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Stone

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  1. Posted

    1: Run 'flash.com': it'll tell you how the system works. In fact, here's the help text for future reference:

     

                           Flash ROM Download Utility v2.0

                           Copyright ©1994,95 Atari Corp.

     

    USAGE

    =====

     

    flash [-p<x>][-d<hx>][-e<hx>] filename

     

    The filename parameter is mandatory, the other parameters are optional.

     

    -p0:  Use printer port $3BC.

    -p1:  Use printer port $378.

    -p2:  Use printer port $278.

    -d<hx>: Replace <hx> with hexdecimal destination address (default = $802000)

     

    This utility loads code into the Jaguar Flash ROM card.  In order to use it,

    the Flash ROM card needs to be plugged into a production level Jaguar or a

    developer Jaguar with a dark-green STUBULATOR rom (2-Nov-1994 or later) - no

    earlier STUBULATOR can support the Flash ROM card.  Additionally you need a

    Joypad connected on the Jaguar's controller port 1.  The 25-Pin connector of

    the Flash ROM card connects to your PC parallel port with a 25-Pin ribbon

    cable connected straight through (such as the one we use to connect PCs to

    Alpine development boards).

     

     

     

    LOADING THE FLASH ROM WITH A PRODUCTION JAGUAR

    ==============================================

    Plug the Flash ROM card with the parallel cable connected into the Jaguar.

    Some older Flash ROM's will cause the Jaguar to automatically power-on at

    this point, if not, turn on the Jaguar's power.

     

    Type in a correct command-line to the PC (see above) and hit return to start

    FLASH.COM.  The program will prompt you to hold down the '3' key on the

    Jaguar Joypad.  While holding down '3', hit any PC key to start the transfer

    operation.  Keep it depressed until you see the message 'Erasing...' appear

    on either the PC or Jaguar (some older Flash ROM cards will leave the screen

    black during the whole process).

     

    If everything is done properly, the ROM file will be uploaded to the Flash

    ROM and the program will be started.

     

     

     

    LOADING THE FLASH ROM WITH A STUBLATOR DEVELOPER JAGUAR

    =======================================================

    Plug the Flash ROM card with the parallel cable connected into the Jaguar.

    Some older Flash ROM's will cause the Jaguar to automatically power-on at

    this point, if not, turn on the Jaguar's power.

     

    Type in a correct command-line to the PC (see above) and hit return to start

    FLASH.COM.  The program will prompt you to hold down the '3' key on the

    Jaguar Joypad.  On a stubulator Jaguar you will need to use a special key

    sequence as follows:

     

    1) Press and hold the '3' and 'C' buttons on the Jaguar joypad.

     

    2) Press any key on the PC to begin the transfer process.

     

    3) The Jaguar will reset.  At this point, release and quickly press and hold

    the 'C' button while keeping '3' held down.  This will button through the

    standard Jaguar Cube Intro.

     

    Keep the keys depressed until you see the message 'Erasing...' appear on

    either the PC or Jaguar (some older Flash ROM cards will leave the screen

    black during the whole process).

     

    If everything is done properly, the ROM file will be uploaded to the Flash

    ROM and the program will be started.

     

     

     

    TROUBLESHOOTING

    ===============

    If you experience difficulties, please reread these instructions again and

    make sure you've followed all of the steps correctly and are using the proper

    hardware.  Some common mistakes are:

     

    1) Downloading to the wrong parallel port.  Try the '-p1' and '-p2' switches.

     

    2) Using a 'Blue' Stubulator ROM (dated earlier than 2-Nov-94).

     

    3) Not holding the '3' button and/or 'C' button down at the appropriate times

    as indicated above.

     

    4) Attempting to download a non-ROM image file.

     

     

     

     

    Changes

    =======

    July 27, 1995 -- You can now hit Control-C to abort an operation and return

    to the DOS prompt.

     

    2: Raw binary images only (no header). The extension doesn't matter (obviously) but if you use a .JAG file that conforms to the spec (not a ROM image renamed to .JAG like so many commercial game dumps :roll:) then you'll need to strip the header off with a program like JAG2BIN. Otherwise .BIN or .ROM files will work if they're headerless.

     

    3: Not that you need to worry about. It takes 5 mins or so to run through the whole process, so even if you flash it 24hours a day (assuming 100,000 write/erase cycles, flash memory) then you'll still have the best part of a year's life in it. Reflashing it once a week you could get nearly 2000 years use out of it :P

     

    4: Yep, as long as your final output file is a raw binary image that runs from cartspace. Just upload it as normal and it'll run.

     

    Be aware that some betas won't run on a Flash cart - they were being tested on Alpines only, so only the later versions were required to work directly from cart. While many will, it's still something to be aware of.

     

    Have fun :)

     

    Stone

  3. Posted

    Hmmm...Creekree, are you sure that pic is correct? According to my schematic the pin you have marked as red(right audio) is audio ground, with audio_right directly below audio_left (on the other side of the PCB).

     

    Is it incorrect or are you? :?

     

    :)

     

    Stone

  6. Posted

    a PAL/SCART switch

    And that does what exactly? :?

     

    Stone

     

    it switches between PAL and NTSC of course, dunno where my mind was when i typed SCART......

     

     

    NTSC!

    NTSC!

    NTSC!

     

    funny that you are the first one to point that out..... seems all others just accepted what they read without thinking hehehe

     

    You're still wrong; it'll switch between 50Hz and 60Hz. PAL or NTSC colour formatting is set by the hardware.

     

    See, it was a trick question :D ;)

     

    Stone

  8. Posted

    i have opened my old jag by now - it really seems to be NTSC, as R140 is open (60 Hz - check the FAQ).

    does that hiss really come from the NTSC mode its currently running in?

    furthermore: i am intrigued how the difference might look like - is it advisable to put a 50/60 switch in?

    i can´t really see a difference between my two jags (running games, that is).... should i see a difference between NTSC and PAL? i am tempted to think "yes, naturally!" but i´d like to hear some experts opinion.

    and if i should choose to add a switch, what would happen if i switch it while running a game??? would i fry my jag?

     

    Sounds like your TV stretches 60Hz images to fit the whole screen, so the only real difference you'll get it a slightly higher-res in 50Hz mode. (and lazily-written games will speed up a little in 60Hz mode).

     

    The only real reason for putting a switch in if you aren't a coder is to play Dragon's Lair / Space Ace / BrainDead13, which all use incorrect startup code and crash when run on a 50Hz Jag.

     

    And no, flicking the switch while it's running won't do any damage :) (mostly nothing will happen until you restart...though in games using the Sinister MOD-player the music changes speed :lol:)

     

    Stone

  10. Posted

    Are the betas on EPROM carts, or are you trying to sell the ROMs?

     

    I'm sure I wouldn't be the first to notice that you could keep selling them over and over ;)

     

    [also note the PZ and UVbeta ROMs are in the public domain anyway and can be downloaded for free]

     

    Then again, if they're on EPROM carts I'd be interested, cos it saves me having to keep erasing an Alpine ;)

     

    Stone

  16. Posted

    There's a review of the game, with a download link for the PC version, here.

     

    I believe it actually uses the Flashback engine (or at the least close to it), so a conversion shouldn't have been too difficult compared to many other games. Guess Delphine never got around to it :(

     

    For this style of platform-puzzler-with-motion-captured-animation though, my personal fave would have to be Blackthorne (PC, SNES, others?). Loved that game :)

     

    Stone

  17. Posted

    The general consensus is that you 'fly down the tubes shooting stuff at stuff'. Most (Yak appears to be aiming for all ;)) of the textures are procedurally generated (as in, on-the-fly) from elements of the music, and other stuff like player input.

     

    I think it's fair to say it's going to be stunningly pretty :)

     

    And no, it's not going to get an Xbox port. Sez the man himself, so I hope it's true...

     

    Look on the bright side, by the time it comes out a GameCube will only cost ya $80 or so, and all the decent games will already be on budget release :D

     

    Stone

  18. Posted

    well im not shedding out £60 or so for it, how bout i bring my old 486?  :D

     

    Nah, get TXG/MNX to bring his cart...he's rather keen on it, and I'd like to take part this time :D

     

    TXG: You are coming, right? :)

     

    Stone

  23. Posted

    Bear in mind the rarity guide is a little screwy on some games. In the wild I'd have said Worms is an 8, myself...however this may reflect people holding on to them once they have them (in the same way that AvP is considered rare, yet many, many thousands were produced...just that once people bought them they rarely sold them again).

     

    But you can still get it from Telegames, so it's hardly a big problem getting hold of it :)

     

    Stone

  24. Posted

    If any one of you interested parties has an arcade setup, Area51 just turned up on eBay, here.

     

    I wish I could buy it, but I don't want to risk buying a game that isn't fully solid-state from the States...my loss can be your gain I guess :(

     

    Stone

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