Connecting Games via SEGA Official Serial Protocol

Important Notes

When using SEGA’s official serial card reader protocol, the card reader hook in Segatools must be disabled.
If the game fails to connect to the card reader after disabling the hook (e.g., due to misconfiguration), the game will disconnect from the network. A game restart is required after fixing the issue.

Card Reader Port Configuration

Game	Default Port
maimai DX	COM1
ONGEKI	COM1
CHUNITHM	COM4

1. Identify and note the port number for your game. The table above shows default ports for common games. For other games using amdaemon, check or modify the port in config_common.json (details).
2. Ensure the target port is not occupied by other devices:
   1. Open Windows Device Manager (default view: Devices by type). Enable Show hidden devices:
      
   2. Unplug the card reader and locate the Ports (COM & LPT) dropdown:
      
   3. If no ports are listed, proceed. If ports exist, check for conflicts.
   4. For conflicting devices: Right-click → Properties → Port Settings → Advanced → Change COM Port Number to an unused value (e.g., COM255):
      
3. Plug in the card reader, switch to Devices by container view:
   
4. Locate HINATA:
   
5. Right-click USB Serial Device → Properties → Port Settings → Advanced.
6. Set COM Port Number to your game’s required port. No baud rate adjustment is needed (uses USB CDC class).
7. Verify port conflicts under Devices by type → Ports (COM & LPT).
8. Reboot the card reader: Replug it or disable/enable USB Serial Device in Device Manager.

Game Configuration

1. Ensure the game is online (green globe icon visible). Network setup is beyond this guide’s scope.
2. Edit segatools.ini:

   ; Add this section if missing:
   [aime]
   enable=0 
   ; Disables Segatools card reader hook (mandatory for serial protocol)
   
   ; Comment/delete any [aimeio] section (e.g., if used with HINATA’s AimeIO mode):
   ;[aimeio]
   ;path=hinata.dll

3. Baud rate changes are unnecessary (USB CDC class used).
4. Launch the game.

Related Guides

• Adjust LED Brightness in Serial Mode
• Connecting Games via AimeIO
• In-Game Card Reader Test
• KONAMI Game Setup