Virtual On Linking problems

AlkalineJay

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Im having trouble getting my Virtual On to link up. I ran two new optical cables from/to each game, I know they are plugged in right, but it just stays in linking mode. It appears only the master side is sending out a signal, the slave side is emitting no red light. Could it be a bad optic board or something of the sort? If so, how difficult is that to repair/replace?
 
if one of the units is not transmitting any light, its mostly has a bad optic or optic drive on the pcb, i may have a naomi filter board out in my workshop i can send you.

otherwise, look on the bay for a new naomi 1 filter board. i will not be able to check until late tonight.
 
if one of the units is not transmitting any light, its mostly has a bad optic or optic drive on the pcb, i may have a naomi filter board out in my workshop i can send you.

otherwise, look on the bay for a new naomi 1 filter board. i will not be able to check until late tonight.

Awesome man, I'd appreciate the help if you've got one, as I am not seeing one on ebay currently..
 
doublecheck to make sure that the link mode is set to the fiber not lan.

I seem to remember a problem linking another naomi game and both machines were set to different media types.
 
doublecheck to make sure that the link mode is set to the fiber not lan.

I seem to remember a problem linking another naomi game and both machines were set to different media types.

I checked, and it doesn't appear virtual on has this option. The way I figure, if the slave side is not sending an optic signal, its messed up...
 
I checked, and it doesn't appear virtual on has this option. The way I figure, if the slave side is not sending an optic signal, its messed up...

Yeah, fiber Zero is low, not off. You'd have at least SOME glow.

Are you sure both cables are good?
 
The way I figure, if the slave side is not sending an optic signal, its messed up...

True but only if the 'Network Link Attribute' on that device has been set to 'Slave' and not something else. Double check that it is correct.
 
True but only if the 'Network Link Attribute' on that device has been set to 'Slave' and not something else. Double check that it is correct.

He said he couldn't find that setting... but this is NAOMI we're talking about, that sounds like a setting that should be in the main BIOS menu. Maybe the "slave"'s BIOS is too old?

Jay, check the BIOS versions of both machines. If they differ, break out the burner...


Wait a second... The original Virtual On ran on Model 2B. What was that about a Naomi 1 filter board? Unless he has M.S.B.S., this isn't Naomi. And 2B doesn't have a BIOS.

Might still be worth it to compare versions.
 
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I had this issue about fourteen times. I know this sounds crazy, but here's how I fixed it.

Turn it off. Turn it on, then unplug the optical cable, the biggest connector between the two, the smaller one, and then wait a minute. Plug it back in, making sure that the smallest connector plugs in last. This made it run fine for me.

...I know it sounds ridiculous, but it really worked, at least for me. Worth a shot?

EDIT: MSBS stands for Mind Shift Battle System and is a term used for all the games. The different titles are Cyber Troopers: Virtual On (Model 2, sometimes called Operation Moon Gate in Japan), Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (import only, came in Model 3 and Naomi), Virtual On Force (arcade only, 4 player, not sure what hardware) and a home port of Force that sucked called Marz.
 
Im assuming its the 2b version as it has an actual multi layer pcb as opposed to a naomi system. It just stays in searching for networks. I've tried switching master for slave and vice versa, but same thing. I did notice this however, whichever board runs as master, emits optical light out of the left output. But neither emits it out of the right. Question on this, should the left optical connect to the other games left optical, and right to right?
 
Im assuming its the 2b version as it has an actual multi layer pcb as opposed to a naomi system. It just stays in searching for networks. I've tried switching master for slave and vice versa, but same thing. I did notice this however, whichever board runs as master, emits optical light out of the left output. But neither emits it out of the right. Question on this, should the left optical connect to the other games left optical, and right to right?

I would suspect then that the right is actually the receiver, as in, one output, one input. Therefore, connect left to right, left to right. I may be wrong though.
 
Have you looked at the main CPU on the 2nd player side to see if your getting light out of one of the ports. No matter how you have the link settings setup one of those ports should light up. The ports/cables on the backs of the game are connected to the CPU's via MORE fiber optic cables and connectors. If any of those are bad/cut/unplugged the games will not link.

I'd be willing to bet that something is unplugged AT the CPU.

Matt
 
You've got the Sega Model 2 B-CRX version, which was the first installment to the series. Known as Virtual On: CyberTroopers, released in 1994.

The units have a Master, Slave, and Single under the link attributes. So it should obviously be set Master and Slave respectively. Doesn't matter which side but typically its the Blue unit set as Master, and the Pink unit set as slave considering the control layouts.

If there is no red light emitting from the Fiber Optic port on the one unit, it's obviously a bad port or bad communication board. OR it could just be a loose connection between the boards. You might want to pull the unit out to take a good look at it. Inside the casing should be 3 boards, 2 visible and one small board located under the main board. The top board is the rom board, the second board being the largest is the main CPU/Video board, and the third located below the main board is the communication board. Insure that the board is clean and reseat it to the connectors on the bottom of the main board to ensure that it can power on and communicate between the main board. Then also double check the filter board screwed into the side of the casing is properly and firmly connected to the comm board as well. The Fiber Optic ports will not turn on unless these are firmly connected.

Hopefully not a board fault, but just be aware even when the unit's are set to single play there should still be one fiber optic port lit regardless.

Oh and don't forget, you should run a check on the DC power supply. Ensure it's meeting the required 5v. These machines will tell you if the voltage is too low typically, but it never hurts to check. Don't worry about the 12v though, it just powers the cooling fans.
 
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