Pin Header

The History of Game Console Mod Chips

Since the advent of home video game consoles there have always been ‘tinkerers’ intent on making the consoles do more than the manufacturer intended. Ironically, it was the earliest game consoles that were the best protected from users attempting to make modifications, with the first dozen or so home consoles having a limited number of unchangeable games built in. In 1976 the Channel F was the first programmable video game system, having plug-in cartridges containing ROM and microprocessor code rather than dedicated circuits. The blocky plastic cartridge with it’s unre-writable ROM chip would be the game console manufacturers number one defense against game copying and home modification for the next 20 years.

It was not until 1994, when Sony launched the PlayStation, (which it had originally begun to design by the request of Nintendo, who later rejected it – forever to their chagrin) that the concept of true home modification became a reality. Early PlayStation consoles had a parallel port on the back of the console and it was by using this port a method was discovered to use a Game Enhancer to swap an original disc with a copied disc. The first modification had been performed!

Soon after an unnamed software developer working in Hong Kong developed the first installable mod chip for the PlayStation which he sold for around $50. The code used by this developer was reverse engineered in 1997, and the code made public. This reduced the overall price of PlayStation mod chips to around $10.

Sony was not oblivious to the potential revenue being lost to console owners using modified consoles so increased the protection against copied and ‘homebrewed’ software that was built into the PlayStation2 which was launched in 2000. The PS2 console has a protection system based on original discs containing unreadable sectors. This part of the disc cannot be burned onto a copied disc. The PS2 console performs a disc integrity check on every disc when loading a game. If the unreadable sectors are not found, the game does not pass the check and consequently will not load. Fortunately for PS2 owners a mod chip was developed allowing the loading of copied and homebrewed games only a few months after the launch of the popular console.

The Nintendo corporation is one of the most active companies in the effort to deter game copying with it’s most notable attempt being the unique design of the optical disc system used with 2001’s Game Cube system. A proprietary format based on Matsushita's optical-disc technology; the discs are approximately 8 centimeters (3 1/8 inches) in diameter (considerably smaller than the 12cm CDs or DVDs used in competitors' consoles), and the discs have a capacity of approximately 1.5 gigabytes. The disc is also read from the outer-most edge going inward, the opposite of a standard DVD.

The Microsoft Xbox gaming console also went to lengths to protect against user modification but it too proved susceptible to the cunning of Modchip designers. Modchips for the Xbox usually take advantage of a 16-pin LPC debugging port that is included on the Xbox motherboard. The console can use this port to load an alternative BIOS. A pin header must be soldered to this port and connected to the modchip and a single solder point outside of the LPC header (D0) must be attached to the modchip also. This leads to the onboard BIOS being bypassed and the loading of the BIOS from the LPC port. A common practice in the modding scene is to use an alternative BIOS (that contains no copyrighted code whatsoever) that can load a Linux Operating System either from DVD or from the Xbox HDD.

The most recent Nintendo gaming console , the exciting and innovative Wii seems to have also inspired the greatest number of mod chip designs, with nearly a dozen on the market currently. Among the easiest mod chip installations available the Wii is capable of being ‘chipped’ via a solder-less mount which makes it one of the quickest and simplest machines to modify.

No one is quite sure what the next generation of game consoles will look like, or what manufacturers will do to try and secure them against modification, but mod chips seem to be as adaptable to change as the consoles they are built for.

About the Author

Michiel Van Kets writes articles for Game Console World, a UK based company committed to providing a service-driven, stress-free approach to satisfying the video game, computer and electronics lover in all of us. The company is specialists in console modifications including Wii Chipping, Xbox 360 repairs and Xbox 360 flashing lxtreme (softmod). The website offers gaming accessories ranging from Wii Modchips, the solderless Mod chip to Drivekey solutions and Triwing Screwdrivers.

9 Pin & 25 Pin Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter - serial / parallel panel $5.99 StarTech.com 9 Pin & 25 Pin Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter - Serial / parallel panel - DB-9 DB-25 (M)

9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Slot Plate Adapter - serial panel - 9 in $3.99 StarTech.com 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Slot Plate Adapter - Serial panel - DB-9 (M) - 10 pin IDC (F) - 9 in

9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Panel Mount Cable - serial cable - 1.3 ft $5.99 StarTech.com 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Panel Mount Cable - Serial cable - DB-9 (M) - 10 pin IDC (F) - 1.3 ft - gray

StarTech 9 Pin Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Low Profile Slot Plate Adapter Model PLATE9MHDLP $8.99 Type: Serial Header Adapter External Ports: 1 x Serial Port Features: Connector A: 1 - 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9) Male Connector B: 1 - 10 pin IDC (Motherboard Header) Female Parts: 1 year limited Labor: 1 year limited

StarTech.com Parallel to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate $16.99 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Female Parallel 1 x 25-pin IDC Female 2 This 25-pin parallel header slot plate turns a 25-pin motherboard parallel header into a parallel port on the rear panel of your computer chassis, for cost-effective and convenient parallel peripheral connections. DB-25 Data Transfer Cable Adapter IDC PLATE25FB Parallel to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate StarTech.com www.startech.com

StarTech PLATE9M16 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Slot Plate Adapter $6.99 Type: 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Specifications: Color: Gray Connector A: 1 - DB-9 (9 pin; D-Sub) Male Connector B: 1 - IDC (10 pin; Motherboard Header) Female Cable Length: 15.98 in [406 mm] *Conforms to Apex10-Everex-Intel Specification, please refer to wiring diagram on the Downloads Tab Features: Connects to your motherboard and adds an additional serial port to the back of your PC. Easy to use and install.

DB25 Parallel Female to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate - parallel panel $6.99 StarTech.com DB25 Parallel Female to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate - Parallel panel - DB-25 (F) - 25 pin IDC (F)

Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter - serial adapter - 9 in $4.99 StarTech.com Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter - Serial adapter - DB-9 (M) - 10 pin IDC (F) - 9 in - gray

Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header LP Slot Plate - serial adapter - 9 in $12.99 StarTech.com Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header LP Slot Plate - Serial adapter - DB-9 (M) - 10 pin IDC (F) - 9 in - gray

StarTech.com 6" USB A to USB 4 Pin Header Cable $6.99 1 x 4-pin Type A Female USB 2 6" 6" USB A to USB 4 Pin Header Cable Data Transfer Cable Adapter StarTech.com This USB A Female to Motherboard Header Adapter features a 4-pin USB header connection, as well as a regular USB A (female) port, allowing you to connect internal USB devices directly to the motherboard header connection.The adapter cable offers a cost-effective solution for connecting multi-function front panels, or any device that relies on using an internal USB port.Constructed of high quality materials and expertly constructed for durable performance, the USB A Female to motherboard USB header adapter is backed by StarTech.com's Lifetime Warranty. Type A USBMBADAPT www.startech.com

StarTech PLATE25FB Parallel to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate $6.99 Type: Parallel to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate Specifications: Number of Connectors: 2 Connector Details: 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Female Parallel 1 x 25-pin IDC Female Cable Length: 8" Features: 1 - 25 pin IDC Female to 1 - 25 pin D-Sub Female Parts: 1 year limited

Startech.com / StarTech Cale USBINT5PIN 18inch Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable Retail / USBINT5PIN $13.6 Startech.com - StarTech Cale USBINT5PIN 18inch Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable Retail - USBINT5PIN

Koutech / Koutech Accessory IO-UU220 USB2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A Adapter Retail / IO-UU220 $20.06 Koutech - Koutech Accessory IO-UU220 USB2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A Adapter Retail - IO-UU220

USB 2.0 Cable - USB A Female to USB Motherboard 4 Pin Header F/F - USB cable - 6 in $3.99 StarTech.com USB 2.0 Cable - USB A Female to USB Motherboard 4 Pin Header F/F - USB cable - 4 pin USB Type A (F) - 4 pin MPC (F) - 6 in - for StarTech.com 35FCREAD 35FCREADBK

18in Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable - USB cable - 1.5 ft $2.99 StarTech.com 18in Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable - USB cable - 5 pin internal (F) - 5 pin internal (M) - 1.5 ft ( USB / Hi-Speed USB ) - black

Internal 2 pin IDC Motherboard Header Cable - HDD LED cable - 1.5 ft $2.99 StarTech.com Internal 2 pin IDC Motherboard Header Cable - HDD LED cable - 2 pin IDC (F) - 2 pin IDC (F) - 1.5 ft

Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable - USB cable - 1.5 ft $2.99 StarTech.com Internal 5 pin USB IDC Motherboard Header Cable - USB cable - 5 pin internal (F) - 5 pin internal (F) - 1.5 ft ( USB / Hi-Speed USB ) - black

StarTech 16 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Panel Mount Cable $6.99 Type: Serial (COM) Connector Detail: Connector A: 1 - DB-9 (9 pin; D-Sub) Male Connector B: 1 - IDC (10 pin; Motherboard Header) Female Color: Gray Connector Number: 2 Terminal Gender: M-F Specifications: Wire Gauge: 28 AWG Features: Turn a Motherboard IDC Serial Header into a Panel-Mountable 9-Pin RS232 Serial Connector Fasten a DB9 (RS232) Serial port to an existing face or wall plate Add legacy hardware to newer systems

Koutech USB 2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A adapter Model IO-UU220 $6.99 Type: USB Header Adapter Data Transfer Rate: 480/12/1.5 Mbps Operating Systems Supported: Supports Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista or higher Supports Linux OS Supports Mac OS 8.6 and higher Specifications: Connects to motherboard or add-on USB 2.0 card with 2x5 USB 2.0 header-pin connector Two (2) USB 2.0 Type-A downstream connectors for Hi-Speed USB 2.0 devices USB Specification v.1.0/1.1/2.0 compatible (data transfer rate at 1.5/12/480 Mbps) Fully Plug-N-Play compatible Parts: 2 years limited Labor: 2 years limited

DB25 Parallel Female to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate - parallel panel - 1.3 ft $3.99 StarTech.com DB25 Parallel Female to IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate - Parallel panel - DB-25 (F) - 25 pin IDC (F) - 1.3 ft - gray

StarTech USBMBADAPT 6in USB 2.0 Cable - USB A Female to USB Motherboard 4 Pin Header F/F $5.99 Type: USB A Female to USB Motherboard 4 Pin Header Specifications: Connector A: 1 - IDC (4 pin; Motherboard Header) Female Connector B: 1 - USB A (4 pin) Female Color: Gray Cable Length: 6 in [15.24 cm] Features: Easily convert an internal Motherboard Header Port to a regular USB A female port. Easy to use and install. Parts: Lifetime limited Labor: Lifetime limited

StarTech PLATE9M 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Slot Plate Adapter $8.99 Type: Serial Male to 10 Pin Motherboard Header Specifications: Color: Gray Connectors: DB9 Male, IDC 10 Cable Length: 9 inches (229mm) General Specifications: Conforms to Apex10-Everex-Intel Specification, please refer to wiring diagram on the Downloads Tab

StarTech PLATE9MHD 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin IDC Motherboard Header Slot Plate Adapter $7 Type: 9 Pin Serial Male to 10 Pin IDC Motherboard Header Slot Plate Specifications: Color: Gray Connector Types: 1 - DB9 Male Connector Types: 1 - IDC 10 Female General Specifications: Conforms to Apex10-Everex-Intel Specification, please refer to wiring diagram on the Downloads Tab Wire gauge: 28 AWG Features: Conveniently add an external DB9 serial port. Connects to your motherboard and adds an additional DB9 serial port to the back of your PC. Parts: 1 year limited

StarTech.com Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter $17.99 1 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Male 1 x 9-pin DB-9 Male Serial This serial Expansion Slot Plate connects to 10-pin IDC motherboard connectors to add one 9-pin serial (DB9) and one 25-pin serial (DB25) port. The expansion slot plate requires only a single expansion slot on the computer rear panel, saving space while allowing simple connections to serial devices. Copper DB-25 DB-9 Data Transfer Cable PLATE9M25MB Serial to 10 Pin IDC Header Slot Plate Adapter StarTech.com www.startech.com

Header $949.99 Header; 1 7/8 in.; Full Length; Stainless Steel;

STARTECH PLATE9M DB9 pin Serial to 10 pin Header PC $15.67 This DB9 Serial Slot Plate Adapter adds a DB9 serial port to the rear panel of small form factor/low profile computer connecting to the host computer motherboard using an IDC10 connector. Please refer to this product s Technical Specifications to ensure compatibility with your motherboard. Color: Gray. Cable Length 9 . Durability and functionality exceeds any other brands. Manufactured to the highest quality available. Satisfaction ensured.

StarTech.com 2 Port USB Motherboard Header Adapter $12.99 1 x IDC Female 2 Port USB Motherboard Header Adapter 2 x 4-pin Type A Female USB 2.0 USB 3 4 Pin Header Plugs Data Transfer Adapter IDC StarTech.com Type A USBMBADAPT2 www.startech.com

Startech DB25 Parallel Female To IDC 25 Pin Header Slot Plate - Parallel Panel. Each $3.72 Manufacturer: Startech Computer Products. Each. This 25-pin parallel header slot plate turns a 25-pin motherboard parallel header into a parallel port on the rear panel of your computer chassis, for cost-effective and convenient parallel peripheral connec

Startech PLATE25F16 16In Db25To Idc 25 Pin Header Slot Plate $18.73 This 25pin Parallel to 25pin Header Slot Plate features one DB25 Female connector and one IDC 25 connector. Constructed of only top quality components' StarTech's Parallel Slot Plate adapter offers a costeffective solution for adding a Parallel device connection using a compatible motherboard. Primary Information. Product Typeamp;nbsp;:amp;nbsp;amp;nbsp;Parallel panelamp;nbsp;. Serviceamp;Support. Service amp; Support Typeamp;nbsp;:amp;nbsp;amp;nbsp;Limited lifetime warrantyamp;nbsp;. UNSPSC Code. UNSPSC Codeamp;nbsp;:amp;nbsp;amp;nbsp;43220000amp;nbsp;

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.