Does Capcom of Japan still revive dead CPS3 security carts?

[P-E]

neweravideogames used to do it but i don't know if they still do it , though they can flash any game to 3.3 asia

[Stv]

i think excellent or cosmico can send them do capcom asia.

[plopboy]

neweravideogames used to do it but i don't know if they still do it , though they can flash any game to 3.3 asia

Cheers, I check them out.

[idc]

I got a Japanese CD version A.

How do I go about reflashing it?

Access the test menu and use "Game Rewrite". The process should take around 20 minutes. DO NOT power off the board until it's fully completed rewriting.

[idc]

DO NOT power off the board until it's fully completed rewriting.

Another CPS3 myth, apparently this will not kill it.

Never been tempted to test that theory on my Euro SF3.3, however.

[HyperBolt]

I got a Japanese CD version A.

How do I go about reflashing it?

Access the test menu and use "Game Rewrite". The process should take around 20 minutes. DO NOT power off the board until it's fully completed rewriting.

Well, this didn't help me much since the menu is in japanese.
But I just referenced the menu from an emulator running the english version.

I did a simm check and it turns out only 2 of the simms were ok. Everything else was ng which I assume means Not Good.

Unfortunately, I came across an error 26 around 50%.
I did turn off the board after that since it was essentially stuck. It's still alive.
Sucks, cause now I can't play at all until it rewrites the game.
I tried it 3 times and it gets stuck at the same place.

After I come back from the back, I'm going to try reseating the simms and cleaning off the CD.
If that doesn't work, does that mean one of the simms has gone bad?

[Bay78]

thanks for answering some of my questions everyone. I appreciate it. I'm still learning of the advantages and disadvantages of a CPSIII setup. I'm going to buy the 3rd Strike kit locally here and let everyone know how that turns out. Thanks again

[idc]

I did a simm check and it turns out only 2 of the simms were ok. Everything else was ng which I assume means Not Good.

... I'm going to try reseating the simms and cleaning off the CD.
If that doesn't work, does that mean one of the simms has gone bad?

It's possible that either one or more of your SIMMs have developed a fault, or that one or more of the SIMM connectors on the motherboard have developed a fault. It's also possible that your CD-ROM drive is playing up, or your CD-ROM is damaged or dirty.

In addition to ensuring that the SIMMs and SIMM connectors are clear of dust and dirt, it would be a good idea to check that your CD-ROM is clean too.

Oh, you could also try moving the SIMMs around to see if the game rewrite fails at a different point. If it does, then it may well be a faulty SIMM. The four SIMMs on the left should all be 128MB, and the two on the right should be 64MB (info here: http://wiki.arcadeotaku.com/w/CPS3_SIMM_Layouts").

If you still experience the same problem, it's possible that your CD-ROM might be damaged, or the CD-ROM drive itself could be at fault. In that case, I'd try another CD-ROM first of all (you can use a CD-R copy - I can provide you with a disc image if necessary).

[HyperBolt]

I moved the simms around a bit and that managed to fix it.
I'm guessing they weren't inserted all the way.


But anyway, now I can go back to playing 3s!
Now all I got to worry about is that pesky suicide battery.

[ReplicaX]

Just my 2 cents added in with my experience with CPSIII and having successfully battery swapped 6 carts via Power on method.

- Your best bet, though it can be hard to find out is get a security cart that's been untampered with. No Capcom repairs or shotty work by an op or collector.
- Have real skills with soldering/desoldering. This is important, soldering/desoldering with power applied is much more sensitive than power off. Most ppl I've asked that had failed battery attempts used improper equipment and practices. You want an iron with an ESD protection circuit built in. Never use a soldering gun and there is no reason to go beyond 550F degrees. Desoldering is crucial and so is Flux. You want your pads perfectly clean and flux for best removal of old solder and perfect mending of new.
- A bench setup is ideal, however if this is impossible make sure you have a solid platform to work on and its comfortable for you to work.

I had a New generation cart lying around and decided to mess with "sensitivity" towards the cart. Flashed the game in, removed the battery Power on condition, inserted a new battery reverse polarity, Powered down. Power on within 30secs, garbled screen, desoldered and resoldered to correct polarity, recycled power, game 100%. Did this 2 times with the same outcome.

If you are having issues or glitches or even think your cart is dead always do this first.
- Remove and reseat your Simms in a different order and reseat your security cart. From moving, shipping etc. CPSIII hardware and its Simm holders can only take so much.
- Power on and see if you can get the CPSIII menu, do a reflash of the game.
- If no CPSIII menu, recycle power. If you still arent getting a CPSIII Menu repeat the steps to ensure it is actually an issue.
- If you still are having issues ingame, do a SIMM check. It is highly possible you have a bad SIMM.

[thegreathopper]

Just my 2 cents added in with my experience with CPSIII and having successfully battery swapped 6 carts via Power on method.

- Have real skills with soldering/desoldering. This is important, soldering/desoldering with power applied is much more sensitive than power off. Most ppl I've asked that had failed battery attempts used improper equipment and practices. You want an iron with an ESD protection circuit built in. Never use a soldering gun and there is no reason to go beyond 550F degrees.

Very interesting post, In your opinion would a gas powered soldering iron be suitable to do this work or is a ESD solder station the only option.

[ReplicaX]

Very interesting post, In your opinion would a gas powered soldering iron be suitable to do this work or is a ESD solder station the only option.

I really only recommend Solder Stations /w ESD. The main problem with Gas/Butane irons is they lack a thermocouple to control the temp and usually don't have ESD standards.

A good example as far as a standard station is the Weller WES51. Link
It has all the standard ESD compliances, Adjustable temp, and offers an assortment of different tips.

If you wanna invest more in an iron there are higher grade products from Weller, Hakko, Xytronic, etc.

The last thing you want to happen is a static charge hitting that custom SH2 chip.

[thegreathopper]

Thanks for the reply I will have a look at ESD Soldering stations.

[HyperBolt]

Sorry if this is already been asked before...

but what would happen if you sent Capcom of Japan a US region cart swapped with a Japan region case?
Is there text on the PCB that says what region it's from?

I'm guessing yes, but I'm more curious if someone actually did a case swap and managed to get a US(Or Asia) cart revived into a Japanese cart.

[Stv]

Sorry if this is already been asked before...

but what would happen if you sent Capcom of Japan a US region cart swapped with a Japan region case?
Is there text on the PCB that says what region it's from?

I'm guessing yes, but I'm more curious if someone actually did a case swap and managed to get a US(Or Asia) cart revived into a Japanese cart.

nice question

[Stv]

just opened my two sf3.3 usa and Japanese and carts pcbs seems identical.

[idc]

Sorry if this is already been asked before...

but what would happen if you sent Capcom of Japan a US region cart swapped with a Japan region case?
Is there text on the PCB that says what region it's from?

I'm guessing yes, but I'm more curious if someone actually did a case swap and managed to get a US(Or Asia) cart revived into a Japanese cart.

Carts are identical inside as far as I can tell, regardless of region. I'd expect that a US cart in a Japanese case would come back flashed as Japan region, but who knows without trying it?

[sneek]

Its worked for me before...

They didn't even question the changed battery either.

[Stv]

Its worked for me before...

They didn't even question the changed battery either.

what shop/company you used as middleman?

[plopboy]

Does the artwork on the front of the carts match? If so I wonder if you could get away with taking the back label off and sending a cart in like that ?