Does the Sega Saturn's internal memory really run on that CR2032?

[Animan]

I've had the CR2032 batteries in my Saturn run out several times, and everytime I change them out, the save data still remains on the Saturn. From what I've heard, the save data is supposed to be erased when the battery is removed/runs out.

 

Can someone clear this up for me?

[Austin]

I've had the CR2032 batteries in my Saturn run out several times, and everytime I change them out, the save data still remains on the Saturn. From what I've heard, the save data is supposed to be erased when the battery is removed/runs out.

 

Can someone clear this up for me?

 

I am not sure how it works either. In the past I assumed you lost the data after your battery died--that's how it worked on my first system (later circle-button model). On my most-recently acquired system though, I've been able to swap out the battery and still retain the data. It's an earlier oval-button system. Needless to say, with these differing experiences, I don't trust it. I keep all of my most-recent saves on my Action Replay, just in case.

[+Cafeman]

Are you keeping the Saturn plugged in when you swap the battery?

 

If not, then there must be a capacitor in the Saturn which will retain enough juice to let you swap it out.

[Animan]

Are you keeping the Saturn plugged in when you swap the battery?

 

If not, then there must be a capacitor in the Saturn which will retain enough juice to let you swap it out.

 

Yeah, it could be that.

 

FYI, my Saturn is a "round button" Model 2 manufactured on July 1996.

[PsychoKittyNet]

I recently purchused a Saturn with a dead battery, I tried rechargeing them by keeping it on. While the battery did not charge, I was able to keep the saved settings for awile, before it finally reset. Seems it can last a short while without power.

[Rex Dart]

Yeah, that's been my experience. Like so many Tamagochi, it'll retain enough power to let you swap out the battery. But if you've left your Saturn in storage and the battery's died, you've probably lost all saves.

[Hatta]

I changed the battery on mine, I leave it plugged in, and I STILL lose my saves every time I shut the thing off. I'm constantly doing the Action Replay Shuffle.

[Austin]

I changed the battery on mine, I leave it plugged in, and I STILL lose my saves every time I shut the thing off. I'm constantly doing the Action Replay Shuffle.

 

That's what happened to me on my first system I got new in the '90s. I had to backup my data before powering off, always, even if the battery was replaced. It doesn't do that (yet) on the system I have now.

[goldenegg]

I recently purchused a Saturn with a dead battery, I tried rechargeing them by keeping it on. While the battery did not charge, I was able to keep the saved settings for awile, before it finally reset. Seems it can last a short while without power.

 

The battery in the Saturn is a CR2032. That type of battery is not rechargeable. The Dreamcast uses a 2032, which is rechargeable.