IDE Mod Reset Issue [SOLVED]

[pcwzrd13]

I'm having a strange issue with my IDE modded Dreamcast. On rare occasions, the screen will go black (no video signal) in the middle of playing a game and after 10 seconds or so, it will reset. This has happened on the DreamShell menu a couple times as well. I should also note that sometimes it will not fully reset and just goes to a black screen; when this happens I have to turn it off and on again a few times to get it to boot up. It's strange because sometimes I can go months without it happening. At first I thought it might have been the common random reset issue that others have had but that doesn't appear to be the case. I've tried all of the known fixes for the random reset but nothing worked. Has anyone else experienced this with the IDE mod? Is it possibly an issue with DreamShell or the DreamShell bootloader BIOS? I might completely resolder everything but I want to know if this is possibly a software issue before I do that.

Here's my setup:

- NTSC-U Dreamcast VA1
- DreamShell bootloader flashed to BIOS chip
- 2.5" IDE HDD with cable soldered directly to the underside of the motherboard
- Hard drive is internal
- GD-ROM board connected with laser assembly removed to make room for HDD
- DreamShell GitHub version

Update: The issue appears to be fixed now. The problem was with the BIOS chip not being soldered well enough. I resoldered all the legs and now the reset issue appears to be gone.

[SWAT]

Maybe problem in power supply connection? That contacts really bad and your symptoms are very similar.

[pcwzrd13]

(08.10.2017 10:25)SWAT писал(а):  Maybe problem in power supply connection? That contacts really bad and your symptoms are very similar.

Yeah I've tried a bunch of fixes for that (bending, cleaning, and coating pins with solder) but nothing worked. I've also completely replaced the power supply but it didn't do any good.

[aldair]

(08.10.2017 15:50)pcwzrd13 писал(а):  

(08.10.2017 10:25)SWAT писал(а):  Maybe problem in power supply connection? That contacts really bad and your symptoms are very similar.

Yeah I've tried a bunch of fixes for that (bending, cleaning, and coating pins with solder) but nothing worked. I've also completely replaced the power supply but it didn't do any good.

IDE wires being grounded

[pcwzrd13]

I'm starting to suspect the BIOS chip might be the culprit. I know black screens / loss of video signal are symptoms you might see if the chip isn't installed right. I went ahead and re-soldered all the legs on the BIOS chip and left the Dreamcast on for 24 hours. So far it hasn't reset on me. I'm going to try leaving it on for a few more days and see what happens.

(09.10.2017 06:48)aldair писал(а):  IDE wires being grounded

Yup.

[aldair]

(09.10.2017 16:26)pcwzrd13 писал(а):  I'm starting to suspect the BIOS chip might be the culprit. I know black screens / loss of video signal are symptoms you might see if the chip isn't installed right. I went ahead and re-soldered all the legs on the BIOS chip and left the Dreamcast on for 24 hours. So far it hasn't reset on me. I'm going to try leaving it on for a few more days and see what happens.

(09.10.2017 06:48)aldair писал(а):  IDE wires being grounded

Yup.

[pcwzrd13]

@aldair

I used this wiring diagram. All grounded wires are going to P.GND as stated. I double-checked everything so I'm sure it's fine.

[aldair]

[

[pcwzrd13]

I think I've fixed it! I left the Dreamcast on for over three days straight after resoldering the BIOS chip and it didn't reset on me. I'm marking this thread as solved. :-)

[jacobsson]

(12.10.2017 08:10)pcwzrd13 писал(а):  I think I've fixed it! I left the Dreamcast on for over three days straight after resoldering the BIOS chip and it didn't reset on me. I'm marking this thread as solved. :-)

Great to know what issues a bad connection to the BIOS can look like!
I have some of those issues myself, mainly it happens after an hour due to heat (I think), that might cause my BIOS to lose connection.