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coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

Has anyone tried making their own parallel port CD-Rom drive to run on the SF6? I just ordered an external parallel cd-rom case from ebay thinking it may work.

Now I've read that you can make one using one of these cases plus an actual MKE drive and some sort of IC. I can't find a MKE drive or any other info on this. Anyone have some light shedding light on this?

Here's the link of the one I bought... probably should of asked here before I wasted my money but but impulse gets the better of me all the time.

h**p://cgi.ebay.com/External-IDE-CD-ROM-Parallel-Port-Enclosure-MD5X_W0QQitemZ360177725287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item53dc43ef67&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2963wt_734

Found a website that sells the Bung one for $180.... little pricey!

Thanks

MottZilla · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 765

I don't know if the homemade interface is compatible with SF6 or not. I do know that there is a CD7 that doesn't work on the GDSF3.

I haven't tried making one yet but I plan to do so. The parallel cd-rom enclosure you ordered should be fine. Basically what you are going to do is remove any interface they have inside it and wire the parallel port to both an IC and a IDC cable (basically the same thing people call an IDE cable). Then you'll also need to take the power supply and tap ground and +5v so that it goes to the drive but also the IC. That's pretty much it. If you do it well on the outside it shouldn't look any different. You'd just take a straight through parallel cable to connect it to the GDSF parallel port.

MKE drives are a proprietary set of drives, often called Panasonic type CD-ROMs which existed before IDE ones. They generally plugged into a SoundCard or I guess a dedicated CDROM interface card. They are pretty uncommon, and very old. You'll find them in speeds around 1X, 2X, and I guess maybe 4x but not likely anything faster.

I've seen the site that has them for $180. It is pricey if you can build your own interface. But if you can't then it's about your only option. I was thinking about building more than one so I would have some backups or just extra interfaces to sell.

madman · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 598

I have 2 extra MKE CD-ROMs that I'd consider selling.

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

PM sent

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

So is this possible? This stuff is just so old I can't find any real answers to it yet. I picked up the snes and the sf6 off of ebay for $50, the drive enclosure after shipping is another $50 CAN. Is it going to be worth the time and investment? Hmmmm....

MottZilla · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 765

Yes it's possible. I'm not certain if TheDumper's interface works with GD3 or GD6, he only ever mentioned GD7.

Whether it is worth it or not depends on your usage of your GDSF6. If you plan to use it to the fullest then it will be worth it. Storing games on Floppy Disk is a hassle compared to CD. It's even better than using the PC link via parallel as it's simpler to use.

RGB_Gamer · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 879

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

Does disk dual work on the sf6? I was under the impression that was only for the Wildcard Units...

RGB_Gamer · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 879

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

Damn I think I have all the wrong stuff now! SWC DX2 with DD sounds great, too bad it's friggin rare too. If I could find one I'd probably ditch my CD7 plans even though I already paid for the case.

That CD7 PCB they sell is that everything I need? They don't have very good descriptions on that site for anything. Any sort of instructions come with it?

MottZilla · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 765

The SWCDX2 with DiskDual is highly priced and the SWCDX2 in general is overrated. It's a good backup unit sure, but so are many others.

What CD7 PCB? To build a CD7 you need to simply connect a MKE drive to a 74LS244 IC and Parallel Port as well as a 0.1uF cap.

If you get that PCB that was shown here before, you need that PCB, a parallel port connector, a 40 pin IDC header, a 0.1uF cap, a 74LS244 IC, and a 4 pin molex power connector I believe.

madman · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 598

That PCB is a ripoff. Makes more sense to just wire it up yourself using some perf board.

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

PCB did seem pretty expensive. MottZilla you don't happen to have the schematics for this do you?

By the sounds of it, seems like the PCB on gamedoctorhk is set up to use a normal IDE CD-ROM is it not? Molex?

I love building stuff, I'll see if my favorite electronics distributor DigiKey has the IC.

Thanks for all the help everyone, it really is appreciated. Seem's like everyone get's along here.... no long winded flaming threads that I've noticed yet Smile

I guess since I already bought the damn case I better go through with this now. What else could I possibly use an external parallel port case for lol... it is 2009 after all!

RGB_Gamer · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 879

i got my CD7 PCB from gamedoctorhk.com It's a good solution for guys like me that have no soldering skills. Disk Dual and SWCDX2 can still be bought from Mr Lui @ FFE

coffeegod · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

I'm looking at the site and I can't find any products. Is the a backdoor or something or email order only from him?