DDR Version Upgradability? (Re-posted topic # 2489050)

NeoBlazeSJX

-Can a DDR USA machine be upgraded to an Extreme?
-Are there any disadvantages to upgrading as opposed to buying that mix as-is (other than price, obviously)?
-Can Memory Slots be installed on a DDR Machine not initilaly built with them?
-Bootleg versus Genuine: How to tell? Pros and Cons? Cost? Availability?

Any other info.

To MOD's: Just link and lock if you have to, search doesn't really do much anymore...
_________________

DDR Phreak. So dead it isn't funny.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43106
The burn will return!

CStarFlare · Maniac Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002

Clay0K · Staff Member Joined: 16 Jan 2002 Location: Out.

HexagonSun · Trick Member Joined: 23 Jan 2002 Location: Rochester, NY

Yes, a DDR USA machine can be upgraded provided you use a bootleg kit. While many purists frown upon using bootlegs, unfortunately it's the only way to upgrade a machine once Konami sells out of a particular kit (usually right after release actually)

While it's looked at as piracy, Konami doesn't technically lose money as they only produce and sell through x number of kits. Their reputation of instability is about 90% myth and 10% truth. This all started back when MAX2 came out and people had crashing problems with it left and right. The fact of the matter is that these reports were coming out of Japan as well on legit machines. The "10% truth" comes into play since the bootlegs disks are distributed on CD-R, the occasional bad burn or bad batch may have been produced. Other than that factor, they are functionally identical to legitimate kits.

While this may all sound like I condone bootleg kits, I really don't unless you have no other option (ie you own a non-Japanese 3rd mix or USA machine) or the mix that you want to upgrade to is no longer available using official channels. I just felt the air needed to be cleared as there are so many misconceptions flung around about what these kits are and how they work. My biggest problem with them is that while they're not really losing money for Konami, I don't feel it's right for the bootleggers to make money off the backs of Konami, so I guess I look at it as more of a morally gray issue rather than a functionality issue which seems to be the main criticism thrown around (yes, I do own some bootleg kits)

In regard to memory card "kits" I've never actually seen these advertised for sale anywhere, and I've seen many people ask about them, usually resulting in no success. They may have been produced in very limited qualities at one time, but I'm pretty sure they're all but impossible to find now.

DiscoStu · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Canada

Holy crap when did Cstarflare become a mod? Congrats!
_________________

CStarFlare · Maniac Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002

XD I love answering this question.

Smbu |LÂ©| · Trick Member Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Location: California

Catastrophe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Mar 2002 Location: Worcester, MA

The only way to upgrade a MAX USA cabinet is to bootleg your upgrade. The bootleg, besides 'fixing' the region code problem also 'fixes' the availability problem. Heh.

Memory card slots can be installed but they're hard to find I guess. There are only two ways to get them: take them from another DDR machine or take them from a Guitar Freaks machine. I don't know what the slots of GF do or if you know any owners willing to part with them but it's worth a shot.

MAX2 really doesn't crash that often ( bootleg or not ) *but* you're supposed to install a new CD-Rom drive whenever the old one wears out. Depending on how much use your machine gets that could be sooner before later. I would also recommend not spilling Gatorade on the machine and not letting it overheat.

Clean the fan! Vaccum the pads!

I heard on bemanistyle.com that KOA has finally offically named a third party company to handle all of their parts, repairs, and potentially new units. If that's true then we don't have to cannibalize other DDR machines for official parts anymore! Yay!

Animenathan · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:02 am Post subject:

USA to Max2 is kind of a difficult proposition. The USA cabinets come with older-style video boards, so to combat that problem, the bootleggers have started gutting solo cabinets and selling the video boards with the upgrade kit for a tidy profit.

Memory cards....the difficult problem.

Most machines, as you may know, do not come with memory card slots, and the ones that did were the early production run of 3rd and 4th mix cabinets. There are two styles of memory cards; one that plugs in below the song selection buttons, and one mounted to the right side of the screen. I've tried to find them and, frankly, it's impossible.

The rest of the info is correct.

Nate
_________________

Nate
Ivy Rocks in SC2.

PSM->G · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:39 am Post subject:

If my memory serves me correct, I believe that SVGL upgraded a USA to a legit 5th Mix and I completely have no clue what they did to make the upgrade possible. But other than that, you should be able to do it with bootlegs.

No disadvantages, just get a mix that you think will bring you business. Just also be sure to maintain your machine in working condition.

Memory card slots can be installed, but are very hard to find separately.

Bootleg Kit you get the following:
-Install CD
-Game CD
-Security Chip
-Copied Marquee

Legit (Genuine) you get the following:
-1 CD (it includes install and game at the same time)
-Cartridge for the specified mix
-Original marquee with the Serial Number Sticker
-Side Art for specified mix

The only legit mix I believe that came with 2 CDs was 4th Plus.

Pretty much the only Pros and Cons are:

-Bootleg Kits are cheap
-Technically they're not the real thing, but play the same way
-Certain problems will occur as stated from the other posts
-Can be upgraded to any machine, but the cartridge from the previous legit mix will be sacrificed b/c when you upgrade to a bootleg, the data from the cartridge in the previous legit mix is erased.

-Legit Kits are expensive
-Not that many are made, so it's rare to find previous legit mixes, unless you can find them used.
-You have the real thing in your hands so you shouldn't expect any problems what so ever.

I used to have a legit MAX 2, but I didn't encounter that freezing in the IR courses.

How can GF's memory card slots be the same size as DDR's?

Has anyone seen memory card slots mounted to the right?

NeoBlazeSJX · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2003 11:42 am Post subject:

Hmm....what about a gutted PSOne...do you think there is anyway to rig something up and use that, or is there different circuitry involved?

Would there be any additional programming involved, or are they already programmed to search for the link?
_________________

DDR Phreak. So dead it isn't funny.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43106
The burn will return!

NeoBlazeSJX · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:50 pm Post subject:

Anyone? (Opinons about the above post?)
_________________

DDR Phreak. So dead it isn't funny.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43106
The burn will return!

What?! ¡¿NekketsuKunio?! · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 4:48 pm Post subject:

NeoBlazeSJX · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 8:05 pm Post subject:

Actually, one day, one hour and a few minutes...that and it was at the bottom of the second page of posts...
_________________

DDR Phreak. So dead it isn't funny.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43106
The burn will return!

LOKI · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Folsom, CA, USA

The memory card slots are the same as those found on any PSX. Infact controller ports can be found under the mem card slots on a DDR machine. I would image you could mod a cabinent and install the gutted mem card slot/controller port as long as there are no other boards involved.
_________________

Orange Lounge: Bemani Talk Radio every Sunday night @ 6:30PM Pacific Time.
Meanwhile, Bemani Music & More 24/7 on dialup friendly stream.

Bill Masterman · Vivid Member Joined: 20 Feb 2002 Location: Tacoma, WA

Just a quick note of interest regarding the upgrades of a DDR USA machine.
It was about mid production of the DDR USA series when Konami started using a digital I/O board and 32 meg flash card as part of the standard components in the build. USA machines manufactured after about July of 1999 have the digital I/O baord that is required to make it an "upgradeable cabinet".

In a nutshell: Early DDR USA's are not upgradeable, and later ones are. The supply of digital I/O boards, which were available a year ago to upgrade old cabinets, have all dried up. So short of robbing the I/O board from a solo 2 K machine, you are stuck with a non-upgradeable cabinet.
we were lucky! We bought the DDR USA's late in their run, and luckily had upgradeable cabinets.

Catastrophe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Mar 2002 Location: Worcester, MA

darudefx · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2003 10:15 pm Post subject: memory card slots

I like the memory card slots. The Extreme Machines that will be on channel beat will probably be a bootlegged older mix (i.e. 4th Mix). Then they install it and sell it to Channel Beat. If you want an Extreme upgrade email [email protected]. They are most likely to be boot leg but give them a quote and they can help you. I hope you have fun in your ddr machine.
_________________

darudefx

I will get an extreme (8th mix) machine somewhere or get an older machine and upgrade it to extreme (8th mix).

Here is my site at http://www.myddrhomepad.tk

Nin10do_Nick · Basic Member Joined: 24 May 2003

The mem card slots are hooked into a large board about the size of a PS but the connection is a USB cable to the JAMMA board.

Phrekwenci · Administrator Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Location: New York, NY

Welcome to 4 months ago, don't bump old topics just to reply unless it is updated information.
_________________

Best thread on DDR Freak winnar | Second best thread | Posting and You...