Initial D Card Reader - Problem solved (with mini guide)

[Spectre]

I've been trying to get a card reader to work in my initial d upright conversion for around 6 months now and I'm just about ready to smash the whole thing up with a club hammer. Today I received a new (to me) card reader, but still no joy, so have just pulled the entire setup from my cab and been through it with a fine tooth comb (again). It is beyond me to find anything wrong with the setup and I can't simply keep throwing money at this problem in the hope of stumbling upon a fix. My setup;

card reader connected to 12v card reader psu, 5v output from the n2 mobo, serial connection going to cn8 on the n2 mobo.
12v at the card reader metered at 12.10
5v at the card reader metered at 4.95, 5v going into to the mobo metered at 5.05
continuity from card reader serial all the way back to mobo cn8 tested, all good

Upon boot-up (I have idas2 and 3), the card reader clicks into life and makes the expected whirring noise (I previously had a sit-down which did the same). I then get the black screen "card r/w error" message. If I go into the game test menu and try to initialise the card reader there, same thing.

My n2 mobo has the blue jumpers set for serial tx/rx and has the serial sticker on the mobo to confirm it is supported. I have tried two different motherboards set this way, same result.

I have tried three different card readers, same result.

I have tried connecting the 5v to the output on the i/o board instead, same result.

I have tried upping the +5v very slightly so it reads dead on 5v at the card reader, same result.

Please, for the love of god, can anybody help?

[andygeezer]

I'll sort it for you.

[LorisBiaggi]

I would like to make upright conversion too... but this card reader seem to be a real pain in the ****.
I wish you to realize it, but please then write a small guide so everyone can do it too

[Spectre]

Well the expert is going to take a look for me, so if it can be fixed I'm sure it will

[Spectre]

Fixed, serial cable had all the pins switched around for some unknown reason. Guess I should have checked the pinout really, but had no reason to think the cable would have been played with

[Spectre]

For others trying to install a card reader in a cab other than a sega sitdown which already has everything in place (hopefully), you need;

Naomi 2 motherboard which supports serial (see here http://www.sega-naomi.com/forum/viewtop ... daf5#29241)
Card reader with short loom to 12 pin amp up
Card reader psu (LCA75S-12)
Reader loom, 12 pin amp up with; grey 6 core serial cable to motherboard (cn8) 6 pin jst-nh, 6 pin jst-vh to +12v out on card reader psu, plus a source of +5v (to cn1 pin1 on the card reader). You can get +5v from your jvs psu, or use a 4 pin jst-nh to the +5v output on either the motherboard or jvs i/o.
5 pin jst-vh from card reader to transformer (110vac)

Be sure that the serial connection follows the correct pinout on both the card reader end and the motherboard end or you will get "card r/w error". It is not straight through, the pins swap around at the motherboard end.

Use the initial d wiring diagram for your loom.


To physically install the reader in a naomi upright driver, you will need a rotary tool (dremmel) to cut a slot for the card input, plus a drill with some hss bits to make holes through the bottom of the dash which you can bolt the reader to.


Slot dremmeled into the side. You have to cut into the "groove" where the legs of the cab go in order for the card input to sit flush. A bit fiddly, but no big deal.


Two bolts fitted through the bottom of the dash to secure the reader in place (bottom of picture).

[LorisBiaggi]

Thanks!

[outrun2]

Great info - I know there's a few guys out there that have had problems installing a card reader into an upright cab

The drive board cable (sitdown cab) crosses over as well.