Atari Jaguar Overview / Repair / BJL Mod & Quick Look at Skunk Cart

[@GadgetUK164]

Additional Info & Corrections :- 1) The pin that was broken on the cart slot was pin 20A which is the ROM1 signal. Guessing this is perhaps a chip select signal. My guess is larger capacity carts would not work without that pin. 2) Not all of those ICs next to the cart slot buffer cart signals. You can see the schematics here:- console5.com/techwiki/images/3/3c/Atari_Jaguar_Schematic_%28Full%29.pdf 3)The audio issue you get on these is not an op amp failure, its the regulator that fails for audio! The IC's that fix the two power issues are 78L05 (sound), MC34163 (main power). 4)PSU needs to be 9V DC (centre negative) 1.5A. 5) I will show a diagram for the BJL BIOS mod I did in the BJL video later. Basically you lift pin 30 so it doesn't go into the socket. That is A17 (the upper most address bit on the 256K ROM we've fitted. When that pin toggles between high and low, we are swapping between the lower 128K or upper 128K of the ROM (ie. our two different ROMs). I used the jumper to feed either 5v or ground into the A17 pin on the chip. Technically you should probably limit current with a resistor, we can do that in the next part.

[@Reppa57]

Thank so much for the full Schematic Link !! My cartridge port is broken to, i'm a newbie, and i try to change it by myself, but didn't work at the end with the schematic i'll be able to test pin by pin my jaguar (who are still booting with the Red Screen of Death, at least i didn't broken that xD)

[@nicolaspersijn]

I’d like to say, as a huge fan of the intricacies of Jag hardware, this by far the best Jaguar hardware video I’ve ever seen. And I’m only 1/2 through the video

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks, much appreciated =D

[@Rockythefishman]

I have owened a few over the years. My currnet one was 220 with a nice box and a game. I remember when my mate picked one up in a shop new with a game for £35 but that was many years ago. Its the price of the games that really gets me

[@bassandmusic5727]

Same back in the 90s I got one for 30 quid but even then good games like aliens and Atari karts were 60 or 70

[@emmettturner9452]

My Atari 800XL cartridge connector got a mangled pin when I tested Pitfall II Lost Caverns (unlicensed cartridge). It wouldn’t even work without a cartridge since that pin was touching another and it would not boot BASIC or Memo Pad. I desoldered the whole connector back in 2016 ejected a few pins, straightened the bent one, and swapped positions with one that was seemingly not connected to anything. It still works great! …even Pitfall II. ;)

[@Mymatevince]

Great video Chris, full of info. Good job :-)

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks Vince, much appreciated =D

[@SkuldChan42]

Nicely done - the only Jaguar I've ever seen in person was at the Retro Gaming convention in Portland. I've used hot air on plated through holes, but something I've been playing with recently are soldering needles.

[@papalatistudios]

Thanks for making this video. Ive got a Jag with a Red Screen of Death and already replaced the cartridge slot and bios and wasn't sure where to go next. Guess I'll try replacing the buffer chips 1 at a time till I find the faulty one.

[@GadgetUK164]

Let me know how you get on!

[@papalatistudios]

@@GadgetUK164 Will do. Yeah, replacing that cartridge slot was a nightmare. I don't recommend it to anyone who is faint of heart and/or doesn't have a desoldering station. :D

[@troogroove9318]

I have a pair of boxed Jaguars with games, one box is unopened with the original Atari seals on the ends. Trying to find a boxed Cd unit now and finish of the game collection. Nice video

[@GadgetUK164]

Nice =D

[@JoystickDivision]

I think the hardest thing I've had to replace was a SEGA 315 chip from two Master Systems. Thankfully, I didn't break them and it solved the problem I was having. I was lucky to get a boxed Jaguar for the price I got it for a few years ago. Got two controllers and some complete games for it too including a sealed copy of 'Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales', which is probably going to stay sealed based on what I've seen of the gameplay. Good job, once again.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =D

[@HappyCodingZX]

Nice. Here's a quick tip: if you have an old 5.25 disk drive cable, you can adapt it to build an RGB cable for the Jaguar.

[@GadgetUK164]

Nice tip =D

[@emmettturner9452]

IIRC, an Atari 2600 or 8-hit home computer cartridge connector works too.

[@xnonsuchx]

The CoJag arcade board (used in Area 51, for one) also had higher clocked Tom & Jerry chips, I think also modified to fix a few of the bugs. Also, before Hasbro sold Atari to Infogrames, they released all the Atari IP for consoles and computers, which included all the Lynx/Jaguar encryption information. And I agree about the controller...it's weird-looking, but I had no real issues using it when I had a Jaguar.

[@Wallygjs]

Never really knew much about the Jag but it looks like a really good system. Tricky fix with the bent pin!

[@ryux]

Really like the PCB Design and the shielding.. ATARI Engineers took pride in their work I guess

[@gregjarvis1232]

Chris you are very lucky wish I had rayman for my jag! ah well at least I got the saturn version!

[@GadgetUK164]

I don't have rayman - it was loaded via the Skunk cart (from the ROM file)!

[@rorystfu]

Lots of neat mods for this system, but in the end after looking at the list of games and homebrew I realized that the only thing I'm interested in using it for is Tempest 2000. That game rocks with the modified spinner controller. I should probably order a replacement cartridge slot while Best still has them though. Mine looks perfect, but is somehow still very temperamental.

[@galier2]

At least someone who also think that the controller is better than its reputation. The jaguar was my first console (I was more a computer guy TI-99, Apple II, Atari ST, Atari TT and then PC) and I loved the few games I had AvP, Dino Dudes, etc. but always quite liked the controller, good grip, not too heavy, not too much buttons. Good distinction between action buttons and function buttons. When I bought a PS4 for my children I tried the games but was completely off put by the controllers. They are too small for normal adult hands, too many buttons (14 if my memory is correct), some are horribly sensible...

[@AdamSommer70]

Super interesting, the Jag is something I've wanted to get into due to the amount of home brew. Great video, thanks for posting!

[@CRG]

CEX get a bad wrap from some people for being expensive but they really are reasonable for the more common games. Certainly cheaper than eBay! Nice repair video after all.

[@abdelatifpalestine7190]

Merci pour le partage, super boulot

[@dazsly]

So funny to think that these were in bargain bins brand new at game for £15 back in 90s. Nice video thx.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =D Yeah, I remember that! I also remember seeing the Atari Lynxes stacked up meters high, brand new - sold with a game and PSU for £30!! Wish I had bought 10 lol

[@cyrollan]

howdy! just purchased my first used Jaguar a week ago. have you ever heard of having to replace the controller ports? my "player one" port looks like it might have worn down a bit from plugging and unplugging over the decades. but it could also be the controller jack too. i'm afraid to look closely at my cartridge pins.. Doom works fine but Bubsy 2 gave the red screen of death. luckily i was able to return Bubsy 2 claiming that it was defective (which it MIGHT be). maybe there's a few pins that aren't used in every title, causing some carts to work and others to not.

[@GadgetUK164]

It's possible that the controller port might need replacing! They are just 15 pin Hi-D Type connectors I think - you may need to compare size and position of pins before fitting a replacement one. Controller issues wont give a red screen of death though - most likely dirty cart slot or damaged pins in the slot maybe. I think Best Electronics may stock replacement cart sockets...

[@emmettturner9452]

My friend and I got one on clearance for $35. He also got rid of it in less than 2 weeks. Traded for a CD player or something and gave me back the money I contributed, if I recall correctly. I was disappointed and would have given him the rest of the money to let me keep it!

[@GadgetUK164]

Wow, what a bargain!!! =D

[@datassetteuser356]

Great video, thanks for sharing! I agree, the controller is indeed great!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrWaalkman]

Welcome to the "Retro Roomba" repair video. What!? It's a console? Who knew...

[@paulboardman01]

had it and a few games, some was total rubbish, but wish i still had it to this day

[@batlin]

1:06:18 that Pinball Fantasies intro theme is such a classic.

[@blaaaaaaarghable]

That button layout matches how I feel about the Jag... cba

[@GadgetUK164]

LOL

[@keithmcgerr3056]

Doing that cart socket looked more difficult than qfp with hight pin count & small pin pitch.....it looked a right pitch in the bum to do! 😉

[@Neffers_UK]

♫♪ He's got a brand new vid, Looks like a Jaguar , It's got a broken pin, But not a CD player player player player player player player ♪♫ Great vid as always Gadge :)

[@GadgetUK164]

LOL =D Thanks mate!

[@DaveRepairs]

ebjoyed it.... have a project on the shelf to deal with at some point

[@sithlord2010]

Grest video mate 👍😀👍 Is the Jag for sale by any chance.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks =D I am keeping this one in my collection - it's my first Jag =D

[@Charlie-Cat.]

WOW! Over an hours worth of Chris in action. How have you been doing bro? Hope all is well during these hectic times. Anthony..

[@GueroMane]

I know this is a old video but on the back next to the rf there is a L/H on the left

[@TotalMoop]

Great Video Chris. Makes me want to dig out my US Jag now =) I even have the OEM RGB Cable and 2 controllers =D I picked it up back then people were just getting rid and picked up quite a few games for super cheap. Not heard of the Jaguar Game drive until you mentioned it. Not 100% as to it running CD games through. It reads like it will NOT run via the CD addon but that was the only mention. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@GadgetUK164]

Nice! The Jag GD is running CD games, but apparently he's held off public release of that support until he's happy everything is 100%.

[@stephen-truthseeker]

Cool game console I remember seeing it back in the back thinking it was cool

[@frankowalker4662]

So many pins on that connector. LOL.

[@GadgetUK164]

I know lol! I had to adjust every one in order to get it to sit perfectly when putting it back on!

[@Nukle0n]

Could maybe file down the edge of the board with some sandpaper and then holding the board, pulling it towards you on the sandpaper, not sure if that'd also be an ESD issue.

[@GadgetUK164]

I think in general its probably relatively safe at low speed. I would imagine if you used a sander and contacted the pin edges there's a risk.

[@stephen-truthseeker]

What's that noise that sounds like heavy rain hiting your window it's in every video?

[@GadgetUK164]

Heavy rain lol =D

[@Arcade_Mania]

did anyone notice the bug crawling out of the atari? 1:50 on the silver part

[@GadgetUK164]

LOL!

[@morganmedrano920]

We were to far into the "Console Wars" for Atari to not have bespoke ports. The more I watch Jaguar repairs the more it bothers me that I can see into cracks and exposed metal. Like the controller ports and the RF... and worst of all.. the Gaping AV Port.

[@Nukle0n]

That RF modulator probably uses an external switchbox, like the Super Nintendo did.

[@GadgetUK164]

Nah, the switch is at the back of the modulator there. In the UK we didn't need it - it just output on whatever it was switched to at factory.

[@larsenmats]

Is it me or is the Jaguar only showing half the height of the screen in Pinball Fantasies VS Amiga version?

[@GadgetUK164]

I think you might be right! I kept playing it and wondering why it felt more restrictive (and harder) than the Amiga verison. Not sure if this Jag is switched to 60hz atm (I think it is), but it may be in 50Hz mode - that may affect it.

[@larsenmats]

@@GadgetUK164 did some youtubing. Looks like that's just how it is on the jaguar. showing much less screen areas VS Amiga. At Least for that game.

[@smk4930]

Hello! I just installed BJL mod but unfortunately the Jaguar GameDrive do not work with it!! Did you know it? Maybe you have a solution? Regards,

[@GadgetUK164]

You probably need to have a switchable mod like I did - and switch back to the stock BIOS when using the GameDrive.

[@smk4930]

@@GadgetUK164 Thank you for your answer :) The thing is I have no more the EEPROM with original BIOS. Maybe I can flash the BIOS to an new EEPROM and make the switch?

[@danielson9579]

Will you be doing a 60hz mod ?

[@GadgetUK164]

Very probably =D

[@retrojb101]

Great video 👍 check out the flash cart from retrohq as it’s really good!

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks, yep - aware of James's carts! =D Just nowhere selling them (with stock) atm.

[@retrojb101]

Managed to stag one in the second round 😊 well worth it if you can get one.

[@winstonsmith478]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Jaguar Atari tried to play down competing consoles by proclaiming the Jaguar was the only "64-bit" system. This claim is questioned by some, because the (Motorola 68000) CPU and the "Tom" GPU executes a 32-bit instruction-set, but sends control signals to the 64-bit graphics co-processors. Atari's reasoning that the 32-bit "Tom" and "Jerry" chips work in tandem to add up to a 64-bit system was ridiculed in a mini-editorial by Electronic Gaming Monthly, which commented that "If Sega did the math for the Sega Saturn the way Atari did the math for their 64-bit Jaguar system, the Sega Saturn would be a 112-bit monster of a machine."[34] Next Generation, while giving a mostly negative review of the Jaguar, maintained that it is a true 64-bit system, since the data path from the DRAM to the CPU and Tom and Jerry chips is 64 bits wide.[35]

[@TheErador]

Yeah the whole 64-bit thing is a definite misnomer, particularly given that most of the games being run on the 68k due to the custom chips being difficult to code for (allegedly). Still, it is what it is. Enjoy!

[@GadgetUK164]

Yes, I agree - it was definitely a 32 bit system, but used in a more 16 bit way! Maybe a good SDK will come out for this at some point whereby developers can easily use the power of the system. I am sure we could see some more amazing games on the Jag at some point.

[@xnonsuchx]

Well, how many games mainly used the 68K (because they were basic Amiga/ST ports) doesn't really negate the 64-bit part. It has a 64-bit bus w/ 64-bit components in the Tom CPU (the Jerry DSP is definitely all 32-bit). It's probably more accurate to consider it a MOSTLY 32-bit system, but you could make similar arguments that the SNES is actually an 8-bit system.

[@TheErador]

@@xnonsuchx I don't agree, systems are generally described in terms of the CPU, if someone builds a system with a 64bit CPU and a 16bit bus, it's still a 64bit system, just completely hampered by poor design.

[@xnonsuchx]

@@TheErador I'm just saying it's arguable. There's no concrete definition regarding bus vs. chips on the bus vs. instruction sets. An IBM engineer at the time said he wouldn't call it a 64-bit system personally, but that he had no problem with Atari calling it that since it was rather ambiguous.

[@brianwild4640]

No import duty on $15 in uk

[@GadgetUK164]

They charge import duty on total cost including shipping! Last time I ordered from Best they wanted to charge $40 ish shipping (for some flex ribbons worth < $10). I ended up paying import duty on it, despite the item value being less.

[@brianwild4640]

GadgetUK164 - Retro Gaming Repairs & Mods you are only customs duty on goods above £135 I import all the time. But you have to pay vat on anything above £15 at the relevant rate for the goods. Or above £39 for a gift. Mind you if they don’t fill the import form in then you can get stung especially with companies like dhl which charge a lot more than the post office in handling

[@GadgetUK164]

@@brianwild4640 Yes, that's correct, but by the time you add $40 shipping, onto a $15 socket, and then have to pay tax, and the FEE that RoyalMail always stick on there, it turns into an insane amount for a $15 socket... It would be better if they could just ship it slow mail, then it wouldn't be a problem. But Best wont ship unless it's via DHL or some other insured signed for delivery.

[@nasty_niff]

Sold my Jag and skunk board a few years ago, needed a turbo for my car...use pc emulator now....