PC-98

[.mad.]

the default saved .NPCFG (np21w.ini) is in Unicode mode.
this needs to be converted back to plain text for the scripting to work.

open the INI file in a hex editor.
you will see [00] after every letter.
this is UNICODE so it reads on a Japanese machine in the text editor.

gamebase can not script the file when it's like that.
but it still works perfectly when converted to PLAIN TEXT on european machines.

if you delete the INI file, a new UNICODE version will be created the next time you run the emulator.
This is because the emulator is coded on a Japanese computer.
The source code is available to make a European/English build like the other version of NekoPro you are using.

[Seiya]

can you send me your script?

[.mad.]

can you send me your script?

Yes, i will do that.

Just wait to see if SimK reply to email i sent, asking for command-line.

I also started editing the emulator exe, translating parts of the BIOS menu...

[Seiya]

oh, good

[.mad.]

SimK:
When using the VM configuration file, all mount states should be restored, but it seems that sometimes this doesn't work.
I may fix it in a future release.

Just re testing the work around script before i post it.
seems to be running perfect with the few game formats tested so far (FDI, HDM, HDI, CCD).

As some games are multi format (FD,HD,CD) and in none gamebase friendly filenames.
it requires the exact filenames to be stored in gemus for all the other files.

EXAMPLE
fd1=Policenauts User Disk.FDI
fd2=extra save disk.fdi
cd=Policenauts.ccd
hd1=HD Policenauts [for Neko Project II].hdi

work with all files zipped together - unpacked to .\GBGAME\0\
or all files in same "game name" folder on any drive or folder you like.
\NEC PC-9801\Konami\Policenauts\

[Seiya]

i put every filename of the game in one zipped archive:

Alone in the dark 2.zip
-->Alone2.ccd
-->alone2.img
-->alone2.sub
-->alone2.hdi

Akiko Gold.zip
-->Akiko.ccd
-->Akiko.img
-->akiko.sub
-->akiko.hdm

ecc
ecc

[Seiya]

And maybe another way to facilitate the thing is rename every game file with the same name:

i tried with T98-Next and not working in this way:

game (boot disc).hdm
game.hdm

but:

game a.hdm
game b.hdm

mounting together.

so now i must rename the game that i have added becasue the original game file by Hardmann are renamed perfectly to be mount by emulator

i tried to apply the script for "Next" to np21, but not working. NumGameFile for T98Next working good, but it seems not for np21. I start to thinking that is the emulator that is build for mounting only game with 1 file.

[.mad.]

Yes i know this problem very well.
i mentioned this in early post (above) about using a batch file to rename the NeoKobe collection.

[NumGameFiles] will only look for files with same filename in a sequence.
it does not count all the files in a zip or folder.

name_disk0
name_disk1

name_diska
name_diskb

this naming works perfectly for almost all multi-disk games.
but with the Japanese disk sets, there can be strange bootup sequences with boot or intro disks.
and needing both disks inserted at bootup (or manually followed by a RESET).

drive a: disk F
drive b: disk C

With Neko there is no commandline for inserting multiple disks, the disk 2, HD, CD filenames must be entered in GEMUS to work from GameBase. So 2nd filename can be anything (but gamebase name is best).

i finally figured the bug in the latest Neko emulator.
It needs a double backslash for the folder paths, or the menu is disabled to add or swap disks manually after booting.
so first working test script is complete.

i will PM you the file.

[Seiya]

i don't understand how full it works this script.

when there boot disc + HD image in zip archive, i usually choose "boot disc" to put entry in database and then in gemus i write the path. and of course not work
I tried to make a difference thing: i choose HD image instead (that is where the game is and so the script works good).
It is little complicated, but know i understood because some CD games (boot disc, hd image e Cd-rom) not working applying this script.

[.mad.]

Tell me the problem game, GEMUS and filenames you used.
so i can check.

noticed i missed adding NFD and D88 to game types.
emu won't run selecting those disks, without adding this...

main section for ALL types
If gametype CONTAINS(fdi||hdm||ccd||hdi||nfd||d88)

floppy type section
if gametype CONTAINS(fdi||hdm||nfd||d88)



There are several versions of the same game in NeoKobe collection.
you need to repack carefully.

Example:
GAME.HDI file might be a complete install (no CD or FLOPPY needed).
so linking or adding a boot /system floppy will stop the HD booting.

one disk set could require unpacking and installing to HD (with enhanced sound and graphics).
another might be a bootable floppy version (basic version).

so you could DELETE the 1st floppy set, if you have the HD version linked.
and have the 2nd disk set as an extra.

CD - most not bootable (needs floppy with MSCDEX autoexec.bat and config.sys)
some CD's have program to create a bootable floppy.
*open via installed OS (windows) on HD image.

[Seiya]

i found a gameì, for now, called Call III that have d88 boot disc and hdi image. mouting manually working, but if i use the script not load (i added in the script filey type "D88" and same thing in the filetype in gemus emulator".
i choose hdi for entry in database so in gemus (like other game that working):

fd1=key_disk.d88
hd1=call III.hdi

or maybe do i have to rename d88 in Call III.d88?

i have a tool that convert floppy format in other, but for d88 i can only convert in FDD or NFD.

ps: the 73 CD image that i found in neokoba and in other big archive working good with your script. Excellent!!

[.mad.]

it's as i thought...

linking or adding a boot /system floppy will stop the HD booting.

CAL3 .HDI asks for the bootable (Birdy system) floppy disk (D88 or NFD) in drive A.
this must be added manually after the HD has booted, at the message.
then it works!.

There is an option to change the drive boot order in the BIOS

menu 1 [option 4] - Memory settings

memory menu [option 8] HD>Floppy sequence

when i edit BIOS , it changes the MEMswitch config but doesn't work as expected.
MEMswtch=48 05 04 00 [01] 00 00 6e
MEMswtch=48 05 04 00 [03] 00 00 6e
MEMswtch=48 05 04 00 [a7] 00 00 6e

maybe bug or emulator override to boot floppy when inserted.
i will do more testing.

[.mad.]

Here is an edited CAL 3 - Disk A.

The original disk is a custom auto booting loader that reads possible bad sectors on the last track.
to pass a checksum (protection).

i removed the auto loading bit.
lucky for us, it still works with the CAL3 HD image.

other "normal format" NEC disks should work with HDI.

[Seiya]

ok, thank you. now it works

[Seiya]

Power Dolls 2 and Power Dolls 2 Dash working strange.

before you must load HD image and then the game ask to insert disc. If you mount together not work and it ask to insert disc 2 that not exists.