- readily available off the shelf hardware
- only $4
- only 5 wires to solder
- easy file drag and drop programming
Better, cheaper and easier to install than XenoGC. To be released in a few days.
Bad news. M.2 Loader release has to be delayed. I received production batch and there seems to be an issue with a number of the units. I suspect faulty batch of SSD controller ICs. I'll keep you updated with the progress on fixing the issue and new release date.
Thanks everyone for an awesome feedback on my modchip. I'm working hard to give it to you ASAP. I've been testing NTSC-J DOL-101 today and I can confirm it works without any issues.
Another breakthrough project from the GC mastermind. You can try it already with some cheap commodity parts. More proper hardware is coming in next few weeks.
I’m glad I can do another video premiere with
@machonachomedia
. Another project which I feel like is very important for GameCube scene. I present to you - ETH2GC - Broadband Adapter Emulator device made possible by
@Extrems
and his work on Swiss!!
NEW video is LIVE! We now have a cheap Broadband Adapter for the getting the Gamecube Online in 2024 thanks to
@webhdx
and
@Extrems
! Let's check it out!
VIDEO LINK 👉
Huge thank you to
@SGirl0311
and
@PCBWayOfficial
for sponsoring this week's video!
PicoBoot can now boot executables from M.2 Loader:
Things are going really well. I'm currently sourcing components and working with the manufacturer on establishing production date.
Man, I love open source community. I wasn't particularly gentle with my childhood GC. This is the very console that helps me develop PicoBoot, M.2 Loader and other projects. It had a few annoying issues. 1/x
One prototype is never enough... I still don't know when it's gonna be released. Global components shortage is so difficult for everyone that I can't even confirm when the distributor will have parts for me. I'm constantly monitoring the availability.
Found a guy bashing PicoBoot on a facebook group. Quick look at his previous posts and turns out he's selling PicoBoot modded consoles on eBay. LOL People should appreciate someone else's hard work, especially when they make profit on it.
IMPORTANT: Please understand PicoBoot is still experimental and releasing any flex cable at the moment is not recommended because I need to change the wiring in upcoming firmware update. This is required to provide WiFi capabilities as well as more reliable IGR.
My Wii Mini microSD + reset button mod kit is finally done. Took a few iterations but I'm finally 100% satisfied with it. It's going to be open source but I will also sell assembled kits in order to fund my other projects. More info soon.
YES! I've been testing it too and it looks awesome. Thanks to Trevor we can see iconic boot animation before going into Swiss. His framework lets you do a lot of interesting stuff like altering colors or behavior of the cube. All of these in glorious 480p!
People are wondering wether the final version is going to require SD2SP2. No - PicoBoot will be able to boot Swiss directly from M.2. It was fair to mention in the video that at the moment it’s not possible with the prototype though 😅
I was very surprised to learn Lotharek () lives nearby. We are both super nerdy about retro gaming and he has been a great help in the my journey. He agreed to provide SMT assembly service without any hesitation.
I'm surprised why no one openly criticizes Pluto mod. It's dumb. It irreversibly removes Digital Port from the console. There are external adapters with the same firmware (GCVideo) with no difference in quality.
GAMECUBE RANT FOLLOW-UP:
I have some suggestions on how to improve this GC Pluto flex cable design so that 1) It's reliable and 2) The Gamecube can be serviced in the future as it will inevitably need to be.
TLDR - I don't like the Pluto as it doesn't make sense in 2023.
@ghidraninja
Dude... You should definitely try my open source IPL modchip which is 1000 times better than XenoGC! It uses Raspberry Pi Pico ♥️ You'll never need a boot disc ever again.
I've been working with
@machonachomedia
on his newest video showcasing my Wii Mini mod adding SD card and reset button. I've opened my own Tindie store where I'll be selling them. I have some WiFi kits as well. Check it out:
I prepared a list of planned features for PicoBoot. Feel free to add your comments and new ideas. PicoBoot is on hold at the moment but I want to hear your thoughts before releasing first major version next year.
I made another fully modded Wii Mini and I thought I would share my experience with this console and modding possibilities. I’ve been using Wii Mini under my main TV set for a long time, it has pretty much all functionalities from the regular Wii.
Okay
@GameBitfunx
this is enough:
Don't sell alternative boards to people because I clearly stated in the repo that I won't support any other board!!! I can't guarantee this particular board will even work in the future.
Swiss can now utilize ARAM memory as a logical drive. In memory Memory Cards? Faster patching device? File cache to speed up some operations? Temporary file storage? If there was a way to add more memory now... 🤔
PicoBoot Discord? I know there are tons of great servers but I feel like I should maybe build small community around my projects to provide support and encourage ppl to contribute to the development. Let's give it a try:
I hate that
@usa_retro
guy! I was watching all his videos for the past 2 weeks and ended up buying a broken PVM 😅 It wasn't powering on which seemed like a hopefully easy issue to sort out for a total noob. 1/3
Okay, new power regulator is working just fine. Some minor issues with the design showed up but these will be addressed in the next, final revision (yeah sure...) of the PCB. Do I win an ultimate GameCube setup award? :D
I've restocked all products on my store. The stock is limited so get yours while you can. Sorry for being so slow but I wanted to be sure all kits are tested before packing up!
This is unfortunately really common failure with PicoBoot installs. I'm glad there are people who can deal with this level of carnage. PicoBoot development will eventually help to create full DOL-RTC chip replacement.
@webhdx
@RockerGameMod
Customer accidentally pulled a leg off the IC along with its pad. Pulled the IC, cleaned the area, rebuild the trace/pad, used a resistor leg to rebuild the IC, added some UV epoxy (thank you
@nosIndulgences
) to cement it in place, then wired in the PicoBoot 🙂
@Qeality
Extrems has been working on emulating Broadband Adapter in Swiss using some cheap off the shelf hardware. The original thing costs over $100 but you can use cheap ethernet module <$10 to play online and LAN games on the GameCube.
I know there aren't many M.2 Loader updates posted but I can assure you we're working on it. Today, I received new PCB revision which fixes thermal issues by replacing inefficient linear regulator with a switching one.
@sbialobok
I'm interfacing Pico through EXI bus without having any particular project in mind. The work I'm doing here will be used to improve PicoBoot, M.2 Loader and even introduce new ideas like open source MemCard Pro.
It only updates iplboot to r7 version which improves reliability, gets rid of that glitchy green screen showing up before loading DOL file. You can assign even more buttons/files now. Read README to see all new features:
Thanks everyone who ordered my products from the last drop. It was a tremendous job to pack and ship everything before I'm out for holiday but I've made it :) Hope they arrive quickly!
@GameBitfunx
Installation diagrams you are using are derived work from my diagrams released under GPL license. Please remove them or fulfill license agreements.
1) The rear panel was falling off due to broken clips. It also had a hole exactly where HDMI output comes out. Thankfully there is a 3d printable rear panel with GCHDMI/GCDual compatible cutout for HDMI slot! Made by
@BlueShell3D
Just finished recording with
@webhdx
creator of the Picoboot GameCube mod! He is a great guy, super passionate about GC modding. We also got a good look at his upcoming M2.Loader and his replacement Wavebird reciever.
Episode out next Monday!
@usa_retro
@ElSenorGeek
Funnily enough - it is. I'm doing the groundwork for many cool projects to come. This particular setup can be used as a fancy memory card (open source MemCard Pro?), USB Gecko or even an aftermarket microphone for Mario Party and Odama.
Repaired a customer's failed GameCube PicoBoot install. Ripped a leg clean off and destroyed a pad. Easy fix. Just grind away the IC package to expose the pin so you can solder to it. Run wire through that via and soldered onto the other side for extra security. Then UV mask it.
@IAmTh3Person
I swear I'll start working on it again as soon as first batch of M.2 Loaders leaves my house. I aim to have very significant progress on this project by the end of the year and release it early next year.
@smashpro1
I'm working on Pico W support so that homebrew can access the network through it. It should let us do firmware updates, downloading new Swiss releases or even making full blown Homebrew Store.
I need to give credit where credit's due. It wouldn't be possible without Sam Edwards and his stunning reverse engineering work: Also thanks to
@Extrems
and his work which helped me understand JoyBus communication.
I successfully swapped R48 with SPU-3200 Dreamcast laser pickup with the part from AliExpress. I must have been very lucky because according to the Internet it almost never works.
2) The front panel also had both clips broken and it wasn't holding on at all. At first I thought about using super glue and baking soda to rebuild them but there is easier and faster way - 3d printable clips also made by
@BlueShell3D
:
I listed 20 USB Geckos on my store. They sell out quickly so don't hesitate and buy before they are out. This is the max I could do atm, it takes a lot of time to hand solder them.
3) While at it I decided it's about the time to replace the fan with Noiseblocker XS-1. Here comes the complete fan assembly from
@collingall
. It even has integrated PicoBoot mount! Unfortunately my Pico has pin headers soldered.
I've created GitHub project to better visualize upcoming features: Don't pay too much attention to the dates, I need to change them or better remove completely.
@Raspberry_Pi
I published my open source Nintendo GameCube modchip yesterday. It's using Pico! And what a coincidence Pico W was announced yesterday... Now I need to enhance my modchip with OTA update feature 😅
@GameBitfunx
To all BitFunx customers: You are supporting thief company. They notoriously steal and profit from open source and even commercial projects by copying designs. They don't contribute to the scene in any way. Consider supporting good people instead!
It's time to stream again. Tonight at 21:00 CEST I'll be working on an N64 cart using the Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip.
After finishing the PCB, I'll work on some software prototyping, PIO programming, benchmarking with logic analyzer etc.
See you @
@usa_retro
Update: I couldn't resist and after doing some measurements first I decided to jump PS602 fuse on 115V power rail just for the test. IT LIVES! Unfortunately it shuts off after 20s, there is definitely more to be fixed.
New
@zez
Retro Podcast episode is premiering right now. Go check it out if you want to listen about me, PicoBoot and some other exciting projects I've been working on.
@usa_retro
My console runs RiiConnect24, Wimmfi, USB loaders, Nintendont and emulators. I'd love to make it compatible with physical GC discs but it's impossible due to disc drive hardware limitation.
I added even more ideas 😊 Let's not limit us in any way and try to explore as much ideas as possible. Right now Pico is heavily underutilized, it does nothing after initial boot. With Pico W more resources will be used but we may still have some room for a webserver or SMB