Plug and play drive replacement adapter Idea

[kel01]

thats an interesting point...
i never realized this to be an issue....
since i only have one PAL title, Doshin the Giant...and everytime i tested it previously with a xeno only, i actually had component cables connected....and video looked fine...

now on to the bad news:
over a year ago during Doshin compatibility testing with only a xeno, i kinda forget that my monitor seems to handle PAL video over component input...i dont know how correct the display is, but it seems like it might be correct....and it appeared i would be limited to only using a monitor or tv that can handle PAL....and just to try it out, even composite video showed in the wrong mode...but, wait a second....hang on just one minute...slap me across the face....xeno and qoob have the ability to force NTSC/PAL video mode...


now on to the good news:
so i tried Doshin again and sure enough, i have NTSC signal coming out on composite and component...


then i started wondering about how WKF handled Doshin:
i loaded Doshin into my SD card and BLAH!!!!
WKF does allow out of region titles to be played even with all the fusion configuration menu settings turned off...the problem is, only the titles native video mode will be displayed....the only workaround at that point is to use swiss to force the mode.


...and what about the the region dip switches on the WKF?
im not sure if this has been posted before, but from my quick dirty testing, the position of those switches does not seem have any affect what-so-ever on the gamecube for DVD nor SD...



so maybe if an out of region gamecube cannot be found, a modchip or swiss could provide the solution??

Now you mention it I also had video mode problems with out of region games on my WODE setup. If I remember correctly when I booted a NTSC game from disc without a Xeno installed it would boot in the wrong video mode but with a Xeno installed it would boot with the correct video mode. If I booted a NTSC ISO then the video mode would be correct but strangely if I pressed the reset button in the IPL screen with an ISO loaded it would then boot with the wrong video mode, not that anyone would really need to boot that way though.

Also worth mentioning NTSC games would usually crash on the 480p select screen if booted in the wrong video mode.

Swiss would fix all of these issues if I remember correctly, including the out of region save game problem but the only down side would be lack of two disc game support.

all you have to do is heat up one pin at a time so the solder becomes soft at both top and bottom sides...then pull the pin out...do that a few dozen times and you own your board again....

Yeah I agree it would be doable. Your MEGAdrives are very robust and high quality and I could imagine they would survive the process more than once but I probably wouldn't


On a side note, did the WKF and NTSC IPL 1.0 incompatabilty issue ever get resolved? Just taking a stab in the dark but could yamaharacer's problem be related to it?

[megalomaniac]

On a side note, did the WKF and NTSC IPL 1.0 incompatabilty issue ever get resolved? Just taking a stab in the dark but could yamaharacer's problem be related to it?

nice reminder about IPL compatibility....
after all he did have that very strange behavior regarding the pin 29 switch with it working connected to a normally open switch instead of a normally closed switch....maybe he accidentally could have discovered something to allow compatibility with 1.0 IPL????



yamaharacer...
NTSC GC?
IPL version?? ( pink or purple start menu) viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1004

[megalomaniac]

im not sure if this has been posted before, but from my quick dirty testing, the position of those switches does not seem have any affect what-so-ever on the gamecube for DVD nor SD...

anyone willing to double check my test about the region switches...???
id like to know if anyone else can set the WKF switches to a different region and still play titles with no issues...
please note if tested SD or DVD (GC or WII drive) or tested all....


if i remember correctly (or maybe not) i think i even tried setting regions with wode and it made no difference....

[Ashen]

I know for sure I've had errors pop up when loading isos with the wiikey switches set wrong. The error doesnt pop up till the GC reboots though, so may be avoidable if using swiss.

[megalomaniac]

ehhh like i said, it was a dirty test...
but i never got any errors rebooting a few times while testing both out of region and local region titles....

i might have to try again just to prove it to myself because now im curious about what i may or may have not been doing....

[MockyLock]

Just a thought about the adapter mounting.
I think i'm gonna replace the original DVD pins (too much hard to bend) with some kind of kynar 30AWG (with no plastic obviously).
I should be easier to solder on the mother board (we can see exactly what wee do), and then slide the Megadrive board along those flexible "connections".
Do you think i'm in a wrong way ?

[megalomaniac]

that seems like double the work with possibility to break the kynar wire making more problems...

[megalomaniac]

I know for sure I've had errors pop up when loading isos with the wiikey switches set wrong. The error doesnt pop up till the GC reboots though, so may be avoidable if using swiss.

ok this time im gonna document this while im testing....



THE FOLLOWING TEST PERFORMED WITH SD ONLY
USING DEFAULT WKF CONFIGURATION SETTINGS:
USING NTSC GAMECUBE:

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TITLE: ROBOTECH NTSC
with WKF 1.3 firmware set to JAPAN: plays fine
with WKF 1.5 firmware set to JAPAN: plays fine

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TITLE: MEGAMAN ANNIVERSARY NTSC 
with WKF 1.3 firmware set to JAPAN: plays fine
with WKF 1.5 firmware set to JAPAN: plays fine

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TITLE: NAMCO MUSEUM 50th ANNIVERSARY NTSC 
with WKF 1.3 firmware set to JAPAN:  Error Message: "The disc could not be read"
with WKF 1.5 firmware set to JAPAN:  Error Message: "The disc could not be read"

results: looks like those region switches are required after all...thanks Ashen

[megalomaniac]

ALL TESTS PERFORMED ON NTSC GAMECUBE FOR DVD COMPATIBLITY
NO SD or HDD TESTING PERFORMED

GAMECUBE DVD DRIVE


WODE

WODE non-modded drive

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Firmware 2.8A
Audio Streaming from DVD:  WORKS
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

No matter which WODE settings i change or combination of settings, Wode always forces import PAL title to NTSC display.

???? what happens on a PAL mainboard...PAL display or still NTSC display ????

WODE xeno-drive

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Firmware 2.8A
Audio Streaming from DVD:  WORKS
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS  << use xeno region forcing for NTSC/PAL display (or disable xeno)
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

Xeno drive code breaks Wode ability to force import PAL title to NTSC display.... 
disabling xeno will restore Wode forced video display....
add a switch to xeno modchip to disable xeno prior enabling FlatMode
( same switch used to set programming mode for software updates )

???? what happens on a PAL mainboard...PAL display or still NTSC display ????

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Note about WODE 2.8 firmware
this version includes a fix to address an issue with the dvd drive...
firmware released before 2.8: if a disc is in the drive, it will continuously spin the disc and laser will be constantly on after bootup...
firmware release 2.8: address this issue to stop the motor and laser...
recommend using wode firmware version 2.8 or greater with Wode + DVD combo

WKF

WKF non-modded drive:

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   NO
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  Broken
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

WKF Xeno-drive:

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS   << use xeno region forcing for NTSC/PAL display
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON 
Audio Streaming from DVD:  Broken
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS  << use xeno region forcing for NTSC/PAL display
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

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note about WKF 1.5 firmware: 
i cant figure out how to get this damn version to load a disc properly on gamecube...WTF WKF!!
so all test performed with 1.3 firmware

Qoob

Qoob WKF non-modded drive

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Qoob IPL
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS   << use Qoob region forcing for NTSC/PAL display
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Original IPL
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   NO
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

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EXTRA TEST:
WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON 
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Original IPL
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

dont ask how i got it to boot with WKF on, you will never want to do this anyways
but if you must know:
1. booted original IPL
2. access WKF configuration menu to change WKF on
3. exit configuration and boot a SD iso
4. hit pin29 switch to stop loading
5. removed WKF SD card
6. hit pin29 switch again to initialize the DVD drive

dont try this because if you dont change the settings back, Qoob will error after reboot 
you have been warned

Qoob WKF Xeno-drive

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Qoob IPL
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS   << use Qoob region forcing or xeno region forcing for NTSC/PAL display
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Original IPL (because of Xeno)
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS   << use Qoob region forcing or xeno region forcing for NTSC/PAL display
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
DOESNT WORK WITH Qoob
WKF is detected as incompatible drive type

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EXTRA TEST:
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Qoob IPL
1. boot homebrew DVD (swiss)
2. exit Swiss
3. back to Qoob IPL GC main screen
4. insert SD card and hit eject button
5. WKF SD loading works

test performed as validation of functionality for WKF with Qoob IPL for potential future updates to SWISS...
IPL replacement is not compatible at bootup with WKF due to unknown drive type detected
WKF is compatible on IPL replacement but this situation will almost never be encountered..
if your confused, ask.....if you dont have a Qoob, dont worry about this funky test

CleanRip

WODE non-mod drive

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Firmware 2.8A
Originals: MD5sum match
Imports:   MD5sum match

WODE Xeno-drive

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Firmware 2.8A
Originals: MD5sum does not match
Imports:   MD5sum does not match

Xeno drive code causes non-matching MD5sum... disabling the xeno will allow ripping with matching MD5
add a switch to xeno modchip to disable xeno prior to ripping
( same switch used to set programming mode for software updates )

WKF non-modded drive

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Originals: MD5sum match
Imports:   MD5sum match

WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Originals: MD5sum match
Imports:   MD5sum match

WKF Xeno-drive

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Originals: MD5sum does not match
Imports:   MD5sum does not match

Xeno drive code causes non-matching MD5sum... disabling the xeno will allow ripping with matching MD5
add a switch to xeno modchip to disable xeno prior to ripping
( same switch used to set programming mode for software updates )

WODE Ripper

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Always fails at 0% - 3% with disc read error 223

qoob dumping...your on your own for now...





WII DVD DRIVE

WODE non-mod drive

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Firmware 2.8A
SETTINGS: REGION PATCHING OFF
Audio Streaming from DVD:  WORKS
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   NO
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO

SETTINGS: REGION PATCHING ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  Original Disc only
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   WORKS  << no audio streaming ( maybe add a drive chip ?? )
Homebrew:  WORKS

PAL title displays with NTSC video

WKF non-mod drive

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Firmware 1.3
WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   NO
Homebrew:  NO


WKF CONFIGURATION : ON, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  Broken by WKF: ON configuration
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

PAL title displays with NTSC video

WKF + wiikey v1 drive

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WKF CONFIGURATION : OFF, ON, ON (ALL), ON, ON
Audio Streaming from DVD:  MegaWire Mod
Originals: WORKS
Imports:   WORKS
Backups:   WORKS
Homebrew:  WORKS

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GameCube + WKF + WII DVD DRIVE:

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WKF has a HOST side and a DVD side...do not get these two different sides confused

PIN 31 functions as a type of "sleep" signal

3.3v is delivered on pin 31 from the WKF to the Wii DVD drive which will prevent disc loading.
Connecting the WKF's HOST pin31 to GND will remove the 3.3v signal and allow normal disc loading.
ONLY CONNECT PIN 31 HOST TO GND

WODE Ripper

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Originals: MD5sum match
Imports:   MD5sum match

time ~ 10 minutes

[kel01]

It will be interesting to see if the WODE ripper works without the Xeno. I ca't remember if I ever tried it before I installed the Xeno or not.

[megalomaniac]

It will be interesting to see if the WODE ripper works without the Xeno. I ca't remember if I ever tried it before I installed the Xeno or not.

i wouldnt hope too much, most likely the wode ripper is using DVD commands incompatible with GC drive...

based on my updated WKF testing results, i dont know if ive been drinking too much or not enough....
WKF and Xeno works with no issues...maybe i was having a bad testing day which led to all kinds of crazy results and confusion....
...and without all this data having been properly documented i could not double check and confirm those crazy results...

[megalomaniac]

all testing completed

@kel01 take a look at my wode import title tests

[kel01]

That's interesting. I haven't tried any PAL games since I swapped the motherboard for an NTSC one. I will give it a try later to confirm your result.

[pr0ton]

Some intensive tests you have done there, wow.

As I'm not in the mood to reply a lot lately, I follow your progress on foot.

[megalomaniac]

well i finally did it....
i popped the cherry on my wii...


finally opened for the first time since launch day purchase...working on Wii DVD drive testing...

[megalomaniac]

Wii DVD drive verified fully functional with WKF and Wode
see test results on previous page...

also pay special attention to the WKF requirements

[MockyLock]

As I'm getting a bot confused, may I ask a question ?

Here is my goal for my cube stuff :

- Install Qoob Pro for direct accessing a HDD thru IDE-EXI using swiss, and play backup in the DVD drive for audio streaming.
- Install a WKF for playing game from WKF SD reader.

But as we can see in megalomaniac tests, WKF won't boot with Qoob (unless special manipulation).
So if I understand, I should install a Xeno too ?

And would it be possible to copy ISOs from HDD to WKF SD directly ?

[megalomaniac]

As I'm getting a bot confused, may I ask a question ?

Here is my goal for my cube stuff :

- Install Qoob Pro for direct accessing a HDD thru IDE-EXI using swiss, and play backup in the DVD drive for audio streaming.
- Install a WKF for playing game from WKF SD reader.

But as we can see in megalomaniac tests, WKF won't boot with Qoob (unless special manipulation).
So if I understand, I should install a Xeno too ?

And would it be possible to copy ISOs from HDD to WKF SD directly ?

Qoob:
all you need to do is turn WKF settings to OFF....
this will not affect WKF SD loading functionality when you boot into Original Bios...
once you change the WKF configuration setting OFF, you will never mess with the configuration ever again..
only when WKF setting in ON will you get an error message...


Move and Copy:
WKF original firmware requires an SD card in WBFS format, you cannot move or copy files to WKF WBFS SD card from within Gamecube. You will have to use WBFS manager on your PC.
Swiss on WKF flash requires an SD card in FAT format. I successfully tested moving files from IDE-EXI to SD gecko only with Swiss r94...but i never tried to move a file into WKF FAT SD card...
so not sure if its possible...and if it is possible, then the FAT SD card is only compatible with swiss, not original WKF firmware....

[MockyLock]

I should understand better when i'll have stuff in my hands, but
When you set WKF OFF, what do you really set OFF ? i thought it wad disabled, but you said it still can load game from SD.

With my WKF setted to OFF, i will have to boot my Cube on QOOB IPL, then go back to origianl IPL and then it will be able to play games from SD, right ?
BUT i will not be able to read backups for audio streaming... humm, annoying.
I'll have to add a XENO so !

About moving/copy : i should see with emu_kidid.
If files can be copied from IDE to WKF SD card using swiss, can you boot those file using swiss ?
Or you HAVE to use WKF firmware ?

Goal for all these questions is to think about the "ultimate" GC configuration, not bother everyone

I hope it will not...

[megalomaniac]

it is really confusing when you do not have the device in front of you...
but once you plug it all in and use the recommended settings for all device configurations you will understand why any deviation of recommendations will not work...

follow the recommendations and EVERYTHING WORKS...




From my tests, it appears Qoob MUST ALWAYS detect a DVD drive before it can continue...
unless there is a setting in Qoob i do not know about...

When WKF is ON, all of its patching and audio stream disabling is active and the WKF is the primary DVD device
Qoob will see the WKF as incompatible

When WKF is OFF, all patching and audio stream disabling is not active and the WKF is not the primary DVD device.
Qoob will not see the WKF. Qoob will see the GC DVD drive.

All audio streaming titles will be played from DVD with Qoob, original or backup.

to play SD from WKF:
1. DVD must be in GC drive
2. NO SD card in WKF slot
3. Power on GC
4. Qoob will initialize DVD
5. hold B to access Qoob Menu
6. when menu appears insert WKF SD card
7. boot Original Bios
8. hit pin29 switch
9. start WKF linux iso
10. choose title and play


like i said, once you have it all in front of you it will make sense

[megalomaniac]

wii dvd drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfGewS2JLM4

[pr0ton]

Video stops abruptly, don't know if supposed to end there .

[megalomaniac]

4m 48s
try again?

[MockyLock]

Aerf, it plays 1'52...

[megalomaniac]

test results updated...

wode ripper functional with wii dvd drive
10 minute dumps