Programming BOX related

Power memory is not recognized in Programming BOX.

Q)

When I insert a commercially available power memory into the cartridge terminal of the SEGA SATURN Programming Box, it is not recognized at all.
With commercially available Sega Saturn and CartDev + DevSaturn, it is displayed properly on the saved data management screen, so I think that there is no problem with the power memory itself, but with the two Programming Boxes I have now, the saved data management screen is displayed. Even if it is displayed, it is not displayed at all.
Is there any special dip setting required to handle power memory in Programming Box? By the way, the current dip setting is "OFF" except for the area setting part.

A)

Turn on the SIMMCART switch on SW2 of the DIP switch on the front of the target box.

I want to put the power memory in the uninitialized state.

Q)

I would like to check the operation of the warning message when the backup RAM is not initialized. Please tell me how to intentionally put the internal backup RAM or power memory in the uninitialized state.

A)

There are crushers that work under the Programming Box environment.
However, this program (crusher) does not work under the CartDev environment.
If you need it, please contact technical support.

About memory mapping when SIMM CART of Programming Box is turned on

Q)

When SW2-5 (SIMM CART) of Programming Box is set to "ON", the SIMM address that was used until now moves to another place, so the simple CD system can no longer be used. Until now, when using the simple CD system, data was read from 0x24020000, but when SW2-5 is set to "ON", this becomes a cartridge and cannot be used.
Where should I read when SW2-5 is set to "ON"?

A)

By changing the SW2-5 "SIMM CART" switch, the address map looks like this:

1. Set by BOOT ROM when power is turned on or reset (SIMM CART OFF)

   22000000h + ----------------------- +
              | |
              | |
              | |
              | External ROM |
              | |
              | |
              | |
   24000000h + ----------------------- +
              | SIMM |
              | BANK 0 |
              | (16M byte) |
   25000000h + ----------------------- +
              | reserved |
   25800000h + ----------------------- +
              | External I / O |
   25FFFFFFh + ----------------------- +
   

   When secured in a continuous area of 32 Mbytes (SIMM CART ON)

   22000000h + ----------------------- +
              | SIMM |
              | BANK 0 |
              | (16MByte) |
              + ----------------------- +
              | SIMM |
              | BANK 1 |
              | (16MByte) |
   24000000h + ----------------------- +
              | |
              | External RAM |
              | |
   25000000h + ----------------------- +
              | reserved |
   25800000h + ----------------------- +
              | External I / O |
   25FFFFFFh + ----------------------- +
   

Communication between Programming Box and SCSI

Q)

As far as the operation status is seen here, it seems that the Programming Box is operating as a SCSI device only when the Sega Saturn logo display part is running. Is there such a thing?

A)

After initializing the SCSI controller, the BOOT ROM operation of the Programming Box also responds to Inquiry from the initiator as a SCSI drive under the control of the BOOT ROM.
After leaving control of the BOOT ROM, it is in control of each application.

About programming box and PC setting.

Q)

Do I need to load a SCSI disk driver (such as ASPIDISK.SYS) separately from the SCSI host adapter?
When loaded, the Programming Box is treated as a Fixed DISK, is that okay?

A)

Due to the nature of the device, it is not a removable drive, so I don't think there is any problem even if it is not installed.
However, as with normal SCSI devices, there is no guarantee that the power of the Programming Box will be turned on again while the PC is operating.

The image output of Programming Box may be monochrome.

Q)

I have connected a PAL and NTSC automatic recognition professional monitor to the Programming Box, but the colors are black and white and no color appears.
If you connect a commercially available Sega Saturn to this monitor, it will be displayed normally.
Also, if you connect the programming box to Sony Profile Pro, it will be displayed normally.
It seems that the video output (NTSC output) from the programming box is not properly recognized as NTSC by PAL and NTSC automatic recognition professional monitors.

A)

Generally, commercial monitors have a tight range of image input signals. In addition, it has been confirmed that the image output of the programming box is different from that of the normal NTSC signal in a small number of lots.

To explain in a little more detail, many monitors designed for business use are also designed for the purpose of monitoring irregular signals, so in some lots of Programming Boxes, the frequency shift of the color synchronization signal (chroma subcarrier) Has been confirmed to be black and white.

Of course, this is not the case with the models currently shipping, but if you experience such symptoms with a Programming Box purchased in the past, please contact Sega. It may be fixed by adjusting the output circuit.