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Using the Retrode2 with a 32X and a 32X game

Started by Knight of Time, 15/Feb/2017 09:14:05 PM

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Knight of Time

Hi guys,

I'm considering buying a Sega 32X and at least one of the games for it (most likely just Knuckles Chaotix) in the future, and while I did hear that the Retrode2 is compatible with 32X cartridges as long as the 32X is put in the thing first, I have a question, does the Retrode2 allow save data to be copied from a 32X cartridge to the computer or from the computer to the 32X cartridge?  I'm just crossing my fingers that the 32X itself doesn't "get in the way" when it comes to reading the contents of the 32X cartridge on a computer.

Aleron Ives

I dumped several 32X carts with my Retrode by removing the Retrode board from its case, and the ROMs all work fine. I did get the option to copy the save files, but since I bought the games used for the purpose of dumping them with the Retrode, I don't know if the save data was valid, as I didn't use it (and it may have already expired or been erased by the previous owner).

Knight of Time

Thanks for the input, but I'm not really planning on taking the Retrode apart in order to make it work with 32X games (I'm just not that much of a fan of taking things apart when they already work great, unless it was necessary to fix something that wasn't quite right).  What I actually want to know is, if a 32X system containing a 32X game is put into the Genesis slot of a Retrode2, will the Retrode2 be able to read both the game file and the save data file (if any) when it's all connected to a computer?

Wannado

Because the 32X was designed to fit onto a Mega Drive, and because the shapes of the Retrode's and Mega Drive's cases are different, plugging the 32X into the Retrode (with case) might fail. For example, if the 32X extends too far back, it will collide with the Retrode's lid. Or the Retrode's case might be too high for the 32X to reach the slot contacts.

So you might be forced to take the Retrode's PCB out of its case in order to be able and plug the 32X in. I guess that's what Aleron Ives was trying to tell you.

There are screws on the bottom of the Retrode that allow you to open the case without harm. I suggest that you handle the bare PCB carefully (avoid touching contacts/solder points with your fingers). Maybe you can leave the PCB in the bottom half of the case, only removing the top and lid. Of course, unplugging the 32X may not work without touching the PCB directly.
If the problem is only the lid, you can close the case again after removing the lid.

Another advice: Connect the 32X and cartridge to the Retrode before connecting the Retrode to the computer. Disconnect the Retrode from the computer before disconnecting the 32X or cartridge.

When you're done dumping the 32X games, you can put all the Retrode's parts back together and it should be as great-working as before. ;)


Aleron Ives

Quote from: Wannado on 19/Feb/2017 12:29:46 PMSo you might be forced to take the Retrode's PCB out of its case in order to be able and plug the 32X in. I guess that's what Aleron Ives was trying to tell you.
Well, not quite. I have no idea how well the 32X system would fit into the Retrode, as I do not own a 32X system. You do not need a 32X system to dump 32X games with the Retrode, though. The problem is that 32X games have a different cartridge width than Megasis games do to prevent people from trying to play 32X games on a regular Megasis system, and the Retrode uses the regular Megasis cartridge slot size, so the 32X game won't fit into the Retrode's cartridge slot.

The pinout is the same as a Megasis cart, however, so all you have to do is remove the plastic shell from the Retrode, and then you can put the 32X cart directly onto the Retrode's Megasis slot. You don't need a 32X system at all if you're willing to do some simple disassembly.

Quote from: Wannado on 19/Feb/2017 12:29:46 PMConnect the 32X and cartridge to the Retrode before connecting the Retrode to the computer. Disconnect the Retrode from the computer before disconnecting the 32X or cartridge.
This is what I did, and it worked fine. I had trouble getting the Retrode to read my Chaotix cart, but after two or three cleanings, it finally worked. I think one pin in particular was extra dirty and causing the problem.

Knight of Time

#5
Hope there's nothing wrong with bumping my own topic here.

Anyway, I got a nice chunk of Christmas money today, and I am planning to use some of it to buy a 32X and at least one game (I'm gonna definitely buy Knuckles Chaotix, and I might buy Virtua Racing Deluxe too).  I'm most likely going to go with Wannado's suggestion of connecting a 32X and game to the Retrode2 before connecting the whole thing to a computer (thanks for that suggestion Wannado; if I do that, I'll be sure to disconnect the Retrode2 from my computer before I disconnect a 32X from it), though there is something I wish to ask, does anyone have at least one picture of a Retrode2 with a 32X in the Sega Genesis slot?  It would be nice to see what the whole setup looks like before I get a 32X.

Thanks again.

Edit: No need for any pictures of the Retrode2/32X setup now, as I noticed it was surprisingly easy to connect my new 32X to my Retrode2.  I might as well close my topic then (been ages since I did this, lol).