CartDev + DevSaturn environment

What is CartDev?

Q)

What is CartDev like?

A)

CartDev is a Dev Sega Saturn that has been slightly modified from the actual Sega Saturn with the main purpose of providing an inexpensive development system, and CartDev, which is an adapter for debugging that is connected via the cartridge slot terminal. It consists of two parts.

Since we are not directly operating the bus control lines of the CPU, compared to ICE, we cannot perform operations related to hardware-dependent parts such as completely stopping various control lines on the bus.

Two types of hosts, IBM-PC / AT compatibles and Silicon Graphics' INDY (Indigo2), are supported.
IBM-PC / AT compatibles have software called SNASM / Codescape as supported software.

This software reads the COFF format file output by the GNU tool provided by us, and enables source code debugging on the graphical interface.
On INDY (Indigo2), gdb (GNU debugger) corresponding to CartDev is prepared, and similarly powerful source code debugging is realized.
CartDev ← → The host-to-host interface is connected by the SCSI2 bus.

How to run a program to access write-once CDs in a CartDev environment?

Q)

Please tell me the execution procedure of the program that accesses the CDROM with CartDev.

A)

It depends on whether the CDROM is a retail version or a write-once CD.

・ For write-once CDs

A-1. Press CartDev RESET.

A-2. Insert SYSTEM-DISK and turn on the power of DevSaturn.

A-3. Display of COMPLETE.

A-4. Insert a write-once CD Wait until you recognize that it is a Sega Saturn CD.

A-5. Start the debugger.

Follow the procedure.

・ For commercial CDs

Since it is not necessary to insert a system disk, A-2 and A-3 can be omitted.

CartDev + DevSaturn does not recognize PowerMemory from the debugger.

Q)

When the power memory is inserted with CartDev + DevSaturn, it is not recognized on the debugger (in the program).
The cartridge is displayed together with the built-in memory on the saved data management screen when the power is turned on for the first time, but after starting the debugger and displaying "CARTDEV READY" , it is not displayed on the saved data management screen. Hmm.

A)

In the CartDev + DevSaturn environment, you cannot basically access the backup cartridge from the debugger. (This is the same whether it is SNASM or the environment of certdev-server + cartdev-gdb) So basically, the development of the program to access the backup cartridge was burned to VCD or CD-R. Above, you can only check the program by self-launching the VCD or CD-R.

I can't access the VCD directly from DOS or read from a disk image.

Q)

Direct DOS access and reading of files from disk images are not possible with the hardware configuration of VCD + DevSaturn + CartDev.

A)

Since the access timing of VCD is severe, VCD often does not work properly when running extra applications other than VCD, such as resident software and Windows. Also, please refrain from using direct DOS access as we cannot guarantee its operation in the CartDev DevSaturn environment.

How to run a sample that self-boots from a virtual CD with CartDev + DevSaturn?

Q)

How do I run a sample that self-boots from a virtual CD with CartDev + DevSaturn?

A)

1: Preparation

• Attach the virtual CD board to your PC.
• Install the virtual CD related tools on the hard disk and register the path.
• Execute the JVC sample program to test the CDDA playback.

2: Create a CD image of the VCD self-launch sample (sample game program).

• Create a sample execution directory on the virtual CD hard disk.
• Copy the sample binary file and script file to the sample execution directory.
• Move the current directory to the sample execution directory.
• Execute the VCDBUILD script file name.

3: Run the sample.

• Turn on CartDev and DevSaturn.
• Set the DevSaturn CD selector switch to the CD side and boot the system disk.
• When the word'COMPLETE'is displayed on the TV screen, remove the system disk and set the changeover switch to the VCD side.
• Execute VCDEMU from the sample execution directory on the virtual CD host PC.
• Confirm that DevSaturn recognizes it as a disc for Sega Saturn, and start it.

Where does the tail coming out of the back of DevSaturn connect?

Q)

DevSaturn has a tail on the butt. Is it some kind of accessory?

A)

A short tail on the back of the DevSaturn, near the power connector, is used to connect the "MIDI interface board" used for sound development.
Do not connect it anywhere as it will not be used for any other purpose.
The MIDI interface board is sold by Ado Denshi Kogyo.