Problem burning PAL to GAL.

[KmanSweden]

I'm using my Wellon VP-280.
Trying to program a CPS2-BGSB3B from JAMMArcade to a GAL16V8B for a Eco Fighter.
Programing seems to go just fine but I'm ending up with a black screen.
ROMs work in mame. Jumpers triple checked. Any ideas? Is there any magic needed when going from PAL to GAL?

Cheers.

[AeroCityMayor]

**cough** JEDUTIL **cough**

[KmanSweden]

No go.
Doesn't work.. think it might be GAL'ed already. Maybe my programer and me have some "lost in translation" going on..

[porchio]

Your right. It's in JED format and ready to burn to a GAL

[invzim]

No go.
Doesn't work.. think it might be GAL'ed already. Maybe my programer and me have some "lost in translation" going on..

Did you get this sorted? I also seem to have some GAL issues with the VP280, PAL F image seem to work ok tho..

[leonardoliveira]

I had problems with the "B" JED file. It would cause the odd graphics chips bank select pins (13 and 17) to be held high, causing half of the text characters at the version/region and warning screens not be displayed. The pin would start working after 4 seconds (which was exactly at the time when the game shows the Q SOUND copyright screen) the image stabilizes and from that point onwards the chip works properly.

Very odd.

I used original Lattice GAL16V8 chips. I ended using another PAL JED code which worked correctly (I think it was "D" or "E" or even "f" as suggested on previous post. I just tried all of them and settled with an alternative one that worked). The mentioned game (Ultimate Ecology/Eco Warriors) game requires banking at 2MB for sound (2MB MASK ROMs on sound bank 0 and 1) and 2MB banking for graphics (2MB MASK ROMs on character bank 0, 1MB maskroms on bank 1)

GAL chips can be setup to have registers and counters, right ? Perhaps by some mishap with the programs we're using these odd effects happen ?


Funny when I stopped using the "B" JED file the problems went away.

[KmanSweden]

Thanks for asking.
I got some friendly advice and ended up burning myself a "G".
I thought my Wellon VP-280 messed things up while burning GALs (it was my first try burning GALs) but the problem was actually with my ROMs and Eproms.
After combining some of the Roms, to fit more snuggly on my Eproms, Eco Fighters started up nicely with the G gal. (Again thanks for the help, you know who you are. )
I have to say I learned a lot in the process. I'd managed to make myself a Progear and a Dimahoo before but this was my first trans-PAL-conversion if you don't count the F-to-G-with-a-wire method.

[porchio]

Nice to know the G actually works for other people too. Thanks for testing.
I can confirm that the B gal file worked fine for me but only tested it on the one game. Can anyone confirm if an original Eco Fighters uses a B pal or not?

As far as I know none of the BGSB3x pals are used in registered mode. Of course I may be wrong about this but personally had no problems.

If anyone does have any problems or success with any files I've made then please do let me know. It helps to determine if the file is at fault or something else.

Thanks all
Jon

[KmanSweden]

BTW.. I'm missing Free Play in Eco Fighters.. Can it be fixed?

[idc]

BTW.. I'm missing Free Play in Eco Fighters.. Can it be fixed?

Not sure if any region of Eco Fighters has a free play option present. I think this game was produced at a time when all CPS2 boards were rental, before Capcom introduced specific yellow boards for rental only and started selling blue and green boards. Therefore, they didn't want operators to be able to offer games for free since they wanted to collect the revenue.

[KmanSweden]

BTW.. I'm missing Free Play in Eco Fighters.. Can it be fixed?

Not sure if any region of Eco Fighters has a free play option present. I think this game was produced at a time when all CPS2 boards were rental, before Capcom introduced specific yellow boards for rental only and started selling blue and green boards. Therefore, they didn't want operators to be able to offer games for free since they wanted to collect the revenue.

How anoying.
Can't you just wave your magic wand do you voodoo on it and add FreePlay?

[cools]

BTW.. I'm missing Free Play in Eco Fighters.. Can it be fixed?

You seem to be playing it for free already.

[Rossyra]

[leonardoliveira]

In a sensible manner, what the BGSB3 PAL do is set the bank sizes for QSOUND and GRAPHICS ROMs.
If you are using legit maskroms from CAPCOM, you wiil want to follow CAPCOM's setup for PALs. (Refer to the internet lists of which game uses which PAL for information)

[KmanSweden]

You seem to be playing it for free already.

I'm possitive I payed for it at one time.

[invzim]

Just to confirm, VP280 writes GAL's just fine, problem was elsewhere..

[KmanSweden]

Just to confirm, VP280 writes GAL's just fine, problem was elsewhere..

Yes, might be dependent of software rev. I can check my setup tonight.

[idc]

Just to confirm, VP280 writes GAL's just fine, problem was elsewhere..

Yes, might be dependent of software rev. I can check my setup tonight.

Or it might be due to what appears to be a routing error on CPS2 B-boards that are revision 4 or below, meaning that "G" PALs will not work without patching with a jumper wire.

[KmanSweden]

Just to confirm, VP280 writes GAL's just fine, problem was elsewhere..

Yes, might be dependent of software rev. I can check my setup tonight.

Or it might be due to what appears to be a routing error on CPS2 B-boards that are revision 4 or below, meaning that "G" PALs will not work without patching with a jumper wire.

Same wire as when making F working as G?

[porchio]

If your using the G pal then the wire link needs to go to pin 9, if your using the F pal then it goes to pin 7