carts:nintendo:nes

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carts:nintendo:nes [2022/09/29 00:09] – [Gathering and Submitting Dump Info] hiccupcarts:nintendo:nes [2025/01/21 14:05] (current) – hiccup
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 {{wst>see_hardware_page}} {{wst>see_hardware_page}}
  
-**Warning: The Nt Mini Noir Jailbreak v6.5 (Dec. 15, 2020) [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/85|produced partially corrupted dumps of some Famicom carts]].**+**Warning: The Nt Mini Noir Jailbreak v6.5 (Dec. 15, 2020) [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/85|produced corrupted dumps of some Famicom carts]] and v6.6 (Feb 23, 2021) [and maybe earlier] [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/155|produces corrupted dumps of SXROM and HKROM carts]].**
  
 {{wst>vgpc_help}} {{wst>vgpc_help}}
  
 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
-{{wst>carts_important_notes}} 
 There are many tools available to dump NES / Famicom carts, not all of them are simple to use though. To ensure successful dumps, we won't be listing beta/in progress methods or tools below. There are many tools available to dump NES / Famicom carts, not all of them are simple to use though. To ensure successful dumps, we won't be listing beta/in progress methods or tools below.
 +
 +{{wst>carts_important_notes}}
  
 ===== Methods ===== ===== Methods =====
  
-  - [[#Method 1 - Sanni Cart Reader|Sanni Cart Reader]] +  - [[#Open Source Cartridge Reader]] 
-  - [[#Method 2 - RetroFreak|RetroFreak]] +  - [[#RetroBlaster 2.0]] 
-  - [[#Method 3 - INLretro|INLretro]]+  - [[#RetroFreak]] 
 +  - [[#INLretro]]
  
-==== Method 1 - Sanni Cart Reader ====+==== Open Source Cartridge Reader ====
  
 To read Nintendo/Famicom cartridges you need the [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/tree/master/pcb/adapters|NES(or Famicom) to SNES adapter PCB]] and have the configuration switches set like so: To read Nintendo/Famicom cartridges you need the [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/tree/master/pcb/adapters|NES(or Famicom) to SNES adapter PCB]] and have the configuration switches set like so:
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 //Methodology captured from [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Dumping-NES-Games]]// //Methodology captured from [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Dumping-NES-Games]]//
  
-==== Method 2 - RetroFreak ====+==== RetroBlaster 2.0 ==== 
 +{{wst>community_equipment}} 
 + 
 +Dumping Famicom games with a RetroBlaster 2.0 requires a 60 pin (Famicom) to 72 pin (NES) cartridge adapter (sold separately), in addition to the NES adapter. 
 + 
 +The RetroBlaster software currently only supports Windows and is available on the [[https://github.com/retrostage/RetroBlaster|RetroBlaster github]]. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:sega:rertoblaster_5v.jpg|}} 
 + 
 +Make sure the RetroBlaster voltage switch is set to 5V (not the 3V setting). 
 + 
 +Connect the NES adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:nes:nes_retroblaster.png|}} 
 + 
 +Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the cartridge label facing the activity LED. 
 + 
 +Open the RetroBlaster software (click Run if you see a security warning about the publisher not being verified) and navigate to the NES tab. 
 + 
 +First, you'll need to know which mapper type the game uses. You can consult a NES game database such as [[https://nescartdb.com|nescartdb.com]] or [[http://nes.dnsabr.com|nes.dnsabr.com]] for the mapper info and the size of the PRG and CHR chips. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_mapper.png|}} 
 + 
 +After selecting the mapper type from the drop-down menu, enter the PRG size. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_chr.png|}} 
 + 
 +Next, enter the CHR chip size. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_sram.png|}} 
 + 
 +Finally, select whether the game uses SRAM for save data. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_software.png|}} 
 + 
 +Click "Dump ROM." Choose the location and filename for your ROM. 
 + 
 +The activity LED will turn on on the RetroBlaster board. A progress bar will indicate the status of the dump, and information will be displayed on the 'status' log when the dump is complete. 
 + 
 +If applicable, you can also dump the SRAM save data from this same tab, by clicking the Dump SRAM button. 
 + 
 +When swapping adapters, the official recommendation from RetroBlaster is to use the non-writing end of a pen or marker to slowly push the adapter out from either side, using the board for leverage, in order to avoid bending the pins. 
 + 
 +==== RetroFreak ====
  
 The RetroFreak is a great little emulation machine that uses physical carts similar to the Retron5. The RetroFreak is a great little emulation machine that uses physical carts similar to the Retron5.
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 //**Needs verification** You might also be able to use the above method to dump an unencrypted BIOS of your Famicom Disk System. Plug in the RAM adapter and follow the instructions above to save the encrypted BIOS on your SD card. Then start an FDS game that you have loaded onto the SD card and the BIOS should be dumped into the same location as mentioned above.// //**Needs verification** You might also be able to use the above method to dump an unencrypted BIOS of your Famicom Disk System. Plug in the RAM adapter and follow the instructions above to save the encrypted BIOS on your SD card. Then start an FDS game that you have loaded onto the SD card and the BIOS should be dumped into the same location as mentioned above.//
  
-==== Method 3 - INLretro ====+==== INLretro ====
 todo: look at [[https://arekuse.net/blog/tech-guides/rom-dumping-and-hacking/rom-dumping-nes/|this guide]] and [[https://gitlab.com/InfiniteNesLives/INL-retro-progdump/-/blob/master/docs/EasyRippingGuide.md|this guide]] todo: look at [[https://arekuse.net/blog/tech-guides/rom-dumping-and-hacking/rom-dumping-nes/|this guide]] and [[https://gitlab.com/InfiniteNesLives/INL-retro-progdump/-/blob/master/docs/EasyRippingGuide.md|this guide]]
  
 xxxx xxxx
  
 +==== Opening carts ====
 +=== NES===
 +NES games produced after 1987 use 3.8mm Gamebit screws, but earlier cartridges use common slotted screws. After removing the screws, lift the back off and remove the PCB.
  
 +===Famicom===
 +todo: other methods (1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHyE7VMM58Y, (2) https://imgur.com/a/how-to-open-fc-cart-like-boss-dont-break-clips-8LbzkWi, https://api.imgur.com/post/v1/albums/8LbzkWi?client_id=546c25a59c58ad7&include=media%2Cadconfig%2Caccount%2Ctags
  
-===== Identifying Game Versions =====+Famicom carts don't use screws and require carefully squeezing one half of the shell so the plastic flexes and unclips itself. 
 + 
 +Gently apply pressure until you hear a pop or if the cartridge is bent a little, try pulling on one half of it to open it. If you don't hear a pop or see it bend after applying a generous amount of pressure untighten and check the cartridge positioning. 
 + 
 +If you are using a vice, double check that the line separating both halves of the cartridge is not covered by the clamps, this will ensure that only one half of the cartridge is tightened and that the plastic tabs can be correctly released. 
 + 
 +So you can get an idea of how much pressure should be applied, you may want to try it out with an inexpensive game. 
 + 
 +===== For Reference: Identifying Game Versions =====
 todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant) todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant)
  
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 ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====
 {{wst>see_submission_page}} {{wst>see_submission_page}}
- 
-See [[submission:general|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info (Basic)]] 
  • carts/nintendo/nes.1664402974.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2022/09/29 00:09
  • by hiccup