USB voltage?

[Snark]

I just received my MD-PRO flash kit (it's basically a flash card for the Megadrive) and the site says:

# PCB fit original Genesis/MegaDrive 16Bits cartridge, easy to modify original cartridge case to fit it.
# No power supply needed, use USB port to get power. *** You must sure your USB port output is 5V, If not, will damage the card
# EPP printer port supported. Don't use SPP/ECP port

The part in red is what interest me. So how do I determine what voltage is my USB port???

P.s If anyone else has the MD-PRO I would greatly appreciate any help.

[Agozer]

Doesn't USB use 5V right of the bat?

EDIT: Ok, phonymike explained it.

[Snark]

that just means they didn't use a voltage regulator or something, so to wash their hands of liability they say that. the usb standard is 5 volts, but if you're using a shitty hub plugged directly into the wall (no surge protection) and get hit by lightning, it just might damage the card. if you really want to check the voltage, grab a multi meter and google usb voltage diagram or smth.

Allright. good to know.

Now, maybe I'm just lazy but while I'm here: What are the differences between EPP, SPP/ECP ports???

[Gil_Hamilton]

that just means they didn't use a voltage regulator or something, so to wash their hands of liability they say that. the usb standard is 5 volts, but if you're using a shitty hub plugged directly into the wall (no surge protection) and get hit by lightning, it just might damage the card. if you really want to check the voltage, grab a multi meter and google usb voltage diagram or smth.

Allright. good to know.

Now, maybe I'm just lazy but while I'm here: What are the differences between EPP, SPP/ECP ports???

Capabilitiies, mainly.

The original parallel port standard was SPP(Standard Parallel Port). It's output only, and SLOW(but not as slow as the serial port).
EPP(Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP(Extended Capability Port) are bidirectional, and much faster, standards.
ECP also uses direct memory access and data compression to speed things up more.


The mode of your parallel port can probably be changed in your BIOS setup.

[Snark]

The original parallel port standard was SPP(Standard Parallel Port). It's output only, and SLOW(but not as slow as the serial port).
EPP(Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP(Extended Capability Port) are bidirectional, and much faster, standards.
ECP also uses direct memory access and data compression to speed things up more.


The mode of your parallel port can probably be changed in your BIOS setup.

Ah thanks. And finally (hopefully) are there different types of paralell cables? I mean like the difference between standard ethernet cables and crossover cables. In appearence, they look identical (save for the color) and fit the same exact way but are still not the same.

I'm asking because I can't seem to get this thing to detect the cart/programmer no matter what settings I choose in the BIOS...

[Gil_Hamilton]

The original parallel port standard was SPP(Standard Parallel Port). It's output only, and SLOW(but not as slow as the serial port).
EPP(Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP(Extended Capability Port) are bidirectional, and much faster, standards.
ECP also uses direct memory access and data compression to speed things up more.


The mode of your parallel port can probably be changed in your BIOS setup.

Ah thanks. And finally (hopefully) are there different types of paralell cables? I mean like the difference between standard ethernet cables and crossover cables. In appearence, they look identical (save for the color) and fit the same exact way but are still not the same.

I'm asking because I can't seem to get this thing to detect the cart/programmer no matter what settings I choose in the BIOS...

As far as I know, the only 2 kinds of parallel cable(ignoring connector variants) are 1-way and bidirectional.

[Snark]

The original parallel port standard was SPP(Standard Parallel Port). It's output only, and SLOW(but not as slow as the serial port).
EPP(Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP(Extended Capability Port) are bidirectional, and much faster, standards.
ECP also uses direct memory access and data compression to speed things up more.


The mode of your parallel port can probably be changed in your BIOS setup.

Ah thanks. And finally (hopefully) are there different types of paralell cables? I mean like the difference between standard ethernet cables and crossover cables. In appearence, they look identical (save for the color) and fit the same exact way but are still not the same.

I'm asking because I can't seem to get this thing to detect the cart/programmer no matter what settings I choose in the BIOS...

As far as I know, the only 2 kinds of parallel cable(ignoring connector variants) are 1-way and bidirectional.

Ah I see. I must have bought a 1-way cable...
Are there any situations one would specifically need a 1-way cable?

[whicker]

The original parallel port standard was SPP(Standard Parallel Port). It's output only, and SLOW(but not as slow as the serial port).
EPP(Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP(Extended Capability Port) are bidirectional, and much faster, standards.
ECP also uses direct memory access and data compression to speed things up more.


The mode of your parallel port can probably be changed in your BIOS setup.

Ah thanks. And finally (hopefully) are there different types of paralell cables? I mean like the difference between standard ethernet cables and crossover cables. In appearence, they look identical (save for the color) and fit the same exact way but are still not the same.

I'm asking because I can't seem to get this thing to detect the cart/programmer no matter what settings I choose in the BIOS...

As far as I know, the only 2 kinds of parallel cable(ignoring connector variants) are 1-way and bidirectional.

Ah I see. I must have bought a 1-way cable...
Are there any situations one would specifically need a 1-way cable?

The Epson MX80 dot-matrix printer works fine with virtually any functioning cable. So long as they remembered to include the paper jam signal.

Anyway.

What OS are you using? Is there any specification about WHAT versions, I assume Windows, the programming software is compatible with?

Simple explanation is that Windows XP and 2000 will not let any program arbitrarily allow direct access to a port on the computer, unless you are using a driver (or some programming language that automatically sets things up for you).


Try this link below. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't.

http://www.beyondlogic.org/porttalk/porttalk.htm

Please don't get frustrated that you may have to learn a ton of new things in order to get this working.


It's hard when you've got the software, the cable, and the device all as the suspect.

[Snark]

The Epson MX80 dot-matrix printer works fine with virtually any functioning cable. So long as they remembered to include the paper jam signal.

Anyway.

What OS are you using? Is there any specification about WHAT versions, I assume Windows, the programming software is compatible with?

Simple explanation is that Windows XP and 2000 will not let any program arbitrarily allow direct access to a port on the computer, unless you are using a driver (or some programming language that automatically sets things up for you).


Try this link below. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't.

http://www.beyondlogic.org/porttalk/porttalk.htm

Please don't get frustrated that you may have to learn a ton of new things in order to get this working.


It's hard when you've got the software, the cable, and the device all as the suspect.

Oh, not getting frustarted, it's how I learn. I'll have the bidirectional cable in the next few days, so that should solve the issues. Using XP for the record but tried 98 with same results.

I'll keep in mind win98 would be better suited for it when I try with the new cable, I'll also try the PortTalk driver with XP in case.

Fortunately, the device is supported by [ucon64] (software plug) which support a good number of similar (older) backup devices/copier/programmers so it doesn't have to be entirely dependant of proprietary software.

[PHoNyMiKe]

is the board glitching, or is some asshole deleting my awesome posts again?

[Snark]

Hah...finally got this thing to recognize the cart.

I must say the thing works beautifully...You don't even have to start the game via some "start menu" or anything if you flash only one game. Put a sticker on the cart and for all intend and purposes, you have the "original" game.

[Snark]

Any utilities out there to convert a NTSC JP region Megadrive roms to US?

Of course, if you're playing with an emulator, that would be pointless anyway but I'm using a Megadrive flash cart and the region protection is still in effect when you're trying to play foreign region games.

edit: Nevermind. Included in the writer program doh