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Original poster
I posted this on Assembler over 10 years ago. I wanted to repost it here since I still get messages and emails thanking me for this. I wanted to preserve it here. If that isn't allowed, please delete.
I wanted a way to read my GD-Rs without all the hassle of opening my dreamcast up and doing all that fun stuff every time I wanted to play a GD-R. Here I will show you how to make your very own "Homemade Dreamcast Debug Unit". Now this isn't going to be anything like a "real" debug unit, but you will get the idea. This is the swap trick integrated with some switches and handy work.
This mod disconnects the battery from the dreamcast and resets it. Also, it will disconnect power from the drive motor for safe removal of the disc.
You can see how the unit will operate after this mod is complete.
Link to video
Remove the controller board from the dreamcast
Unsolder on of the leg joints that holds the battery in place.
Now, solder a piece of wire to the leg and the board
Using a paperclip, cut it where it will fit on the drive henge where it is pulled down.
Trace the wires from the drive motor and cut the wires, and solder the wire to wire connected to the switch.
Drill two holes on your lid so we can mount the switches.
Your done, it should look something like this,
To use this mod, disconnect the power of the dreamcast, and press the switch that disconnect the battery power. Insert a retail game that is the same region of your dreamcast. Boot up your dreamcast when you get to the clock settings press the drive motor switch for a few seconds. The disc should be slowing down. At that point it should be safe to stop the disc. Insert your GD-R and press the select button the the screen. Your GD-R should now boot as normal.
I wanted a way to read my GD-Rs without all the hassle of opening my dreamcast up and doing all that fun stuff every time I wanted to play a GD-R. Here I will show you how to make your very own "Homemade Dreamcast Debug Unit". Now this isn't going to be anything like a "real" debug unit, but you will get the idea. This is the swap trick integrated with some switches and handy work.
This mod disconnects the battery from the dreamcast and resets it. Also, it will disconnect power from the drive motor for safe removal of the disc.
You can see how the unit will operate after this mod is complete.
Link to video
Remove the controller board from the dreamcast
Unsolder on of the leg joints that holds the battery in place.
Now, solder a piece of wire to the leg and the board
Using a paperclip, cut it where it will fit on the drive henge where it is pulled down.
Trace the wires from the drive motor and cut the wires, and solder the wire to wire connected to the switch.
Drill two holes on your lid so we can mount the switches.
Your done, it should look something like this,
To use this mod, disconnect the power of the dreamcast, and press the switch that disconnect the battery power. Insert a retail game that is the same region of your dreamcast. Boot up your dreamcast when you get to the clock settings press the drive motor switch for a few seconds. The disc should be slowing down. At that point it should be safe to stop the disc. Insert your GD-R and press the select button the the screen. Your GD-R should now boot as normal.