MODE Terraonion Manual

1 - MODE SET UP & INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SET UP & INSTRUCTION MANUAL
REV. 0.2
SET UP & INSTRUCTION MANUAL
REV. 0.4

This Installation Guide is a work in progress,
an advanced revision is forthcoming.
Please visit our Discord channel for further assistance:
https://discord.gg/JexuJVW if you have any questions or concerns.

MODE is an Optical Disc Emulator for both the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast consoles.
Contents
4 - Key Features
5 - Registering your MODE device
6 - MODE PCB Layout and Connectors
8 - Saturn Install Instructions
18 - Dreamcast Install Instructions
23 - Setting up your Storage Device
24 - MODE Menu and Interface
29 - Multi Disc Games
30 - Updating the Firmware
31 - Limitations and Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE READ THE ASSEMBLY
INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
BEFORE INSTALLING MODE
IN YOUR SYSTEM

Key Features
• Supports both 20 and 21 pin Sega Saturn models
• Supports VA0 and VA1 Dreamcast models (VA2 not supported)
• Auto region patching (loads games from different regions without patching games)
• Auto detects the console that it’s plugged into. No jumpers to configure
• SATA port for 2.5 inch laptop style Hard Drive or SSD
• USB port for thumb drives
• MicroSD card slot
• Supports both exFAT and FAT32 formats of greater than 2TB
• Compatible with Redump and Tosec images (for both Dreamcast/Saturn)
• Compatible with CDI, GDI, CCD, MDF, BIN/ISO/WAV +CUE images
• Plug and play with no soldering required
• 2 User interfaces: Simple list view and Advanced Cover Art
• Supports multiple disc games
• Zero seek times providing faster load times
• Supports MPEG card, ActionReplay/PseudoSaturnKai and Saturn RAM cart
• DC Digital, DreamPSU and PicoPSU compatible
SEGA Saturn & Dreamcast compatible
HDD/SSD, MicroSD & USB Drive storage

Registering your MODE device
Go to https://downloads.terraonion.com/ and login with your username and password.
If you have never registered a Terraonion device before, please create an account.
During the account creation part it will ask you to enter the serial number of your
device. Shop account is different than downloads account so a new account has to be
created in order to access Downloads section
You can find the serial number one of two ways:
• On the MODE PCB itself there is a box that says serial and it will have a printed
serial number label.
• Or if you power on your console and at the MODE menu press the X button (on
Dreamcast) or press C button (on Saturn) to bring up the Options menu. From here go
down to Version and press the A button. This will bring up a box with serial number
info along with firmware information.
By registering your device you gain access to firmware updates.

MODE PCB Layout and Connectors / Top of MODE PCB
Saturn 21 PIN Data Cable Connector
Saturn 21 PIN Power Connector
Saturn 20 PIN Power Connector
Saturn 20 PIN Tray Connector
MicroSD Slot
Leds
Switch 1 (SW1)
Switch 2 (SW2)
Disc swap/return to menu button
USB Connector
Expansion Port
(Reserved for possible future use)
SATA Drive Connector
Saturn 20 PIN Data Connector
Expansion Connector for JST9 harness
(Not included. See Advanced Install section)
External Power Connector
(For some Saturn 21 pin models. See Below)
External Power Connector Switch

MODE PCB Layout and Connectors / Bottom MODE PCB
Dreamcast Connector

Saturn
Install Instructions

General Saturn Install Instructions
The following represents common Saturn installations for all revisions with the exception of the earliest Saturn model
which has the power supply in the lid of the unit.
Accessories included in the MODE box:
• 2 SATA drive screws to hold down a hard disk or SSD
• 4 adhesive feet to secure MODE to the console (enough for 1 console)
• 1 Optional Sega Saturn power cable (Only needed in case your console requires it. See below)
If at any point in these instructions you have questions
about the install please contact [email protected]

General Saturn Install Instructions
• Start by removing the rear battery/expansion cover door.
• Flip over your Sega Saturn console and remove the 5 screws
holding the top to the bottom case.
• Lift off the top cover. If your Saturn has the power supply in the
lid please disconnect the wiring from the connected wiring from the
CD Assembly. Then set the lid aside.
• Disconnect any cables and data ribbon cable from the Saturn
optical drive and lift the drive out of the console. Note how many
connectors are on the lower left of the CD-ROM if you have a
single 5-pin connector you have a 21-pin Saturn (as shown here).
If you have 2 connectors (a 2-pin and a 4-pin) you have a 20-pin
Saturn. Set the CD Drive aside as it won’t be needed again.

General Saturn Install Instructions
• On the rear of the console, remove the 2 black screws securing the power supply in place.
• Remove the power supply by unplugging the white connector in the rear, remove any screws from the power supply board, and gently pull upwards.

General Saturn Install Instructions
• Next, you need to remove the metal plate that covers the Sega
Saturn motherboard by unscrewing the 8 screws that hold it in
place. You will also need to temporarily disconnect the ribbon cable
connecting the controller board from the main motherboard. This
is located at the front of the console. Removing the metal shielding
is required because the plastic standoffs that the optical drive sat
on block the MODE PCB from being installed and the standoffs are
screwed from the underside. Please note the Saturn with the PSU
in the lid does not need the metal shielding removed as the pegs
can be removed from the top. Please do so now.

General Saturn Install Instructions
• Flip the metal plate over and remove the screws securing the posts.
• You can safely set aside both the posts and screws as they will no longer be needed.

General Saturn Install Instructions
• Reinstall the metal plate, controller port data ribbon, and secure it with the original 8 screws.
• Insert the four sticky feet into the MODE PCB screw holes. Then remove the film from the bottom of the sticky feet and install MODE onto the metal plate.
• When using a hard disk or SSD, use the 2 included screws to mount the SATA drive to the MODE PCB to keep them from moving.

General Saturn Install Instructions
• Remove the film from the bottom of the sticky feet and install
MODE onto the metal plate.
• Insert the CD-ROM power/tray cables. Please only plug
connectors with the same pin number into the corresponding
MODE connection. 2-pin connectors must only go in the 2-pin
connection and so-on. If you have two connecters (2-pin and
4-pin) plug the ribbon cable into the 20-pin connection. If you
have a single 5-pin power/tray connector plug the ribbon cable
into the 21-pin connection (as shown to right).
Warning!
Read this paragraph carefully

General Saturn Install Instructions
Optional External Power Cable
We have included with your MODE a power cable that can be used on all Saturn models (with
the exception of the earliest Saturn with the PSU in the lid) to provide additional power to the
MODE. Depending on the HDD / SDD you are using your MODE may not power up without it.
Please follow these instructions carefully as installing
the cable wrong will damage MODE and your Saturn.
• Remove the one screw near the white power connector on the PSU.
• Pull Gently up this side of the PCB.
• There are two different power supplies on the Saturn where this cable can be installed. One
has 5 pins and one has 4 pins. The Saturn with the PSU in the lid does not require this wire so
please ignore this section if this is your model.
• 5 Pin Power Supply:
Insert the black wire on the first pin from the bottom if the Saturn is facing you. The red pin
goes on the second pin from the top (as shown top right).

General Saturn Install Instructions
4 Pin Power Supply:
• Insert the black wire on the first pin from the bottom if the Saturn is facing you.
The red pin goes on the first pin from the top (as shown right).
• After installing the power cable, push the PSU PCB back down onto the pins
and reinstall the screw.
•If you are using the optional power cable move the switch position to external power
on the MODE PCB. By default it is set to internal power. All original connectors must still be plu-
gged into MODE even when using external power.
Close up your Saturn.
You are done!

Dreamcast
Install Instructions

General Dreamcast Install Instructions
• Remove Modem or BBA adapter.
• Remove four screws from each corner of the underside of the Dreamcast. Flip the Dreamcast over and remove the lid.

General Dreamcast Install Instructions
• On certain revisions you may need to remove the PSU to access the GD-ROM assembly
screws. If needed, unplug the 2 pin power cable going into the PSU from the motherboard.
• Remove the 2 screws holding it in place and gently lift the PSU out.
• Remove screws (3) holding down GD-ROM assembly.
• Remove GD-ROM assembly.
Please note that if your Dreamcast has a ribbon cable
coming off of the GD-ROM assembly you likely have
a VA2 Dreamcast and MODE is not compatible.