Dreamcast Homebrew Boot CD

[jerryjanis]

I have a Dreamcast that will not boot cd-r games, so I need an import/homebrew boot disc that isn't on a cd-r.  Will the "Sega Dreamcast GameShark Game Enhancer Lite" make it possible to load homebrew games?  I know that the Gameshark CD-X should do what I want, but I'm not sure about this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4303&item=8114831849&rd=1

I also have a Dreamcast that WILL load from cd-r's, but I'm using SDL and KallistiOS to write a game and I would like to develop on one DC and play the game on the other.

Thanks!

Jake

(edit)

I also noticed this, "NEW Dreamcast Cheats and Codes CD Volume 1 NR":

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4303&item=8114452028

What I really want is the CDX demo, which was apparently free with certain magazines...  OH well  .

[Dave_K.]

Are you sure its not just that the CD-R games you have don't have boot support?  I've never herd of a DC that can't boot CD-R media.  I have herd cases where DC's can't read CD-R's at all, but was fixed by tweaking the laser potentiometer (there are tutorials out there that walk you through this).

Anyway, any of the cheat CD's (Action Replay/GameShark/CDX) should all enable you to boot backup and import games (even with the VGA adapter).

[jerryjanis]

I have tested the games on my other Dreamcast, so they definetly are bootable.  As I understand it, the newest Dreamcasts that were made would not boot cd-r's.  You can tell by a circled number on the sticker on the bottom.  Here's where I read about it:

http://www.dcemulation.com/article-supported.htm

I have the one with a circled "2", and it won't boot cd-r's no matter how much I tweak the magic knob.

Thanks for the info, I will give the CD a try!

[Chemixtry]

I have herd cases where DC's can't read CD-R's at all, but was fixed by tweaking the laser potentiometer (there are tutorials out there that walk you through this).

Could you post the link for this?  I picked up a second DC and it does not recognize CD-Rs. I want to have one in my arcade and a second one I can haul around.

[Dave_K.]

I have tested the games on my other Dreamcast, so they definetly are bootable.  As I understand it, the newest Dreamcasts that were made would not boot cd-r's.  You can tell by a circled number on the sticker on the bottom.  Here's where I read about it:

http://www.dcemulation.com/article-supported.htm

I have the one with a circled "2", and it won't boot cd-r's no matter how much I tweak the magic knob.

Thanks for the info, I will give the CD a try!

According to the dcemulation site:

"It has been determined all models, that were previously thought un-working, infact do work that were in this list. So this concludes that so far, all DC's work "

The one with the 2 in the circle is in the side that says "working models".  I think the pic's at the top (of working v.s. non-working) was what was originally thought.

Anyway, if it doesn't boot I'd imagine it won't "read" the disc even if you use one of those cheat CDs.  I could be wrong though.

Here is more info on DC laser calibration:
http://sysopaim.cjb.net/

[Alucard90]

Iwould suggest getting Utopia becasue its freeware and it works on nearly everything. Even when loading it up it says, if yu payed for this you have been ripped off! it can be obtained here

http://www.megagames.com/dc/dc_utils_bootcd.shtml

[sc1103]

If you still need to find a homebrew boot cd check out http://www.dchomebrew.org/ - they supply the latest releases of various boot cds including utopia with LCD support for PCs

[Alucard90]

Seems like they only have DC Hakker and Demo Menu now
they USED to have Utopia

[sc1103]

I got a copy of Utopia from them and I think I still have the image saved so if you need the image and cant find it I can always send it to you

[jerryjanis]

I have that but for some reason my dreamcast won't read any burned cd's.  Thank you, though!