When copying a file, confirm that there are a sufficient number of blocks available on the
receiving side. When copying multiple files, unplug the Visual Memory Units once after each file
has been copied. Repeat the free space check, copy and unplug process for each file you wish
to copy.
Error Messages
Error message
Meaning
What to do
*1 Same file exist
If necessary, delete the file (on the receiving side)
with the same name.
*1 Not enough free
Delete any unneeded files in order to free up the
memory
number of blocks required by the file.
*2 Copy failed
Disconnect the Visual Memory Units once, then
reconnect them and attempt the copying
operation again.
When copying a game, confirm that there are a sufficient number of blocks
available on the receiving side. If there are not enough blocks available, use the
Dreamcast File menu to delete some files and then copy the game.
SLEEP
MODE
A
B
SLEEP
MODE
A
B
Selecting the Mode
The Visual Memory Unit has three modes: “file,”
“game,” and “clock.”
The functions and operations available in each mode
are different. For details, refer to the descriptions of
the individual modes.
Note
The mode cannot be changed while a file is being
loaded or saved.
Selecting the Mode
1. Press the Sleep Button to turn the power on.
2. Press the Mode Button repeatedly until the icon
for the desired mode is flashing.
3. Press the A Button to switch to the desired mode.
Cancelling the Mode
To cancel any mode, press the Mode Button. The
Visual Memory Unit title screen will be displayed.
Pressing the Mode Button cycles through the modes in the
following sequence:
File mode
Game mode
Clock mode
Auto power Off
If there is no input for two minutes while the Visual
Memory Unit is in file mode or clock mode, the
Visual Memory Unit shuts itself off automatically.
To turn the power back on, press the Sleep
Button. When in game mode, the auto power off
feature may be enabled, but only if the game
supports the feature.
Saving a mini-game into the Visual Memory Unit
Remove the cap from the Visual Memory Unit and plug
the Visual Memory Unit into an expansion socket on the
controller. Store the cap in a safe place so you do not
lose it.
Game Mode
When a mini-game has been saved in the Visual Memory Unit by the Dreamcast, the mini-game screen is
displayed. For details on how to save, play, and operate mini-games, refer to the instruction manuals
provided with the software and the Dreamcast.
Left side of
Directional Pad
+
A Button
“No”
selected
(A Button)
B Button
Select by pressing the left
and right sides of the
Directional Pad
Enter by pressing the A
Button
Clock set
confirmation
Select by pressing the top or
bottom of the Directional Pad
Clock
display
Refer to “Setting the
Date and Time” (front side)
“Yes”
selected
(A Button)
Remove the caps from the Visual Memory
Units and ensure each Visual Memory Unit
is oriented correctly. When connecting
them, ensure that the connectors are fully
seated.
Replacing the Batteries
– The batteries are of the correct type (two
CR2032 batteries).
– Both batteries are new.
1. Use a small screwdriver (Phillips) to loosen the
battery compartment cover screw on the back of
the Visual Memory Unit. When the screw is loose,
remove the battery compartment cover. Please
note that it is not necessary to completely remove
the battery compartment cover screw in order to
remove the battery compartment cover.
2. Remove the old batteries, and insert two new
CR2032 lithium batteries by pushing the batteries
edge-first into the terminal, making sure that the
positive and negative sides are oriented
correctly.
3. Replace the battery compartment cover, and
secure it with the screw.
When inserting the second lithium battery, press down on
the side of the battery that will be closest to the battery
compartment cover and then slide the battery into place.
When closing the battery cover, make sure that the side of
the battery is touching the terminal correctly.
Notes
• Do not press down on the lithium batteries with
excessive force. Doing so could bend or break the
terminal.
• Make sure that the lithium batteries are making
good contact with the terminals.
Troubleshooting
Error Messages
“Format memory”
• Initialize the Visual Memory Unit.
“System error”
• Use the Dreamcast File menu to copy all the files
from the Visual Memory Unit that gave the error
message to another Visual Memory Unit.
(Note that copying may not be possible if the files
are damaged or copy protected.)
Once all of the files have been copied, initialize the
Visual Memory Unit that gave the error.
Storing Data
During file save operations to the Visual Memory Unit
refrain from performing any of the following actions.
Performing any of the following actions may result in
a file save error or possibly damage files already
saved in the Visual Memory Unit.
• Turn off the Dreamcast power.
• Disconnect the controller from the Dreamcast unit.
• Unplug any other expansion unit that is connected
to an expansion socket on the controller.
• Copy or delete files more than necessary.
In order to prevent the loss of important data, we
recommend making a backup copy of data on a
different Visual Memory Unit.
Note that we cannot bear any responsibility for the
loss or destruction of data.
File selection
The file sending operation was halted because a
file with the same name already exists.
There are not enough available blocks on the
receiving side.
The copy operation failed.
* Note that if the copy operation terminates in an
error there will be no reference to the copied file
remaining on the receiving side.
Delete
Copy
Copying a Game
A Button or
Right side of
Directional
Pad
B Button or
Left side of
Directional
Pad
File display
Select by
pressing the top
or bottom of the
Directional Pad
Right side of
Directional
Pad
Comment
display
Right side of
Directional
Pad
Action
selection
To “Copy” or
“Delete”
Select by pressing up or down or cancel
on the Directional Pad
Enter by pressing the A or B Button
File selection
Number of available blocks
(200 blocks maximum)
Number of blocks available to save a game
Number of blocks available for a
mini-game
File display
File number/total number
File name
Date (month/day/year)
Comment display
Comment
Number of blocks used
File type
Indicates either “Data” (backup data),
“Game” (mini-game), or “Other.”
If a file name is highlighted, that
file cannot be copied.
Preparing to send
Select by pressing
the left and right
sides of the
Directional Pad
Connection
Sending confirmation *1
Select “Yes”
Press the A Button to enter
* If “No” is selected, the display
returns to the previous screen.
“Yes”
selected
Copying in progress *2
Copy completed
Ready to receive
Set to the file display on
the receiving side
Waiting to receive
Receiving
* The dots “...” that are displayed on the screen
indicate the progress of the copy operation.
Receiving completed
Notes
• Game mode cannot be selected while the Visual Memory Unit
is connected to the controller.
• Do not press the reset button or unplug the Visual Memory
Unit from the controller while a file transfer is in progress.
Doing so may damage the file.
• The cap should be kept on the connector when the Visual
Memory Unit is not connected to a controller.
• When connecting the Visual Memory Unit with a Dreamcast
peripheral or another Visual Memory Unit, please ensure that
the Visual Memory Unit is oriented correctly before
connection. Also please ensure that the Visual Memory Unit
connector is fully seated.
• Do not short the pins in the Visual Memory Unit connector.
• When not playing a game, press the Sleep Button to turn the
Visual Memory Unit off.
B Button or
Left side of
Directional
Pad
B Button or
Left side of
Directional
Pad
Reading
the
Display
First lithium battery
Second lithium
battery
A Button
B Button
Lithium Batteries
The Visual Memory Unit uses lithium batteries for its
internal clock and for game play. When the screen
becomes hard to see or the “Please change battery”
message appears, replace the batteries promptly.
Continuing to use batteries that are nearly exhausted
will cause the Visual Memory Unit to operate
incorrectly.
When using the Visual Memory Unit as a memory card:
Batteries are not required when using the Visual Memory Unit
as a memory card. However, the Visual Memory Unit will not
operate correctly even as a memory card if it contains
exhausted batteries. In this case, remove the batteries. Note
that although the Visual Memory Unit can still be used as a
memory card if you remove the batteries, the clock setting
will not be retained and you will not be able to play any mini-
games.
Battery Life
The battery life will vary greatly, depending on how
the Visual Memory Unit is used. Guidelines for
replacing the lithium batteries are listed below:
• If only the clock function is used, replace the
batteries after about 130 days.
• The batteries will last for about seven days of
continuous use when playing games. Playing
against another Visual Memory Unit or saving data
frequently will use up the batteries faster.
• Frequent copying of files in file mode will also use
up the batteries faster.
Replacing the Lithium Batteries
Batteries should only be replaced by a responsible
adult. When replacing the batteries, be careful not to
lose the screw for the battery compartment cover.
Notes
• Before replacing the batteries, wipe the surfaces of
the new batteries with a dry cloth.
• If the Visual Memory Unit does not work even
though you just replaced the batteries, remove the
batteries immediately and make sure that:
– The polarity of the batteries (the orientation of
the positive side and negative side) is
correct.
Disconnect the
Visual Memorys
When receiving
When sending
File Mode
This mode is used to copy and delete files that have been saved, and can manage files up to a maximum
capacity of 200 blocks.
It is necessary to initialize the Visual Memory Unit the first time that you use it. For details on file initialization,
refer to the instruction manual provided with the Dreamcast.
Connecting a Visual Memory Unit to another
Visual Memory Unit
Files can be transferred from one Visual Memory
Unit to another by connecting them directly to
each other.
Managing Files
This function deletes files that are no longer needed or that can no longer be loaded. If no files
have been saved, “Delete” cannot be selected.
Before requesting repair service, please check the
following items.
General
●
No audio or visual display
• Is the Visual Memory Unit in the sleep state?
• Are the batteries installed correctly?
• Are the batteries dead?
When connected to a controller or another Visual
Memory Unit
●
No audio or visual display
• Is the power on for both this Visual Memory
Unit and the other device?
●
Cannot copy files
• Is there enough free space to copy the file?
• Is the file a copy protected file?
• Is the file damaged? Enter file mode and make
sure that no errors are displayed on the screen.
If there are other problems noted with the
operation of the Visual Memory Unit or its
display, press the Reset Button and select file
mode again.
●
Even though you performed the correct operation,
one of the following messages is displayed by the
Dreamcast:
“Could not initialize”
“Could not delete”
“Could not copy”
In this case, it is possible that the Visual Memory
Unit requires repairs. Contact Sega’s Technical
Support at “www.sega.com” or “1-800-USA-
SEGA”.
Clock Mode
This mode is used to display the clock, set the clock, and select the clock animation display. While the clock is
displayed, the left and right sides of the Directional Pad (or the A Button and the B Button) can be used to switch
between the data display and the clock display. When setting the clock, it is possible to select from among three
types of animation for the clock display (dog, fish or bird).
Setting the Clock
Clock display
Animation selection
