MOD chips

[MAD!man]

Hey all...i got a few Q's to ask...

1) I have a stealth Mod Chip and don't know what type it is (isn't there like, a Stealth III and IV?) is ther a way i find out?

2.) Would you guys recommend i use an internal MOD chip or use one that plugs into my PSX's Serial Port (or whatever the hell that thing is...i forget)

3.) Is it really hard to install a mod chip...cuz i don't wanna ruin my PSX or anything...and does anybody have suggestions on how to not mess up on installing it???

Any help is much appreciated!

[tif]

1 - The only way to tell what type you've got is to open up the case and take a look at the number on the top. You'll then have to find out which component number = which mod chip type.

2 - Always go for the internal - causes less problems.

3 - No, it's no hard, if you have any kind of experience with electronics at all. It involves some soldering, as does pretty much all work inside a console, so if you're not happy doing that, then take it along to pretty much any independent games shop and they'll install it for you at a pretty low cost if they're nice.

There are diagrams of which pins should be connected to which terminals available at quite a few sites. I can't remember any url's off the top of my head, but you should be able to find one using any major search engine.

[spooky]

in answer to you questions.

1. there are only a few mod chips used for PSX (PIC 12c508, 12c509 and 16c84) these numbers will be printed on the chip itself but WILL NOT tell you what Version of code is in them. The Pic series of chips are microcontrollers that can do almost anything you want provided you have the source code available to program them with. The chips also have internal fuses, so if you try to read the infomation (Source code) from them then the fuse will blow rendering the chip usless. So the only way you can find out what version of mod chip you have would be to ask the person who installed or programmed the chip in the first place (If the will tell you).

2. I agree with tif on this one, internal mods are much better, for a start with some of the external devices need to have the original disc to boot from, with an internal mod you dont.

3. It's not that difficult to install your own mod chips.. but use a 15 or 18 watt soldering iron with a very fine tip as some of the solder points are minute, dont use a 25 watt iron as you may end up burning the tracks of the PSX Motherboard. Tin the wires and pads first this will reduce the time the soldering iron is on the board.

the best site for diagrams i have found is www.paulmax.eng.net the diagrams can be trusted as well as the source code also downloadable from this site.

The only other this you will need is a good pic programmer, now you are talking money, £150 for a good one although you can find circuit diags to make you own but i spent £150 three year ago on a PICSTART PLUS DEVELOPMENT KIT for piece of mind.

hehe. speaking of not using a 25watt soldering iron.. i did.. i wound up soldering off the c721 connection for the 9001 psx model.. the one to the right of it works too, i soldered it off too. so i wound up tracing where it went to the chip near it and soldered it on to it. a VERY minute solder at that, my best accomplishment in soldering history.

use a FINE TIP 15watt soldering iron.