multi multi-carts in an MVS?

chubsta

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i have a 161-in-1 running in my Lordsvale with no problems but there are a couple of games that arent on it but are on the 120-in-1 that i would like. I have heard there can be issues around multi-carts so is anyone running more than one in their cab - i have a 6-slot if that makes a a difference...
 

pooman2084

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I had issues with the cart in a 4 slot - I didn't really want to turn up the 5V to compensate, so just use my 1 slot for the multiboard.
 

trm

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There is no design issue inherent in the MVS motherboard that would stop you doing this. Given that these multis use some form of high density ROM and switching circuit you might find they draw more power than usual, so your 5V level might be lower with a couple of multis in unless you adjust it.

But on a technical basis, it's just another cart.
 

neo-geo-mvs

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On my 4-slot, the 161-1 cart wouldn't go back to the menu to change the game so had to turn it off and then on to get back to the menu.

the 120-1 has an extra PCB to connect to the mobo and the wire from the cart to the PCB isn't very long. Only used it on a MV-1B. Not sure if would stretch on a 4-slot or 6-slot.

For multi slots, it's recommend to not have any other carts in the slots, just the multi cart.
 

chubsta

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at the moment if i have the 161 in i can't choose any other game in the 2nd slot, i presume turning up the 5v is done on the switcher?

i would be happy with the 161 and 5 other favourite carts i guess rather than adding a 120
 

trm

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You'd turn 5V up at the switcher indeed. The multi-slot MVS are often close to barely working when they're loaded with early, small ROM count carts so adding a poorly designed multi might push it beyond the point where it can detect other carts but it's definitely worth measuring the board's actual 5V level in case the increased draw from the multi has dropped it to just-working range.

Has anybody got decent internals pix of the big multis? I'd be interested in seeing how they do it - whether it's modern high density flash or some really nasty squeezed-in ROMs.
 

IDCHAPPY

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trm said:
You'd turn 5V up at the switcher indeed. The multi-slot MVS are often close to barely working when they're loaded with early, small ROM count carts so adding a poorly designed multi might push it beyond the point where it can detect other carts but it's definitely worth measuring the board's actual 5V level in case the increased draw from the multi has dropped it to just-working range.

Has anybody got decent internals pix of the big multis? I'd be interested in seeing how they do it - whether it's modern high density flash or some really nasty squeezed-in ROMs.

Pretty sure it's nasty squeezed in stuff, I'll open my 160-1 up later mate
smiley1.gif
 

trm

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Thanks taito6581.

That's a lot of unknown flash in there. I couldn't find any semblance of a datasheet for it - I wonder whether it's really ever been near a Fujitsi fab
smiley2.gif


Looks like they're using a bunch of Altera CPLDs to route each bank of ROM to the NeoGeo busses based on what input is selected and which ROMs are used to store that game's chunks.

I'd imagine there's an accessible JTAG port on the board so it should be possible to dump the flash, decode their packing algorithm and then change the contents. I wonder whether they wrote their own 68000 code to run as a NeoGeo game to provide the menu?
 

andrew96

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It is just a shame the high scores are not remembered on the multicarts. I can understand them being deleted if you change game, but if you used the same game every time then it would be a handy feature to have! I only bought one because the single cart I wanted was a lot more expensive! I ended up getting the single cart in the end just for the hi score scoring being kept in the battery backed ram!
 

chubsta

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probably won't get a chance over the weekend but i will try cranking up the 5v and see what happens, very worst is that the 6-slot and carts will catch fire but as long as the cab and monitor survives I'm ok with that
 

chubsta

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increased the voltage and it made no difference so guess having a 161 and other carts in a 6-slot is a no-go, for me anyway...

not the end of the world as i can still play the games i want on my mame cab but it would have been nice to play them all on the Lordsvale.

Guess i will have to wait until someone finds a way of flashing a multi-cart with all the games we want instead of a hundred crappy bootlegs
 

ZuPoint

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Hi
I had trouble getting my 161 in 1 to work along side my single carts.
Turns out some carts don't get on?
I had to change order of carts one at a time to get all 6 slots working.
It's a pain but worth it in the end.
I'm also hoping for a sd card multi cart! Solve all this hassle trying to get perfect play list.
Carl
 
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