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General Category => Games => Topic started by: Kris on 19:26, 07 October 13

Title: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 19:26, 07 October 13
Following conversion of Striker by Arnoldemu, this is my 1st attempt to convert "Fluff" using nocash cart tool.....


It works under Winape and I'm also working on some CPC+ games to make tests...

Wait for tool from Arnoldemu will provide best results ;)
Title: Re: Fluff Cart version
Post by: Kris on 19:28, 07 October 13
2nd test with "Burger Party"
Do not hesitate to report any bugs.




Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 20:00, 07 October 13
Don't they fit into 128 KB Cartridges?

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 20:00, 07 October 13
Quote from: Kris on 19:26, 07 October 13
Following conversion of Striker by Arnoldemu, this is my 1st attempt to convert "Fluff" using nocash cart tool.....


It works under Winape and I'm also working on some CPC+ games to make tests...

Wait for tool from Arnoldemu will provide best results ;)
I was planning fluff next. I am waiting for an official reply from trebmint first.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: MacDeath on 20:10, 07 October 13
Would it need to be reconverted in order to use 256K or 512K ROM cartridges ?


Would be great to have Rick128+ patched to run on cartridge/ROM...
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 20:13, 07 October 13
Just test "Fluff" on real CPC using a 27c1001: freeze on presentation screen :(

Burger party is working fine :)

Let's try with Shinobi.....
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 08:56, 08 October 13
I know that people want Rick128+ and Fluff, but I will not do these yet.

I have some others I will try.

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 10:42, 08 October 13
I have made a test with Rick+ and actually, it freezes on the presentation screen....I will do more tests this evening and try to find a solution ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: gerald on 11:25, 08 October 13
Quote from: Kris on 20:13, 07 October 13
Just test "Fluff" on real CPC using a 27c1001: freeze on presentation screen :(
Fluff works well on my CPC, using my WIP cardrige. However, i just realised that my current bootstrap switch the Z80 in IM1 mode. You may need to add this ?

Quote from: Kris on 10:42, 08 October 13
I have made a test with Rick+ and actually, it freezes on the presentation screen....I will do more tests this evening and try to find a solution ;)
Can you post it ?
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 11:35, 08 October 13
Quote from: gerald on 11:25, 08 October 13
Fluff works well on my CPC, using my WIP cardrige. However, i just realised that my current bootstrap switch the Z80 in IM1 mode. You may need to add this ?

Can you post it ?
no$cash tool has the OS and disc rom in it? So it should do that for you.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: gerald on 11:55, 08 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 11:35, 08 October 13
no$cash tool has the OS and disc rom in it? So it should do that for you.
I did not know that  :) .
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 13:36, 08 October 13
I already adapted a few Plus games to CPR.

Here you go:

http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/strikercpr.zip (http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/strikercpr.zip) (Striker)

http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/fluffcpr.zip (http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/fluffcpr.zip) (Fluff)

http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/froggercpr.zip (http://cpc.devilmarkus.de/csd/file/froggercpr.zip) (Frogger)

Few more: (No warranty, that they work ok)

[attachurl=3] Call &BD'N'OEUF

[attachurl=2] DMA sound test demo

[attachurl=4] It Was So Nice Before The Crash Of The Mir Station Demo

[attachmini=5] Killmax Demo

[attachurl=6] Phat Demo (No Sound in WinApe, no bug in CPR)

[attachurl=7] Seminoizin Demo

[attachurl=8] Simply The Bests

[attachurl=9] XMas 2008 Demo

[attachimg=9] Black Sabbath Demo


Have Fun!



Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 14:02, 08 October 13
I want to convert some of these again using my method but check they also work perfect on gx4000. So this means I will probably need to patch them to work with joystick etc.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 14:11, 08 October 13
Quote from: gerald on 11:55, 08 October 13
I did not know that  :) .
Yes I just checked.

No$Cash's tool puts OS, BASIC and AMSDOS in there.

There is the content of the used tracks in there too (not sure if they are compressed or not).
AMSDOS is patched to load from the data.

It's a good idea. I don't think it works on GX4000 (No$cash wasn't able to test it), may need 128K to use even if the original game uses 64k, and of course you loose some of the cartridge space that could be used.

My method means you have to make your own loader and you do need programming knowledge, but has the potential that the games run on gx4000, they don't need 128k if they don't need it, and you have more cart space available because my loader takes less than 100 bytes.

Of course basic games can't be run from the cart with my method currently.

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 14:25, 08 October 13
Most demos (And also the game Fluff) require 128k ram ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 15:16, 08 October 13
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 14:25, 08 October 13
Most demos (And also the game Fluff) require 128k ram ;)
sorry, it seems fluff works fine on 64k ram.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 15:41, 08 October 13
Good then... Didn't test it ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: gerald on 16:29, 08 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 15:16, 08 October 13
sorry, it seems fluff works fine on 64k ram.
Have you tested the game or the cartridge?
Neither Kris nor Markus cartridge version works on a GX4000.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 16:49, 08 October 13
Quote from: gerald on 16:29, 08 October 13
Have you tested the game or the cartridge?
Neither Kris nor Markus cartridge version works on a GX4000.
I dissassembled the game on dsk and couldn't find reference to i/o for the extra ram.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Trebmint on 17:28, 08 October 13
The game is certainly 64k, so not sure why it doesn't work. Might be a good idea to leave Fluff for the moment as I do plan an official re-release version for when carts become available, along with a new Fluff game
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 18:36, 08 October 13
@Trebmint: no more test with Fluff ;)


Does anyone try to convert Prehistorik II ?
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: mr_lou on 18:51, 08 October 13
How are you testing / running these CRT files on a real CPC?
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 18:54, 08 October 13
First you convert them into binary files, using this program f.e.:

CPRTools - Convert between CPR and BIN cartridge formats (http://www.cpcmania.com/cprtools/cprtools.htm)


Then you burn the binary to an EPROM (or Flash) of correct size.

Plug it into one of your Cartridges...

... and have fun!
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: mr_lou on 18:59, 08 October 13
Quote from: TFM on 18:54, 08 October 13
First you convert them into binary files, using this program f.e.:

CPRTools - Convert between CPR and BIN cartridge formats (http://www.cpcmania.com/cprtools/cprtools.htm)

Then you burn the binary to an EPROM (or Flash) of correct size.

Plug it into one of your Cartridges...

... and have fun!

So, out of my league I see.

I know it's been asked many times, about making something similar to the EasyFlash on the C64 for the CPC.
There's been various opinions about it being possible or not.

Without hi-jacking the thread more than this, can someone who believes it's possible (and who believes he/she can make such a device) please PM me with a price estimate.
I might sponsor such a project, to create a prototype that can be documented on the CPCwiki, if I can have the prototype.  :)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 19:03, 08 October 13
You already have the MegaFlash.




To simulate a Cartridge it takes much more. The 6128 Plus can bank in a 16 KB ROM part of the Cart at any one of the four banks (&0000, &4000, &8000, &C000). I don't know if this can be done using expansion hardware at all.

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: mr_lou on 19:08, 08 October 13
Quote from: TFM on 19:03, 08 October 13You already have the MegaFlash.

I didn't know there were rules stating that people with a MegaFlash couldn't have a Cartridge-Flash solution. My bad, sorry.
I will try to read the rules upfront time before posting.  ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 19:12, 08 October 13
What I tried so say is, that actually there is no expansion which brings you closer to a Cartridge.


And do me a favor, don't feel always attacked, nobody does  :)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: mr_lou on 19:24, 08 October 13
Quote from: TFM on 19:12, 08 October 13What I tried so say is, that actually there is no expansion which brings you closer to a Cartridge.

I know that. That's why I'm interested in sponsoring the creation of one.

Quote from: TFM on 19:12, 08 October 13And do me a favor, don't feel always attacked, nobody does  :)

I didn't.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 19:25, 08 October 13
Back to the original post :)


here is "Ghouls'n Ghost +  and SLAP Fight (both have trainer)   ....Enjoy !
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: MacDeath on 20:05, 08 October 13
Are those files available at CPCpower as cart or PLUS or other ?
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 20:16, 08 October 13
NO they don't.....
Those files are not "perfect" for the moment.....just need to test them deeply before ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 20:30, 08 October 13
2 cartridges from me:

The most important CPC game:

[attachurl=2]

And my music compilation "We Are All Old":


Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Bryce on 20:31, 08 October 13
Maybe a stupid question, but why are you guys converting the compiled binary file to CPR and then converting it back? Why don't you just release the original binary?

Bryce.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 20:34, 08 October 13
Quote from: Bryce on 20:31, 08 October 13
Maybe a stupid question, but why are you guys converting the compiled binary file to CPR and then converting it back? Why don't you just release the original binary?

I convert the disks to CPR... ;) (My music compilation e.g. loads each single track)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Bryce on 20:36, 08 October 13
Can't you convert a dsk directly to bin??

Bryce.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 20:37, 08 October 13
Sure, I could... but the default output is CPR ;)

Edit: I also don't know, if WinAPE accepts .BIN instead of .CPR. My emu does, but it's not the standard...
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 20:38, 08 October 13
That's a good remark, it could be interesting to have the choice to save in .BIN or .CPR or both when creating files :)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Bryce on 20:41, 08 October 13
Definitly. I will be testing all these on real hardware. I don't do emulators.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 20:46, 08 October 13
Because we already have Robocop II: (For nostalgic reasons)


Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 21:04, 08 October 13
And for those who like it, here is Operation wolf with the animation from Musicman (128Ko only, means no GX4000).



Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 22:15, 08 October 13
No, they have just been made.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 09:32, 09 October 13
Quote from: MacDeath on 20:05, 08 October 13
Are those files available at CPCpower as cart or PLUS or other ?
It is nice to have these games as Cartridges, but when I do a cartridge conversion I always make sure it works on GX4000 and where I can it will support digital and analogue joysticks.

I also try to add some kind of screen fade or delay while showing the title screen.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 10:00, 09 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 09:32, 09 October 13
It is nice to have these games as Cartridges, but when I do a cartridge conversion I always make sure it works on GX4000 and where I can it will support digital and analogue joysticks.

I also try to add some kind of screen fade or delay while showing the title screen.

Because you can... ;) I can't :(
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 10:41, 09 October 13
Jet Set Willy 1  and Manic Miner1 and  3 as CPR...

And yes, patched for the CPC+

MM3 is a bit buggy... When you start the game, immediately walk to left, or you will die ;)

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachurl=2]
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Sykobee (Briggsy) on 11:04, 09 October 13
Whoa, MODE 0 Manic Miner and JSW!


The background colour gradient could be more subtle, IMO. And the magenta border... But good job on the sprites and porting.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 11:06, 09 October 13
I didn't convert the game to CPC+.

I just converted the DSK to CPR ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 13:49, 09 October 13
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 10:00, 09 October 13
Because you can... ;) I can't :(
I hope you don't mind if I re-make some of these with my changes?

I have started to document no$cart files:

No$cart - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/No$cart)

Question: Do any of these carts do anything on a real GX4000? Do they just hang, or do they start the game but then later it doesn't work?

I think I see a problem with the way some of it has been patched.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 14:06, 09 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 13:49, 09 October 13
I hope you don't mind if I re-make some of these with my changes?

I have started to document no$cart files:

No$cart - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/No$cart)

Question: Do any of these carts do anything on a real GX4000? Do they just hang, or do they start the game but then later it doesn't work?

I think I see a problem with the way some of it has been patched.

Let's see...

Quote from: TFM
And hereby I prohibit you to use any of my software.

Sorry, I couldn't resist ;)

Sure, do, what you can to create cool stuff!

I'm always happy, when we can improve good games.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 14:09, 09 October 13
@Arnoldemu: We even can say that it is a great thing because i'm not fully confident in the no$cart tool as it has not been totally developped.
Better have a fully approved/tested tool ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Trebmint on 17:34, 09 October 13
Not sure where all this everything to .cpr format has come from haha :) Surely its better to slowly upgrade existing games to use the plus features rather than to just port normal cpc games straight. Its like speccy 2 cpc but cpc 2 plus instead. This way it shows off the gx4000 not just being a standard cpc.


Having said that Frogger, Fluff, Jet Set willy+, Stryker etc all deserve the attention
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: andycadley on 19:32, 09 October 13
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 10:41, 09 October 13
Jet Set Willy 1  and Manic Miner1 and  3 as CPR...

Didn't work for me in WinAPE, I just got a black screen with yellow text and a ParaDOS prompt.

Quote from: Sykobee (Briggsy) on 11:04, 09 October 13
The background colour gradient could be more subtle, IMO. And the magenta border... But good job on the sprites and porting.
I don't really like the gradient backgrounds, but they were asked for so made it into the engine. No idea where the magenta border comes from, possibly a debug feature that's in the dsk version.


Anyway, no promises but I'm looking into a "real" cart version, that would run on the GX and everything.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Devilmarkus on 23:24, 09 October 13
Quote from: andycadley on 19:32, 09 October 13
Didn't work for me in WinAPE, I just got a black screen with yellow text and a ParaDOS prompt.

Maybe thats the issue: Remove any ROMs (Incl. Parados rom)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: andycadley on 23:32, 09 October 13
Ah, yes that's fixed it. Hadn't even realised it was installed, it's an out-of-the-box WinAPE install. I guess cartridges really need to avoid using slots that might be taken up by external ROMs, worth noting for future!
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 08:54, 10 October 13
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 23:24, 09 October 13
Maybe thats the issue: Remove any ROMs (Incl. Parados rom)
no$cart activates rom 7 and calls into it. If it activated rom &87 it would probably avoid this problem.
In addition the other calls would need to be patched to ensure it goes here.

It would probably work a bit better without needing to remove expansion roms.
But then if somebody overrided basic this would also cause a problem.
So this method is not free from expansion rom problems.

My method uses &8x type access so should be ok.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 09:00, 10 October 13
Updated wiki to mention that all expansion roms should be removed before using a cart made with no$cart tool.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: redbox on 09:44, 10 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 09:00, 10 October 13
all expansion roms should be removed before using a cart made with no$cart tool.

I did wonder about this regarding the nocash tool but haven't had the chance to test it out, glad it's been spotted.

All the more reason to use your framework ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: dcdrac on 17:48, 10 October 13
I wander if there is a way to convert cprs to HFE files
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 18:42, 10 October 13
Same problem: a direct conversion won't work with all .CPR files.
In this case, it is certainly easier to dump the cartridge as file and patch a loader to launch the game (and in some cases modify the program to load additional stage...)

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 09:24, 11 October 13
Quote from: dcdrac on 17:48, 10 October 13
I wander if there is a way to convert cprs to HFE files
hfe are disks.

cartridges are not disks ;)

the cartridges would need to be hacked to work on disk which is not as easy as putting a disk game onto cart ;)
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 16:32, 11 October 13
Quote from: arnoldemu on 08:54, 10 October 13
no$cart activates rom 7 and calls into it. If it activated rom &87 it would probably avoid this problem.





Well, software can assume that ROM 7 _IS_ Amsdos. Alternate DOS (like VDOS, X-DDOS, ROMDOS...) usually get installed at ROM position 6. That's just good practice, especially since ROM 7 _IS_ hardwired in the CPC.


ParaDOS handles that different, and it's ok usually, since it is pretty compatible. However of course it can't be 100%
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: arnoldemu on 17:19, 11 October 13
Quote from: TFM on 16:32, 11 October 13



Well, software can assume that ROM 7 _IS_ Amsdos. Alternate DOS (like VDOS, X-DDOS, ROMDOS...) usually get installed at ROM position 6. That's just good practice, especially since ROM 7 _IS_ hardwired in the CPC.


ParaDOS handles that different, and it's ok usually, since it is pretty compatible. However of course it can't be 100%

The problem is that an expansion ROM will override the cartridge. So in this case the expansion ROM overrided the patched AMSDOS in the cart, the patched OS failed to call into the patched AMSDOS (calling into the Parados rom instead) and this is why it didn't start.

It's more a problem of how the no$cart roms are patched I think.
Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: TFM on 19:02, 11 October 13
Well, so either no expansion or no no$cart.

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: Kris on 07:03, 12 October 13
LAst trial: conversion of Rick dangerous 1, CPC+ adaptation by Brueggi/Noob Inc...
It works in Winape & real Plus machine.

Title: Re: Conversion to Cartridge format
Post by: amijim on 19:02, 13 November 16
Hello,
i would like to mention that this port of rick dangerous is not the enchanced version of the 128k+ version.Could anyone port the DSK image found on the wiki page to cpr image?I suppose there is a reason that it has not been already done but just today i ordered a c4cpc module and i am really eager to try it out!.thank you .
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/4/4f/Rick1_1.DSK
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Rick_Dangerous_128%2B
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