Introduction
Hello friends!, today I’m going to talk about the long-awaited accessory for the Gamecube console, you may wonder, why long-awaited? Simple, because each and every disk player cd player, dvd drive, consoles, etc. will eventually stop working due to the fact that they get worn by use. Therefore, it’s important for retrogamers to look for different options to load backups and keep on playing with their favorite consoles over the years. Still, it’s a long waiting ahead for the most popular consoles (SCD, SS, PSONE, PCENGINE+CD, etc.) to have an alternative loading system, such as loading from SD or HDD, but at least the one for Gamecube is now here!
About the reviewer
My nickname is usually Aleomark, in some webpages of CR I am also known as Sousuke, but internationally and officially I prefer Aleomark, and I want to add in this section that I have already done several reviews in the past, both in English and in Spanish, about flashcarts for different companies and retro scene accessories, so you can take for sure that in my analysis you will find a broad perspective about comparison and, most importantly, neutrality when it comes to analyzing and writing my reviews, I thank those who sponsored my reviews sending me samples, but when doing the analysis I am as objective as possible, so that you, the readers, can make sure you are reading a good review which you may use to base a decision of acquiring the product.
What is the IDE-EXI adapter?
It’s an IDE hard disk drive to EXI adapter (Gamecube memory card port) -also compatible with SATA with an IDE-SATA adapter-, you just need a compatible FAT32 formatted hard disk drive and add, whether in the main or sub-folders, the ISOs of your backups. It is designed to work together with the emu_kidid’s Swiss software in order to load games/backups from a hard disk drive.
How does it look like?
When you first receive the package, what you get is what you see in the following picture:
*Click to enlarge*
That is it, a rectangular PCB, bare, double thickness than usual, quite solid, yet we must be careful at handling, especially the pins because when I stripped off the ends they got folded, I had to use tweezers and start to straighten them up, fortunately no damage.
What else do you need for playing?
You need the following materials:
-A Gamecube console, intact or modified with modchip.
-This IDE-EXI adapter
*Click to enlarge*
-An IDE or SATA strip and an external power source for the HDD.
*Click to enlarge*
-An IDE or SATA compatible hard disk drive – if you are using SATA you’ll need an IDE-SATA adapter.
-A Homebrew loading method, if you’re using modchip you already got it, if not you need an Action Replay (not the latest version) or a SD Media Launcher.
-OPTIONAL: An SD-Gamecube adapter for those who already have modchip. You may skip this accessory if you create an autobootable swiss disk. Swiss can play SDHC cards of any capacity.
*Click to enlarge*
How to use
1-Preparation: Format the HDD in FAT32 any cluster size (I used 32kbps), the Windows XP or previous versions will not allow you to format larger HDD sizes in FAT32, you should use a different program, not the tool included in the operating system, I recommend Easeus Partition Master, it's free and very useful, download:
http://www.easeus.com/download.htm, add the games to the main or sub-folders.
If you want to load the swiss through the SDBoot you need the following files uncompressed in the SD http://www.megaupload.com/?d=00IET83K and SDBoot autobootable disk http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XS1TYEMP and add the swiss latest version to the /GCGMES/folder http://code.google.com/p/swiss-gc/downloads/list
2-Connect everything, as shown in the picture:
*Click to enlarge*
*Click to enlarge*
In other words, connect the external power source and the strip to the HDD, connect the strip to the IDE-EXI adapter, you may need a IDE-SATA adapter if using a SATA disk. Connect the IDE-EXI adapter to the A or B Gamecube memory card port.
Note: the HDD must be in master so adjust the jumper accordingly:
HDD IDE image
Then:
1-With modchip: load an autobootable disk with any program that allows you to load programs or create a autobootable swiss disk; for instance, I use the SDLoader 0.4 to load the swiss which I added to the SD.
2-Without modchip: load the swiss through the Action Replay or SD Media Launcher:--I do not have the methods required for this process and I do not need them, but if some of you are interested in writing this section of the review just send me a PM xD--
Once the swiss is loaded, you will see the following in your screen:
Select IDE-EXI and, if everything went fine, it’ll show you the HDD files.
Manufacturer's Specifications
The adapter supports up to 2 TB with full LBA 48 support.
* Capabilities of launching Gamecube Mode unsigned code are required before you can use this device on a GC and Wii.
** A separate power source is required for the compatible HDD connected to the IDE-EXI adapter.
*** The adapter PCB is the perfect thickness so that it does not move around freely in the slot - also using a IDE cable is so that there will not be any stress on the connector.
Updates and Support
Great in both aspects due to the whole process was developed by a renown scener: Emu_kidid. The updates for swiss are always available and you can find support in his oficial forum:http://www.gc-forever.com/forums .
Links:
-FAQ:http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... f=23&t=378
-Homebrew: http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... f=23&t=331
- HDD compatibility list: http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... f=23&t=345
-Games-Swiss compatibility list:http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... f=25&t=376
Analysis
This powerful tool has come to meet the gamers’ needs, it is useful, though difficult to get due to the high demand and short supply, so far only 60 units have been produced and they are already sold out. Things are fine and getting better, I don’t like the PCB to come out bare because, in this case, it’s difficult to find a case in which the PCB can be fitted. The price is acceptable.
Pros
-You can prevent your Gamecube disk player from being worn out.
-Game backups from HDD.
-Homebrew available.
-Renown developer’s support.
Contras
-You need a previous loading homebrew method.
-Under 100% compatibility (but improving with each coming version).
-You always need a working disk player.
Where do I get one?
http://gcforever.bigcartel.com/
Note from the moderator: Not anymore, they're sold out!
...Review-tuto expanding... any information to update this review is welcome.
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Links were it has been posted:
http://www.bitgamer.su/forums.php?actio ... &page=last
http://www.underground-gamer.com/forums ... icid=33707
http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_review-t ... be_1579828
http://www.imperioanime.com/foro/index. ... 326.0.html
http://cosplaypartycr.com/foro/index.php?topic=5386.0
http://wackoon.com/foro/index.php?showtopic=4613
http://www.bo-anime.com/Foro/index.php? ... board=25.0
