ARGON is a chip the introduce the programming concept called "MULTIFUNCTIONAL JTAG". ARGON is consisting of a last generation ACTEL chip that can be re-programmed with different firmwares, last version has a SPI 2Mbit flash on board for new few wires firmwares. The JTAG update suffers the fact that it needs an external programmer to be implemented, but it gives to the developers the possibility to COMPLETELY CHANGE THE CHIP CODE, SOMETHING UNTHINKABLE FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
Currently ARGON is being used by Wii D2C systems successfully, it has a UNIQUE firmware in the world made up by 13 threads.
We’re shortly releasing a new firmware for PS2 that will work on ARGON., making just a simple programming operation ARGON chip will be ok for PS2 consoles. This is an example of how great is the possibility to change the chip’s logic code!!
REMEMBER, the JTAG programming works also if the chip is NOT INTALLED, which is great for resellers to have up-to-date stocks because they are able to program the stoks by their own.
CURRENT FIRMWARE AVAILABLE: - ARGON SPI WASABUS 1.0 FIRMWARE - 9 wires / code injection (released 06/05/08) To update argon pls. download last version of PROGRAMMER SUITE > HERE - ARGON 1.8 FIRMWARE 17 wires / realtime patching(released 26/02/2008) To update argon pls. download last version of PROGRAMMER SUITE > HERE ARGON FEATURES (with WII D2C firwmare):
1- Work on all D2C WII boards, incl. G2C D1A! 2- 13 wires connection (3 optional wires for IMPORTS GAMES supported from firmware 1.3) 3- 100% UPDATABLE! Trought the on board JTAG connector* 4- ACTEL3 FAMILY FPGA - A3P125 - Military quality and security 5- Direct Boot from Wii games (extreme compatibility, more than Wiikey/D2Ckey) 6- Dirct boot for every GC game - Full supported from firmware 1.6 7- Multiple disc support 8- Silver games support - Supported from firmware 1.5 9- Audio streaming for GC Games supported 10- Partial regional Patch (work on 80% of games) - SUPPORTED FROM FIRMWARE 1.3 11- SPI 2Mbit flash on board for support of CODE INJECTION METHOD, soon firmwares availables
* necessary the INJECTUS PROGRAMMER or INFECTUS2
ARGON PACKAGE:
1- ARGON MODCHIP with JTAG CONNECTOR on BOARD 2- FLAT CABLE ARGON
For updating is necessary to buy separately : 1- INJECTUS PROGRAMMER JTAG 2- INFECTU2* (pls. note that with infectus2 the JTAG connection need to be done with 4 soldering points)
PICTURE OF INFECTUS CONNECTED TO INJECTUS PROGRAMMER:
F.A.Q.
How do i recognize the firmware installed on my ARGON chip? I t’s not possible to recognize the firmware of your own ARGON chip without an INJECTUS programmer or an INFECTUS2 one. We can just say that the firmwares sold until January 15th 2008 have an ARGON 1.0 firmware.
I’ve read about some game freezing issues with ARGON, Did they get fixed? Sure, the issue has been fixed with the 1.2 version. The reset of the optical when the system boots has been deleted as well with the version 1.2.
Why the ARGON is not updatable via DVD like the WIIKEY does? ARGON is a new generation chip that has been programmed by JTAG. This system allows us to have total control on the functioning logicof the chip. For example if WIIKEY used that technology, it would work on D2C consoles with a simple update done. ARGON doesn’t support just D2C but it’s ready to support other consoles that are coming out.
How to re- program ARGON? a- buying a cheap programmer called INJECTUS you will be easily able to update your ARGON simply plugging the USB INJECTUS programmer to the flat cable that is connected to the ARGON (that flat cable is available with every ARGON sold) b- buying an INFECTUS2 chip and plugging 7 threads to the ARGON chip or it’s possible to use INFECTUS2 with the FLAT CABLE as programmer. Obviously this option is uncomfortable so we suggest to use it just in case the first option is not available.
ARGON DOESN’T WORK WITH IMPORT GAMES, got some news about it? Sure, since the 1.3 ARGON firmware version, adding 3 optional threads, it will be possible for the import games to work correctly. By the region of your own console you will have to plug a specific thread that will be showed on the schemes, 3 threads total. The chip will work also without the additional 3 threads , so ARGON becomes 16 threads to get a 100% IMPORT functionality.
WHY I GOT AN ERROR WHEN I TRY TO UPDATE ARGON INSTALLED IN A WII? Simple, the power provide from INJECTUS PROGRAMMER or INFECTUS2 is not sufficient when the argon is connected to WII. Is necessary that you turn on the WII to proceede with UPDATE it correctly.
I GET ERROR "IDCODE = ffffffff STAPL_IDCODE = 2a121cf The IDCODE of the target device does not match the STAPL file" what is this ? You need to check the PLD ACTEL MODEL, if you see A3P125, or A3P250, you need to load the correct .DAT file for this model.
So how does it work? Simply clip it into place and you are ready to go. This can be done in less than ten minutes! We have done the soldering for you by combining the Wii-clip V2 with the Argon for the d2c version Nintendo Wii. Next generation HIGH precision design, 100% working perfect and stable.
The triwing and precision philips head screwdriver are needed to open the Wii console.