Cool Uncle Mods: PicoBoot for Gamecube via Helder's Tech's Quick Solder Board! Plus, Pros & Cons

[@Angryhelder]

Nice video guide and explanation but there are a few things you got wrong that I'd like to explain. When I designed the flex at first there was no protection diode as this was not covered by any video maker who did the mod at the time and was a small font disclaimer in the Update section of the wiki, this has since been remedied in my flex pcbs and no longer needs to be a unplugged in quick order after an Update. When buying the presoldered Pico to the Pico Boot Flex you do not need to flash the Pico as I have done that job for you, so just solder it on and you're good to go. Other than you did great.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thanks so much for watching and for clearing that up! I got the first one immediately when you dropped them, but the one I ended up using was recent, so that's good news all around 🥰 Updated the description and pinned your comment.

[@Angryhelder]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa Awesome! I'm glad this info is out there as it puts doubt in people's heads as a dangerous mod which it is not as long as you know how to solder of course. A note as well for the update (whenever that happens), the main issue that would require an Update is the malfunctioning In Game Reset (IGR) feature that would return you to the Swiss menu with a button combo. This feature required an additional pin to be soldered to which WebHDX omitted in the inital design, I have accounted for this missing pin in my latest flex so IF an update is required or wanted no additional soldering is required. There might have to be a custom version compiled to account for the pin I used on the pico for the missing point though which I will provide for my customers when such an update is released.

[@john005_]

Thank you for this Clarification Mr Helder.

[@emoryzundel208]

For those still wanting to use an sd2sp2 for their cube, but also have a gameboy player, you can get the sd2sp2 pro which is designed to have the sd card be accessible with the gameboy player attached.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

That's super cool, thank you for sharing!!

[@subversed]

A great alternative to solder wire is solder paste- you can smear it all over the contact pads and then just heat the area, the solder will form into perfect little beads on its own :)

[@guy1ncognit0]

The last time I soldered was about 10yrs ago when I fixed a 5yr old creative 4.1 surround system so confidence is rock bottom. I've got a ylod ps3 that i'm going to try to get working and at least get some practice on. I'd love to get confident enough to try something like this. Nice vid. Really makes you want to get your hands dirty and tinker!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thank you! And oh man, good luck with the PS3. I was donated a YLOD and did some research since I missed out on that gen, and it seems like there isn't really a permanent fix for it, just band aids. If it's a backwards compatible model though, definitely worth giving it a shot since you'll have something of greater value. Good luck!

[@guy1ncognit0]

Yeah every couple years I hear they solved it, then sometime later sounds like it wasn't permanent. Reball cpu, nec capacitors, nothing reliable yet. I'll probably end up with a pile of parts I cant get back together anyway but hey it was already busted anyway.

[@WinDragz]

How is your content this crisp 👌❤ keep up the great work tio!!!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thank you!! Still learning video so that means a lot 🩷

[@born-again-nerd5537]

Ah yes! Thank you for making it easier to remember how to do this mod. I have had success before but I have kinda forgotten the steps needed- question tho 🙋‍♀️ - is there a kit now for the dol101? I have only for dol 001--I have a few units dol 101 that could use this mod. Great video - subbed

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thank you! I rewatch my own videos as reminders too 😭 Helder has flex boards for 001 and 101 on his shop :)

[@born-again-nerd5537]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa lol yes 🙌 I remember now he had to hem but sold out at the time - I'm also getting ready to do a Dreamcast unit here soon. :) nice to meet you!

[@MotownBatman]

I just Purchased Helders FlatPCB, but Dad fell ill, Hopefully, I'll get to do it soon: I Rec'd a Free GS with the GBA attached. I've never had a GameCube so I'm Excited, Oh It also came with Pokemon Collisium. New Sub! Dryden, Mich. (North of Detroit)

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I hope your dad gets better! Very excited for you and your new GameCube - have fun 😊

[@john005_]

Thank you. Please do one review for the FlippyDrive when it releases.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Will do, thanks for watching!

[@michaeldemers2716]

I have the Datel Action Replay. I like being able to update Swiss on the SD in the Gecko. Then run the SD2SP2. I am very exited about the Gamecube M.2 Loader. Soon the wait will be over.

[@controllerspixelsplayers9202]

why is my heart beating so fast watching this

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Maybe you have a crush on my GameCube idk!! 😭

[@controllerspixelsplayers9202]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa it must be so lol, love your channel!

[@buxtech]

Question: saw at the end you said you messed up the IPL chip on the board. Was that the IPL chip you showed here in the video, or was the video the second (successful) attempt? Informative video regardless. Thanks!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Hey! The video shows the successful second round. Thank you for watching 🩷

[@RetroWolf13]

wow so cool

[@axelkusanagi4139]

Hey, I'm big dumb and tried futureproof by using a pico W with Helder's Quick Solder Board (ribbon cable). It's not working. I soldered just like...the five points I thought I needed. I'm going to try using a drive without a Xeno GC installed, and I didn't know about the arrows until just now.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

The Xeno GC shouldn't be an issue, my GC had a xeno already :S

[@axelkusanagi4139]

I figured it out. I just had to follow the arrows and your guide instead of the one on Helder's site. I desoldered my xenogc since I didn't need it anyway. I screwed up my gcdual HDMI daughter board in the process though. So there's a pcbway order and Idk if they even solder the parts on.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

​@@axelkusanagi4139ahh I'm glad it worked out but sorry about the HDMI 😭

[@LlamaRoyal]

I just learned of the new and coming Flippy Drive. Have you heard of this new solderless add on for the gamecube?

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I have, excited for it to be released :D

[@LlamaRoyal]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa same here. I have the Swiss hack for my GameCube not gotta about not to fond of having to load a physical disc for this to work. Furthermore, I'm really bad at soldering

[@DirtyFrigginHarry]

The weak point on seemingly every disc-based console long term seems to be the drive or laser. I collect physical games, but if I want to play them, virtual storage is infinitely more practical. I guess my question is, since playing homebrew and backups is so easy on the wii, why go for the more laborious and expensive process of modding a gamecube?

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Logically, I totally agree with you, but for me it still scratches the itch to play physical games too, especially since lasers are relatively cheap and easy to replace. Also my other counterpoint is that the GameCube is insanely adorable! I love the form factor!! But yeah, I have a friend who thinks I'm crazy playing Gameboys, he just plays on his phone. So to each their own at the end of the day 😅

[@brisingr14]

What are similar mods for other consoles? Like the N64, SNES, Sega Genesis, PS1, and PS2?

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

For the first three, an everdrive is the best solution. I have xstation on my ps1 which is definitely an advanced mod and requires more soldering than picoboot. And for ps2 there are hard drive mods and my favorite, Angry Helder's MC2SIO which runs your roms off a microsd.

[@brisingr14]

Thanks, Uncle. Just bought a PS2 to mod MUAHAHAHA!!!

[@wallz90]

This was really informative, I think i also read with this the possibilities are endless, potentially adding WIFI and maybe bluetooth?

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Yes! Very excited to see what else is in the works for Picoboot:)

[@wallz90]

Please keep the vids coming, legitimately just brought a GBA because of your video about the Screens 😂

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Haha amazing! What Gameboy did you end up getting??

[@wallz90]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa I ended up getting an SP it’s apparently already modded with funnyplaying IPS display, but I’ll probably end up getting a regular GBA and get the mod you used in your vid 😊

[@subversed]

Only thing I'd add is an exact number of screws, and a note that about a third of the 001 gamecubes shipped without a SP2 port, so the SD Memory card is the only option for those folks

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

TIL. Though I imagine most folks will actually check their ports before purchasing anything ;)

[@bobafqrt]

What solder are you using

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Regular rosin core lead solder

[@michaeldemers2716]

You can make a Japanese system English by Soldering R2 under the heat sink. A blow dryer helps get the heat sink off. Prices may be better from Japan.

[@feonjun]

II still find it easier to do the original soldering rather than with this flex ribbon. The soldering dots/points on the ribbon is TOOOO SMALL.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Hahah, both ways are valid and a matter of preference 💖

[@renerodriguez9055]

You should have at least show the list of GameCube games I wanted to know

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

What do you mean?

[@renerodriguez9055]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa your list of GameCube games

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Oh! I don't have much yet. Just the files you see in the video and a physical copy of wind waker. Hoping to get more games in the future though 🤞

[@renerodriguez9055]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa that would be great and when you do can you make a video about it

[@emineomax]

18:09 cool aunt soldering/modding a gamecube.....that is so hot! literally, i subscribed!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Hahah - soldering videos are very therapeutic imo