CartDisk

The multiple console "home brew" backup system
Current version: development version 3.30 beta 1a
(Registration count: thirty-seven)

[CartDisk manual]

I highly recommend you make the ISA card interface instead of the printer port version!

Latest News

I am no-longer accepting registrations for CartDisk, since I don't own a PO BOX anymore. Perhaps work will resume on CartDisk (hopefully closing up the project) at the end of 1999, or beginning of 2000, and I will have a new PO BOX available.

You may be wondering why this page hasn't been updated in a while. Put simply, I have been really busy with University.

What is CartDisk?

CartDisk is a "home-brew" backup system for a variety of console systems using a PC. The hardware was designed with the average hobbist in mind, using no programmable logic and widely available parts so almost anyone can build it. As a result, it may not be as good as some of the commercial backup systems, with their real-time-save and other advanced features, but I'm sure you'll have a great time using it simply because you built it yourself! Some advanced features like Game Genie and Gold Finger codes will be supported however.

Currently support for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), SEGA MegaDrive/Genesis and Nintendo GameBoy (GB) is available. It is hoped that the SEGA Master System and Game Gear consoles will also be supported. Nintendo Entertainment System cannot be supported because it's a pain to interface (bank switching is the problem - it's easy to read cartridges up to 32 kbytes however), and I don't know how...

"CartDisk" comes in two versions, consisting of an 8bit ISA card, which connects to your PC's motherboard (like a sound card), or a printer port (ECP/EPP) interface, which connects to your computer as if it were a printer. Various adapters for different consoles connect to the interface via a SCSI ribbon cable, on which your cartridges plug in. A DOS based program controls the hardware, allowing you to transfer data between the two. The ISA card uses only 4 ICs, while the ECP/EPP interface uses 3 ICs. The hardware is very easy to construct once you have the PCBs made.

The CartDisk software is currently SHAREWARE. It is crippled and won't allow you to copy cartridges larger than 8Mbits (for SNES, Genesis/MegaDrive) and 256Kbits (for GameBoy).

CartDisk dev 3.30 beta 1a has the following features:

Support for the Super Nintendo, SEGA MegaDrive/Genesis and Nintendo GameBoy
Display cartridge information of a cartridge plugged into the interface
Copy a cartridge to disk
Copy/Load/Clear the battery backup-RAM on Super Nintendo and GameBoy cartridges
Test function to make sure the interface is behaving normally
Error checking through use of the cartridge checksum

Once everything works 100%, CartDisk '97 will be released, using the current hardware design. It will be a product only available to registered people, and will defiantly cost more than what I'm asking for CartDisk versions now. People who register early get all new versions for free, so do it today!

If you are interested in making the CartDisk hardware commercially, either just the PCBs, kits, or fully constructed and tested interfaces, then please contact me One definite requirement is that you need to be able to ship world-wide if required. :)

If you want to be able to purchase the above, if a supplier becomes available, then please email your interest and specify what you would be interested in: PCBs, kits, or a full unit. (The more interest there is, the cheaper it would become due to bulk purchases for parts, etc...)

Playing Backed-up Games

This version doesn't yet support a rewritable cartridge because it hasn't been finalised. Two cartridge designs using SIMM FlashROM and DRAM are available for viewing. As soon as a design is settled on, PCB layouts will be designed and tested. The playback option and final hardware design will only be available to registered users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of some of the most asked questions and their corresponding answers. If a question and answer isn't listed here, it's probably included in the CartDisk manual (also included in the .ZIP file; download below).

I want to make the printer port version. How do I know if my port is bi-directional (ECP/EPP)?
First of all, you are strongly encouraged to make the ISA version, as it is a lot faster. Secondly, your printer port does not necessarily have to be an ECP or EPP capable port to use the interface, it simply needs to support a bi-directional mode. I am told PS/2 printer ports are bi-directional. To check your port, download a utility which will give you all the information on any ports on your system.
Are there any plans for Nintendo 64 support?
No... because there is no information avaliable on the N64 in relation to the physical cartridges. The "easiest" way on doing it is hack apart a Doctor 64 or similar machine - and I don't have one. Please do not email DiskDude regarding the N64 unless you have information to offer (He's had enough email requests already).
Where can I buy the CartDisk hardware?
You can't currently buy the CartDisk hardware, and are encouraged to make it yourself. You can however register CartDisk with DiskDude by donating funds which allows you to copy games up to 32Mbits. Please read the CartDisk documentation for more information.
Where can I buy the parts from, and how much does it cost?
A part list with part numbers and prices from JDR electronics is included along with the CartDisk manual. All parts used to construct CartDisk are avaliable from JDR (except PCBs). As soon as anyone is avaliable to supply the PCBs, then it will be announced.
Can you send me any games?
No! It is illegal to copy console ROMs for your friends. The author was informed that you may "lend" them for 24 hours without trouble, so long as they return it or delete it after the 24 hour period is over. You may backup your own games which you own for your personal use, however only one copy is permitted. All email DiskDude receives regarding the availability of ROMs will be added to his "Lamer Page".

Comparison between ISA and ECP/EPP versions

Disadvantages of the ECP/EPP design

Slowness! Due to the limitations of the IBM printer port, reading and writing data using the ECP/EPP version is slower than the ISA card. If a FlashROM cartridge design is to be created, it will take much longer to write a complete 32Mbit cartridge. It is estimated that the ECP/EPP version is around 3-4 times slower than the ISA card.
Also, assuming the DRAM cartridge design works (as outlined in "Latest News" above), there is a timing requirement that the DRAM is not accessed for more than 10 microseconds. When writing to the DRAM using the ISA card, this should be no problem, as it is very quick. When using the printer port interface, this may cause a problem, however I am just guessing at this point in time. As a result, I highly recommend you build the ISA card rather than the printer port interface.
I have managed to get 2Mbits per second of data streaming through my ISA card which means it takes 16 seconds to backup a full 32 Mbit SNES cartridge!
External power supply. Since the printer port does not come with its own power, you must get your power from an external source. The ideal source is the IBM joystick port, which means you need two connectors. The ISA design gets its power straight from the motherboard.
More wire. You will need a cable to go between your printer port interface and your printer port. You will also need a cable to go to your power supply - usually your joystick port as it supplies a nice 5 volt power output.

Advantages of the ECP/EPP design

Easier to make. If you cannot etch your own PCBs, you can wirewrap or breadboard the interface. Generally, the major drawback for most people making the ISA design was the PCBs.
Portability. You can just unplug the interface, bring it over to your best friends place, plug it in again and show off your handywork! With the ISA design, you would have had to unscrew the computer, remove the card, etc etc. Also, it can be used with laptops!

Download CartDisk

The CartDisk ZIP file available below. Please use the site closest to you. Included in the ZIP file are: the CartDisk manual which covers details such as how to make and test the hardware; a part order list for JDR electronics; registration information; how to use the software/hardware; an abstract and revision history, DOS executable programs/utilities and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Layouts.

Support for both versions of the hardware is included in the one ZIP file.

CartDisk dev 3.30 beta 1a (189 kbytes).
Protel for Windows demo (925 kbytes).

Known bugs

The following are the known bugs in CartDisk development version 3.30 beta 1a:

The code which reads/writes/clears GameBoy battery RAM may not work properly. It hasn't been tested.

Bug fixes will be available in the next CartDisk release, whenever that may be.

Disclaimer

No information contained on this WWW page or CartDisk software was derived from any confidential source.

You may legally make one copy or backup of a game cartridge that you currently own, although distribution of this copy is prohibited by law, and may be subject to where you live.

DiskDude accepts no liability for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect or consequential even if he has been advised of the possibility of such damages from the use, misuse and/or construction of the CartDisk software and/or hardware. Furthermore, DiskDude doesn't make any warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

The CartDisk software is shareware and provided "as is". You may distribute the shareware version of CartDisk so long as all accompanying files are also distributed, no charge other than duplication costs are applied and none of the original files are modified in any way. You may use the shareware version of CartDisk for upto thirty days on a trial basis after which you must register or delete all copies of the software in your possession. It is a crime to distribute any registered version(s) of the CartDisk software and/or hardware.

In no way shall CartDisk be used for acts of piracy. CartDisk was designed for backup and/or development of console games that you own.

All copyrights and trademarks are owned by their respective owners, even if not acknowledged. No infringements are intended.

Have a nice day! :)

Information Required

If you can help me with the following, please contact me via e-mail. It will be much appreciated and full credit will be given in the next version of CartDisk where appropriate.

Control signals required to enable SRAM on the MegaDrive, Game Gear and Master System.
How to bankswitch the GameGear and SEGA Master System.
Format of the 8bit NES, SMS and GameGear Game Genie codes.
Checksum of the SEGA MasterSystem and GameGear ROMs.

Visit the old CartDisk version 3.11a web page

John Pappas (DiskDude) is not connected or affiliated with any mentioned company in any way. The opinions of the Turtle Group Inc. do not reflect the views of the various companies mentioned here. Companies and all products pertaining to that company are trademarks of that company. Please contact that company for trademark and copyright information.