Hacking Homebrew GCN PicoBoot - GameCube IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico

[Deleted member 194275]

Bluretro is so fucken dope!

After testing seems like sd gecko memory card is more reliable than sd2sp2.

Gecko reads full size SD cards, that's an advantage for me as I get those very very cheap. My gecko died so I was about to change to parallel port, but ended up with another gecko.

 

[Donnie-Burger]

Gecko reads full size SD cards, that's an advantage for me as I get those very very cheap. My gecko died so I was about to change to parallel port, but ended up with another gecko.

For anyone having intermittent black screens check your sd2sp2 adapter. Try gecko and see if it changes anything.

 

[hdx]

PicoBoot v0.2 release​

Just a heads up I've just released new PicoBoot v0.2 firmware.

It comes with updated iplboot which introduces overall reliability improvements and new features. The most important one is that you can hold D-Pad Down during boot to see output from iplboot. It's very useful to validate hardware installation of PicoBoot.

Grab new PicoBoot release here: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/releases/tag/v0.2 and be sure to read update instructions .

Together with new release I've moved all the knowledge to the Wiki. I also created Troubleshooting Tips page where I've addressed most of the issues people are experiencing right now: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wiki/Troubleshooting-tips

 

[Deleted member 194275]

PicoBoot v0.2 release​

Just a heads up I've just released new PicoBoot v0.2 firmware.

It comes with updated iplboot which introduces overall reliability improvements and new features. The most important one is that you can hold D-Pad Down during boot to see output from iplboot. It's very useful to validate hardware installation of PicoBoot.

Grab new PicoBoot release here: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/releases/tag/v0.2 and be sure to read update instructions .

Together with new release I've moved all the knowledge to the Wiki. I also created Troubleshooting Tips page where I've addressed most of the issues people are experiencing right now: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wiki/Troubleshooting-tips

"you can assign even more DOL files to different buttons (A, B, X, Y, Z, START, D-Left, D-Right, D-Up)"

I have no words to describe how awesome it is. 9 fast boot options, It's more than anyone will ever need!

 

[hdx]

Yep. Credits for this feature go to @yo1dog!

 

[Kioku]

Nice! Update went smooth as silk.

 

[Dionicio3]

PicoBoot v0.2 release​

Just a heads up I've just released new PicoBoot v0.2 firmware.

It comes with updated iplboot which introduces overall reliability improvements and new features. The most important one is that you can hold D-Pad Down during boot to see output from iplboot. It's very useful to validate hardware installation of PicoBoot.

Grab new PicoBoot release here: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/releases/tag/v0.2 and be sure to read update instructions .

Together with new release I've moved all the knowledge to the Wiki. I also created Troubleshooting Tips page where I've addressed most of the issues people are experiencing right now: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wiki/Troubleshooting-tips

I can't seem to get it to work with a pico w at all, no matter what my wire length is I always get a black screen. I know my GameCube isn't damaged because disconnecting everything brings it back to the stock GameCube menu, so I'm not sure if v0.2 works with the pico w yet

EDIT: Disregard what I said about v0.2, just tried v0.1 and it still doesn't work

 

[hdx]

Pico W is not officially supported yet but it should work. There is definitely an issue in your wiring if you get no video output. Post pictures of your install.

 

[johw]

Pico W is not officially supported yet but it should work. There is definitely an issue in your wiring if you get no video output. Post pictures of your install.

Is it mandatory to remove the 3.3V wire?

 

[hdx]

To not put your Raspberry Pi Pico at risk I have to say - yes. Although I'm not removing the wire for updates and I haven't killed my PicoBot yet.

 

[johw]

To not put your Raspberry Pi Pico at risk I have to say - yes. Although I'm not removing the wire for updates and I haven't killed my PicoBot yet.

another doubt
Will the new Raspberry Pi Pico board with wifi soldering be the same? in the case of operation, can I exchange the files all by FTP?

 

[hdx]

I haven't even tried anything with Pico W yet. I don't think WiFi speed is going to be useful for anything other than providing updates to Swiss and PicoBoot. I highly doubt it'll be fast enough for game streaming, emulating LAN for MKDD or exchanging files via FTP.
When Pico W support comes out there will be a change in wiring because we need additional wire for MOSI line.

 

[cherryduck]

I haven't even tried anything with Pico W yet. I don't think WiFi speed is going to be useful for anything other than providing updates to Swiss and PicoBoot. I highly doubt it'll be fast enough for game streaming, emulating LAN for MKDD or exchanging files via FTP.
When Pico W support comes out there will be a change in wiring because we need additional wire for MOSI line.

I have a Pico W working great in my Gamecube with Picoboot using the standard wiring. When you say there will be a change in wiring, do you mean I will have to redo all the points, or just that there will be one additional wire? Because I know which I'd prefer!

 

[hdx]

You'll just need to solder additional wire

 

[Gallaer]

So I hesitated on going for the Picoboot as the original IPL of the system would be replaced. I know that you could just hold down a button during console startup to boot into the standard menu screen. Would it be possible instead for it to boot into the standard menu screen and hold down a button for Swiss? I want to keep the system sort of stealth.

Also is there any news for an easy install ribbon cable for the picoboot?

 

[Donnie-Burger]

So I hesitated on going for the Picoboot as the original IPL of the system would be replaced. I know that you could just hold down a button during console startup to boot into the standard menu screen. Would it be possible instead for it to boot into the standard menu screen and hold down a button for Swiss? I want to keep the system sort of stealth.

Also is there any news for an easy install ribbon cable for the picoboot?

Hold b at startup and loads stock without anything extra needed on sd card. Not exactly what you wanted but yeah. Also, the install is super easy.

 

[Gallaer]

Hold b at startup and loads stock without anything extra needed on sd card. Not exactly what you wanted but yeah. Also, the install is super easy.

I'm hoping for an update or something to allow you to boot straight into the stock menu.

 

[Donnie-Burger]

I'm hoping for an update or something to allow you to boot straight into the stock menu.

Remove sd will do it.

 

[Gallaer]

Remove sd will do it.

But that is just a pain in the rear end.

 

[hippy dave]

So I hesitated on going for the Picoboot as the original IPL of the system would be replaced. I know that you could just hold down a button during console startup to boot into the standard menu screen. Would it be possible instead for it to boot into the standard menu screen and hold down a button for Swiss? I want to keep the system sort of stealth.

Also is there any news for an easy install ribbon cable for the picoboot?

From what I understand of the usage instructions here: https://github.com/redolution/iplboot
If you don't have an ipl.dol present then booting with no button pressed will do standard official boot. Then you can have Swiss named as b.dol or whichever button you want to press for it.