Hacking Home-Made JDM PIC Programmer.....

[cardyology]

Hey guys,

I wanna change my wiikey to wiifree and I have 3 other friends who want theirs modding with wiifree.

I have a load of blank chips which just need programming....

I've looked at buying a JDM programmer but I'd rather just build my own, simple one just for the task of flashing wiifree onto the PIC12F629's I have.

Soooo..... does anyone have a guide to build a simple one?


I've looked at a few guides online

like this one

which I think is the best but it requires a custom PCB. I know nothing about PCB etching & was hoping I'd find a guide to build one on copper track like this one done on copper track but I cant.

This one on copper is easy enough & has parts list which is ideal however it does not support the 12F629 chips I have.
Could it be modified to support flashing of 12F629 PIC's?

Or is there a simple guide for one that does support 12F629?

Anyone any suggestions???

 

[Tomobobo]

Haha, I tried to build one, a really simple diagram/schematic can be found on Wiinewz, but I recommend just getting the red ebay jdm programmer. Save yourself some headache.

 

[cardyology]

First reply, thanks mate.


I looked at the red one on ebay as it seems to be highly recommended.

I want to build my own for the experience I will gain from it. Im a bit of an electronics noob so I wanna learn some things.....

you got a wiinewz guide link??

 

[ejp]

If you want to program the 12f chips you'll need to build the modified jdm here:

http://users.tpg.com.au/btkelly/jdm_b.htm

The original jdm (http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpic22.gif) usually works to program a completelly blank 12f chip, but you will not be able to erase or reporgram it unless you're using the modified version above.

 

[Hooya]

I built this one from this guide at WiiNewz:

http://psx-scene.com/forums/wiifree/53849-...mmer-dummy.html

I made it without the MOSFET part (the IRF510 or BS170) because I kept having problems with that component. I can program, erase and reprogram if I turn off all verification options in ICProg, because without the MOSFET you can't verify the code, so the programming will always fail if you don't disable programming verification. It does successfully program the chip though, and I have done so with dozens of chips, many of which I upgraded the code on several times.

Anyway, this is the easiest to build programmer for the 12F629.

Note, this is essentially the same as the second programmer you found (copper track) but this thread gives you other options, such as leaving out the LEDs and, like I said, to leave out the MOSFET. The only difference with this one to the one you found is the resistor values are slightly different (possibly due to the LEDs, but possibly to support the different chips).

 

[cardyology]

I built this one from this guide at WiiNewz:

http://psx-scene.com/forums/wiifree/53849-...mmer-dummy.html

I made it without the MOSFET part (the IRF510 or BS170) because I kept having problems with that component. I can program, erase and reprogram if I turn off all verification options in ICProg, because without the MOSFET you can't verify the code, so the programming will always fail if you don't disable programming verification. It does successfully program the chip though, and I have done so with dozens of chips, many of which I upgraded the code on several times.

Anyway, this is the easiest to build programmer for the 12F629.

Note, this is essentially the same as the second programmer you found (copper track) but this thread gives you other options, such as leaving out the LEDs and, like I said, to leave out the MOSFET. The only difference with this one to the one you found is the resistor values are slightly different (possibly due to the LEDs, but possibly to support the different chips).

SO with this programmer I can take out the BS170? And it'll still work? I have all the components i need except the BS170

Should I just connect the + (usb) to the first pin on the PIC instead of the leg of the BS170?
And just the 10k resistor to the 4th pin on the PIC?

I'll try it.

 

[Hooya]

You got it exactly right. Remember to turn off all verification options in the programming tab in ICProg.

Just test it in your Wii to verify the code, you can't damage the Wii with a badly flashed chip.

 

[cardyology]

Excellent, I'll try again tonight.

THanks man!

whats the best way to test it in my wii? just see if it recognizes a backup?

I knew wiikey was working because of the setupdisc....

spose wiifree dosnt have one

 

[cardyology]

Is there any way to add a status LED to this circuit (without the MOSFET?)?

Just so I can see that my USB is dishing out power & circuit is working?

 

[Tanas]

IMO the Wiinja V2 is much better than the Wiifree, try the both Hex's and decide which one you prefer between the two.

 

[cardyology]

IMO the Wiinja V2 is much better than the Wiifree, try the both Hex's and decide which one you prefer between the two.

THanks man, I got 4 PICs & plan an external install so I can try Wiifree and a few others.

Anyone any ideas on the LED question? I just wanna be able to shove it in the circuit somewhere so I know its working. It's probably not that simple.

 

[Hooya]

I didn't bother with the LEDs, so I don't know. I do think that when you put an LED in the equation you'll need to change the values of your resistors though. But yeah, to test the chip just try a backup in your Wii. If it loads on the menu then it works. You can test the WiiKey setup disk if you want, since you know that's a good burn, it'll run just like it did with WiiKey. WiiFree does have a setup disk, it should have been included in the download with the .hex file.

Wiinja v2 has it's merits (mostly gamecube audiofix) but doesn't have built in region unlocking. I know you can patch the iso in a matter of seconds, but if you haven't bothered doing that already then why waste the DVD? I personally think YAOSM is the best because it runs the drive speed more accurately to how the Wii does it normally. It still doesn't have audiofix but I don't care about that feature since none of the games I care about have that issue - those can be patched as well if I ever really need it.

 

[cardyology]

Hey guys, it worked!

I got my JDM programmer working like you said, without the mos-fet.

It programmed my chip with wiifree 1.45 and after un-doing my wiikey, I soldered the wiifree on and tested it.

It works.... BUT!

It wont play any NTSC-u games?

Its fine with PAL originals
& PAL backups

But not NTSC backups?

I thought first it was DVD+R it didnt like, but hen I tried an NTSC backup on DVD-r and it still says the disc is not recognised.

DO i have to turn region free on???

 

[Hooya]

DO i have to turn region free on???

Yes. The setup disk should be included with the download. And I hope you meant WiiFree 2.45, not 1.45, otherwise that's your issue right there!

 

[cardyology]

DO i have to turn region free on???


Yes. The setup disk should be included with the download. And I hope you meant WiiFree 2.45, not 1.45, otherwise that's your issue right there!

Haha, yeah 2.45 - the one before the LCD release

sorry.
I'll burn the disc & get back to ya'll

thanks.

 

[cardyology]

It worked fine. Burned the setup disc at 8x to dirt cheap DVD-r an it worked fine.

RE4 NTSC burned to DVD+r = working no problems.,,.,.,

I now have a warm fuzzy sense of satisfaction.


Thanks for everyons input. Specially Hooya, cheers mate.