip in place with a couple pieces of electrical tape.
Now connect the other end of the 5v wire you soldered to the chip (or came Pre-Soldered if you ordered that option in the store) to the 5v source inside the system. You want to solder to the second pin as shown in the image. Note! Always be sure you are attaching to the correct power output! Failure to do so may damage the chip. If you are not sure check the label on the board or use a multimeter to test voltage. |
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| Model 2 Sanyo Board | No guide available for V3 Universal modchip on the archived website. |