PlayStation Memory Card Capture Sakura

[NEW: Sep 22 2003] English version of the MCCAP software has been found! Thanks to gnuZ for digging up a copy. You can download it right here. * * This is a reformatted and polished version of a file by Nissie. The file was run through Fujitsu's fabbo TranslinGo software, and polished by Lawrence of Game Station X. We take no responsibility for any errors, either from the original file or introduced through repeated translation. For the original, see here, and for the rough translation, see here. [NEW: Aug 27 2004] This software is unsupported, the hardware mod is probably dangerous, and rading this page will likely cause cancer. Don't email us with your problems, please. Also note, thanks to patto the broken DirectPadPro link has been augmented with a working mirror. That is all.

The object of this project is to allow the transfer of data to and from the Sony Playstation memory cards and a home computer. You can save as many files as your hard-drive has space for. You can furthermore edit these files, and transfer them to other users via the internet. This offers a range of new play options and flexibility. [It's a do it yourself Dex Drive!]

What Qty Note IBM AT Compatible PC 1 The speed of your computer is not really important, as long as you have a parallel port. It's unknown how much success you'll have on a very slow computer however. PSX Memory card 1 You can't do anything without one of these! Memory Card Slot 1 Disassemble a multitap or PSX card slot. Printer Cable 1 To connect the device and the PC. Try to keep the length as short as possible. Diode 1 Use this to step down the 5v from the parallel port. See diagram. Lead A little You'll need a short bit of wire to complete the circuit. You should always have some handy! =)

Circuit Manufacture You can begin making the device as soon as you have all these bits. The project is comparatively easy to make, but take caution with the ground pin and adjacent pins! The PSX memory card usually uses 3.6v (approx) but it seems to handle the 5v from the parallel port nicely. The diodes are used to drop the power down to keep it more within spec - some PCs output more voltage than the card can handle. Most parallel ports can not provide a steady 5v. Whenever possible try and use an external power source for the 3.6v supply. I encourage the use of two or more memory card slots by using the method employed by DirectPad Pro. For more info on the DPP method, check their site (It's dead! Try this mirror instead!).

The unused pin is to select which card is being accessed. Naturally it is unecessary with only one card slot. This is the DPP version of the project. For this method you will have to use an outside power source.

You can plug it into your PC's parallel port now - it's ready to go. Before you do, however, please check that your wiring is accurate! If you've shorted any two wired or messed up on the pin numbers, you can cause permanent damage to your PC, memory card, or both. Now you are ready to install the software and transfer data. Download this software to do so. [The original software was compressed with LZH but in the interests of convenience, I've decompressed and zipped the program. I guarantee it to be as virus-free as the original - but I make no assurances for the original! If you don't trust me, you can get the original here. It's 263,030 bytes. I haven't gotten around to translating the manual so for now, just suffer.

Important Note! When using an old version of Windows 95, or if you don't have MIE 4.0 installed, you may get an error when running the software. In this case, please download these two files: comctl.exe and dcom95.exe

There is a DOS version but it is no longer supported.

I believe this software is easy to use and should be self-explanatory. [I haven't used it myself, so I can't say if this is totally accurate. YMMV!]

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