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Sega Naomi CF Boot (modded GDrom DIMM) boots to black screen only

Maxisoft2

Maxisoft2

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Dear fellow Na-omees,

I figured since this is something that got asked in most of the other CF boot threads, but always without a definite answer - I would like to pick up this question in a separate thread in the hopes of finding a solution:
  • I modded two GDrom DIMM boards by exactly following Tyler Durden's tutorial from the sticky thread, using my netboot daughterboard
  • The mod was successful, updating both dimms to the new 4.01 firmware that features CF compatibility
  • Both DIMMs are equipped with zero keys (PIC version for GDROM and CF boot, I double checked)
  • Both DIMMs do work fine and as expected with my "regular" GDRom drive
Now we get to the tricky part
  • Using the modded GDRom DIMM I tried booting various brands of CF cards using one pre-made Naomi CF reader and one that I hand-soldered myself
  • Whenever a CF reader is attached to any one of the two DIMM boards, the naomi will start, not show any boot logo, and directly go to a black screen only
  • If I remove the CF card from the reader I will get an error 25 - CAN NOT ACCESS GD-ROM DRIVE
  • I get the same error 25 (obviously) when unplugging the GDROM cable and fully disconnecting the reader
What did I already try / check?
  • I tried different brands of CF cards, all containing the games copied with the Naomitools.exe and a CF->IDE adapter. Also tried only getting the security code that way and then USB-copying. No difference.
  • I re-seated the modded DIMMs around a hundred times, to no avail
  • I took Naomi and DIMM board and attached it to one of my other Naomi Universal cabs (I have three), no change
  • All voltages from my SUN PSU are spot-on
  • I tried powering the CF reader from the lead that usually powers the GDRom drive, as well as the Naomi's Filterboard. No difference.
  • I tried my Naomi 2 and my Naomi 1, both running the recent multi-region bios
  • I swapped between different GDRom cables, which made no difference
  • I swapped between different CF brands (actually bought those advised in the CF compatibility thread), which made no difference
  • I tried booting with a different security pic I had around, still black screen only

NAOMI has really left me depressed recently... I seem to be out of luck! Does anybody have another idea for me to try to get it to work? I'm at the end of my wits....

Looking forward to your insights -

Thanks &
Best
Max
 

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Hola,

I made this mod 1 month ago and i hadnt any problem. Now I am preparing other. If you want send me pm and I will listing you all the steps I do.
 
Hey InitialNik,

Thanks for your offer! I have actually tried another brand of CF card (CISCO 512MB) which now gets past the blackness. I do however now always get Error 26... I will try to research this further and update this thread.

It's actually insane that a wrong CF card can stop a Naomi from switching on altogether... But to be honest this hardware doesn't really make me wonder anymore, it's just extremely picky with everything X_X

Best!
 
Just to let you all know: The security PIC that is shared on this forums (.BIN file for CF boot) is not working in my case. I had to burn everything from the .HEX file you can find in other places on the internet - and then everything works GREAT.

Best!
 
@Maxisoft2, what did you use to burn the .bin file?

Many people, including me, have no issues with it.
 
GQ-4x4 writer with the correct settings as specified in the post :) !
 
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