Sega-Naomi

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful replies in the original thread. Didn't think it wise to overburden a single thread since my next round of questions should be a bit more technical.



I've seen a good number of Naomi's for sale thus far advertised as suffering from "Error 01". Having plowed through the forum here though it seems that specific error is due to either or both an incompatible BIOS & game combination or a damaged game cartridge/PCB. Since this was the case I found and ordered a used Naomi that a seller had listed as "defective Naomi gives error 01". It was about $35 shipped, but I figure if nothing else it gives me a Naomi to experiment with making a power supply on. But here's the thing, before buying I couldn't help but notice in the seller's picture that there isn't a BIOS chip on the Naomi!



1. Will a NAOMI post without a BIOS chip?



2. And if yes, does it give "Error 01" under when posted undr that condition?



3. In theory, if a Revision "G" BIOS chip is installed onto a Naomi, will it work with all previously released Naomi games? Or must the games be paired up with a specific BIOS chip to work?



Concerning Naomi DIMM Modules



4. Are both models (original and netplay) able to be upgraded to firmware version 3.17?



5. I've seen various RAM capacities of both models of DIMM being advertised; 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB. Are the RAM sticks/chips contained within the DIMM modules user replaceable?

Ah! Another barrage of questions!! :smt005



Here we go:



1) Naomi will not post without a bios chip just like a pc would not.



2) Because of answer #1, no post=no error.



3) All bios editions are backwards compatible.



4) No. The non-net version will give an error when attempting to upgrade.



5) The memory is user replaceable since it uses standard PC100 memory chps. As far as I've tested, the Naomi system only recognizes up to 512MB even though more is installed. Later Sega systems like the Chihiro can accept more which is why you sometimes see higher capacities.

Ouch, well sounds like I've overpaid for the NAOMI sans-BIOS chip then with that being the case. Would be kind of helpful is it would post when I'm trying to wire up a power supply to work with it. :/



7. Does the Chihiro use the same DIMM module(s) as the Naomi?



8. Aside from the obvious inability to use the NetPlay feature, is their any other disadvantage, such as outright incompatibility with a paticular game, to using the original model DIMM?



9. Concerning the Naomi that I've ordered. Is there anything else that could cause "Error 01" other than a bad BIOS chip or an incompatible revision BIOS chip and game combination?



10. Someone who's helping me import a copy of Melty Blood: Act Credenza (GD-ROM) was chastising me the other day for agreeing to buy a copy from a vendor that doesn't include a license card. The copy I'm getting is original disc with security key/cart in case. He never did would ellaborate on that matter when I asked, so any idea what he meant by a license card?

7) Yes, the same.



The only game of concern would be Virtua Fighter: Final Tuned. Other than that, every other game would run fine.



9) The game used could be malfunctioning. The Naomi would see not being able to read the game as 'incompatible'.



10) License card? No idea. It's not like you'd need one to run a game. :smt102

Now hideously over budget, and still more questions. :smt010



11. Is there any paticular website that sells the "Sun" power supplies? Had planned to modify a regular ATX power supply using a diagram on this site. But, for one thing I've never seen power connectors like the one on the Naomi ever before. And secondly, I've read conflicting messages on this very message board, mostly negative, about using a standard ATX power supply.



12. What is the weird looking slot connector that resembles an ISA connection on the Sega JVS to JAMMA I/O Board for?



13. Is there any place, aside from irepairsega.com, that offers GD-ROM repair service? Would like to have some pricing options open for this.

game_player_s wrote:



11. Is there any paticular website that sells the "Sun" power supplies?

Best place to buy these is right here on this forum. Check out the Market section. If one is not for sale right now, place a WTB (Want To Buy) for one. They come fairly cheap.

game_player_s wrote:
12. What is the weird looking slot connector that resembles an ISA connection on the Sega JVS to JAMMA I/O Board for?

That is the JAMMA connector, used to convert the cabinet controls to the Naomi, and to convert the video output from the Naomi to the cabinet. The I/O is meant to be placed in a cabinet with a JAMMA connection. Ofcourse, you can also connect a Supergun to the JAMMA interface to connect the Naomi to a TV-set, for example. The I/O is connected to the Naomi through a USB-type connection (JVS). Be aware, it is not a standard PC USB connection, it just uses the same connector.

game_player_s wrote:
13. Is there any place, aside from irepairsega.com, that offers GD-ROM repair service? Would like to have some pricing options open for this.

You can check out http://giz10p.co.uk (or PM Ordyne on this forum), or check AndyGeezer (same alias on this forum) at www.andygeezerservices.co.uk