Mega Drive 1 50/60Hz and Jpn/Eng Switches
It is possible to modify your MD1 and control all of the region and video mode using the reset button.
A Mega Drive 1 is quite easy to modify, you can fit 2 switches, one will swap between 50Hz and 60Hz, the other will swap between English and Japanese language.
Here's how I've wired the switches. Red for 5 volt, Black for GND - you can see the black and red wires go from one switch to the the other, this saves having to solder lots to the motherboard. When it comes to fitting the switches, have a look here.
Now find the JP Points on the upper side motherboard, if you've got a capacitor linking one of them up, I usually remove it and it's been fine. Depending on what region your console is, different points will be linked up, you'll need to cut the links, don't cut too deep, I usually make two cuts close together, and then pick out the a small bit of the link.
You can see the power wires going to the switches, and the white wire to select video mode and blue wire for language. That's it, that's the soldering done, in total you've just got 4 wires going to/from the motherboard - GND, Power, Video Mode and Language.
You can mount the switches where ever you want, I usually go for the side of the console opposite the expansion bay.
Here's a brief explanation of how the jumpers are configured. The photo below shows JP2 and JP4 linked up, this is PAL console.
JP1 and JP2 controls the language of the console (GND for Japanese, +5v for English) - the 2 points on the left (highlighted in green) are linked on the underside of the motherboard.
JP3 and JP4 controls the video mode (GND for PAL, +5v for NTSC) - again the 2 points on the left (highlighted in blue) are linked on the underside of the motherboard.
All the switches are in the guide are doing is controlling which of the GND/+5v on the right is linked to the point on the left.
You will need to either use an RGB cable to get a colour image after performing this mod.
Old guide should you need it...
Summary of Components needed
2 x Single Pole, Double Throw
switches
Some wire
