Oh, I just read this and If I understood correctly, when I use my Everdrive whith SMS games, it could destroy my GG ? It has already happened to me that during part of an SMS game (with the Everdrive) my GG crashes, it may be because of this problem? have you contacted Krikzz maybe he could correct it?
@@lamor69 damage could happen at any point. No need to play SMS only have EverDrive in your GG. Krikkz been contact and simply doesn't believe it's a problem so won't be fixing it. I'll be offering a fix board soon
I would say this console/mod outs of specs. 3.3v output is totally fine for driving 5v cmos inputs. 5v cmos input expects around 2.5v for logical 1 and they back compatible with 3.3v, by the way. So if 3.3v can't trigger yours screen, then it made wrong way and not meets CMOS 5v specs. Speculation about fpga damaging sounds even more weird in terms of current discussion. This is not EverDrive issue, there is nothing to fix.
It's not speculation. Pull up ICE40 datasheet and read max IO voltage of 3.6V. Then see video for 5V pull up going straight into it. That's the main issuue. It is 100% an issue and totally out of spec for the ICE40
@@RetroSix Max 3.6v for ICE40 is a valid value when it working as input, but in this case it working only as output, furtermore such low current like on pullup resistor can't burn anything even if it directly joined to 3.3v inputs.
I'm afriad your just wrong. Direct from datasheet... The default configuration of the I/O pins in a device prior to configuration is tri-stated with a weak pull-up to VCCIO. The I/O pins will maintain the pre-configuration state until VCCand VCCIO(for I/O banks containing configuration I/Os) have reached levels, at which time the I/Os will take on the software user-configured settings only after a proper download/configuration Then stated cleared below it IO Tri State Voltage max 3.6V. So on power up every time while config is loading it will be over voltage. Nothing to do with current. Entirely voltage driven. So if GG boots faster than ED it will overvolt the pin. ED has known issue powering up failing and it's very likely due to this also. I plan to test that too.
Furthermore 3.3V is also no within spec for CMOS 5V as I mentioned. The TTL family allows a 2V - 5V difference to be counted as a HIGH and defines the threshold for output for HIGH as 2.7V to 5V. In the CMOS family, an input wanting to define HIGH must bring between 3.5V and 5V
Great bit of info, I've run into crashing in this exact manner with a few sms games on a gg x7 and thought it was just the specific games. I've been thinking about designing my first pcb and this would be the perfect starting point (if I have your permission that is, if so and if I put the gerbers up on github I'll properly credit you for it of course) Super simple and compact, and I can even see a place to put the pcb, just below the sd card slot, and with a flex pcb I could use a set of quick solder points that route to the nearest places for 5v and ground instead of wires. I'll see about doing that maybe later this week if I don't forget
@@viblade_1750 unfortunately I'm in a bit of a unstable situation so it may or may not happen. Most likely I wouldn't sell them in any case, the schematic is RetroSix's design and while he might be okay with others using it, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling it out of respect for him offering this knowledge for free. So instead I'd just offer the gerbers for others to get their own made
@@viblade_1750 assuming it does happen I'll try to remember to put a comment below with a link to the gerbers. Thank you for the kinds words though, it means a lot
I got the original Everdrive GG which is using the MOSFET as you described. Obviously, no issues with SMS games. EDIT: The OG Everdrive GG has this out of the box.
You should have chosen a logic level fet, for instance a cheap si2302. The 2n700x works because of the gg's high input impedance, but it's a bad design choice.
Very nice video. I have the very same everdrive, bought from Krikzz directly, and I use it with Mcwill tft, bennvenn IPS kit and a 3rd gg equiped with the genuine display, and I have no issue at all with sms roms. I guess this fix is necessary with clean screen only (maybe Retrokai tft kit too, never tried...)
It works with CleanScreen. This only happens intermittently depending on if the voltage level falls right on a middle indeterminate level. Happens on all screens they all use the same level shifters
Man, THANK YOU! I finished up recapping and modding my game gear a few days ago and I ran into this exact issue. I feared I permanently screwed something up. I even re-soldered every cap and double checked every point I may have messed up. Did Krikzz ever respond to your message? If not I may have to do this to my everdrive, but I'd rather not if there is a software fix in the works.
There is no software fix for this it's hardware. Any screen kit can be fixed to work with the 3.3V and I already updated all GG CleanScreen to support both 3.3 and 5V now, but the visual issue was only the clue to find the problem with the ED receiving 5V into it's 3.3V pin. It will cause stress on the pin inside the FPGA over years and probably kill it sooner than it should
@@RetroSix @RetroSix I see, I must have received a relatively older revision of your clean screen kit since I'm still having this issue. I'll post in the discord about my issue once I have time to fix it. Thank you!
Great Video, thank you. I have a GameGear with a Mcwill and your USB C power unit and the exact GG Everdrive X7. Mine seems to play SMS fine. I wasn't able to get any SMS games to glitch out, spent about an hour playing random SMS games. I got my GG X7 around 2 years ago from Stoneage Gamer, latest firmware. The micro sd card I use is a brand called Qumox, it is the lowest power consumption card I could find. Originally I used Samsung or Sandisk but it would make the X7 hang (apparently uses more juice), i switched to Panasonic SD at some point and it was a bit better but still crashed once in a while.. seems to work fine with this Qumox brand. Do you suggest I still get the fix? Awesome videos, always learn something. Thank you.
I've checked and the FPGA IO pin is only 3.6V tolerant so regardless of glirching of not the EverDrive is receiving potentially 5V into the 3.6V pin at all times. Could also be a possible cause of some freezes
Hmm… got to say I have the exact same Everdrive x7 from Krikzz, Model 17, Rev. B 02.12.2019, and it has no issues loading sms games on Game Gears using the original screens as well as modded with Clean Screens, McWill screens and Chinese McWill Variants etc. I have tested my Everdrive on over 100 systems most of which had a screen mod installed. That being said I have never tested sms on an Everdrive on one of those SYF boards so maybe that’s where the issue lies. Also, probably not the issue though, all Game Gears I tested used the original Game Gear power supply and sound board.
The issue is quite simple. It is 3.3V instead of 5V logic. If that falls right on a mid point of a level shifter it will cause issues. We have used EverDrives for years no issue and more recently seen more issues. Fixing the EverDrive to act as 5V logic should is the best fix as any hardware designed for the Game Gear should also expect 5V not 3.3V.
@@claytoncoleman7201 come again? You can literally see the issue, and also test your own EverDrive with nothing more than a multimeter. The fix is also provided. Who exactly is saying it is made up as that makes no sense and is not constructive at all to improving the EverDrive and it's function
Hello, thank you for sharing, but why does it work well with the clean screen retrosix V1 and not with this V2? I have a lot of GameGear and it's only the one with the V2 that doesn't work with the Everdrive X7 for SMS games (same problem as in this video)
The visual issue (screen issue) only happened on a handful of V2 boards and it was because we made them correctly tolerant to CMOS logic levels. It helped identify the underlying problem with the EverDrive which can cause 100x the current to flow into the Game Gear ASIC. Documented on RetroSix.wiki. The V2 boards now support 3.3V logic on the SMS pin to work with the ED levels but you still are recommended to fix the ED as it can damage the SMS pin of the GG
Great mod video !! I also have the same Everdrive. Does this mean that, left unmodded, this everdrive is also harmful to a Game Gear which has an original motherboard ?
No. The only harm I could potentially see is the 5V back voltage into the FPGA of the EverDrive. They have been out for many years though and I have no idea of failure rates or if this is an issue because of that. But it is a technically incorrect behaviour of the SMS pin which I think should be fixed for more accurate behaviour
@@iljacoveliers5834 unfortunately after checking datasheet the max voltage of that pin into the FPGA is 3.6V so I would highly suggest a hardware fix as it will likely damage that gate into the FPGA over time
And the funny thing is that everdrives have had problems identified for years, and he still can't solve them At least this time he was not rude in his answer, but he still thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong I was about to buy one of these devices in 2019, but after some search in the internet I gave up due to the many reports of poor technical specifications of these devices But I think that as long as they sell so well he has no reason to correct the mistakes, it's also the buyers fault Then when the console breaks down, it was bad luck, it is because it has 30 years old
Well I think if we specifically see SMS pin related issues in years to come we might know what at least. And I'll be releasing a fix for the boards for those that want to fix it
If you are interested in the serious importance of driving CMOS pins corrected, you can read it here www.retrosix.wiki/digital-logic-levels
Oh, I just read this and If I understood correctly, when I use my Everdrive whith SMS games, it could destroy my GG ?
It has already happened to me that during part of an SMS game (with the Everdrive) my GG crashes, it may be because of this problem?
have you contacted Krikzz maybe he could correct it?
@@lamor69 damage could happen at any point. No need to play SMS only have EverDrive in your GG. Krikkz been contact and simply doesn't believe it's a problem so won't be fixing it. I'll be offering a fix board soon
@@RetroSixdid you work on that fix board ?
It will soon be sold on your retrosix store ? 😊
@@lamor69 not yet but lots of requests so definitely will make it
@RetroSix thank you man if you sold a ggx7fixed everdrive and pure blue gg like this I'll buy it on store
Pure blue gg is beautiful
Really cool to see. Interesting and informative content, presented in a straightforward and engaging way.
Thanks glad you liked it
@RetroSix what is that console!
Brilliant, really enjoyed this. Thank you for the content
I would say this console/mod outs of specs. 3.3v output is totally fine for driving 5v cmos inputs. 5v cmos input expects around 2.5v for logical 1 and they back compatible with 3.3v, by the way. So if 3.3v can't trigger yours screen, then it made wrong way and not meets CMOS 5v specs. Speculation about fpga damaging sounds even more weird in terms of current discussion. This is not EverDrive issue, there is nothing to fix.
It's not speculation. Pull up ICE40 datasheet and read max IO voltage of 3.6V. Then see video for 5V pull up going straight into it. That's the main issuue. It is 100% an issue and totally out of spec for the ICE40
@@RetroSix Max 3.6v for ICE40 is a valid value when it working as input, but in this case it working only as output, furtermore such low current like on pullup resistor can't burn anything even if it directly joined to 3.3v inputs.
I'm afriad your just wrong. Direct from datasheet...
The default configuration of the I/O pins in a device prior to configuration is tri-stated with a weak pull-up to VCCIO. The I/O pins will maintain the pre-configuration state until VCCand VCCIO(for I/O banks containing configuration I/Os) have reached levels, at which time the I/Os will take on the software user-configured settings only after a proper download/configuration
Then stated cleared below it IO Tri State Voltage max 3.6V.
So on power up every time while config is loading it will be over voltage.
Nothing to do with current. Entirely voltage driven. So if GG boots faster than ED it will overvolt the pin. ED has known issue powering up failing and it's very likely due to this also. I plan to test that too.
Furthermore 3.3V is also no within spec for CMOS 5V as I mentioned.
The TTL family allows a 2V - 5V difference to be counted as a HIGH and defines the threshold for output for HIGH as 2.7V to 5V. In the CMOS family, an input wanting to define HIGH must bring between 3.5V and 5V
I'm also trying to help by the way not cause issues. I'm only highlighting an issue that should be addressed for better product
Great bit of info, I've run into crashing in this exact manner with a few sms games on a gg x7 and thought it was just the specific games.
I've been thinking about designing my first pcb and this would be the perfect starting point (if I have your permission that is, if so and if I put the gerbers up on github I'll properly credit you for it of course)
Super simple and compact, and I can even see a place to put the pcb, just below the sd card slot, and with a flex pcb I could use a set of quick solder points that route to the nearest places for 5v and ground instead of wires.
I'll see about doing that maybe later this week if I don't forget
Yep would be a good starter board
If you make one, I’d love to buy one
@@viblade_1750 unfortunately I'm in a bit of a unstable situation so it may or may not happen.
Most likely I wouldn't sell them in any case, the schematic is RetroSix's design and while he might be okay with others using it, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling it out of respect for him offering this knowledge for free.
So instead I'd just offer the gerbers for others to get their own made
@@PaulTheFox1988 sorry to hear, if you do make the gerber’s let me know
@@viblade_1750 assuming it does happen I'll try to remember to put a comment below with a link to the gerbers.
Thank you for the kinds words though, it means a lot
Thx a lot, the Flash Gear Rev. C OS V9 has the same problem. I hope that this fix can be applied in some form there as well.
I got the original Everdrive GG which is using the MOSFET as you described. Obviously, no issues with SMS games.
EDIT: The OG Everdrive GG has this out of the box.
You should have chosen a logic level fet, for instance a cheap si2302. The 2n700x works because of the gg's high input impedance, but it's a bad design choice.
Very nice video.
I have the very same everdrive, bought from Krikzz directly, and I use it with Mcwill tft, bennvenn IPS kit and a 3rd gg equiped with the genuine display, and I have no issue at all with sms roms.
I guess this fix is necessary with clean screen only (maybe Retrokai tft kit too, never tried...)
It works with CleanScreen. This only happens intermittently depending on if the voltage level falls right on a middle indeterminate level. Happens on all screens they all use the same level shifters
@@RetroSix I guess I'm lucky, never happened to me
ruclips.net/video/EmCyME5PRn4/видео.html
Man, THANK YOU! I finished up recapping and modding my game gear a few days ago and I ran into this exact issue. I feared I permanently screwed something up. I even re-soldered every cap and double checked every point I may have messed up. Did Krikzz ever respond to your message? If not I may have to do this to my everdrive, but I'd rather not if there is a software fix in the works.
There is no software fix for this it's hardware. Any screen kit can be fixed to work with the 3.3V and I already updated all GG CleanScreen to support both 3.3 and 5V now, but the visual issue was only the clue to find the problem with the ED receiving 5V into it's 3.3V pin. It will cause stress on the pin inside the FPGA over years and probably kill it sooner than it should
@@RetroSix @RetroSix I see, I must have received a relatively older revision of your clean screen kit since I'm still having this issue. I'll post in the discord about my issue once I have time to fix it. Thank you!
Great Video, thank you. I have a GameGear with a Mcwill and your USB C power unit and the exact GG Everdrive X7. Mine seems to play SMS fine. I wasn't able to get any SMS games to glitch out, spent about an hour playing random SMS games. I got my GG X7 around 2 years ago from Stoneage Gamer, latest firmware. The micro sd card I use is a brand called Qumox, it is the lowest power consumption card I could find. Originally I used Samsung or Sandisk but it would make the X7 hang (apparently uses more juice), i switched to Panasonic SD at some point and it was a bit better but still crashed once in a while.. seems to work fine with this Qumox brand. Do you suggest I still get the fix? Awesome videos, always learn something. Thank you.
I've checked and the FPGA IO pin is only 3.6V tolerant so regardless of glirching of not the EverDrive is receiving potentially 5V into the 3.6V pin at all times. Could also be a possible cause of some freezes
Hmm… got to say I have the exact same Everdrive x7 from Krikzz, Model 17, Rev. B 02.12.2019, and it has no issues loading sms games on Game Gears using the original screens as well as modded with Clean Screens, McWill screens and Chinese McWill Variants etc. I have tested my Everdrive on over 100 systems most of which had a screen mod installed. That being said I have never tested sms on an Everdrive on one of those SYF boards so maybe that’s where the issue lies. Also, probably not the issue though, all Game Gears I tested used the original Game Gear power supply and sound board.
The issue is quite simple. It is 3.3V instead of 5V logic. If that falls right on a mid point of a level shifter it will cause issues. We have used EverDrives for years no issue and more recently seen more issues. Fixing the EverDrive to act as 5V logic should is the best fix as any hardware designed for the Game Gear should also expect 5V not 3.3V.
@@RetroSix I have reported this issue and the response was you are making it up
@@claytoncoleman7201 come again? You can literally see the issue, and also test your own EverDrive with nothing more than a multimeter. The fix is also provided. Who exactly is saying it is made up as that makes no sense and is not constructive at all to improving the EverDrive and it's function
Hello, thank you for sharing, but why does it work well with the clean screen retrosix V1 and not with this V2?
I have a lot of GameGear and it's only the one with the V2 that doesn't work with the Everdrive X7 for SMS games (same problem as in this video)
The visual issue (screen issue) only happened on a handful of V2 boards and it was because we made them correctly tolerant to CMOS logic levels. It helped identify the underlying problem with the EverDrive which can cause 100x the current to flow into the Game Gear ASIC. Documented on RetroSix.wiki. The V2 boards now support 3.3V logic on the SMS pin to work with the ED levels but you still are recommended to fix the ED as it can damage the SMS pin of the GG
@@RetroSix
ok I posted my comment before reading the wiki (I didn't see your comment that talks about that) Thanks, so I need to fix my Everdrive
thx for all the educational and repair videos 🙏
No problem 👍
Great mod video !!
I also have the same Everdrive.
Does this mean that, left unmodded, this everdrive is also harmful to a Game Gear which has an original motherboard ?
No. The only harm I could potentially see is the 5V back voltage into the FPGA of the EverDrive. They have been out for many years though and I have no idea of failure rates or if this is an issue because of that. But it is a technically incorrect behaviour of the SMS pin which I think should be fixed for more accurate behaviour
@@RetroSix Do you think it's possible to fix with a firmware update only ?
I've just checked datasheet of FPGA and it's absolute max voltage on IO is 3.6V so the 5V going in is likely harmful over time
@@iljacoveliers5834 unfortunately after checking datasheet the max voltage of that pin into the FPGA is 3.6V so I would highly suggest a hardware fix as it will likely damage that gate into the FPGA over time
@@RetroSix Ok, thanks !!
Beautiful work
Thanks
Love your solutions ❤👍🏻
Thanks
I tried, it didn’t worked for me
Have you let krikzz know about your fix?
Yep
what????what is this screen??A new one??
Sure is. Install videos in few days. World's first GG screen with transparency support, along with new options I will go over
@@RetroSix cant wait!!
And the funny thing is that everdrives have had problems identified for years, and he still can't solve them
At least this time he was not rude in his answer, but he still thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong
I was about to buy one of these devices in 2019, but after some search in the internet I gave up due to the many reports of poor technical specifications of these devices
But I think that as long as they sell so well he has no reason to correct the mistakes, it's also the buyers fault
Then when the console breaks down, it was bad luck, it is because it has 30 years old
Well I think if we specifically see SMS pin related issues in years to come we might know what at least. And I'll be releasing a fix for the boards for those that want to fix it
nice fix
Thanks