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PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 5:22 pm
by webhdx
Meet PicoBoot - the ultimate IPL modchip for GameCube.
- open source
- uses off the shelf hardware
- cheap, Pico costs only $4
- very easy to program and update
- easy to install, only 5 wires to solder
- doesn't require any boot disk to work
- can boot multiple applications depending on the button pressed
I highly recommend watching below videos to learn how to use it:
Downloads, installation guides: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:23 pm
by tesla246
Awesome work! So is it now possible to ''copy'' the offical boot.ipl and mod it to force 640x480 progressive scan (love that menu)? And thus never have the display flicker due to resolution changes? Gamecube IPL>SWISS>GAME all 480p?
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:14 pm
by Extrems
That's already possible by going Swiss > IPL > Game.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2022 11:52 pm
by andre104623
This is the best thing to hit the scene since gcvideo when is that m.2 sp1 loader coming?!!!
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2022 11:54 pm
by andre104623
Is it possible to run qoob OS and viper OS I know Swiss is better but is it possible
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:16 am
by Papy.G
So it seems it totally disables the host console's original IPL, I would have loved to get something like the DS's FW that allowed to boot just as a genuine console when not pressing any button.
It's very good news as it will definitely doom the XenoGC that caused so many optical drive deaths.
tesla246 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:23 pm
GAME all 480p?
No, there still are some GC games that were either developped or ported to 50Hz that can't run in 60Hz without ugly counterparts/losses.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:58 am
by andre104623
Pico = $4 where? I’m seeing 12 to 20 usd
Next question is it possible to run this on a raspberry pi zero since I already own one
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:17 pm
by novenary
andre104623 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 11:54 pm
Is it possible to run qoob OS and viper OS I know Swiss is better but is it possible
You can make the original IPL and others into regular DOLs in just a couple minutes with a hex editor, but you'd probably have to work around whatever copy protection scheme they have to run Qoob OS and Cobra without the original hardware.
Papy.G wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:16 am
So it seems it totally disables the host console's original IPL, I would have loved to get something like the DS's FW that allowed to boot just as a genuine console when not pressing any button.
It's just iplboot, you can boot to the original IPL by removing your SD card.
andre104623 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:58 am
Next question is it possible to run this on a raspberry pi zero since I already own one
No. Completely different hardware. The Pico has some special features that make this possible that you don't get in other microcontrollers, let alone an SBC.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 1:10 pm
by webhdx
andre104623 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:58 am
Pico = $4 where? I’m seeing 12 to 20 usd
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17829
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 4:08 pm
by Undead Sega
Can't find a 16MB flash Pico
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:47 pm
by Diego borella
well he is there!
streetwalker there was already a job on raspberry
but this new job came at the right time.
this kills the parallel gcloader Lite.
if you cannot purchase an original GC_LOADER on the Official website.
don't throw away your $$ with GC-loader-lite.
use Picoboot!
It does the same thing and is much cheaper...
I believe the developer
webhdx wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 1:10 pm
will update this firmware to run games through the drive...
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:33 am
by Papy.G
Diego borella wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:47 pm
I believe the developer
webhdx wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 1:10 pm
will update this firmware to run games through the drive...
Streetwalker wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:17 pm
It's just iplboot, you can boot to the original IPL by removing your SD card.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 3:44 am
by Diego borella
Papy.G wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:16 am
It's very good news as it will definitely doom the XenoGC that caused so many optical drive deaths.
Xeno 1.0 does this boot operation. there is on the
gc-forever
post about it.
even if booted from SD memory slot A_B
Runs different region games and backups. Xeno does
this in 8k bytes
analyze this
who died with Picoboot: in First the qoob and then the Viper.
The IPLboot waiters collided with these chips and that's why the builds stopped... it's there on the waiter...
Now forks interested in decongesting the IPLboot homebrew update process. migrates to the Picoboot hardware chip.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 7:46 pm
by dilav
Diego borella wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:47 pm
well he is there!
streetwalker there was already a job on raspberry
but this new job came at the right time.
this kills the parallel gcloader Lite.
if you cannot purchase an original GC_LOADER on the Official website.
don't throw away your $$ with GC-loader-lite.
use Picoboot!
It does the same thing and is much cheaper...
The thing about the GC-loader-lite is that it is Plug and Play and not everyone can solder. But yes, way too expensive on a stupid clone solution. Hope the production of the original GC-loader can be kept high to meet demands on those who wants them.
Oh and good job webhdx. I believe I commented on another forum, but thanks for sharing. Very cool solution and it's cheap too.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:01 am
by GyTe666
Long time reader first time poster
Thanks to picoboot and his creator I've pick-up again my old DOL-001 and decided to remove the old Viper. One quick question... I've broken the pin on the IPL (gamecube side) where I've to connect GP 5 & 6. I can connect the picoboot to another point (I've find out the alternative point on the back of the motherboard) or before that I've to restore the connection from the IPL chip to motherboard? Because in the first case is a simple task... otherwise will be a nightmare....
Please let me know
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:15 am
by webhdx
Ouch, it you broke the leg on U10 it's a game over for that motherboard. You can try to scrape off the package and solder to the leftovers of that leg but I don't think it's going to work. At least I killed 2 GCs that way and wasn't able to fix them.
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:24 am
by GyTe666
webhdx wrote: ↑Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:15 am
Ouch, it you broke the leg on U10 it's a game over for that motherboard. You can try to scrape off the package and solder to the leftovers of that leg but I don't think it's going to work. At least I killed 2 GCs that way and wasn't able to fix them.
Thanks for your quick reply and your great job on picoboot
Ok so I'll try to scrape a little bit the IPL chip and sold there a wire... In any case I'm already waiting a spare dol-001 motherboard...
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:48 pm
by webhdx
PicoBoot v0.2 release
Just a heads up I've just released new PicoBoot v0.2 firmware. It comes with updated iplboot which introduces overall reliability improvements and new features. The most important one is that you can hold D-Pad Down during boot to see output from iplboot. It's very useful to validate hardware installation of PicoBoot.
Grab new PicoBoot release here:
https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/releases/tag/v0.2 and be sure to read
update instructions.
Together with new release I've moved all the knowledge to the Wiki. I also created Troubleshooting Tips page where I've addressed most of the issues people are experiencing right now:
https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wiki ... oting-tips
Re: PicoBoot - IPL replacement modchip using Raspberry Pi Pico
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:59 pm
by GyTe666
webhdx wrote: ↑Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:48 pm
PicoBoot v0.2 release
Just a heads up I've just released new PicoBoot v0.2 firmware. It comes with updated iplboot which introduces overall reliability improvements and new features. The most important one is that you can hold D-Pad Down during boot to see output from iplboot. It's very useful to validate hardware installation of PicoBoot.
Grab new PicoBoot release here:
https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/releases/tag/v0.2 and be sure to read
update instructions.
Together with new release I've moved all the knowledge to the Wiki. I also created Troubleshooting Tips page where I've addressed most of the issues people are experiencing right now:
https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wiki ... oting-tips
Thanks! Already update mine as soon as I saw it!
Waiting for the M2 adapter