Difference between revisions of "Leapster Explorer: How To Make a NAND Cartridge"
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| − | == | + | == Summary == |
| − | This tutorial documents the steps to follow in order to replace a Leapster Explorer cartridge's One-Time-Programmable memory chip with a rewritable NAND memory chip, create UBIFS partition/volume and mount the volume in Linux. | + | This tutorial documents the steps to follow in order to replace a Leapster Explorer cartridge's One-Time-Programmable memory chip with a rewritable NAND memory chip, create a UBIFS partition/volume on the NAND, and mount the volume in Linux. |
| − | ==Requirements== | + | == Hardware Requirements == |
Leapster Explorer game cartridge. | Leapster Explorer game cartridge. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
NAND chip - a 512MB chip was used for this tutorial (2 GB max) | NAND chip - a 512MB chip was used for this tutorial (2 GB max) | ||
| − | Soldering equipment | + | Soldering equipment (incl. solder paste and wick) |
'''Strongly recommended:''' | '''Strongly recommended:''' | ||
A microscope or similar high-powered magnifier. | A microscope or similar high-powered magnifier. | ||
| − | |||
==Hardware Instructions== | ==Hardware Instructions== | ||
| − | *Open the plastic casing, remove the PCB, and Desolder the OTP part from the PCB | + | *Open the cartridge's plastic casing, remove the PCB, and Desolder the OTP part from the PCB |
| − | [ | + | [[File:LeapFrog_Cartridge_Stock.jpg|320px]] |
*Clean the OTP pads on the PCB using solder wick | *Clean the OTP pads on the PCB using solder wick | ||
| − | [ | + | [[File:LeapFrog_Cartridge_Desoldered.jpg|320px]] |
*Apply solder paste to the nand pads, and apply soldering iron on pads to melt solder; the surface tension will draw the solder onto the pads. Clean up excess. | *Apply solder paste to the nand pads, and apply soldering iron on pads to melt solder; the surface tension will draw the solder onto the pads. Clean up excess. | ||
| Line 32: | Line 31: | ||
* Melt the solder on the other pins to fully solder the nand in place | * Melt the solder on the other pins to fully solder the nand in place | ||
| − | [ | + | [[File:LeapFrog_Cartridge_NAND_Replaced.jpg|320px]] |
* Use a continuity checker DMM to verify good contact between the pads and NAND pins. (repair joints as necessary) | * Use a continuity checker DMM to verify good contact between the pads and NAND pins. (repair joints as necessary) | ||
* Desolder R4 and R5 and resolder them as pullups on the alternate pads. | * Desolder R4 and R5 and resolder them as pullups on the alternate pads. | ||
| + | ** For more info [[LeapFrog_Pollux_Platform:_Cartridge_Settings| Cartridge Settings]] | ||
| − | |||
==Software Instructions== | ==Software Instructions== | ||
| Line 56: | Line 55: | ||
Mount the drive | Mount the drive | ||
mount -t ubifs ubi2:Cartridge /LF/Cart | mount -t ubifs ubi2:Cartridge /LF/Cart | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Leapster Explorer]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:57, 27 October 2011
Summary
This tutorial documents the steps to follow in order to replace a Leapster Explorer cartridge's One-Time-Programmable memory chip with a rewritable NAND memory chip, create a UBIFS partition/volume on the NAND, and mount the volume in Linux.
Hardware Requirements
Leapster Explorer game cartridge.
NAND chip - a 512MB chip was used for this tutorial (2 GB max)
Soldering equipment (incl. solder paste and wick)
Strongly recommended: A microscope or similar high-powered magnifier.
Hardware Instructions
- Open the cartridge's plastic casing, remove the PCB, and Desolder the OTP part from the PCB
- Clean the OTP pads on the PCB using solder wick
- Apply solder paste to the nand pads, and apply soldering iron on pads to melt solder; the surface tension will draw the solder onto the pads. Clean up excess.
- Place nand onto board on the soldered pads and align the dot with the upper left. (A dot of 'fun-tack' putty underneath the NAND is useful to help keep the part in place)
- Solder one corner pin on each side to tack the NAND down by melting the solder on the pad
- Melt the solder on the other pins to fully solder the nand in place
- Use a continuity checker DMM to verify good contact between the pads and NAND pins. (repair joints as necessary)
- Desolder R4 and R5 and resolder them as pullups on the alternate pads.
- For more info Cartridge Settings
Software Instructions
Make sure CartManager is running
CartManager &
Insert the cart and format the Nand with ubi
ubiformat /dev/mtd10 -s 512
Attach the ubifs partition
ubiattach /dev/ubi_ctrl -m 10 -O 2048 -d 2
Create a ubifs volume
ubimkvol /dev/ubi2 -N Cartridge -s 490MiB
Mount the drive
mount -t ubifs ubi2:Cartridge /LF/Cart
