/xstation-issues

Issues and support for the xstation optical drive emulator

Mini FAQ

I'm only getting the Memory Card/ Music Player screen

Games freeze, FMV stutter or stall, audio skips

The xStation needs a well performing SD card that can deliver CD data reliably in under 6.7ms.
To help the SD card, format it using the official formatter tool. It really helps with access times:
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/
The tool will automatically choose exFAT (for larger cards) and set correct alignments and cluster sizes.
If the issue persists:

  • try a different SD card to see whether the problem is with the card or the installation
  • double check the installation, make sure that the pads below the lifted pins do not make contact
  • The lid open/close switch can be worn and barely make continous contact. Try wedging in something that pushes it down properly.

MacOS

MacOS likes to place metadata files on external media, which make it hard for the loader to find the actual games. This behaviour can be turned off (thanks @Thanos :))

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true

xStation can't reset the console, full boot not working, after updates no automatic reset

The most likely cause for reset signal issues is that the QSB reset point doesn't connect well (or at all) to the PSX mainboard.

QSB Reset point

An alternative test point exists near the expansion port.

Reset alternative

It is okay to solder an additional wire from the QSB to that reset point to fix the issue.

Test points

Thanks to the modding community, we now have test point images.
You can use them to verify that each signal is soldered down properly.
The currently most comprehensive images have been created by mmmonkey. Thanks!

PU-18

PU-18

LATE PU-8 (-21 and later)

Late PU-8

EARLY PU-8 (-11)

Early PU-8

PU-7

PU7