Technical information

SEGA Confidential

Boot ROM User's Manual

1.0 Introduction

This manual explains the functionality of the SEGA SATURN boot ROM. Because the

boot ROM is incorporated in the SEGA SATURN hardware itself, it starts up auto-

matically when the unit is powered on or is reset.

After the SATURN's power is turned on or the reset button is pressed, the boot ROM

plays a role in determining its operation. Its main functions include displaying the

SEGA SATURN logo, booting up games, providing low-level services for applica-

tions, and executing the Multiplayer (also called the Audio CD Control Panel) that

plays various types of CDs.

Before the game begins, the boot ROM checks for a SEGA SATURN game disc and

determines if it is a standard SEGA SATURN game disc. See the DISC Format Stan-

dard Specifications (ST-040) document for more details on the standard SEGA SAT-

URN game disc format.

Refer to the System Program User’s Guide and the Backup Library User’s Manual in the

SATURN System Library User's Guide (ST-162-R1) for information on using the service

programs.

This manual supports the non-Japanese version of the SEGA SATURN boot ROM

(used in SEGA SATURN for North America NTSC, European PAL, Asian NTSC

countries other than Japan, etc.). Therefore, please be aware that certain boot ROM

functions described in this manual will operate differently on SEGA SATURN units

equipped with Japanese boot ROMs.