Murzik Invents SDLoader to Use Controller Port for Running Software

A new method for running code off an SD card on a Saturn has been developed — and it runs through the controller port.

Murzik posted a thread earlier this week on SegaXtreme detailing his invention, which he calls the SDLoader. It involves stripping a Saturn controller or controller extension cord and wiring it to a micro SD card reader, then plugging it into a console’s controller two port.

He’s made a boot.cfg file that must be placed on the SDLoader’s SD Card in addition to writing some software that must be burned to a CD or placed on an SD card in an optical drive emulator. When that software runs, it brings up a menu that gives options for backing up save data from the internal Saturn RAM to the SD card, or restoring save data from the SD card to the Saturn’s internal memory.

To run Murzik’s ISO from a burned CD, an Action Replay-like cartridge with PseudoSaturn Kai on it is required.

Murzik said his main purpose for creating the SDLoader was to enable transferring save files between the internal Saturn memory and an SD card. He said it takes about four seconds to back up 64kb worth of save files to the SD card and about nine seconds to load and execute 40kb of code.

It’s a useful function for those who don’t have a more expensive optical drive emulator like Fenrir or Satiator, which can run Slinga’s Save Game Copier utility pretty easily.

While the SGC’s functionality is virtually identical to the SD Loader when run off of a Satiator, it’s more limited when run off of a burned CD — the SGC can only transfer save games that have been included in the burn. To get saves off of the Saturn, you can plug your Saturn’s audio out to the line-in on a PC and use Slinga’s Save Game Extractor utility to transfer the data aurally, a process that’s slow but effective.

“Wanted to backup saves from my Saturn, so I decided to do [an] SD card tool which [uses the] second gamepad port to communicate with SD cards. It is just a proof of concept, but it works. To match levels, [the] fastest and cheaper way to utilize [a] micro SD module (you may get one in any electronic DIY shop, get micro SD one, as it includes 5v tolerant buffer IC and 3.3v voltage regulator).”

— Murzik

The SDLoader is pretty cheap to build, too — a cursory Google search shows that a micro SD board can be bought for less than US$5. Add in the cost of a micro SD card and a Saturn controller or extension cord, and — provided you have some soldering skills — you’ve got yourself an affordable device for transferring save files.

Murzak’s name should be familiar to Shiro readers. In January, he released an early work-in-progress translation patch for Ys 1, as Shiro reported at the time.