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How to Install a Region Switch on the Dreamcast

The Sega Dreamcast was the first member of the sixth generation of video game consoles and was released in North America in 1999. The Dreamcast features a lock that prevents game software from one region to be played in another. Due to the relatively short lifespan of the Dreamcast hardware, many popular games were only released in one region. In order to switch the region of the console, a wire must be soldered to the motherboard between two specific contacts, and a specialized application must be loaded into the disc drive.

Things You'll Need

Phillips head screw driver
Soldering iron
7" Kynar wire
CD burner

Instructions

- 1
  Download the "Dreamcast Region Change Disc v1.5" disc image from the Mmmonkey website. Burn the disc image to a CD using your preferred disc writing software.
- 2
  Unplug the Dreamcase game console from the power source. Turn the console upside down and remove the expansion bay by pressing in the tab and pulling on the slot. Remove all four screws with the Phillips head from the bottom of the case.
- 3
  Turn the console topside up and lift the top cover of the case to expose the disc drive. Remove the two screws from the power supply board to the left of the disc drive. Lift the power supply board out of the console case.
- 4
  Disconnect the controller port ribbon from the controller port by gently pulling on the ribbon connector. Remove the four screws from the controller port board and disconnect the orange wire connected to the fan. Lift the controller port board out of the console case.
- 5
  Disconnect the orange ribbon connected to the disc drive in the center of the console. Disconnect the two smaller wires on the right side of the disc drive by gently pulling on the plastic plugs. Remove the two screws from the disc drive and lift the drive out of the console case.
- 6
  Remove the eight screws from the top of the metal harness that covers the motherboard. Lift the metal harness out of the console case.
- 7
  Remove the motherboard from the console case and lay it upside down on a flat surface.
- 8
  Locate the "12v" and "R512" contacts on the motherboard. The "12v" contact is located on a pin where the power supply board was plugged into. The "R512" contact is located and clearly labeled in the corner opposite of the "12v" contact.
- 9
  Solder one end of the Kynar wire to the "12v" contact and the other end to the "R512" contact.
- 10
  Reassemble the Dreamcast console, following the above steps in reverse order.
- 11
  Plug the power cable into the console and insert the "Dreamcast Region Change" application disc into the drive.
- 12
  Power on the console and follow the on-screen instructions to permanently switch the region of your Dreamcast.

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