CF Readers

[jerryspaghetti]

Trying to learn about CF readers and how they work.

It looks like its just a direct replacement for a GD Rom drive to me?

Can this be used like a GDEMU type thing?

 

[mozie]

Yes sega themselves started replacing flaky gdrom drives with cf drives at some stage so there is offcial hardware for naomi, chihiti etc. You can also make one up yourself using guides online or buy one premade, you'll then need to create images for the gdroms you want to put on cf cards and you need the security code for each flash drive, theres a tool for this on the webs somewhere. Unfortunately it's only title per card and as far as I know that hasn't changed in the years since I've messed with it. Alternatively there's always sellers on aliexpress selling preflashed cards. mozie2023-01-18 12:51:10

 

[jerryspaghetti]

Thanks!

Yeah I thought it might just be 1 game at a time.

You only need the regular (non net) Dimm board though right?

 

[Fantazia2]

You can use a none net Dimm but it needs the firmware upgrading to 4.02, I know people have done this in the past swapping net Dimm comms boards to upgrade and swap back but the original firmware needs to be a certain level to let it net boot the firmware upgrade as early versions weren't setup to netboot.

I think there is also a disc to upgrade a standard Dimm to a high enough firmware to be able to netboot but they used to be quite rare.

 

[jonhughes]

I frequently and almost always use my cf drives for the Naomi since I normally have the cab set up for one game. You will need revision 4.02 for all Dimm boards. The cf disc needs to be specially programmed to use on the drive. Scott on here has done a few for me that I use a lot, I don’t just have every game on the discs.

I know a moderator from the states on AP who upgrades my Dimm boards to 4.02 - he charges $25 per board. I just send the bare Dimm containing the memory slots to save postage.

 

[jerryspaghetti]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Thought it might be a cheaper/easier alternative to net booting but seems like more grief probably.

 

[whitecomet]

not sure what a SEGA CF or a third party version will cost you, but then there is all the messing around with CF Cards too. The best alternative is a Pi-Setup if your starting from scratch.

I do prefer using a CF reader for mine as its a dedicated cabinet so really only play the one game, but its nice to have the option to plug the Pi in if needed.