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Bung MGD1 4M - On FDS
What You’ll Need
- Fully Write-Modded FDS
- Multi Game Doctor 1 (4M or 8M) Unit
- MGD1 to PC Linker Cable
- MGD1 Formatted Images
- MGD1 to PC Linker v1.1b by Tomy
- PC with Parallel Port
- Blank FDS Disks
Preparation
Download the MGD1 to PC Linker v1.1b program by Tomy and save it to your computer. Build or purchase the MGD1 to PC Linker DB25 to DA15 Cable.
In the computer’s Setup menu, set the Parallel Port to ECP.
Obtain or prepare images in MGD1 format for the MGD1 to PC Linker software to read. Save the disk images in the same folder as the MGD1 to PC Linker software program. ToToTEK has a program to convert one-sided images between .FDS and MGD1 format.
Disk Writing Steps
Step 1
With the PC turned off, connect the MGD1 to PC Linker Cable to the Parallel Port of the PC. Connect the other end of the cable to the back of the MGD1.
MGD1 - PC Linker Cable
MGD1 - Connected to PC
Insert the FDS RAM Adapter into the top of the MGD1 and connect the cable to the disk drive. Plug the power into your FDS drive.
Turn on the PC.
Step 2
Open the MGD1 to PC Linker software on your PC. Power on the MGD1 by connecting the AC Adapter cord (9VDC, Center Negative polarity).
MGD Linker v1.1
Step 3
On the software, highlight the image you wish to write to disk in the MGD1 Linker’s right-hand window. You may need to adjust the Delay Time setting on the program for your PC to correctly send the image to be written. Do this adjustment before the next step.
Step 4
Click Write FDS on the software. The image should begin writing to the MGD1. The status is shown as the blue blocks fill up.
MGD Linker - Sending File for Write
The program may display, Time Out Error! When this happens, click OK and then hit Cancel Operation.
MGD Linker - Time Out Error
Next, power off the MGD1 unit. You may retry the process again. Start by connecting the AC Adapter, then highlight the image, adjust the Delay Time setting, and click Write FDS.
Sometimes, successful writing can be accomplished by clicking OK, clicking Cancel Operation, adjusting the Delay Time setting, and clicking Write FDS without cycling the power on and off.
Step 5
Once the software successfully sends the image to the MGD1 unit, the MGD1 will display, Insert FDS disk for write! You can now insert the FDS disk you wish to write the image onto and the disk writing process will begin.
MGD Linker - Insert FDS Disk for Write
The 7-segment LED on the MGD1 will spin clockwise once or twice, stop, and spin clockwise again. The first spin cycle is the writing stage and the second cycle is the verification stage.
If there are any writing errors, the MGD1 will display them on the 7-segment LED on the front of the unit, with a flashing E followed by the two digit error code. These codes correspond to the same error codes that the FDS displays. After the error code flashes, eject the disk and re-try writing it to a different disk by simply inserting the disk into the drive.
Step 6
Once your disk is successfully written, click Cancel Operation on the MGD1 Linker program. The MGD1 is now reset and ready for more disk writing or dumping.
The MGD1, unlike FDSLoader, is able to write and dump Game Doctor formatted images and disks. The MGD1 Linker program and MGD1 can only write and dump a single disk side per cycle. Images are formatted as .A, .B, .C, .D… (e.g. Mario.A, Mario.B, etc.)
The Time Out Error! is very common with this application. I found that adding an on/off switch inline on the AC Adapter made the task of powering on and off the MGD1 much easier.
The video below was created by Tomy at ToToTEK.com to explain how the MGD1 and MGD Linker program are used to read and write disks.
