1 chip MSX clone

[98PaceCar]

I just got one of these, and I'm really lost on how to get this up and running. I'm usually pretty good with these things, but if anybody can PM me with the basic info on getting this going I would be grateful.

 

Thanks,

mike

 

 

The first place to start is with an SD card that is formatted Fat 16. Copy the Command2.com and autoexec.bat files from the CD that came with the unit. Once you have that done, it will boot to a dos prompt. From there you can use ep.com, scrom.com, romload.com, mgload.com, etc to load .dsk and .rom files to play games. I haven't gotten much past that at the moment, but there are a lot of fun games out there!

[Ace_1]

Any Canadian-based distributors of the 1-chip MSX? I've been dying for an MSX.

 

By the way, does anyone own a 1-chip MSX and some Konami games with the SCC sound processor? If you do, are there any sound issues with those(notably Gradius/Nemesis, Gradius 2/Nemesis 2, Salamander, and Gofer no Yabou Episode II/Nemesis 3 The Eve of Destruction)?

[98PaceCar]

Any Canadian-based distributors of the 1-chip MSX? I've been dying for an MSX.

 

By the way, does anyone own a 1-chip MSX and some Konami games with the SCC sound processor? If you do, are there any sound issues with those(notably Gradius/Nemesis, Gradius 2/Nemesis 2, Salamander, and Gofer no Yabou Episode II/Nemesis 3 The Eve of Destruction)?

 

Are you looking for a test of the real cart or just playing a rom of it? The OCM has a built in SCC cart and loads the rom image into that for playing it. I've messed around with Salamander and Gradius a bit and didn't notice anything that seemed wrong, but I've honestly never played the real MSX version of these to have a basis for comparison. Is there something specific I can listen for?

[killersquirel]

I want to say a big thanks to 98pacecar for the info on getting my one chip msx up and running. I'm compiling a list of games that work on the unit (rom images), If anybody would like me to post the list, please let me know. Does anybody know what kind of joystick I can use for 2 button games? I'm currently using an atari 2600 joystick that works great, but the games that require 2 buttons obviously don't work that well with it. I was thinking that a genesis control pad might work, but I have to dig one out to try. Any thoughts on this?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[98PaceCar]

I want to say a big thanks to 98pacecar for the info on getting my one chip msx up and running. I'm compiling a list of games that work on the unit (rom images), If anybody would like me to post the list, please let me know. Does anybody know what kind of joystick I can use for 2 button games? I'm currently using an atari 2600 joystick that works great, but the games that require 2 buttons obviously don't work that well with it. I was thinking that a genesis control pad might work, but I have to dig one out to try. Any thoughts on this?

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

No problem! I stumbled a lot before I figured it out and was thankful for the folks that helped me!

 

I'd like to see the list when you get it done. I've been focusing on specific titles that I'm most interested in, but I'm sure there are other good ones I might not think of to try. Suggestions would be great!

 

Regarding the controller, I ended up modifying a genesis pad to work with it. It's not a hard thing, but both buttons won't work without the mod. I've got a link to the website that has the directions at home, so I'll have to post that later. It does require a little bit of soldering, but it's pretty easy to do.

[98PaceCar]

As promised, this is the site with the instructions on how to mod a genesis pad to work with the MSX.

 

http://assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15606

[Ace_1]

Any Canadian-based distributors of the 1-chip MSX? I've been dying for an MSX.

 

By the way, does anyone own a 1-chip MSX and some Konami games with the SCC sound processor? If you do, are there any sound issues with those(notably Gradius/Nemesis, Gradius 2/Nemesis 2, Salamander, and Gofer no Yabou Episode II/Nemesis 3 The Eve of Destruction)?

 

Are you looking for a test of the real cart or just playing a rom of it? The OCM has a built in SCC cart and loads the rom image into that for playing it. I've messed around with Salamander and Gradius a bit and didn't notice anything that seemed wrong, but I've honestly never played the real MSX version of these to have a basis for comparison. Is there something specific I can listen for?

 

Either-or, I don't care. As long as I get confirmation that the SCC's sound channels don't overpower the MSX's stock PSG sound processor(which I heard was a problem on Toshiba-made MSXs), I'm fine. But even if they do, I don't really care too much(but I need to know where to get a 1-chip MSX in Canada).

Edited October 4, 2008 by Ace_1

[+remowilliams]

(this is the site with the repacked(?) firmware 2.2b and a flash utility)

Find any more info on what the definitive version to use (or not is)? Which ROM loading utility are you using most often? I want to get back to the OCM this weekend.

 

@Ace_1: there aren't (and weren't) any OCM distributors outside of Japan. The OCM isn't manufactured any more, as the second run/worldwide plans fell apart.

[Ace_1]

Crap.... well, looks like I'm stuck with Konami Antiques MSX Collection Ultra Pack on the Saturn for my MSX Gradius fix.

[98PaceCar]

Either-or, I don't care. As long as I get confirmation that the SCC's sound channels don't overpower the MSX's stock PSG sound processor(which I heard was a problem on Toshiba-made MSXs), I'm fine. But even if they do, I don't really care too much(but I need to know where to get a 1-chip MSX in Canada).

 

I haven't noticed anything like that, but I really wouldn't know what to listen for. Sorry!

 

Find any more info on what the definitive version to use (or not is)? Which ROM loading utility are you using most often? I want to get back to the OCM this weekend.

 

From what I was able to find, the 2.2b pack is the most recent stable build. I've been running it on mine for a while now and I haven't had any issues with it. I don't think there are any official builds, just what the 2 folks on msx.org have been putting together.

 

I mainly use romload, but for some of the Konami games (Metal Gear 1 and Vampire Killer most specifically) have only worked with scrom. I just set up a directory with those as well as ngload and mgload on my card so I have all of them. Seems like romload is the one to use though.

[killersquirel]

I have found a combination that works brilliantly to play any rom with a stock OCM. Set the dip switch settings to use the ese3-scc setting. The 7th dip switch off and the 8th dip switch set to on. Use the the latest version of romload which is version 1.99u and then you just have to play with what extension you want to use. For example, romload "gamename.rom" /c (use /c for the konami mapper, /a for I think the 8k ascii mapper, and /1 for the 16k ascii mapper). I have had no problems loading any of the games that gave me problems with the mgload program.

 

-mike

[killersquirel]

Find any more info on what the definitive version to use (or not is)? Which ROM loading utility are you using most often? I want to get back to the OCM this weekend.

 

I mainly use romload, but for some of the Konami games (Metal Gear 1 and Vampire Killer most specifically) have only worked with scrom. I just set up a directory with those as well as ngload and mgload on my card so I have all of them. Seems like romload is the one to use though.

 

 

That's weird, I have had no problem loading metal gear 1 or vampire hunter with romload. I'm using the stock firmware that was on the unit when it arrived.

 

What are the added functions or features of the newer stable firmware?

 

-mike

[98PaceCar]

Find any more info on what the definitive version to use (or not is)? Which ROM loading utility are you using most often? I want to get back to the OCM this weekend.

 

I mainly use romload, but for some of the Konami games (Metal Gear 1 and Vampire Killer most specifically) have only worked with scrom. I just set up a directory with those as well as ngload and mgload on my card so I have all of them. Seems like romload is the one to use though.

 

 

That's weird, I have had no problem loading metal gear 1 or vampire hunter with romload. I'm using the stock firmware that was on the unit when it arrived.

 

What are the added functions or features of the newer stable firmware?

 

-mike

 

I keep my cart slot configured the same way you are. That seems to be working the best for me.

 

I just went back and retried romload with metal gear 1 and I think I found my issue. I was doing a /s /c to start the rom, but if I did it with just a /c and reset the unit it worked perfectly.

 

The biggest thing I've found in the new firmware is the ability to soft switch some of the dip switches, the cart slot being the most important. They also added the ability to emulate a second SCC in slot 1, but that seems to be a bit pointless to me right now. The leds were also changed to reflect the settings of the dip switches instead of doing the scanner thing. Past that, I didn't really notice anything different. It all seems to work the same. If romload is really that stable with the cart slot setting, there may not be a reason to upgrade.

[+remowilliams]

As long as I get confirmation that the SCC's sound channels don't overpower the MSX's stock PSG sound processor(which I heard was a problem on Toshiba-made MSXs), I'm fine.

I haven't heard any balance issues, and in Gradius 2 the shot sound (if it is PSG) seems balanced with the SCC music sound. And sounds great.

 

The 7th dip switch off and the 8th dip switch set to on. Use the the latest version of romload which is version 1.99u and then you just have to play with what extension you want to use. For example, romload "gamename.rom" /c (use /c for the konami mapper, /a for I think the 8k ascii mapper, and /1 for the 16k ascii mapper).

7off/8on was how I first configured mine, seemed logical given the available choices. I've had pretty good success with romload, but there are still a bunch of things that I can't get to work correctly (and aren't listed in the romload.lst switch doc file). I'll attach two of them here.

 

I agree with the firmware comments. Upgrade may not be necessary if I can figure the rest of the quirks out. Though one of my fears is that some stuff (like the attached) may not function correctly with the ESE-SSC and might want ESE-RAM. In that case cart slot switching via software would be a must.

 

msx.zip

[98PaceCar]

I gave these a quick try and didn't have any luck with either. I'll dig through my stash of files to see if I have a different version of them, but it appears they may not be compatible even with the newer firmware.

 

Out of curiosity, has anybody gotten Snatcher to work? I've had good luck with SD Snatcher, but the original doesn't seem to like the ocm all that much.

[killersquirel]

As promised, this is the site with the instructions on how to mod a genesis pad to work with the MSX.

 

http://assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15606

 

 

I'm completely lost looking at the insides of the genesis controller. Is there any pictures of the mod available online?

 

-mike

[98PaceCar]

I'm completely lost looking at the insides of the genesis controller. Is there any pictures of the mod available online?

 

-mike

 

I haven't seen any, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. I can take some pictures of mine, but I don't think there will be much value due to the way I did the mod. I did it all at the header where the wires come in from the cable, so it really just looks like a normal controller still.

 

Are you using a stock sega controller? Once I got into mine and started tracing the lines, it became pretty easy to figure out. The only tricky part was making sure I was counting from the proper side of the chip.

[killersquirel]

I'm completely lost looking at the insides of the genesis controller. Is there any pictures of the mod available online?

 

-mike

 

Are you using a stock sega controller? Once I got into mine and started tracing the lines, it became pretty easy to figure out. The only tricky part was making sure I was counting from the proper side of the chip.

 

 

I am indeed using a stock genesis 3 button controller. I have been trying to follow the traces, but I just couldn't find the one that was for the ground. If you can either post or message me with pictures of what you did, that would be most great.

 

To answer your question from before in regards to Snatcher, I am able to load the game into the OCM and then I get to the screen where it asks me to start the game. I press the button to start the game, then I get the Konami logo and it just stays there. That's as far as I'm able to get with it.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[98PaceCar]

I am indeed using a stock genesis 3 button controller. I have been trying to follow the traces, but I just couldn't find the one that was for the ground. If you can either post or message me with pictures of what you did, that would be most great.

 

To answer your question from before in regards to Snatcher, I am able to load the game into the OCM and then I get to the screen where it asks me to start the game. I press the button to start the game, then I get the Konami logo and it just stays there. That's as far as I'm able to get with it.

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

I tried to snap some pics for you, but they aren't clear enough to show much of anything.

 

What I ended up with at the wiring header is this:

 

6 - Blue

9 - Grey

8 - White

4 - Yellow

3 - Orange

7 - No connection

5 - Green

2 - Red

1 - Purple

 

Connection 7 and connection 3 were joined together, I did this on the back of the board (opposite the chip).

 

I don't know if the wire colors ever changed during the run of controllers, but I don't think I'd bet my OCM on the above being gospel. The ground was the single plane on the board that is runs to every contact pad, if that helps any.

 

Sorry I can't offer more advice. I just followed what I posted above and got lucky with it!

[+remowilliams]

Bit of an old topic, but I haven't been paying much attention for a while to the ongoing OCM work that folks have been doing. Now that I've looked there are some pretty awesome developments! I'm probably missing a bunch, but so far I've seen and used:

 

- entire firmware update loaded from SD (no JTAG needed!)

 

- variable CPU core speeds are available and on the fly

 

- (and this one is HUGE for me) configuration of slot1/2 inside MSX DOS using the new setsmart utility.

 

That last one in particular makes a gigantic difference in usability over the old dip switches, and is really fantastic!

[98PaceCar]

Bit of an old topic, but I haven't been paying much attention for a while to the ongoing OCM work that folks have been doing. Now that I've looked there are some pretty awesome developments! I'm probably missing a bunch, but so far I've seen and used:

 

- entire firmware update loaded from SD (no JTAG needed!)

 

- variable CPU core speeds are available and on the fly

 

- (and this one is HUGE for me) configuration of slot1/2 inside MSX DOS using the new setsmart utility.

 

That last one in particular makes a gigantic difference in usability over the old dip switches, and is really fantastic!

 

Is there a version of this that runs on a real OCM and not the alternate dev board that everybody switched to? I'd love to dig mine out and get some fresh life out of it!

[+remowilliams]

Is there a version of this that runs on a real OCM and not the alternate dev board that everybody switched to? I'd love to dig mine out and get some fresh life out of it!

 

YES I'm running a real OCM as well, though with their limited numbers I can understand why people went to the Altera DE boards...

 

Head on over to KdLs site and start enjoying the OCM like it was always meant to be.

[Seob]

I loaded Metal Gear Solid 2...

Wow! They made Metal Gear Solid 2 for the MSX? I didn't realize they were porting games to 8-bit computers in 2002!

 

The CDTV did wonders for the C64, and it can be dropped right into a box with a bad motherboard.

Putting an Amiga motherboard into a C64? Sounds like an interesting case mod to me!

 

Sorry, I'll stop picking on typos now... obviously remo meant Metal Gear 2 (not Solid), and nathan meant DTV...

 

--Zero

The Metal Gear series originated from the msx. As did more of now famous franchises.

If i recall correctly, the onechip msx is an idea from the man that is the father of the msx original; Kazuhiko Nishi, ans is made in collaboration with the MSX Association and D4 Enterprise.

[killersquirel]

I'm bumping this old thread. I recently pulled my OCM out and have been playing a lot recently. I see that there are new firmware updates to this. I downloaded the update but don't see any instructions on how to apply it. Is it worth it to update the firmware and if so how do you do it? I'm still on the stock firmware.

One other question that I have is how do you load up .dsk games? I completely forgot how to work this.

 

Thanks,

Mike

Edited June 12, 2014 by killersquirel

[Nebulon]

Here's another couple sites I've run across that look useful.

 

http://niga.at.infoseek.co.jp/msx/free.html (has ngload, apparently a replacement for mgload and romload)

 

http://www.webalice.it/gnogni/ (this is the site with the repacked(?) firmware 2.2b and a flash utility)

 

http://www.symbos.de/ (GUI for MSX)

 

http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~hra/note/onechipmsx/index.htm (a stable(?) firmware release that seems a bit newer than the 2.2b, but I'm not sure how they tie together or what the difference between them is)

 

Has anybody found a source for a real MSX controller? I understand you can use an Atari joystick for single button games, but would like to find a proper controller at some point. Not much has turned up on ebay yet, but I'm still looking.

 

I spotted this:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-XE-1-PRO-Game-Joystick-x68000-MSX-FM77AV-/261500450917?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce2a43865

 

Looks pretty darned cool.