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GBAMP Multiboot (latest version)
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Hi,

i have recently received my GBAMP and i was messing around with a multiboot system.

I am to the point that it actually does something on the screen after loading .nds files. Unfortunally it seems that i am missing to set some flags on my fake-bootup.

Some games show correct graphics and movements, some are just showing their splash screen and some dont work at all.

If anyone has a suggestion what hardware registers im missing to set or any other hints, please let me know.

Use this archive to take a look yourself. I have included some common nds (unmodified) which shows a bit of the action and of course the problems. Just put them on the CF in your GBAMP.

Thanks in advance

Last edited by Mighty Max on Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:17 pm; edited 2 times in total

Looks good so far. I think your problem is with the ARM7. The ARM9 appears to load properly, but the ARM7 binary seems to be the same as used in your program. If the game you are trying to load doesn't use the exact same binary, it may not work.

Maybe you could try modifying Darkain's MultiNDS loader.

Thank you for your hint Chishm,

the ARM7 code started but it was unable to more then some instructions. The problem is solved and the archive updated.

Working (and tested) .NDS so far are:

Nibbles (the oneby DesktopMan)
Tetris (the one by DesktopMan)
FlashMe
BattleShipDS (by natrium42)
DS Reversi
MUSK
Sponge

The demos compiling with the settings like Hello_World don't work yet, as they have the ARM7 code located in Shared RAM (where my ARM7 code is atm). Gonna solve that soon, but not too soon (need more sleep :p )

Have Fun and feel free to add to the list of working .nds

:edit: btw the browsing in more then 18 files in the current subdir isn't really implemented yet too, will come too, but it isnt much of a problem now i think

Last edited by Mighty Max on Sun Aug 21, 2005 3:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

*grr*

Wrong Button

Mighty Max wrote:

*grr*

Wrong Button

what?

anyway...just gave it a try with these games:

Duckhunt (works but wasn't there the upper screen also supported?)
Starfighter Skirmish (doesn't work)
YatzDOS (doesn't work)
yeti3D (doesn't work)
arena (doesn't work)

exept duckhunt all games won't even boot but freeze at loading screen

good start anyway.I hope you get it improved.You are the first person who comes up with a GBAMP multiboot programm and there are many people who were waiting for one.
Thanks,you rule
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

I highly suggest reading the code to darkain's MultiNDS loader... It's in the ndslib (not libnds last i checked) CVS. The code is not that long, and should be pretty easy to adapt.

I would suggest not to bother too much with the interface. i would recomend (when it is working better) using your code as a plugin for moonshell. It should be too difficult to add it as a seperate class and adding it into the part of his code where it looks at the file extension. If you guys could find some way to collaborate, which wont be easy language wise, then you'd both be saving each other time.

Hey,

the archive is updated again, so try your luck :p

I will not rely on DarkRains loader tho, i guess i can do that myself.

Gonna look if i can give the source of the loader itself to the Moonshell devers when it is more reliable altho, the bigger the NDS it is embedded in the less place is there for relocation and load operations.

But don't be worried, as you can see on the text-UI i'm not focussing on that, so i can spend my time mainly on the loader itself.

I have fixed a problem with larger NDS files and files that got corrputed while loading them, Shared-RAM-ARM7 NDS are still not loaded properly, but i included at least the ARM9 run on them :p

So add

cassebrique
jumpfree
JWPoolDS
pythonpower

I still have some problems with

Duckhunt, corrupting (bg corrupt,music plays, menu shows, crash)
Rebonds, not running ARM7
Gridlock, not running ARM7

Ill be away with within the week, so just leave a reply if you got any suggestion / hint / request / whatever, and ill look on it when back.

Greets
Mighty Max

One thing you might want to consider is using the ARM9 for the menu, then when a file is chosen send the path (or even just the start cluster - but this will take some modification to GBAMP_CF) to the ARM7. Then get it to load from within the ARM7 only RAM if the ARM7 binary goes in main RAM, or from within main RAM if the binary goes in ARM7 only RAM.

I'm having problems getting it to list some of the .nds files.. :(

I'm just getting a white screen when trying to load anything. This could be because I'm running on an old CF card that only works on FAT16 (I had problems with moonshell as well.) Should be upgrading to a better CF soon.

I hope the development on this goes good, I'm tired of just having one game on my card!

vb_master wrote:

I hope the development on this goes good, I'm tired of just having one game on my card!

I wouldn't mind being able to choose from Moonshell or the new version of nesDS that supports the GBAMP...then if there is a version of ScummVM released supporting the GBAMP as well, there's another reason to want to have a loader in place. :)
_________________
Now with 20% More Old Man from Zelda 1 than ever before!

we should get the moonshell project and this project merged it would be great haveing the file system on moonshell being able to boot up another nds file
_________________
www.mod-freak.com

yes thats what i already suggested above

I grabbed a bunch of random .nds files I had on my HD..

Works:

- Toon Shading
- FakeMSX
- PixelFixer

Doesn't Work:
- DrinkMe loads, but you can't start it.
- DSLinux almost works :D It loads, and buttons work, but touchscreen doesn't, so you can log in.
- Gorilla, no touch input or sound
- Gridlock, hangs after loading initial screens
- Mines, doesn't even appear to load
- Omalone, hangs after pressing [START] and doesn't even update the screens
- SubpixelFont, loads but no input
- LED Demo, loads and screen fades, but no touch and LED doesn't flash
- NDSMemo, loads but no touch
- EI, loads but no touch
- IRO, works.. but with no touch, and the D-pad keeps going left, but you can play the game.
- Space Games loads, but you can't select a game because of no touch.
- DSR, no touch or sound.

Don't really know if this is of any use..lemme know if you want me to keep testing..

Lynx wrote:

- DSLinux almost works :D It loads, and buttons work, but touchscreen doesn't, so you can log in.
Don't really know if this is of any use..lemme know if you want me to keep testing..

That's definitely the ARM7 binary not working.

Yes that i can confirm ive just tried it with the test (arm7less) version of snesds for the gbamp and it boots fine through the loader but the normal one wont

I found something interesting. If I try to load nesDS directly, it crashes. However, if I go to load nesDS, press Select for abort then load _BOOT_MP.NDS (this menu) nesDS works! What is going on here?

Further investigation reveals that when I abort, it still says /NESDS.NES in the path, so it gets openned. This only works if the file is in the root dir. It also works for birds, which froze on me before.

I was thinking, unless you have a good reason to, you probably shouldn't store the absolute path. I have written the file driver so that this is not needed. Instead of changing up a level using the absolute path, just FAT_CWD("..").

I would really like to see your source, so that I can help out further. Out of curiosity, which CPU does what in your code? Eg, is the directory listing done by the ARM7 or 9, and likewise with file loading? If the ARM7 loads files, how are you placing the loader outside of IWRAM?

I'm just back from work (had to travel a bit) and gonna go through all the posts today.

First for Chism, the ARM9 does the major work:

It relocates itself to 0x2300000 it shows the menu and on select loads the nds into a buffer, the buffer (from 2100000 to 0x22FFFFF) for ARM9 in the case of the ARM7 code shall be located into the main ram it is directly loaded to this place. It tells the ARM7 what to do and where to load and then begins to relocate code out of the buffer to the destination address. This step however will overwrite any values stored in that area and invalidating global vars, so can only use hard coded var-locations (at the end of the buffer) for anything now. Then the arm9 is synching with the ARM7 and both jump.

Meanwhile the ARM7 is checking a flag at the end of the buffer in an endless loop for 3 different states (1,2 are for the not yet working situation with shared ram used by new nds, 3 for the running ones):

1. Relocate -> The Arm7 copies his 32kB (loader-) code into MainRam and jumps after a synching handshake
2. Load -> The Arm7 copies the new code into shared RAM (0x3800000) and jumps again after the synch
3. Jump directly -> The Arm checks another register at the end of the buffer and jumps to that address.

Something that came to my mind while away is that some of the behaviour might come from too many and too fast reads from the cf as the NDS seems to "memorise" that don't work state for a while ... might it be that the power circuits are not producing nuff output for exzessive reads ?

The menu code is pretty uggly ... a 5 mins work :p ... gonna rework that for a better performance and less reads (no caching, reloading on every loop)

After i cleaned the code up, i gonna look that i can release it.

PS: The issue with the path on abort is located and will be fixed.

PPS: I think i know the cause of the error with the no ARM7 roms, somehow the first jump is messing up access rights ... guess i should look onto the cp15 a bit more

Am I right in saying that only NDS files < 1MB will work, due to the buffer behaviour? Would it not be better to read the binaries directly to their destination addresses. In the case of ARM7 in exclusie IWRAM, you may still need a buffer, but it would only need to be 64 KB max.

Also, I think 0x3800000 is ARM7 exclusive IWRAM. 037F:8000-037F:FFFF is shared IWRAM, and you may want to use it for both loading code and global vars, as it shouldn't be used for binaries. There are two separate 16KB banks to use, so you could use one for ARM7 and the other for ARM9 (see http://neimod.com/dstek/ for details).

The NDS will wait for the CF card while it is busy. Power is not an issue, as CF cards are designed to be run at both 3V and 5V.

chishm wrote:

Am I right in saying that only NDS files < 1MB will work, due to the buffer behaviour? Would it not be better to read the binaries directly to their destination addresses. In the case of ARM7 in exclusie IWRAM, you may still need a buffer, but it would only need to be 64 KB max.

Sure would it be better, but it does not work :p Even when i relocate the my code to the new address it still access the data as it were still within the old range. So if i load it directly to the area i want it to be, the calls to FAT_fread & co as well as consolePrintf & co crash.

I plan to read the size of the _BOOT_MP.nds code segments later to recalculate the beginning of my buffer to be as early as possible to increase the limits.

Quote:

Also, I think 0x3800000 is ARM7 exclusive IWRAM. 037F:8000-037F:FFFF is shared IWRAM, and you may want to use it for both loading code and global vars, as it shouldn't be used for binaries. There are two separate 16KB banks to use, so you could use one for ARM7 and the other for ARM9 (see http://neimod.com/dstek/ for details).

Ups. that explains why i wasnt able to do the move operation from the arm9, but i solved it by letting the arm7 do the memcpy. Problem for using the 16kB blocks for global vars is that they are indeed global for both cpus. so both need read&write access.

Quote:

The NDS will wait for the CF card while it is busy. Power is not an issue, as CF cards are designed to be run at both 3V and 5V.

Ok, then i gonna finish my cleanup and post the code

Mighty Max wrote:

Sure would it be better, but it does not work :p Even when i relocate the my code to the new address it still access the data as it were still within the old range. So if i load it directly to the area i want it to be, the calls to FAT_fread & co as well as consolePrintf & co crash.

Even if you move all the required code (I assume you are doing it manually), it still thinks it is in the old location, so function calls and such will try to access the old location. I think you know that already.

However, you may be able to modify the link script to compile your code for the new location. For instance, you could have the ARM9 code located mostly in shared IWRAM, with a small main function in the normal location to set up the access control register correctly and then jump.

Mighty Max wrote:

Problem for using the 16kB blocks for global vars is that they are indeed global for both cpus. so both need read&write access.

Try to use as few shared global variables as possible. Locate them as near towards the end of main RAM as possible, eg at 023F:FF00.

If the ARM9 really is doing most of the work, you could probably put your ARM7 code in the same region as the global vars (more link script tweaking) so that it doesn't need to be moved at all.

The problems so far are solved.

While i was cleaning the code yesterday i came accross 2 major bugs that were causing the crashes.

* Not saving and restoring the Player-Setting-Rammirror caused the common Touchpad code to crash (division by zero)
* Relocating the whole arm7 code area executed the initialization again and therefor jumped twice

What _should_ run now:

* Every ARM7 in main memory NDS with less then 2.4MB ARM9 code
* Every ARM7 in exclusive memory NDS with less then 2.4MB ram & less then 32kB ARM7 code.

The limits are subject to change and will be removed(increased) step by step

The archive is updated.

Drugwars
Rebonds
IBO
DSGoo
...

If someone could send me NDS which do not work yet to webmaster(at)mightymax(dot)com it would be very nice.

Have Fun

max, is there a website where I can download your loader?
Leo
_________________
Yours Truly
my website
my blog
M3 Review

Please use the archive http://mightymax.org/GBAMP_MultiBoot.rar

I have not yet created a page for it.

Just a few quick tests

works:
nesDs
snesDS_Soundless
darkstar (with corrupt graphics and no files added)

doesnt work:
moonshell
movietest
snesDS
any ds.gba file (would be awesome to have support for these under 4 meg)
stellaDs

It doesn't work at all for me. I go to load a game (included in the RAR) and it shows the confirmation, but when I press start it shows a black bottom screen, a white top screen and nothing else.

Dunno what it exactly is, yet i have again updated the archive, maybe you just got it while i changed it.

Please try again

now to wait for my passme :(. how long do those things take, I'm in Scotland, so its probably going to be at least a week:(

--Leo
_________________
Yours Truly
my website
my blog
M3 Review

Still no good, all but nesds are the same as before. NesDS just takes me back to the menu, but everything else freezes.

Hmm, the only thing i can think off right now, since the earlier versions worked , is a problem with the starting location.

Do you run the GBAMP with a special version of flashed firmware or flashme?
Do you run it with a passme plugged in or wifime, or just flashme?

Something on you side need to be different somehow. Any guesses ?

I'm using it with 64MB CF and FlashMe installed last week.

NesDS run fine for me no problem (flashme, 256cf)

are you using the latest nesDs?

edit:
also teenage queen and dslinux work fine now

tested about 15 games(those incl. in the RAR too) and none worked.
I press "Start" and either it freezes at the conformation screen or I get back to the menu.
I didn't even get the black/white screens which chishm got(in NESDS).
mmmhhh....?
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

hmmm well thats very odd, why would it work for some and not others?

I have a slight idea on what it might be but i wonder why there is this difference.

I will try to catch the fault i can think off and implement some more info so i can locate the problem.

Stand by ;)

If anyone with the problem please could run http://mightymax.org/GBAMP_MultiBoot_Debug.rar and give me the info displayed just before loading i can look into the problem further.

ARM9: xxxxx - xxxx - xxxxx
ARM7: xxxxx - xxxx - xxxxx

and the lines

[debug] Loader ARM9 at xxxxxx, ARM7 at xxxxxx
[debug] Buffer ARM9 at xxxxxx, ARM7 at xxxxxx

Thanks in advance

*Deleted*
Well now im even more confused it would work the first two times i formatted now it seems to.

Last edited by El Hobito on Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

here we go:

ARM9: 2004000 - DA44 - 2004000
ARM7: 2380000 - AE18 - 2380000

[debug] Loader ARM9 at 2000949, ARM7 at 38005B8
[debug] Buffer ARM9 at 2080000, ARM7 at 2380000

good luck ;)
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

Formated my CF to FAT32, no problem. I got no running ver of NesDS tho, but the other ones run smooth.

Beside that i use chishm's driver routines unmodiefied. The actual load is done as

Code:

   // Load ARM7 Image
   FAT_fseek(LOAD_FILE,NDSHDR->ARM7_RomSource,SEEK_SET) ;
   FAT_fread((void *)ARM7_TARGET,1,NDSHDR->ARM7_Size,LOAD_FILE) ;
   // Load ARM9 Image
   FAT_fseek(LOAD_FILE,NDSHDR->ARM9_RomSource,SEEK_SET) ;
   FAT_fread(LOAD_BUFFER,1,NDSHDR->ARM9_Size,LOAD_FILE) ;

So i myself don't care much about FAT versions.

mines normally in fat but when i formatted it to fat32 nesds stopped working but when i put it back to fat16 it worked, so i did the same again and no change but on the third time it is working on fat32. So forget that

Stupid thing double posted (sorry!) what had me confused it seems is that nesDS doesnt work on the debug version but it does on the normal one. so it has nothing to do with fat versions it was just a coincidence.

debug version says this:
arm9 2000000 - AB30 - 2000000
ARM7 2380000 - 57F4 - 2380000

[DEBUG] LOADER ARM9 AT 2000949, ARM7 AT 38005B8
[DEBUG] BUFFER ARM9 AT 2080000, ARM7 AT 2380000

then black screen

the normal version however says the same minus the bebug messages and then loads normally

El Hobito wrote:

the normal version however says the same minus the bebug messages and then loads normally

The weird thing is, that both versions only dithers in those messages.

hmmm i've just double checked and it wont work with the debug version so the only thing i can think of is those few extra bytes is infringing on some area of memory where nesds should be. is it not possible to load the multiboot at the end of memory so as to not interfere? beats me what the problem is!

I think i can exclude that.

The loader is already relocated even the info doesn't shows it, it just shows the &main value instead of the actual r15. I changed it now. The ARM7 address is pre-relocated.

However i have decreased the buffer size again to the last size and place that did not report this error in hope that it solves it, Tho i don't know why this should change anything. But hey!

The debug archive is updated this way.

spot on my friend it works!
stella ds now works!
moonshell v nearly works (interface boots then crashes)
nesDS works

all the roms i have now work expect for the ones that never worked with the gbamp anyway (snesDs for example). One things still baffles me...why do the debug messages half interfere with the moonshell start up sequence?

[debug] loader arm9 at 23002fc, arm7 at 38005b8
[debug] buffer arm9 at 2100000, arm7 at 2380000

this is nesDs same as before

The only thing that those messages change is that area moonshell might expect as empty (as 00's) are not empty anymore.

I should add a code cleaning up some of the memory areas just before the CPUs jump.

And i need to find out what is located in the memory that was interfering on your NDSes. Since the reducing of the buffer stopped Omalone from working again.

So does the debug version runs for you all guys?

Or am i still missing someone?

I've thought of a great idea that could help you max. I was thinking...why not create a separate program built purely to show debugging messages. If you accumulate all of the tutorials that access each function of the ds then maybe it might be possible to narrow down which part is screwing up. I've had another idea (which i'll admit is rather cack handed). in terms of amalgamating this with moonshell i believe you said that moonshell would take up too much memory to be practical, well maybe i was thinking when moonshell(or any other shell) tries to load a nds file it could simple load your multiboot nds(and therefore unload itself entirely) and pass the location of the file it wants to load then your program could load the requried file as if it was run natively. I dont currently know enough about it so forgive me if thats v noobish of me to suggest.

Mighty Max wrote:

So does the debug version runs for you all guys?

Or am i still missing someone?

works great for me exept moonshell which seems to suffer the same prob as omalone
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

Although I?m certain that you?ll get this running 100% at some point (by the way, great work so far, Mighty Max), I thought of a simpler program that would have greater compatibility, but would be less convenient. My original idea was a GBA utility that let you change file names. Then you could just rename the file you want to boot in DS mode.

My other idea was a bit more complicated. It was a GBA utility that would change the name of the file in the firmware that was loaded in DS mode. In other words, Chishm?s hack has the GBAMP load _MP_BOOT.NDS. The utility would bring up a list of your .nds files, you choose which file to load, and then it changes the pointer from _MP_BOOT.NDS to the file of your choosing.

I would have tried making these programs myself, but I?m just beginning to learn GBA programming. Plus, I don?t think I have enough info to implement the second idea. I think I would need the source code to Chishm?s bootloader. I?ll probably get there eventually, but someone else with much more knowledge could get these ideas rolling much faster than I could and are welcomed to try.

As i am currently very busy with my job and i got a first running version out, the project is somewhat sidelined for me.

It will ofcourse get some updates in the future: a sorted list, more info on NDS files (logos i.e.) and of course more tweaks for more compatibility. But this will most probably take some time.

Any suggestions, hints or wishes are welcome tho, so feel free to add (even if i cant reply in time)

Mighty Max wrote:

...and i got a first running version out, ....

Do you mean the debug version,don't you?
Yeah this one runs really good.I've NESDS and SMSDS on one CF card and everything boots fine exept that I haven't got sound on SMS emu(although it has stated that it has sound)...weird.

great work though
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

Just a quick update. Both archives are fresh and contain the same files.

Enabled upper display for showing infos on selected item
fixed bug with more then 18 files in one directory (it now scrolls!) ;)
fixed bug opening [.] dir

If anyone has information on the exact icon format of the nds files i could really use them :p ... the infos on NDS Wiki are not very specific.

PS: you can change every BMP used for the upper screen as long as you don't change the dimensions and the uncompressed 24bit format.

PPS: can anyone make a screenshot? My cam is on holiday with a mate of mine

wofr what is that multiboot program used? can it run gba roms? and how?

It lets you decide wich .NDS you want to run from your GBAMP.

This way you can decide which homebrew app/game you want to run at the moment you turn on your DS instead of when you wrote to the CompactFlash on the computer.

This way i can play all the nice homebrew on the road instead of beeing stuck with one.

The support of .ds.gba is in the works so you are (when this feature is finished) able to run binaries in that format too. (not all homebrew are delivered in .nds)

nice work, maybe u culd put a download link in the opening post? or create a website or something?

and what about the list of compatible games, we culd try to make it a little more complete and updated, i can give you a hand if needed.

Tomorrow I can take some pics from the app running on DS(my mom has my cam).
In the meantime I've made another "upper"-background which I use already.
Feel free to grab it when you like it!It's already in the fitting size.
Alternative upper Background pic

(Note: Thanx to the girl...whoever it is.Also thanx to the one who shot the photo.Couldn't find your name to credit you...sorry.)
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

It's me again,

updated the archive and created a temp. webpage for it.

http://mightymax.org/gbamp_multiboot.html

The compatibility should have increased in this version. The yesterday's build of Xricks (by GPFerror) works now too.

:edit: updated again and Moonshell runs now! (It expected some mem area to be emptied with 00s to continue its work)

:edit again: at least Moonshell 0.2+9 does work. The current v0.3 does not.

Awesome! I assume that since chishm did not allow Nintendo Demos to run from the GBAMP, they probably don't work with the multiboot either.

No the official demo's don't work atm gonna check whats causing it (beside that most of them take too much mem)

btw, updated again, since the last one dropped drugwars from the list of running nds. It's fixed.

So there is a size limitation right? Is that the reason gridlock doesn't work? Great work by the way Max.

Moonshell 0.3+1 works on mine. My life is now complete.

Same here. 3.1 works fine

MightyMax:
I've been working on incorporating a better loader into the firmware. If you are interested, PM me. I have everything working that was working before except moonshell, which is going to have to be fixed.

Also, which memory range is expected to be 00s?

skabio wrote:

So there is a size limitation right? Is that the reason gridlock doesn't work? Great work by the way Max.

I believe there is a wifi version of gridlock that should work fine. This is an example of poor sram checking.

Thanks Lynx, the wmb version of Gridlock runs just fine :)

@chishm, Moonshell magical started to run after i cleaned the area from 0x2380000 till 0x23FF000. Thats the mem where i cache the arm7 code when it is targeted to run in exclusive ram.

And sure i'd be interested in your next ver of the firmware and/or driver :) guess everyone is ... hehe

About Moonshell, yes, got myself 0.3p1 and its working with all music and video. Thx for the info.

@skabibo: Yes there is a size limit. and atm it's very strict to 0x1FC000 Bytes in AMR9 code and 0x7FC00 (for main ram) or 0x8000 Bytes (exclusive RAM) ARM7 code.

Thats 1.98MB for ARM9, 511kB (32kB) for ARM7.

That limit should be a lot less restrictive once i included the stack relocation too.

sorry guys.. What file do you put on th CF to make run moonshell? Is it the BOOT MP gbfs.nds?
Can it run dmv?
Thanks

I've put the whole folder onto my CF, but it should be enough to put the _boot_mp.nds and it's subfolder FILES somewhere on your CF. (just don't overwrite the multiboot file)

And yes, it runs the dmv files when loaded via Multiboot. At least the demo dmv "20050831_256pix_9frame.dmv" worked great over here.

is the file on page 1 the latest version?
Leo
_________________
Yours Truly
my website
my blog
M3 Review

oh i see!
in lowercase letter, right?
ANyway can we do a list of all demos/app working with this awesome multiboot?

leoedin wrote:

is the file on page 1 the latest version?
Leo

Yes it is

leoedin wrote:

is the file on page 1 the latest version?
Leo

Yes it is. I'm updating it to this link everytime i got a new version up.

falcon!!! wrote:

oh i see!
in lowercase letter, right?
ANyway can we do a list of all demos/app working with this awesome multiboot?

It does not seem to be any different for the FAT driver if you are using upper or lower case. The multiboot itself does caseignoring string compares so there isn't a prob either.

Atm the list of compatible NDS is changing from release to release due to work on the loader code itself. Please report here in this thread if a former running NDS stopped working with a new release.

I still have problems running the official demos, OMalone (Size limit), DS Linux and Caimans Video Codec (hardcoded flashcard addresses)

actually i cant run anytihng...at startup I cant see the complete GBA multiboot BMP and whatever demo i try to start it freezes at the load screen (press start or select..)

WHY? O.o

Should i change my CF?

I did not yet recieve a report similar to yours, i don't how it is caused.

Could you test if a defrag/format&rewrite changes it?

:edit: I gonna need to buy a bigger CF card ... ,)

i tried with a unformatted 8 MB CF then i formatted it.

Now i'll try to defrag it and then i'll try with my big 1GB CF :D

OK!! Now all is perferct!

I use my 1 GB CF! perhaps it was my fuckin' 8 MB cf :=)

This combo moonshell/multiboot rocks!!!
Thanks everyone!

I made a bmp by myself, try it out ^^
[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]
I think this is a png, just rename it to bmp 24 bit

@ Mighty Max
My first prob is that one of my folders ALWAYS(since verv01) dissapears.
Don't get my wrong!The folder IS on my CF card but GBAMP-multiboot doesn't show it in the menu.
Second prob is that NESDS doesn't work anymore.
;_;

any suggestions?

EDIT: After formatting my CF card 4times everything works....weird
thank you for this awesome programm
_________________
Abusing Cube and DS with all sorts of homebrew and hacks.

Heyo,

thanks for the report with the missing dir, i found one major bug with the filehandling, and it will be corrected in the next release.

*slaps himself around with a large trout*

In every directory the second file/dir is missing.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

A new update.

The above bug is fixed and the basic .ds.gba loader works. It only supports files that where created using the std loader yet.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

any example of ds.gba working? ^^

Yepp. Hello_World.ds.gba ;)

The problem with most .ds.gba is that they access address spaces that do not exist when using gbamp. I.e 0x08000000

To let those run i'll need to trick the arm a bit with region protection and trapping the access to redirect it. But that will most likely take some time.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Mighty Max wrote:

Heyo,

thanks for the report with the missing dir, i found one major bug with the filehandling, and it will be corrected in the next release.

*slaps himself around with a large trout*

In every directory the second file/dir is missing.

lol i was beginning to think i was going crazy cos i could find one of my directories

if u tell me what to do, i'd be very pleased to help you! :D

I dont know, some boring part, looking for some codes...

Mighty Max wrote:

Yepp. Hello_World.ds.gba ;)

The problem with most .ds.gba is that they access address spaces that do not exist when using gbamp. I.e 0x08000000

To let those run i'll need to trick the arm a bit with region protection and trapping the access to redirect it. But that will most likely take some time.

Hello world? Lol That program which displays hello and exit?

It's actually a lot of reading first. That is similar to stuff i made on ia32 environment but a complete different implementation on the arm structure.

Gonna take the laptop and the nds on my travels next week so i can start working on it when i find time.

The plan is to create an additional ram region via ITCM for the code that needs to stay after the load, and use the protection fault trap to redirect the reads/writes to a cache area which could be paged via CF reads/writes.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Hello

I can't get my Moonshell to work with the Multiboot.
It loads everything fine except the upper directory listing, and then jams.

I've changed the codepage of the binary and some options and also the background bmp, is that it?

Going to try with the non altered one.

The debug code is:

[debug] Buffer ARM9 at 2100000 ARM7 at 2380000

EDIT: Well it works with the original ".nds" file. Going to try and find out what makes it stop working.

Curious thing, when I run the codepage thingie, the file size goes from 1 megabyte do 0,6 megabyte. Maybe that's it:| Going to check.

EDIT2: Yep, its the changecode thing. Well gonna have to read my portuguese texts with some funny letters:) I run the 1250 one.

Thanks Mighty Max, the Multiboot rules. When are you releasing a non-debug version? Thanks!

Last edited by tuLL on Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:07 pm; edited 1 time in total

i first tried with version 3.0 and it didnt work
then 3.1 worked

falcon!!! wrote:

i first tried with version 3.0 and it didnt work
then 3.1 worked

It works for me too now, but I can't do the ChangeCodePage, because it will stop working.

I think it might be a bug on the CodePage.

Hey mighty max, i've some ideas for future update you'll want to do:

-fast scrolling menu (like the moonshell one)
-or maybe touchscreen menu
-the option to return to the main folder also if a game/app is running

I dont know if these changes are possible, i'm only wishing to see them :)

Good work anyway

Increasing the scroll speed would be nice but other than that i think that functionality in supporting files should take precedence over usability. For a program to return to the bootloader i believe they need some code to be added to the program itself(i.e. the one your running) for this to be possible.

Huh... that's weird... nesDS was working fine until I formatted my card. Everthing still works (even moonshell) but now nesDS gives me two lit black screens. Doesn't go back to the multiboot. Doesn't start up nesDS.

What did formatting change?

Also what causes one folder to disappear sometimes? I don't really mind it unless its the folder with the NDS files, but why does it happen? When SCUMMVM saved the ini file to my card, it overlapped the first visible folder in multiboot. This was fixed when I manually removed it and put it back. Is that why files/folders disappear? Something is just covering them?

mighty max would have to release a addon for developers to put in the homebrew apps/games to for example if you press l+r and select it will return to the multiloader
_________________
www.mod-freak.com

falcon!!! wrote:

any example of ds.gba working? ^^

helloworld
scummvm
chavastarwars

Pretty sure ScummVM works as .nds on the GBAMP rather than a ds.gba

both versions work i've listed them on here so max knows which ones work inorder to compare them with the others

El Hobito wrote:

falcon!!! wrote:

any example of ds.gba working? ^^

helloworld
scummvm
chavastarwars

Aud ds.gba works too
(the one taken from raw gba)

IxthusTiger wrote:

Huh... that's weird... nesDS was working fine until I formatted my card. Everthing still works (even moonshell) but now nesDS gives me two lit black screens. Doesn't go back to the multiboot. Doesn't start up nesDS.

What did formatting change?

I had this same problem and I think the probelm is NesDS, not the loader. It seems to 'freeze' when you have saves created by the DS on the Compact Flash card was the best I was able to discover.

I'm having the same problem. After switching to the newest ver of the multi boot NesDS and moonshell no longer work. Not sure whats happening.

I also tried the ds.gba version of the collecovision emu v2 and it worked. Well except that you can't see any of the games in the menu. But its the same way with the .nds version. I think its because it uses the gbfs for the multi rom option.

As a side note does anyone know how to clear out that recycle folder that is created when you erase gba or sav files? I can't seem to see the directory when the cf is hooked up to my computer. I even tried viewing hidden files but to no avail.

have you tried "Hide protected operating system files"?

That worked. Thank you.

falcon!!! wrote:

-fast scrolling menu (like the moonshell one)
-or maybe touchscreen menu
-the option to return to the main folder also if a game/app is running

Hi,

im back from the weekly work and i was not too lazy.

* the scrolling :) yeah i know my way is very inefficient in reading the content of the CF this will be changed and it will boost scrolling a lot. I will add a continue scrolling after a short delay when the button is still pressed.
* the touchscreen code is half implemented, i just didn't want to fool with the arm7 code yet as i am still searching for some error sources and i think it will stay out a few more versions
* interesting thought. but this will be a tought one as the actual code of multiboot is erased just before the nds is run, so there is nothing left to return to. I will check how to reset the nds to reboot the cf, or do a comlete soft-reset. I'll post the code in this thread here when finished.

The new version will be up sometime tomorrow. I found a way to get DSLinux running with Multiboot, unfortunally this prevents moonshell to run, so i will need to find a way to decide howto start the nds depending if it is moonshell,dslinux or whatever. My thought is to check for .PIF like files if a special run routine is needed.

I changed the filelist and continue screen a bit, it is no longer so heavy weighted. (I disliked the massive '#' as border much)

I'm posting again tomorrow when i got some sleep ;)
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

thanks
So you make a touch screen control and now the loader can run linux but not moonshell?

No, both issues are not related. I just want to keep my arm7 code as small as possible till i got some more things working. This saves me debugging time ;)

The linux contra moonshell issue is a clearance of shared ram problem. When clearing , moonshell strikes, when uncleared dslinux wont run. i tried to check which section in the shared ram causes this behaviour, but it kept only running one of them.

I didn't find any regions in there with a special function (r13 stack, mirrored settings area, etc) im still guessing on too many points to give a clear reason why this happens.

:edit: Sometimes someone already made the work :p so here comes the return to multiboot code:

Code:

void SoftReset(void) {
asm("swi 0") ;
}

Just call this function on arm7&arm9. To synch both resets, i recomment using an IPC handshake (im abusing the IPC sound pointer here, so check for these obvious invalid values in your sound code):

The arm9 as initiator will sign the ARM7 that a reset is planned. And it should listen for the synch. After it occured both CPUs are resetted.

ARM9 as reset caller:

Code:

void SoftResetBothARM(void) {
IPC->soundData=0xFFFFFFFF ;
while (IPC->soundData==0xFFFFFFFF) wait() ;
IPC->soundData = 0 ;
SoftReset()
} ;

ARM7 in somewhere in VBlank:

Code:

if (IPC->soundData==0xFFFFFFFF) {
IPC->soundData = 0xFFFFFFFE ;
while (IPC->soundData==0xFFFFFFFE) wait() ;
SoftReset() ;
} ;

_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Last edited by Mighty Max on Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hmm.. Do I not understand the issues? I don't have a problem running the current version of either dslinux or moonshell. I know the old moonshell had problems with your loader, but 3+ doesn't seem to.

dslinux, at least the build i got here, doesn't run till i clean the ram between 0x037F8000 and 0x37FFFFF (32k) gonna check with a newer build.

It loads up but the touchscreen won't work here. When the shared is cleared, the touchscreen works.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Yeah, grab either the one on the nightly builds page or the one on ndshb.com (both work for me).

ndshb.com
http://www.ndshb.com/cgi-bin/cfiles/cfiles.cgi?0,0,0,0,3,9

Nightly Builds
http://kineox.free.fr/DS/

And, of course I'm using the .nds version.

Hey, it's me again.

After reading through all the pages of chishm's firmware v2 thread i have changed the loader to use his (a lot more elegantly) method to flag the cluster to load.

I will concentrate on the .ds.gba then :p

I added the fast scroll, and removed some unneccesary redraws/card-reads.

Greets
Mighty Max

PS: Can't wait for sgstair to finish win the wifibounty, so i can start working on an smb client to run NDS from a fileserver.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Very good, seems to run a bit quicker

now i'll try it

Increased speed again a bunch via caching dir content.
Espacially when browsing files deeper within the dir-tree.

Added support for long filenames and scrolling if the name exceeds a line
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

lol
u're updating so fast! now your program rocks! Omalone runs!
But ds.gba that ran, now dont run any more...
Nothing you cant resolve, right? ^^

Much quicker again, only other suggestion that I can think of is by pressing up at the top of the list moves to the bottom of the list, so you can wrap around, I'm sure you know what I mean. Well done again

falcon!!! wrote:

lol
u're updating so fast! now your program rocks! Omalone runs!
But ds.gba that ran, now dont run any more...
Nothing you cant resolve, right? ^^

To be honest, that is intended, it hangs in an endless loop. I had an issue i was working on just as i read chishm's thread, so i quickly included this and sealed off my other workplace :p

But anyways, the ds.gba which ran before can be run after using the pme2nds converter on them, as i was just jumping around the 512 Bytes loader yet. But this is something in change ;)

@Dannon, i gonna include the wraparound.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

OMFG!
Might max! U genius!
The scrolling function rocks!

Does the newest version only work with chishm's v2 firmware or does it still work with v1?

edit:
--\/Thanks for the lightning quick response!

Last edited by tk on Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

It needs version 2 of the modified firmware. The requirements info has been updated on the webpage.

Version 1 does not support the cluster boot which is now used by multiboot.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

OH! thats why it didnt work. Thank you Mighty Max, great work here. I particularily like the scrolling filenames. nice touch.

Where can I find chishm's v2 firmware I seem to have lost that thread

Never mind I found it. BTW all you Devs are Gods
_________________
DS flashme EFA256 GBAMP

Mighty: Nice work on your loader...I like that it's updated to the new functions the v2 firmware provides...I've also noticed that Moonshell no longer has junk in the debug dialog when it initially boots up, and that this odd bug I found in nesDS (and forgot to report ^_^;;) has been fixed as well...basically, I found it only one game I tried, and what would happen is in this game (3-D World Runner) when I reset the game the behaviour was totally wrong...it looked like it only partially reset. It's fine now though. :) this must mean compatibility is improving.
_________________
Now with 20% More Old Man from Zelda 1 than ever before!

my multiboot

http://unchticalin.skyblog.com/8.html

in bottom

Last edited by unchticalin on Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:36 pm; edited 1 time in total

There is a lack of any multiboot of your blog, just pictures of your model boat, which doesn't look too bad to say that you've made it yourself

Last edited by Dannon on Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:23 pm; edited 1 time in total

the blog is update at 00h00

Does that mean then that it won't be on for another 2 hours and 30 minutes (French time)

Hehe Niceone, too bad the most part of that ass is hidden ;)

Dannon, just select Page N?8 sur 8 :p
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

http://unchticalin.skyblog.com/8.html

There was no page 8 when I looked, I updated and everything and checked for the last page

It's updated once more.

Added a mean to plug in viewer for any fileextension
Added - as an example - dsmpeg.nds for playing m1v streams. (very early testing ver)

Here is an example code how your .nds can react on given files to open:

Code:

char *rebootplayname = (char *)0x027FF810 ;
if (*rebootplayname == 0) {
// no filename given
} else {
// filename found!
} ;

PS: Yes i know, libmpeg2 is GPL, the complete source of dsmpeg.nds will be released once its out of this very early stage.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

the mpeg player is excellent. after sound and some optimizations, ill use it as my default video player rather than the dmv in moonshell.

An option to press "up" on the file list to get to the last entry would be nice.

Keep up the good work!

Heyo

you can already use the UP key to wrap around to the end of the directory.

Worked the whole day now on the mpeg1 system demultiplexing (getting the pure m1v stream out of .mpg files) as there are no public documentations (at least non legal & free sources as far i could google) it was quite some weird work *g*)

Check it out now playing mpeg1 files.

Audio and time-mapping are not yet implemented, so don't expect too much, it is still in the early work.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Very good, will this eventually be able to play MPEGs at full speed.

As a general question, does the DS have enough power to decode DivX files?

I am currently converting some files to put them onto my CF card (512MB now). The code is atm at no point optimized for the DS/ARM, even the converter is doing its work 2 times (once YUV>RGB15 and then RGB15 > ARGB of NDS), so i hope for no nuff power when done.

The next steps on shedule are
- the time mapping (pausing till next frametime is reached, skipping late frames)
- the audio, shouldn't be hard to find a layer3 GPL code
- and then ill go for optimizing.

This devel will pause when sgstair is done with wifi, to implement smb for the loader itself.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

The audio should be simple enough to sort out when you have some spare time, like you said.

I think a lot of people will be atalling their current projects when sgstair is done with the WiFi stuff, we'll all want to mesds with it and see what we can do.

Mighty Max wrote:

The next steps on shedule are
[snip]
- the audio, shouldn't be hard to find a layer3 GPL code

Isn't MPEG 1 Layer 3 just MP3?

MPEG-1 audio layer 3 is MP3.

MPEG-1 audio layer 3 is known to be thoroughly patented, and the patent holder asserts the patent against free software.

GSM Full Rate is possibly subject to an obscure patent, but the patent holder has never asserted the patent against free software. Given that the Toast project hasn't been cease-and-desisted after all these years, I'm pleading laches.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.

tepples wrote:

MPEG-1 audio layer 3 is known to be thoroughly patented, and the patent holder asserts the patent against free software.

Afaik this is just apllying on the encoder. The Frauenhofer Institut itself gave out example codes to decypher mp3 iirc. Anyways, there are some GPL projects, i.e. http://www.underbit.com/products/mad/ i will use for it.

PS: I improved the speed a bit, now at playing average 16.8fps at a 470MB 192x144 movie. Hope to get this further increased optimising the motion comp.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

DSPaint (the one on NDSHB) doesn't work, the top screen is full of like arrows.
OMalone still doesn't work (as far as I know)

I am using the GBAMP Multiboot on the NDSHB page. Because of lack on an un-raring software (too lazy to install) I did not try the last night's build (17.09.2005 - 19:40). Could you also offer a .zip package, Mighty Max?

Hi vb_Master,

i have uploaded a zip version to http://mightymax.org/GBAMP_MultiBoot.zip

The version on Lynx's NDSHB is pretty outdated now.

I updated once again, i didn't change anything on the loader itself this time, but the mpeg player is making some good steps.

- FAT_fread&co optimization, improved conversation routines
- the demux now fills a fifo for the audio data,
- B frames are now skipped to get the movie on the display in realtime (they where the biggest cputime leechers).
- Added a Pause/Continue implementation

Currently testing all with a single 470MB 192x144x26 mpeg1 stream so i might miss incompatibles atm, but i want to have it working before tuning
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Brilliant, running almost at full speed now just a few frames skipped. I'm using a 320x240 30mb MPEG

Thanks, that helps a lot! I am going to test DSPaint and OMalone to see if they work better. My DS is now having problems booting (even with regular DS card inserted!), once in a while, the startup screen freezes (maybe I should switch to FlashMe).

EDIT: DSPaint still does not work (I'm using the ndshb version, .nds file). It fades in, then freezes, the freaky voice isn't played. No arrows!

Nibbles1.1 works perfectly.

NDSWins works.

Last edited by vb_master on Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

Btw, you'll need to have gbamp firmware v2 installed (see thread in the other forum a bit down)
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Mighty Max wrote:

Btw, you'll need to have gbamp firmware v2 installed (see thread in the other forum a bit down)

Problem is that I have Chism's Firmware v2 installed.

I think I killed it when I decided to reflash with Chism's firmware v2.0., when I insert it without a CF card, it goes to cannot find card, and freezes. When I insert a CF card, it goes to a black scren, and nothing happens. Did I fry it? I think I did!

Yes, it is now fried, and my PassMe is broke too. Everything is not going into the trash!

Last edited by vb_master on Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

Nah, even if you did you can always revert to old firmware.

but please try to format your card and copy the files on it again. it should work as long as the card is proper formated with FAT16 or 32
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

I copied the files. All it does it boot to a black screen.

Can you try this: Push L+R+Start+Select and turn on the NDS the normal GBA Movie Player window shows up.

Use this to reflash the gbamp again. Like ndshb describes.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

What do you mean? Press L + R + Start + Select when my DS is booting?

I don't have FlashMe.

Last edited by vb_master on Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

Yes, that way you can override the autostart and you can run it via NDS menu.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

vb_master wrote:

I don't have FlashMe.

My GBA Movie Player died. I cannot get it to start.

Tbh i doubt that the gbamp can be fried that way.

Please plug out the PassMe, and follow Dannons revert instructions of this: http://forum.gbadev.org/viewtopic.php?t=6748&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 thread.

As said, be sure your card is FAT16/32 formatted. If you use a small card that is formated with FAT12 its not going to work. Please check if that is the case. Overwise please ask in the above thread again. Maybe chishm got an idea what happened.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

It's not like his problem. I tried booting with the old firmware file, off the .NDS files, (my PassMe is now completely broken). I give up.

/me throws GBA MP in trash
/me throws PassMe in trash
_________________
Back.

Last edited by vb_master on Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:54 pm; edited 1 time in total

Mighty Max very good job but no reset in mpeg.nds for chang video

vb_master wrote:

It's not like his problem. I tried booting with the old firmware file, off the .NDS files, (my PassMe is now completely broken). I give up.

/me throws GBA MP in trash
/me throws PassMe in trash

you must be the only person with the problem. you could have tried other means to get it to work. you just wasted about $55. your loss.

vb_master wrote:

It's not like his problem. I tried booting with the old firmware file, off the .NDS files, (my PassMe is now completely broken). I give up.

/me throws GBA MP in trash
/me throws PassMe in trash

Put an update (like update.e19) file on the root of your CF card then boot the GBAMP in GBA mode. Update when asked.

Quote:

The version on Lynx's NDSHB is pretty outdated now

For the record, Chishm hasn't released V2 (from what I've seen), and untill he does, I'm not going to update your loader on ndshb.com, as it requires beta firmware on the GBA MP. As soon as Chishm releases V2.. It, along with your loader, will be updated.

Lynx wrote:

Quote:

The version on Lynx's NDSHB is pretty outdated now

For the record, Chishm hasn't released V2 (from what I've seen), and untill he does, I'm not going to update your loader on ndshb.com, as it requires beta firmware on the GBA MP. As soon as Chishm releases V2.. It, along with your loader, will be updated.

Didn't want to sound like i probably did. It is not you fault, just that the loader itself is still in development.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

I rescued both things out of the trash.

When I use the GBAMP in GBA mode with out a CF card, it goes to the No CF screen, and if I press START, it just stayes there.

When I use the GBAMP in GBA mode with a CF card, it goes into a black screen and doesn't do anything else.

So are you telling me if I up update.e19 on my CF card, it will start and update?
_________________
Back.

vb_master wrote:

I rescued both things out of the trash.

When I use the GBAMP in GBA mode with out a CF card, it goes to the No CF screen, and if I press START, it just stayes there.

When I use the GBAMP in GBA mode with a CF card, it goes into a black screen and doesn't do anything else.

So are you telling me if I up update.e19 on my CF card, it will start and update?

It sounds like you tried the repair utility (L+R+Select). This only repairs the bootloader of the GBAMP, so you need to use the update file to fix the rest. Yes I am telling you if you put update.e19 on the root of your CF card it should update. No harm in trying in any case.

Mighty Max wrote:

Didn't want to sound like i probably did. It is not you fault, just that the loader itself is still in development.

Me either, after I read it in your quote. I'm on top of this stuff.. I'm just waiting for Chishm to "release" the v2 firmware so I can update all around.. :D You guys are doing great work, and I don't want to come off like I don't appreciate it.

Hey, I come to an idea. Would it be possible to build-in a SRAM emulator, that would automatically transfer all SRAM request to a folder (e.g \System\SRAM)? Every single app or game could be loaded from GBAmp, which would be the cheapest and most elegant solution for homebrew!

And another question:

Can I run GBAmp menu while having some homebrew also loaded on the CF card? If can't, does a .nds or .gba firmware rom exists to do so?

P.S.: I'm not a native english-speaker, so that you understand :)

MaHe wrote:

Can I run GBAmp menu while having some homebrew also loaded on the CF card? If can't, does a .nds or .gba firmware rom exists to do so?

P.S.: I'm not a native english-speaker, so that you understand :)

Do you mean the original GBA MP firmware, like the menu for playing movies, etc? Yes you can run it just fine no matter what you have on your Compact Flash card...just select it from the GBA Button on the DS's menu when you boot up. Chism's firmware knows if you are in GBA or NDS mode and acts accordingly.
_________________
Now with 20% More Old Man from Zelda 1 than ever before!

MaHe wrote:

Hey, I come to an idea. Would it be possible to build-in a SRAM emulator, that would automatically transfer all SRAM request to a folder (e.g \System\SRAM)? Every single app or game could be loaded from GBAmp, which would be the cheapest and most elegant solution for homebrew!

Hmm.. That is a nice idea.. but, I doubt it can be done. You'd have to have some kind of memory resident wrapper that watches for SRAM calls.

MaHe wrote:
Hey, I come to an idea. Would it be possible to build-in a SRAM emulator, that would automatically transfer all SRAM request to a folder (e.g \System\SRAM)? Every single app or game could be loaded from GBAmp, which would be the cheapest and most elegant solution for homebrew!

yes very good idea exelent for homebrew emulation and roms

Yes, thank you update.e19 did reflash my GBA MP thanks guys!

Now my PassMe isn't "working" it only starts like once in a while. I know it works, because once in a while it will start up to a white screen (before I got my MP working again). Any hypothesis about that?
_________________
Back.

What PassME do you have?

I have the PCI version and now I ALWAYS have to hold down tightly the PCI pins with one hand while powering on with the other. Fortunately my DS has been flashed to the hacked firmware so I usually do not need to use it.
_________________
[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]

[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]

I managed to get my PassMe to boot. I have a PassMe GBC (which has the GBC broken). Now I can play Nibbles again!

I'm thinking about FlashMeing it, but I'm concerned about the legality of it since it is a hacked version of the original firmware (which, like happened with the XBox, sounds illegal).
_________________
Back.

How'd the GBC get broken?

It was one of yours, Lynx, I am pretty sad about it. The bottom of the GBC broke off, you know, the solid plastic part, not the part with the pins. Lynx, could you be so gererous and send me a complementary cut GBC? I can tell you the order number if you wish for it. I can solder really well, so I will have no problem replacing it. I can't cut GBC's so... thanks if you help!
_________________
Back.

Lynx wrote:

How'd the GBC get broken?

exact same problem here when i first got mine i put the cartridge in and the whole thing snapped in two and i only put it in gently! i didnt bother you with it since eventually i was able to fix it up just enough to allow myself to run flashme

Really? I haven't had a problem with any of mine.. I have been using them since the beginning.. put carts in, removed carts, and I'm not gentle with them.... Their not flismy connectors.. I'm torquing on mine right now.. seems strong.. Actually feels like the PCB would snap before the connector..

Anyway else having problems with their GBC's?

PM'd you back. I guess you could call this a "recall". I have the same problem that El Hobito has, but I dropped mine a tiny 3 inches maybe. Thanks Lynx!
_________________
Back.

I have uploaded a major update to gbamp multiboot.

Check out all changes or dl the file at http://mightymax.org/gbamp_multiboot.html

Some new features:

Touchsceen control
Graphical view on lower screen
Customizeable layout
LunarCrisis's .PNG viewer embedded

Greets
Mighty Max
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Yay! Any screenshots? I haven't got my GBAmp yet :'(

OOPS, found 'em. Sorry.

The screenshot is from a previous version tho, don't have time to make a new one atm as i am preparing for work again (have to travel through the country)

So new screens and maybe a better styled layout will come when im back next weekend.

I'd like to see if anyone would do customizations and post them here as long as they don't use copyrighted material.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

All working almost brilliantly, the only thing that I can't seem to do is scroll with the touchscreen, and if I scroll down using the D-pad then as soon as I touch the screen it jumps back to the first 18 (layout.ini dependant) files in the directory. Apart from that it looking pretty good now, there are a lot of customisations/mods that could be done to improve things, but a very big well done to yourself!

Hmm.. Well, Here is what I started out with, but I have a couple of questions..

[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]

FileListSize=24
FileListLineHeight=7

What is the FileListSize=? I thought it was the number of files listed, but I set it to 24 and it's still only showing 18 at a time.

Now, I see the FileListLineHeight= is the spacing.. is there an easy way to increase the font size?

Also, would it be possible to make file indicator (*) a .bmp as well? That way, we can make it a -> or something like that instead of just a *.

Plus, the icon and description on the top screen don't have variables? As mine don't match up with yours, so it doesn't display properly.. :(

Anyway, this thing rocks! If it gets much better, I'm going to have to donate again.. :D

Heh.. Couple more requests :D

1) Version numbers for you loader
2) font color as well? I changed it in the font.bmp, but it's still black.

Here's another one:

[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]

This one is questionable:

[Images not permitted - Click here to view it]
(lemme know if I should remove it)

Hi I need help with the loader I get the screen and every thing and I can look through the games but when I click on a nds file such as Omalone it says do you want to continue I press yes/(A) and it just goes bak to the menu can you help me with that. Oh and When I saw the screen-shot it said e3 metoes demo I downloaded it and tried it with out the loader like I do with the rest of my games and it didnt load does the GBA MP Multi-ROM Loader load it?

Thank-you

1) You need the v2 firmware in order to use the loader. See here for details.

2) Commercial games and demos DO NOT WORK. Sorry for shouting that, I just wanted to make it clear.

ya christym I installed your program along time ago I can play games but I cant play them on the multiboot that program is that a diffrent one?

HELL YA THATS THE SHIZNAT...LOL I INSTALLED IT AND I CAN PLAY DRUG-WARS ECT THX A BUNCH:)

Hey, your multi-loader got me interested as soon as I found out about it. I tinkered with my nds wrapper of Deku's mod player and have a .mod 3rd party loader. One question, any easy way of getting it to jump back to your shell when the user presses B?

For now it loads and plays, but you gotta reset the DS to get back to the folder list, and that's kinda annoying...

EDIT: If you guys are interested in checking it out (although it is slightly unfinished), here is a link: http://dragonminded.blogspot.com/2005/10/mod-player-for-gbamp-multiboot.html
_________________
Enter the mind of the dragon.

http://dragonminded.blogspot.com

Seriously guys, how hard is it to simply TRY something yourself?

DragonMinded wrote:

Hey, your multi-loader got me interested as soon as I found out about it. I tinkered with my nds wrapper of Deku's mod player and have a .mod 3rd party loader.

Oooh, cool...I'll have to play with this one.
_________________
Now with 20% More Old Man from Zelda 1 than ever before!

DragonMinded wrote:

Hey, your multi-loader got me interested as soon as I found out about it. I tinkered with my nds wrapper of Deku's mod player and have a .mod 3rd party loader. One question, any easy way of getting it to jump back to your shell when the user presses B?

For now it loads and plays, but you gotta reset the DS to get back to the folder list, and that's kinda annoying...

EDIT: If you guys are interested in checking it out (although it is slightly unfinished), here is a link: http://dragonminded.blogspot.com/2005/10/mod-player-for-gbamp-multiboot.html

This is just a thought, but how about making it load _BOOT_MP.NDS every time someone cancels it? That way it'll go back to whatever multibooter (Moonshell, MightyMax's loader, etc) that you may have on there.

Of course, the mod files would probably have to be added to the NDS file binary manually.

And, of course, you could always release the source to Moonshell after you're done so he can include another file format in his "multimedia multiboot" MoonShell software :)

DragonMinded wrote:

Hey, your multi-loader got me interested as soon as I found out about it. I tinkered with my nds wrapper of Deku's mod player and have a .mod 3rd party loader. One question, any easy way of getting it to jump back to your shell when the user presses B?

It's not my shell, but it is my FW hack. To jump back to the _BOOT_MP.NDS file, which is most likely the loader, call this on the ARM9:

Code:

//***************************************************
// Use this code to start an NDS file
IME = IME_DISABLED; // Disable interrupts
WAIT_CR |= (0x8080); // ARM7 has access to GBA cart
*((vu32*)0x027FFFFC) = 0; // Start cluster of NDS to load, 0 = menu
*((vu32*)0x027FFE04) = (u32)0xE59FF018; // ldr pc, 0x027FFE24
*((vu32*)0x027FFE24) = (u32)0x027FFE04; // Set ARM9 Loop address
asm volatile("swi 0x00\n"); // Reset
//*********************************************************

Also, make sure you place this in the ARM7 main loop or interrupt handler:

Code:

//***************************************************
// Put this code into your ARM7 main loop or interrupt handler
if (*((vu32*)0x027FFE24) == (u32)0x027FFE04) // Check for ARM9 reset
{
IME = IME_DISABLED; // Disable interrupts
IF = IF; // Acknowledge interrupt
*((vu32*)0x027FFE34) = (u32)0x08000000; // Bootloader start address
asm ("swi 0x00\n"); // Jump to boot loader
}
//*********************************************************

EDIT: Modified ARM9 code slightly

Last edited by chishm on Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:00 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi again,

sorry was on travel, so my answeres are a bit late.

Lynx, the layout parameters are not yet complete. I will add and check for their proper function step by step. It was just that my time ran out last week and i didn't want another week without an update from me.

Thanks Chishm for helping out :)

DragonMinded, Thanks for the mod mod :p I gonna check this out soon. If you feel like releasing it i'd like to include it into the archive. Just mail me.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

I used that code and tried to compile. Arm7 went great, arm9 however gave me some random crap.

I've never used asm in C, so I'm going to need a wee bit of help on this. I'm assuming its got the wrong architecture or something...

Code:

main.cpp
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s: Assembler messages:
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s:853: Error: bad instruction `stmfd sp!,{r4,lr}'
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s:860: Error: invalid immediate -- `mov r1,#262144'
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s:882: Error: register expected, not '#32768' -- `eor r3,r3,#32768'
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s:910: Error: invalid immediate -- `mov r0,#31744'
C:/DOCUME~1/SHAUNT~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/cciIaaaa.s:951: Error: invalid immediate -- `mov r2,#262144'
make[2]: *** [main.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [build] Error 2

What is going on here?

EDIT: Devkitarm r16a

EDIT 2: It didn't like being inside a function. Putting it inside my main causes it to compile, but when the code executes, nothing happens...

Perhaps a sample usage?
_________________
Enter the mind of the dragon.

http://dragonminded.blogspot.com

Seriously guys, how hard is it to simply TRY something yourself?

Try removing the thumb\n from the asm statement. It is not needed for swi 0x00, since it behaves the same for both arm and thumb modes.

It should be:

Code:

asm volatile("swi 0x00\n"); // Reset

Ok this code compiles and appears to work, but when executed, brings me to a white screen. It never goes further...
_________________
Enter the mind of the dragon.

http://dragonminded.blogspot.com

Seriously guys, how hard is it to simply TRY something yourself?

This problem is resolved.

I have uploaded a new version with more customizations and a few bugfixes.

On top of that LunarCrisis updatet the png viewer.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Again very nice, some good little improvements. How's the MPEG decoding coming along at the moment?

I can't get this new multi boot file to work. All I get is two black screens.
I hav't had any problems with previous versions and moonshell works fine when I rename it _boot_mp.nds . I have V2 flashed on to my gbamp. Any sugestions?

I have also tried two different CF cards
_________________
DS flashme EFA256 GBAMP

@Dannon, the mpeg playback is still stuck at the soundcode. I keep getting out of synch too often.

@Brad D, please check if you have all files in /mb_data/ copied to the CF cards. Espacially uppe r& lower.bmp as well as layount & font.ini.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Most likely the last update for a week again, so grab it:p

http://mightymax.org/gbamp_multiboot.html

* screen now updates before scroll delay on touch
* fixed continue screen on CF removal
* fixed a bug that did not return to the last viewed dir
* added a simple txt/ini viewer

Greets
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Dunno if I did something wrong (though.. I'd think it's pretty strait forward).. I just downloaded the current version on your site and it won't launch anything.. It just keeps going back to the main menu. All I did was rename mb_data to my_data and then wrote the new mb_data dir and the new _BOOT_MP.NDS file..

EDIT: So, I'm requesting version numbers again.. :) So I can keep track of all the different versions.

Last edited by Lynx on Sun Oct 09, 2005 7:17 pm; edited 1 time in total

Good little text viewer. Do you use the reset code for the Return to menu when you press Start part?

I'll add a build counter in. :p

Tho i have atm no clue why you are returning to menu. Is that on every .nds? Does that happen on *png or *txt too ?

@Dannon,

Yes it is. I fixed a bug recently that did block this reboot method.

The textviewer however isn't much, its only a 30mins work, but i was simply to lazy to switch the cf cards everytime i wanted to check ini settings. LunarCrisis's dspng returns to the menu too btw.
_________________
GBAMP Multiboot

Mighty Max wrote:

* added a simple txt/ini viewer

DAMN you bastard! I had already made one! Oh well, thats what I get for not releasing fast enough ;P
_________________
Enter the mind of the dragon.

http://dragonminded.blogspot.com

Seriously guys, how hard is it to simply TRY something yourself?

gbadev.org forum archive

DS Flash Equipment > GBAMP Multiboot

#51531 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:56 am

#51533 - chishm - Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:33 pm

#51538 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 21, 2005 2:54 pm

#51539 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 21, 2005 3:15 pm

#51541 - zubiac - Sun Aug 21, 2005 3:28 pm

#51548 - josath - Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:28 pm

#51561 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:59 pm

#51564 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:55 pm

#51567 - chishm - Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:42 pm

#51586 - Lynx - Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:12 am

#51639 - Bertie - Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:51 pm

#51661 - vb_master - Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:21 pm

#51708 - The 9th Sage - Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:24 am

#51720 - misunoko - Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:39 am

#51801 - El Hobito - Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:46 pm

#51830 - Lynx - Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:33 pm

#51840 - pepsiman - Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:27 pm

#51897 - El Hobito - Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:02 am

#52139 - chishm - Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:14 am

#52147 - Mighty Max - Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:30 am

#52148 - chishm - Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:15 am

#52150 - Mighty Max - Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:39 am

#52151 - chishm - Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:57 pm

#52198 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:24 am

#52200 - leoedin - Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:20 am

#52202 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:36 am

#52204 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:45 am

#52206 - chishm - Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:13 pm

#52208 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:24 pm

#52209 - leoedin - Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:26 pm

#52210 - chishm - Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:33 pm

#52211 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:49 pm

#52212 - honolulu - Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:09 pm

#52214 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:20 pm

#52227 - zubiac - Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:27 pm

#52229 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:50 pm

#52231 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:00 pm

#52234 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:28 pm

#52238 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:14 pm

#52239 - zubiac - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:15 pm

#52240 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:24 pm

#52242 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:28 pm

#52243 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:29 pm

#52244 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:44 pm

#52248 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 7:08 pm

#52250 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:00 pm

#52251 - El Hobito - Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:13 pm

#52253 - Mighty Max - Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:44 pm

#52305 - Mighty Max - Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:16 pm

#52310 - El Hobito - Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:01 pm

#52322 - zubiac - Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:55 pm

#52413 - Habeeb1000 - Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:26 pm

#52649 - Mighty Max - Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:45 pm

#52654 - zubiac - Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:13 pm

#52746 - Mighty Max - Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:36 pm

#52750 - 128MB - Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:43 pm

#52751 - Mighty Max - Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:52 pm

#52752 - Lukaso - Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:12 pm

#52761 - zubiac - Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:00 pm

#52814 - Mighty Max - Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:47 pm

#52830 - IxthusTiger - Sat Sep 03, 2005 6:51 pm

#52831 - Mighty Max - Sat Sep 03, 2005 7:19 pm

#52849 - skabio - Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:54 pm

#52850 - joebob180 - Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:36 pm

#52851 - BLKGHOST - Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:40 pm

#52858 - chishm - Sun Sep 04, 2005 2:36 am

#52863 - Lynx - Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:08 am

#52872 - Mighty Max - Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:40 am

#52885 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:44 pm

#52886 - Mighty Max - Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:53 pm

#52887 - leoedin - Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:54 pm

#52888 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:54 pm

#52889 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:56 pm

#52891 - Mighty Max - Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:04 pm

#52892 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:07 pm

#52894 - Mighty Max - Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:14 pm

#52895 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:25 pm

#52896 - falcon!!! - Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:30 pm