How do use a Famicom Game Doctor

[waiyan115]

I was digging up my garage and came up with a Game Doctor 6M with no box or instruction. Can anyone help me with that? I only remember using it when i was about 6 or 7 years old and don't remember how to get it to work. I have 3 questions if any one can provide an answer that would be helpful.

1) What does it do
2) Can anyone give me a tutorial or instructions? I don't even mind paying a fee if the information is accurate and useful.
3) Is this a good piece of hardware to keep, or best to get rid of it?

thanks,

Wai

[JC]

Well, Game Doctors are useful for a few things: 1) playing trained pirated cart games converted to FDS, though it can be hard to find games like this these days. 2) tuning an FDS w/ CopyMaster or like software with that capability. 3) copying disks for which you have the originals. If you have an FDSLoader cable you can also write any disk for which you have a .FDS image. GDs aren't like traditional SNES/SFC copiers where you can backup games from a cart.

The Turbo GD supports more mappers than the other units. None of the copiers have any on-screen menu or interaction other than the "Insert Side X" message that pops up when its time to change disks. These only work with specially modified cart games that have been written to FDS disks. These are very hard to find these days. Of course, you can use it to copy disks with a utililty such as CopyMaster, or to tune your drive speed.  The pins on the back were for a real-time save device; it's extremely hard to find.

The AC adapter GDs use is just a simple 9v center-negative like all the copiers use, the famicom uses, the FDS uses, the Genesis uses, etc.  Any game copier you come across uses the same adapter.

I've never actually used either of my GDs, but that's some of the info I know about these things. I'd say keep it if you ever plan to use it for what I said above. If not, sell it. I'd be interested, depending on which unit it is (pics?).

[pyrogen]

Do these types of units work fine with Twin Famicoms?

[JC]

I'm not sure. I don't think it would because the GDs require you to run your RAM adaptor through the GD to the Famicom, at least that appears to be the intention.

[livefastdiefun87]

I have seen one of these avaiable on ebay at the moment

[waiyan115]

I just went home to look at the unit and it is a Turbo GD 6M. Thank you for your help JC in pulling out my childhood memories. I remembered that there are games (which i have still) that needed the GD to get them to work. I am in the middle of trying to do an inventory and restore my famicom stuff. So I guess all i have do and turn the GM on and load the disk to play them. I tried to ask this question before but there hasn't been any sell on ebay in regard to the FDS belt. Does anyone know where I can get them? Also, how do I get the copymaster program and the FSD loader cable thanks !~

[JC]

I may be buying belts soon, if you need some. The software programs usually come in disk lots. It's hit and miss, mostly. Sometimes you'll get one and sometimes you won't. You can also buy them on Yahoo! auctions, but they sell for $50-150. Not worth it. And you have to build the FDSLoader cable yourself, using the internet's instructions.

[133MHz]

If you build the FDSLoadr cable, you'd probably need to get an old computer with a parallel port running DOS/Win9x.

[waiyan115]

Thanks for the help everyone !!

Yeah, let me know if anyone is getting the belts, i can get some too. Also, if anyone can build me that Cable (or a more graphical versions of the instruction), i can pay for it. thanks everyone for your help !!!

wai