Author Topic: New Gamecube Modchip!!! Viper GC (Read 22190 times)

mr.Curmudgeon · « **on:** December 10, 2004, 10:58:39 am »

http://www.ps2ownz.com/modules.php?name=News&file=showarticle&threadid=27678

Looks like the Gamecube scene may be back on the map soon...

Stingray · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2004, 11:13:42 am »

Given that the Cube uses those odd little disks (is there a burner availabel for those?) and has no place for a hard drive, what exactly is the chip for? I'm not trying to be a smarta**, I really am curious?

-S

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2004, 11:18:47 am »

im baffled as well

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2004, 11:36:10 am »

Right now it's being marketed to the Homebrew development community. With this chip, they will be able to send modified code to the GC through the serial port that comes w/ the chip.

The admin at the above site mentioned in his forums that he's got a modified bios for his PC DVD-R drive, allowing it to read the GC mini-dvd's. He also mentions that they ARE NOT burned in reverse order as rumored.

Put that together with the idea of sending a "patched (or unpatched) Original BIOS" to the GC and you should get the picture. He also mentions that this "Third-party Bios" for the GC should be released soon...

Goz · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2004, 12:26:21 pm »

Another possibility could be that you use the GC ethernet adapter and have ISO's reside on a PC, etc...

-Goz

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2004, 12:52:31 pm »

You can do that now with the PSO/BBA exploit...but yeah, maybe it'll offer an easier work around.

Stingray · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2004, 12:58:43 pm »

Thanks Mr. C. I was uanaware that those disks were mini DVDs. I was under the impression that they were a proprietary format, though I have no idea where I got that idea.

-S

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2004, 01:33:22 pm »

hmmm, interested to see how this goes.

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2004, 01:50:01 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on December 10, 2004, 12:58:43 pm

I was under the impression that they were a proprietary format, though I have no idea where I got that idea.

A lot of people thought the same thing, myself included. This latest info about them NOT being proprietary is still 'grain-of-salt' level stuff, but the admin pimping this news seems to have an inside scoop.

We'll see. There should be more news at 'PS2Ownz.com' over the weekend. Keep an eye out.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2004, 03:57:33 pm »

keep us updated plz

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:14:36 am »

Latest news is that a team called "Mental Cube" has developed a third-party bios for the Viper GC. I talked with a few distributors and they said they'll have the chip this week. It may sell for anywhere between $65US - $100US depending on demand.

The chip has two functions:
1 - Allows you to load an alternate bios
2 - controls whether or not the system knows the lid is open. (swap trick)

If the above news is true, the new bios will work with the chip, which allows for a hacked bios to be loaded. The hacked bios will first authenticate a real disc, then allow you to swap without the system knowing about it.

No word on exactly what type of media can be used..more as I hear it....

UPDATE: Word is, the upcoming "Cobra BiOS" allows for the use of burned mini-DVDr's...which will be read using the swap method mentioned above.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2004, 01:19:20 pm »

keep us updated with links and release dates pleas

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2004, 02:56:46 pm »

Dave_K. · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2004, 03:29:15 pm »

All of those links go to the same cobra02.zip file.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2004, 04:01:51 pm »

excellent news

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2004, 04:37:17 pm »

Quote from: Dave_K. on December 16, 2004, 03:29:15 pm

All of those links go to the same cobra02.zip file.

It's the BIOS. It's only one file.

I believe the multiple links are just mirrors, of the same thing. If traffic is high on one link, use another. I'm not sure...just passing the info along.

pointdablame · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2004, 04:52:51 pm »

This has me very intrigued... it would be nice to have a viable modchip solution for the Gamecube.

Now for the obvious question.... how will it run MAME?

crashwg · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:01:40 pm »

Why is there so much mention of full sized dvd-rs? The only way you can use them is in the panasonic's Q and I don't even see any talk of the chip working in that...

Is there some way of hooking up a dvd rom to the GC?

pointdablame · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:38:25 am »

Quote from: crashwg on December 16, 2004, 08:01:40 pm

Why is there so much mention of full sized dvd-rs? The only way you can use them is in the panasonic's Q and I don't even see any talk of the chip working in that...

Is there some way of hooking up a dvd rom to the GC?

They expect you to take the top cover off of your GC so that the tray is large enough to fit a standard sized DVD. That's a bit too far for me, but I guess if someone was really determined....

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #19 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:50:25 am »

More than likely, a third-party would offer a new lid for the GC that allows full-size DVD-R's...if necessary. People have been testing the new chip w/ mini-DVDr's and it seems to work fine, although it's picky about the brand.

UPDATE: http://www.ps2ownz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27938
(MiniDVD Media Compatibility List!)

All in all, not bad for a V1 chip. Expect fast development on a better bios, as well as several new chips on the market if these sell well enough.

Stingray · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:40:48 pm »

Now all I need is a DVD burner... and a Gamecube.

-S

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:51:35 pm »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on December 17, 2004, 02:50:25 am

UPDATE: http://www.ps2ownz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27938
(MiniDVD Media Compatibility List!)

Can you repost list, your link doesnt work without registering on that site

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:55:35 pm »

Sorry. For now it's a forum thread with discussion of various media. I'd have to do a lot of cut n' pasting to make it a coherent list.

If it's still free, you'll have to register to go through it. I'll post a definitive list as soon as someone takes the time to compile it.

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2004, 11:03:57 am »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on December 17, 2004, 02:50:25 am

More than likely, a third-party would offer a new lid for the GC that allows full-size DVD-R's...

Sho' nuff'...right on schedule: (per ps2ownz.com)

"In a conference last night I spoke with the folks who produce both the PS2LiD and the PS2 Flip-Tops, and I received confirmation from them (based on my suggestion) that new GameCube cases to accomodate full-size DVDR media will be available within 1 month! More details to follow soon along with some exclusive prototype pictures!"

mrC

DYNAGOD · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:33:56 pm »

maybe im out of the loop., but with the GC's patheticly small list of titles, with even fewer of those being worth mentioning, and its paltry system specs compared to its peers,what exactly can be looked forward to for this project... about 75% of the GC titles are sitting in the bargain bin of shame..

im just wondering if theres something magical and awesome about the GC that i have been missing all along, cause my gamecube has been sitting under my TV hooked up since i bought it, with only about 2 hours of gametime on it..it just has nothing going for it..
if im missing somethign please fill me in...
cause by my best understanding,if anything the GC should by all rights be a dead console by now, and were it not owned by such a software giant to support the blood loss,i think it proboly would be..
i just dont see what all the excitement is over...

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #25 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:51:42 pm »

Quote

i just dont see what all the excitement is over...

Mario, MarioKart, Metroid, Star Wars...have you SEEN the video for the upcoming Zelda title? It's looks amazing. (http://media.cube.ign.com/media/572/572738/vids_1.html?fromint=1)

Graphically, it's better than the PS2 (I hate the jaggies), not quite as good as the Xbox.

Sure, none of this makes it the best system out of the three. But the GC is the best if you like cutesy characters who run around collecting coins. Personally, I never get tired of that.

DYNAGOD · « **Reply #26 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:59:58 pm »

i understand now..

Quote

Mario, MarioKart, Metroid, Star Wars...have you SEEN the video for the upcoming Zelda title? It's looks amazing. (http://media.cube.ign.com/media/572/572738/vids_1.html?fromint=1)

all titles i do not enjoy..
mario=too played out to death,fro me.mario ended happily with the snes for me

Star Wars=I dont support communists..george lucas hates America so i hate george lucas and everything he touches..
Die george,DIE.

Zelda=just dont like RPG/quest type games

but at least now i understand a little better..

i thought i missed out on some HUGE incredible game or something

crashwg · « **Reply #27 on:** December 20, 2004, 04:00:23 pm »

Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 20, 2004, 01:33:56 pm

maybe im out of the loop., but with the GC's patheticly small list of titles, with even fewer of those being worth mentioning, and its paltry system specs compared to its peers,what exactly can be looked forward to for this project... about 75% of the GC titles are sitting in the bargain bin of shame..

im just wondering if theres something magical and awesome about the GC that i have been missing all along, cause my gamecube has been sitting under my TV hooked up since i bought it, with only about 2 hours of gametime on it..it just has nothing going for it..
if im missing somethign please fill me in...
cause by my best understanding,if anything the GC should by all rights be a dead console by now, and were it not owned by such a software giant to support the blood loss,i think it proboly would be..
i just dont see what all the excitement is over...

I'll gladly give you $10 for it! If it's that bad of a system that will ensure that it's not a total loss to you...

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2004, 04:29:31 pm »

Run Linux on your GC...

http://www.gc-linux.org/

Dave_K. · « **Reply #29 on:** December 20, 2004, 07:10:25 pm »

Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 20, 2004, 01:33:56 pm

im just wondering if theres something magical and awesome about the GC that i have been missing all along, cause my gamecube has been sitting under my TV hooked up since i bought it, with only about 2 hours of gametime on it..it just has nothing going for it..

The GameCube has been getting all the latest import shooters ported to it. Most of which have full tate support and progresive out (better than the PS2 versions). Two imports I recently bought are Star Soldier (a budget shooter) and Mr. Driller Land (which is really fun). Playing imports on GC is also very easy with Free Loader which is available on playasia.com. Its not my favorite system, but it can still rock.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #30 on:** December 21, 2004, 01:16:03 pm »

resident evil 4

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #31 on:** December 21, 2004, 04:39:21 pm »

Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 20, 2004, 03:59:58 pm

Star Wars=I dont support communists..george lucas hates America so i hate george lucas and everything he touches..
Die george,DIE.

Now, come on. We all know Jar-Jar sucked, but is that really any reason to get this upset?

looijemn · « **Reply #32 on:** January 03, 2005, 10:36:32 am »

Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 20, 2004, 03:59:58 pm

Star Wars=I

Spaced Invader · « **Reply #33 on:** January 07, 2005, 10:38:57 am »

Quote from: looijemn on January 03, 2005, 10:36:32 am

Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 20, 2004, 03:59:58 pm
Star Wars=I

kronik · « **Reply #34 on:** January 19, 2005, 09:04:09 pm »

More bios updates are coming out; multi-disc games though (like RE4) still present issues, I believe.. but it's progressing and that's what counts.

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2005, 03:32:26 pm »

Also, word of caution. As it turns out, the Viper chip doesn't seem to work on later model GC's (platinum and on, DOL-101 versions). It DOES work fine on earlier models though (DOL-001).

This issue may be corrected w/ future bios updates, if it isn't a hardware problem. We'll see.

mrC

pointdablame · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2005, 03:54:04 pm »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on January 20, 2005, 03:32:26 pm

Also, word of caution. As it turns out, the Viper chip doesn't seem to work on later model GC's (platinum and on, DOL-101 versions). It DOES work fine on earlier models though (DOL-001).

This issue may be corrected w/ future bios updates, if it isn't a hardware problem. We'll see.

mrC

Doh!! I have a platinum GC... are all platinums the newer models? I've had my GC for quite a while, but never checked the model number.

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2005, 06:40:10 pm »

Probably, just check the model number on your unit (bottom?)

DOL-101 - Not Working
DOL-001 - Working

shmokes · « **Reply #38 on:** January 21, 2005, 03:24:27 am »

Add to that list, Smash Bros, Baiten Kaitos, Pikmin 2, Eternal Darkness, RE 4 (as mentioned), Ikaruga, Viewtiful Joe, Animal Crossing, Resident Evil 0, Mario Party, Metroid Prime 2, Mario Tennis, Paper Mario, Alien Hominid (also on PS2), Tales of Symphonia, F-Zero, Mario Golf...

Those are just exclusives (at least I think they all are). A lot of the other great games are there too that are available for all the systems, like Splinter Cell, etc. And a lot of the multiplatform games are much better on Gamecube than PS2 because it's a more powerful system and has the greatest controller of all time. Considering it has a small, but decent list of spectacular exclusives and a long list of multiplatforms the $100 entry price is an absolute bargain, in my opinion.

Dave_K. · « **Reply #39 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:40:32 pm »

Not to turn this into a GameCube fanboy thread, but I see the GameCube similarly to the Dreamcast. The console is cheaper than PS2/Xbox. The games are cheaper than PS2/Xbox. The GC has progressive output for almost every game (sorry PS2 you suck in this department!). Playing a GC inside my cab with Betson Imperial 27" at 480p is really sweet.

On a side note, if anyone has a GC, I totally recommend grabbing Mr Driller Land (import) along with FreeLoader. Very high production values...probably the best soundtrack I've ever herd in a game period. Plus is plays great in a cab


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