blog:sega_saturn_rmenu_setup

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
blog:sega_saturn_rmenu_setup [2020/06/25 15:11] – [Third Attempt - replacement cart] johnblog:sega_saturn_rmenu_setup [2020/06/27 11:39] (current) – [Testing My Menu Builder] john
Line 126: Line 126:
  
 ==== Third Attempt - replacement cart ==== ==== Third Attempt - replacement cart ====
 +
 +=== Replacement Decision ===
 +
 +Since my original cart was now not working I had to track down a replacement; the options are:
 +
 +   * A cheap Pseudo Saturn Kai All-in-one cart - from somewhere like AliExpress; with unknown support and no comms
 +   * A Gamers cart from the developer of Pseudo Saturn Kai - but no RAM expansion
 +   * Another old-stock Action Replay 4M+
 +
 +Ultimately I went with the decision to get another Action Replay, since this was the only option that allowed me to have:
 +
 +   * 1M/4M RAM expansion
 +   * Save Backup
 +   * Pseudo Saturn Kai ROM
 +   * Comms support
 +
 +All of the others offer a combination of the above, but nothing else has all four facilities. 
 +
 +=== Flashing the cart ===
  
 Checking that the cartridge is not showing any flickering byte values (this took a few goes at repositioning the cart, but unlike the original, I eventually got a position where the cart ROM was showing rock steady values). Checking that the cartridge is not showing any flickering byte values (this took a few goes at repositioning the cart, but unlike the original, I eventually got a position where the cart ROM was showing rock steady values).
Line 142: Line 161:
  
 {{:blog:img_1417.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1418.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1417.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1418.jpg?400|}}
 +
 +=== It works! ===
  
 Rebooting with the Saturn with the Pseudo Saturn Kai cart now active: Rebooting with the Saturn with the Pseudo Saturn Kai cart now active:
  
-{{:blog:img_1419.jpg?200|}} {{:blog:img_1420.jpg?200|}}+{{:blog:img_1422.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1419.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1421.jpg?300|}}  
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +===== Testing My Menu Builder ===== 
 + 
 +This is about the first time I've been able to test the output of my [[https://github.com/megatron-uk/PyRMenuGen|menu builder software]] and, unfortunately it looks like it didn't work properly: 
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1444.jpg?400|}} 
 + 
 +That's the Pseudo Saturn Kai BIOS complaining that it cannot find the menu file which is embedded within the ISO file in the `./001/` folder on the SD card. 
 + 
 +Removing the Action Replay cart and relying on the disc image in the first folder (001) had the following output: 
 + 
 +   * Using RMENU - boots straight to CD player - "No Disc in drive" 
 +   * Using Rmenu Kai - boots straight to CD player - "No Disc in drive" 
 + 
 +All my files on the SD card are in '/XXX/' numbered folders (there are some 120+ games). I found that if I renamed the `./001/` directory to `./01/` I got a different result: 
 + 
 +   * Using RMENU - loads RMENU but then I get a 'menu cannot be found' message 
 +   * Using Rmenu Kai - loads RMenu Kai and displays game list, but no game boots (just tries loading the ISO and then cycles back to menu) 
 +   * Using Pseduo Saturn Kai on cart - shows the 'Optical Drive or ODE not connected' 
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1446.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1447.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1444.jpg?400|}} 
 + 
 +=== Numbers!!! === 
 + 
 +Turns out the problem was easier to fix than I thought: 
 + 
 +The instructions for the Rhea state: 
 + 
 +> Every image must be put in a separate folder 
 +> Folder names must consist of: 
 +> 2 digits for 01 to 99 
 +> 3 digits up to 999 
 +> 4 digits up to 9999 
 +> All file names must have correct extension 
 + 
 +I had assumed that as I had >100 images, all folders needed to be three digits - that isn't the case: 
 + 
 +   * The first 100 folders (0-99) have two digits 
 +   * The next 899 folders (100-999) have three digits 
 +   * The next 8999 folders (1000-9999) have four digits 
 + 
 +All I needed to do was rename the first 99 folders to be 01-99, instead of 001-099. [[https://github.com/megatron-uk/PyRMenuGen/commit/6c4938119c79db59c07cf4aacea3ebfc48f951d1|My menu builder code has also been updated to reflect this change]]. 
 + 
 +And it works: 
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1448.jpg?600|}}  
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1449.jpg?600|}} 
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1451.jpg?600|}} 
 + 
 +{{:blog:img_1454.jpg?600|}} 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +===== Advanced Mods ===== 
 + 
 +The Rhea has an optional function that enables it to change the video mode of the Saturn from 50Hz to 60Hz (or vice-versa) depending on the region of the disc image that is loaded. 
 + 
 +By default you don't need to do this, but: 
 + 
 +  * Some titles may not play correctly at the wrong video mode 
 +  * You won't see NTSC (US/Japan) titles at full speed
  
-{{:blog:img_1421.jpg?200|}} {{:blog:img_1422.jpg?200|}}+I'd never enabled this functionality with my Rhea, but since everything is now working, this is the next task.
  • blog/sega_saturn_rmenu_setup.1593094289.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2020/06/25 15:11
  • by john