The previous Jaguar customer had also sent along their NeoGeo CD Toploader console for a Full Recap Service and SD Loader ODE Install!
I’ve also done a TON of these SDLoader installs (mostly in toploaders) and honestly if you are serious about acquiring a NGCD and using it, I would consider this mod almost mandatory. OEM drive load times are brutal and this cuts the time by more than half, making the arcade like experiences far more enjoyable.
While you can install the kit with a drive removal option (and SD card accessible via the drive tray) if the original drive is working there is no reason not to go that route as even if you don’t plan to use it, no need to remove functionality for the same end results!
As you can see above, I completed the SD loader install on mainboard, it’s a pretty simple install the trickiest part is the pin lifting and then keeping all the flexes in place as you reassemble the console.
I also updated the firmware on the customers console so its ready to go for them to add their games!
Above you can see the secondary board that connects to the mainboard loader PCB with a long thin flex. The trickiest part on this is getting the initial bend done well so it aligns with the vent slot in the top shell and is basically “pushing” against the plastic above it. Without proper alignment it can be very difficult to insert the SD card or re-insert if it was taken out. With how tricky getting all the flexes together is you really don’t want to have to open this thing again. Likewise, when taking the SD card out to add games or artwork, be EXTRA careful as if you drop the card down into the console it will not be a fun experience getting in their to dig it out.
Also pictured is the first of 4(!) boards you need to deal with as part of the Full Recap Service, and outside of the controller board its the easiest. Board was deep cleaned while caps were taken off.
Above are the other 3 boards, the controller board only has 1 capacitor and is easy, the PSU and AV board is jam packed though and kind of a nightmare! I also highly recommend if you are keeping drive to install capacitors near the AV ports flat because with the secondary angled board coming down in that area, it can make closing the lid difficult!
CDROM PCB isn’t too bad except similar to the CDROM board on a Model 1 Sega CD the vias are super fragile on here and very heat sensitive. I always dial my Hakko gun down to its lowest setting when handling this board and make extra sure to keep the tip elevated when moving and pulling the trigger.
Once all the boards were recapped and flexes and system re-assembled, I took a spare testing SD Card I keep around with the latest firmware on it and booted the SDloader for its initial setup (where it has to copy the BIOS to the SDLoader memory). Once I got the menu working and was able to boot a game, I also booted into the CD menu and confirmed an actual CDROM disc would work so that the install was completely correct.
It all tested out perfectly, so signed off on the console and let it run for a few hours on the bench while playing some Neo Turf Masters!
That’s both consoles done and ready to head home to hopefully a happy customer!