Tri-Force Netboot troubles! :(

[joeks]

I am having the HARDEST time trying to get my Tri-Force (Type 3 Export 512 MB) to Netboot.
Had Mario Kart GP 2 working one time, played a couple of cups. But then the next day I couldn't get it to work.

I am using a Macbook Pro with Windows 8 (Dual-booted) connected through cross-cable UTP.
Even bought a new set of crossed cables just to be sure it wasn't a dodgy cable, and tried it with a router and normal UTP too. Same result.

My IP-settings are as following:

Windows 8 Ethernet IP and Subnetmask
192.168.1.1
255.255.255.0

Tri-Force Ethernet IP and Subnetmask
192.168.1.2
255.255.255.0

(I don't need to fill in DNS and Gateway do I? The one time I had it working I didn't fill it in either)

Most of the time, I can ping the Tri-Force just fine.
So, then I enter the command "Transfergame 192.168.1.2 mariokartgp2.bin" and some text appears on screen, looks like it doing something.
After a few seconds, it returns to the command prompt. Nothing happend.
The strange thing is, after this, I can NOT ping it anymore! Can't find the Tri-Force.
So I reboot the cabinet manually and can start over. Pings it just fine so I can try again, only to fail again.

I have a Netboot security chip btw. Can It have something to do with a defect chip maybe?

Ran all the memory checks available in the Tri-Force bios menu. They all come up with OK.

I took a few pics of the Tri-Force so you can see the DIPS and switches.
Don't know if they are in the correct position so any help is much appreciated!

The sad part, saturday I am throwing a huge arcade party in my garage,
I can't have my brand new Sega JVS racer out of order!









** UPDATE **
I DID get netbooting working on my Naomi 2 just now, so nothing wrong with IP settings or cables.
With my Naomi 2 I could see the TransferGame program sending data to the Naomi Net Dimm (see pic below).
I can't see that with my Tri-Force setup.

[KmanSweden]

Try adding -f after the filename to force the netboot. Might help.

[joeks]

Thanks, will try that tonight.

[andygeezer]

Sounds more like an iffy network board in the triforce.

[joeks]

Sounds more like an iffy network board in the triforce.

Replacing a networkboard requires soldering I guess? Because I have another Type 3 here with a faulty video-card.
I could swap the network board or just get another complete Tri-Force maybe.

So are the dips and switches set correctly for net booting?
And can a malfunctioning (or missing) netboot chip cause these errors? Or should I be able to at least get in-game with or without the correct netboot chip?
I put the netboot chip I got for my Naomi 2 in there, but some legs got nearly torn off while removing it from the Naomi I could just bend it straight neatly but they almost broke off.

Thanks a lot, I really want this thing running soon

[KmanSweden]

My Triforce does the same..
It Netbooted the game once (first try) then said "Can't find GD-Rom drive".
So I changed the dip after some googeling and after that it hasn't netbooted anything.



EDIT: Scratch that. I'm netbooting it like crazy now.

[decapitate85]

I have exactly the same error. How did you solve it?

[leonardoliveira]

Suggestion: Temporarily set the locale of your computer as Japan, that will make it use graphical mode and Shift-JIS console which allow you to see the error messages properly.

You can then copy them with the cursor and drop them here or at google translate.