xodaraP
Legendary
A lot of people have been asking me recently how to make CPS2 conversions. This information is out there, but it does need to be put together. I have asked the mod team and they have given me the go ahead, so here it is
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU BREAK YOUR BOARD ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A CONVERSION I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY. THIS INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED AS INFORMATION ONLY AND ALL WORK IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Things you will need:
- A donor B board, any B board is fine
- EPROMs of the correct size for the game you want to convert (or 32mbit can be used for any game)
- GAL16V8 to burn the appropriate PAL for the game you want to convert to (or G can be used as a universal donor)
- A programmer that supports up to 32mbit EPROMs
- Soldering iron, braid and a sharp knife for setting jumpers
This guide assumes:
- You know how to burn an EPROM
- You know how to burn a PAL
- You have access to the ROM files for the conversion you want to create
- You know how to use a command prompt (or Terminal on macOS)
- You know how to use a soldering iron
- You know how to set CPS2 jumpers
- Your donor B board is working correctly
ROM types:
ROM 1 and 2 - QSound Program
ROM 3-10 - Main Program
ROM 11 and 12 - Sound Samples
ROM 13 to 20 - Mask ROMs
EPROM types required:
27C010/1001 - 1mbit for Q Sound program
27C4096 - 4mbit for main program
27C400 - 4mb mask ROM pinout EPROMs for graphics
27C800 - 8mb mask ROM pinout EPROMs for graphics
27C160 - 16mb EPROMs for sound samples and graphics
27C322 - 32mb for sound samples and graphics
ALL CPS2 GAMES USE 27C4096 FOR MAIN PROGRAM CODE
Step 1 - Prepare donor board
Strip your B board of all EPROMs, mask ROMs and PAL3 (unless this is already the correct PAL for the game you want to convert)
Step 2 - Burn your EPROMs
As I explained, there are multiple ways to go about this. If you want to use 32mbit EPROMs and a PAL G then you will need to combine the MAME ROM files into a 32mbit EPROM.
This will depend on the game. I have used Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom as my example.
Step 2a - PAL G - Configuring ROM files to burn
128kb - 1mbit
256kb - 2mbit
512kb - 4mbit
1mb - 8mbit
2mb - 16mbit
4mb - 32mbit
Looking at the available filesizes for the game, you can determine what will need to be combined in order to create 32mbit EPROMs. The CPS2 bank switches between 2 ROMs normally so we are simply combining these into 1, which then goes into the first socket for that pair.
For example, Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom:
ROM 11 - 2mb (16mbit)
ROM 12 - 2mb (16mbit)
When these are combined, we get a 32mbit EPROM. Socket 12 can be left empty and the 32Mbit EPROM installed in socket 11
With this method, we can also create the mask ROMs. This is where we use another method because in this case
ROM 13 - 2mb (16mbit)
ROM 14 - 1mb (8mbit)
"So we can combine in ROM 15?" - no. ROM 13 and 14 are bank switched, so these need to be combined and 15 and 16 need to be combined. The exclusion to this rule are the games with daughterboards. I haven't actually tried to convert to any of the games that use daughterboards, but I believe on these games you can combine 4 mask ROMs into each 1 graphics ROM.
The solution for D&D:ToD?
Combine ROM 14 with ROM 14 creating a double size ROM 14
Combine ROM 13 with the now double size ROM 14
We now have a 32mbit mask ROM for socket 13
Main program and Q Sound ROMs CANNOT be combined. Why? Because the maximum size for main program is 4mbit and the maximum size for QSound is 1mbit. The only jumpers you can set for sockets 1-10 are to set JEDEC or non JEDEC ROM pinout
Step 3 - Setting the jumpers
If you want to use the original PAL for the game, then you will need to use the correct EPROM sizes to match the size for that game. You will also need to set the jumpers appropriately for the game you are trying to convert to. Here is a list of all games and their jumper settings:
http://petes-emulation.com/ftp/acm/docs/jumper_data_settings.xls
Here is the information page on how the jumpers work. You will need to make sure if you are using EPROMs, that you have the jumpers set for EPROMs not mask ROMs.
For PAL G this is not an issue (32mbit mask ROMs are the same pinout as EPROMs) - 4mbit and 8mbit ROMs are available in a mask ROM pinout (27C400/27C800) or EPROM pinout (27C040/27C080/801) - do NOT mix these up.
I'm not going into detail on how to set these for every single game, using the spreadsheet above if you are converting to games that use 4mbit or 8mbit mask ROMs and you want to use the original PAL/not combine into larger EPROMs, make sure you use the mask ROM pinout
http://wiki.pcbotaku.com/wiki/CPS2_Eprom_and_Jumper_details
The spreadsheet jumper settings also assume you are using 27C1001/010 type 1mbit EPROMs. You will need to reverse the jumpers for sockets 1 and 2 if you are using 27C1000 type.
Step 4 - Double check your work
- Have you installed your EPROMs the correct way around and in the correct positions
- Do you have the correct PAL installed at PAL3
- Do you have a jumper wire installed if you are using a PAL G on rev 3/4 boards
- Have you configured your jumpers correctly and confirmed continuity/open as required
- Have you installed an InfiniKey configured correctly or flashed keys to the board for the new game you want to play?
- Have you prayed to the arcade gods today?
If you have done everything correctly - fire it up and you should have your newly converted game!
If not:
- Solid colour screen - Suicide screen. Install an InfiniKey/flash keys to board. Short EXC5 if board was previously running another game on battery/InfiniKey
- White screen - Main program not being read. Check your main program ROMs or reseat board
- Solid grey/dark blue - Encryption keys not valid. See above.
- Jailbars/missing sprites - Reseat boards/check graphics ROMs
- Sound is messed up - You are running a PAL G and you haven't installed the jumper wire on rev 3/4 board
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU BREAK YOUR BOARD ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A CONVERSION I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY. THIS INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED AS INFORMATION ONLY AND ALL WORK IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Things you will need:
- A donor B board, any B board is fine
- EPROMs of the correct size for the game you want to convert (or 32mbit can be used for any game)
- GAL16V8 to burn the appropriate PAL for the game you want to convert to (or G can be used as a universal donor)
- A programmer that supports up to 32mbit EPROMs
- Soldering iron, braid and a sharp knife for setting jumpers
This guide assumes:
- You know how to burn an EPROM
- You know how to burn a PAL
- You have access to the ROM files for the conversion you want to create
- You know how to use a command prompt (or Terminal on macOS)
- You know how to use a soldering iron
- You know how to set CPS2 jumpers
- Your donor B board is working correctly
ROM types:
ROM 1 and 2 - QSound Program
ROM 3-10 - Main Program
ROM 11 and 12 - Sound Samples
ROM 13 to 20 - Mask ROMs
EPROM types required:
27C010/1001 - 1mbit for Q Sound program
27C4096 - 4mbit for main program
27C400 - 4mb mask ROM pinout EPROMs for graphics
27C800 - 8mb mask ROM pinout EPROMs for graphics
27C160 - 16mb EPROMs for sound samples and graphics
27C322 - 32mb for sound samples and graphics
ALL CPS2 GAMES USE 27C4096 FOR MAIN PROGRAM CODE
Step 1 - Prepare donor board
Strip your B board of all EPROMs, mask ROMs and PAL3 (unless this is already the correct PAL for the game you want to convert)
Step 2 - Burn your EPROMs
As I explained, there are multiple ways to go about this. If you want to use 32mbit EPROMs and a PAL G then you will need to combine the MAME ROM files into a 32mbit EPROM.
This will depend on the game. I have used Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom as my example.
Step 2a - PAL G - Configuring ROM files to burn
128kb - 1mbit
256kb - 2mbit
512kb - 4mbit
1mb - 8mbit
2mb - 16mbit
4mb - 32mbit
Looking at the available filesizes for the game, you can determine what will need to be combined in order to create 32mbit EPROMs. The CPS2 bank switches between 2 ROMs normally so we are simply combining these into 1, which then goes into the first socket for that pair.
For example, Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom:
ROM 11 - 2mb (16mbit)
ROM 12 - 2mb (16mbit)
When these are combined, we get a 32mbit EPROM. Socket 12 can be left empty and the 32Mbit EPROM installed in socket 11
With this method, we can also create the mask ROMs. This is where we use another method because in this case
ROM 13 - 2mb (16mbit)
ROM 14 - 1mb (8mbit)
"So we can combine in ROM 15?" - no. ROM 13 and 14 are bank switched, so these need to be combined and 15 and 16 need to be combined. The exclusion to this rule are the games with daughterboards. I haven't actually tried to convert to any of the games that use daughterboards, but I believe on these games you can combine 4 mask ROMs into each 1 graphics ROM.
The solution for D&D:ToD?
Combine ROM 14 with ROM 14 creating a double size ROM 14
Combine ROM 13 with the now double size ROM 14
We now have a 32mbit mask ROM for socket 13
Main program and Q Sound ROMs CANNOT be combined. Why? Because the maximum size for main program is 4mbit and the maximum size for QSound is 1mbit. The only jumpers you can set for sockets 1-10 are to set JEDEC or non JEDEC ROM pinout
Step 3 - Setting the jumpers
If you want to use the original PAL for the game, then you will need to use the correct EPROM sizes to match the size for that game. You will also need to set the jumpers appropriately for the game you are trying to convert to. Here is a list of all games and their jumper settings:
http://petes-emulation.com/ftp/acm/docs/jumper_data_settings.xls
Here is the information page on how the jumpers work. You will need to make sure if you are using EPROMs, that you have the jumpers set for EPROMs not mask ROMs.
For PAL G this is not an issue (32mbit mask ROMs are the same pinout as EPROMs) - 4mbit and 8mbit ROMs are available in a mask ROM pinout (27C400/27C800) or EPROM pinout (27C040/27C080/801) - do NOT mix these up.
I'm not going into detail on how to set these for every single game, using the spreadsheet above if you are converting to games that use 4mbit or 8mbit mask ROMs and you want to use the original PAL/not combine into larger EPROMs, make sure you use the mask ROM pinout
http://wiki.pcbotaku.com/wiki/CPS2_Eprom_and_Jumper_details
The spreadsheet jumper settings also assume you are using 27C1001/010 type 1mbit EPROMs. You will need to reverse the jumpers for sockets 1 and 2 if you are using 27C1000 type.
Step 4 - Double check your work
- Have you installed your EPROMs the correct way around and in the correct positions
- Do you have the correct PAL installed at PAL3
- Do you have a jumper wire installed if you are using a PAL G on rev 3/4 boards
- Have you configured your jumpers correctly and confirmed continuity/open as required
- Have you installed an InfiniKey configured correctly or flashed keys to the board for the new game you want to play?
- Have you prayed to the arcade gods today?
If you have done everything correctly - fire it up and you should have your newly converted game!
If not:
- Solid colour screen - Suicide screen. Install an InfiniKey/flash keys to board. Short EXC5 if board was previously running another game on battery/InfiniKey
- White screen - Main program not being read. Check your main program ROMs or reseat board
- Solid grey/dark blue - Encryption keys not valid. See above.
- Jailbars/missing sprites - Reseat boards/check graphics ROMs
- Sound is messed up - You are running a PAL G and you haven't installed the jumper wire on rev 3/4 board
Enjoy!