MegaFlash problem

mr_lou · 06:58, 18 October 13

I have a problem with my MegaFlash in my CPC+

It seems it only goes to 16 roms, from slot 0 to slot 15.

I finally had time yesterday to try to flash some of the game roms recently created by various users of the CPCwiki.
But I can't run any games flashed onto slot 16 and above.

The Utopia |HELP command also stops the list at slot 15.

I tried flashing other games at slot 15 and 16 to see if that changed anything, but it didn't.

Does anyone have any idea what causes this?

00WReX · 07:08, 18 October 13

You need the Booster ROM to Initialise ROM's 16-31.

It can be found here...

Inicron ROM-RAM-Box - CPCWiki

and here...

ROM List - CPCWiki

Cheers,
shane

00WReX · 07:13, 18 October 13

Oh yeh, and it needs to go in ROM position 15.

And Utopia does not seem to like the Booster ROM...you will not see any ROM's with |help once Booster is activated.

That is disappointing, because the |help is very handy.

Cheers,
Shane

Bryce · 08:52, 18 October 13

Even without booster installed, you should at least be able to see that the ROMs installed properly above ROM 15 with the ROManager software. If they weren't appearing here, then something would be wrong with the hardware, but it is very unlikely. The connections are all shared between upper and lower ROMs, so if the MegaFlash was broken you'd usually get no ROMs at all (even below ROM 16) and the CPC would probably be crashing too.

Bryce.

00WReX · 09:52, 18 October 13

Will have to wait for mr_lou to respond, but I assumed he would be able to see the ROMs via ROManager, just that he would not see them via |help and they would not run without booster.

Another possibility is if the ROM's are parked you will not see them...but this is probably not the case.

Cheers,
Shane

mr_lou · 10:22, 18 October 13

Oh, I didn't know I had to put a booster rom into slot 15.

Thanks. I'll try that.

Yes, I do see whatever rom I've flashed in the ROM manager software, so it does sound like all I need is the booster rom.

Will try that later today.

mr_lou · 13:32, 18 October 13

Yes, installing the Booster ROM helped. Now I can run games installed in slots 16 and above.

However, I'm suddenly just getting a Ready prompt on various games now, including some that used to work like Donkey Kong and Bruce Lee, and a lot of others I haven't tried before so can't be sure if they're ok.

Bryce · 13:52, 18 October 13

Remove Booster and try the games in the lower slots to confirm whether the booster ROM is the problem. I know the booster caused problems with some other commercial ROMs and also remember, that initialising too many ROMs will use up too much of the CPCs RAM which could also cause games not to work.

Bryce.

mr_lou · 15:14, 18 October 13

Yes, removing the booster rom makes the games (Donkey Kong and Bruce Lee) work again.

mr_lou · 16:48, 18 October 13

I should also mention, trying to load the ROM like this doesn't work either, when the Booster ROM is in slot 15

LOAD "FILE.ROM",&c000:call &c009

That gives the same result: A Ready prompt.

redbox · 17:12, 18 October 13

Quote from: mr_lou on 16:48, 18 October 13
I should also mention, trying to load the ROM like this doesn't work either, when the Booster ROM is in slot 15

The Booster ROM is far from perfect can be quite buggy (yes TFM, it's true!).

If the game is several ROMs, you should be able to put the first ROM (with the RSXs in) into slot 0-15 and then the extra ROMs in 16 and above because the code Axelay etc was using scans the higher ROM slots too.

A better solution (than the booster ROM) is to use either the patched CPC 6128 OS MegaFlash or the Firmware 3.12. If you have a Plus, you can use the patched OS on the Plus System Cartridge page. All of these intialise ROMs 0-31 on startup without any other ROMs required.

Downside is you have to replace the OS in your CPC (remove ROM, solder socket and insert EPROM) or make a DIY cartridge if you're using the Plus.

mr_lou · 18:14, 18 October 13

Thanks a lot redbox!

Whenever there are downsides like that, I always send the stuff to my trusted hardware fix-it-all guy.

Bryce!

I may need another EPROM chip for my 4-way cartridge it seems.

And could you replace the chip in my CPC6128 too?

TFM · 18:20, 18 October 13

Haha! Redbox holy war against software from Germany! Churchill would be proud about you!

No seriously: The famous Booster ROM works well with all kind of commercial ROMs, and all ROMs I ever made, and of course all ROMs (even multipart ROMs!!!) made with the Softbrenner software.

Bryce · 20:15, 18 October 13

Pointing out known bugs in a piece of software is the same as declaring war?? No wonder the world is in the shit state it's in!

@MrLou: No problem. Your 6128 is still here and I can send you the replacement EPROM for your Cartridge.

Bryce.

mr_lou · 20:20, 18 October 13

Quote from: TFM on 18:20, 18 October 13The famous Booster ROM works well with all kind of commercial ROMs, and all ROMs I ever made, and of course all ROMs (even multipart ROMs!!!) made with the Softbrenner software.

That's great for people using all kinds of commercial ROMs, and all ROMs you ever made, and of course all ROMs (even multipart ROMs!!!) made with the Softbrenner software.

I need to run other ROMs as well, so I'll have to use the approach that works for that.

If anyone is going to fight over where the bug is, let me know when and where. Then I'll bring the popcorn.

redbox · 20:36, 18 October 13

Quote from: Bryce on 20:15, 18 October 13
I can send you the replacement EPROM for your Cartridge.

If you use my patch (v1.3) from the Plus System Cartridge page then it includes a MegaFlash compatible binary in the ZIP file to burn. You'll see the version as it prints "rb mf" (RedBox MegaFlash) on reset at the top.

It doesn't work in emulators but has been tested on my real 6128 Plus and it works fine.

Bryce · 20:39, 18 October 13

Cool thanks. I'll give it a test when I have time.

Bryce.

TFM · 21:44, 18 October 13

Quote from: Bryce on 20:15, 18 October 13
Pointing out known bugs in a piece of software is the same as declaring war?? No wonder the world is in the shit state it's in!

Nobody IS pointing out bugs![nb]You as hardware guy may don't know, but pointing out bugs need a clear description of the problem and the buggy source, as it should contain a patch. It was that way in the good old CP/M days and I don't assume that it has changed for serious coders.[/nb] But bitching at something is bullshit!

Gryzor · 17:28, 20 October 13

Er... no. Anyone can find a bug, even a total non-programmer. That's why companies use for instance, you know, playtesters.

mr_lou · 17:50, 20 October 13

Something doesn't work = there's a bug somewhere.

(Might not be the coders fault, but the coder will always take the blame).

TFM · 20:25, 21 October 13

Quote from: Gryzor on 17:28, 20 October 13
Er... no. Anyone can find a bug, even a total non-programmer. That's why companies use for instance, you know, playtesters.

Well, actually, you're right. In a bigger and broader way: Yes. But imho on CPC one should clearly put the finger in the wound. However with some software we agree to disagree

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MegaFlash problem