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August 4th, 2013, 20:27 Posted By: wraggster
via http://zerox86.patrickaalto.com/zblog.html
For the past weeks I have been on my summer vacation, and I decided to spend my vacation mostly not programming at all. Thus I have not made much progress with zerox86 either. However, I could not resist spending a few hours every few days working on either rpix86 or zerox86, whenever I got momentarily fed up with just being lazy. :-) For zerox86 I have worked on four specific issues: Fixing the annoying race condition, implementing Sound Blaster Direct DAC support, implementing a virtual keyboard, and finally I also began implementing the configuration display.
[h=4]Fixing the race condition problem[/h]I began working on the race condition problem by coding a logging system that logged all IRQ-related events into a ring buffer. I could not log them directly to the file, as that changed the timing of the events so that the race condition did not occur, at least not as often. When the program then stopped because of the race condition, I wrote the ring buffer contents to a log file.
After a couple of attempts at studying the log, I finally understood the race condition. Sometimes the timer signal interrupted the audio thread (which in turn has interrupted the main thread), and because of a complex interaction between the main thread turning interrupts on or off and marking an interrupt handled, and the other threads queuing interrupts, it was possible for the system to get out of sync. Rather than attempting to fix the already too complex thread locking system, I decided to try rewriting it all using Linux real-time asynchronous signals.
The timer IRQ emulation already used the asynchronous SIGALRM signal, and I coded additional signal handlers for the other emulated IRQ lines, and also added new routines that any thread could use to send a signal to the main thread:
static void TimerIRQ() { IRQRequest(0); }static void KeyboardIRQ() { IRQRequest(1); }static void MouseIRQ() { IRQRequest(3); }static void SBIRQ() { IRQRequest(7); }static void PS2IRQ() { IRQRequest(12); }void SendKeyboardIRQ() { pthread_kill(maintid, SIGRTMIN+1); }void SendSBIRQ() { pthread_kill(maintid, SIGRTMIN+7); }void SendMouseIRQ() { pthread_kill(maintid, SIGRTMIN+3); }void SendPS2IRQ() { pthread_kill(maintid, SIGRTMIN+2); }void SendSIGTERM() { pthread_kill(maintid, SIGTERM); }The pthread_kill functions send a signal to the thread ID given as the first parameter, so calling the Send... routines from whatever thread always sends the signal to the main thread (which is where the actual emulation happens). IRQRequest is the common routine that handles the various IRQs in the main thread, and the static methods above are the actual signal handlers. I also added the program exit to the same system, so I can send the SIGTERM signal from any thread and handle it cleanly in the main thread. Now I was able to code the actual IRQRequest routine so that I did not need to use any thread synchronization mechanisms, as it will always get called within the main thread context. The only thing I needed to protect against was a new signal attempting to interrupt the handling of the previous signal. I decided to block all the used real-time signals in the beginning of the IRQRequest routine, and then later unblock them at the end, so that took care of that problem. In other routines in the main thread I simply used the ll and sc MIPS ASM opcodes to protect against interrupted execution. Since only the IRQRequest can interrupt the main thread, and not the other way around, this was sufficient locking for the variables shared between the IRQRequest code and the main thread. These changes seem to have fixed the race condition, as I have not encountered the problem any more.
[h=4]Sound Blaster Direct DAC support[/h]Next, it occurred to me that using interval timers for the TimerIRQ emulation allowed me to support very high timer speeds (like 8400Hz as used in Star Control 2) as long as the GCW0 kernel supports high-resolution timers. This makes it possible to have the timer interrupt routine play a single audio sample, which is what the Sound Blaster "Direct DAC" method does. So, I decided to enhance my Sound Blaster emulation so that it can play samples buffered by the timer interrupt routine. Because the actual audio playing rate I use in zerox86 is 22kHz, I still need to convert the samples from 8.4kHz (or whatever the game uses) up to 22kHz, and thus I need to buffer them before playing them. This buffering may cause some skips to the audio, but the audio still seems to sound mostly correct.
[h=4]Implemented preliminary virtual keyboard.[/h]I also implemented some code to handle the keyboard image you can see in the screen copies of the previous blog post. I decided to use the SELECT key to toggle between activating the virtual keyboard (which then uses the D-Pad and A keys) and disabling it (which leaves D-Pad to emulate cursor keys and A to emulate Enter). I also tested using the amalog controller for the key selection, but noticed that it was too awkward to quickly select the correct key with that. Separate D-Pad key presses to move to adjacent virtual keyboard keys seems to work better.
[h=4]Implemented preliminary config display.[/h]Finally, I also worked on displaying the current configuration (including a key mapping legend). This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time now, and I wanted to get it done before starting the actual configuration system, so that I can see that the configuration system works properly. Here below is a screen copy of the preliminary config and key legend display. It uses the lower 40 scanlines of the screen to display the configuration in use, and the currently mapped keys. Using the SELECT key you can toggle the screen bottom area to show either this display or the virtual keyboard. I will perhaps also add a third option that will show nothing, in case this display is distracting in some situations. I think I will need to still make this config screen somewhat cleaner, but in principle the visual layout is now in place. The values it shows are currently just placeholders for the actual values. I used those to determine the space I need to reserve for the key code names. The next step is to have it show the proper values currently in use.
My summer vacation ends today, so I will get back to the normal daily routine, and hopefully get some proper progress done to zerox86 as well.
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August 1st, 2013, 13:39 Posted By: wraggster
news via http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...handheld/posts
Thank you so much for believing in the project and helping us get fully funded. As most of you know, the units are in house and the flashing phase has begun. We are excited and eager to get these in your hands and will begin shipping soon. Many of you have already confirmed your information, but we are in need a final confirmation from a few of those who may have changes in address.
This form is for GCW KickStarter backers whose address may have changed or for those who missed the first confirmation form. If this applies to you, please input your information in this form.
If you need the package shipped at a later date or special instructions or requests please put those in the other section of the webform.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qF_...vHkVM/viewform
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July 29th, 2013, 16:45 Posted By: wraggster
via http://pdroms.de/dingoo/dooom-v0-8-dingoo-misc-port
Dooom is a Doom port for the Dingoo Native OS by the_wub, which itself is based mainly on the Chocolate Doom source port by Simon Howard.
Changes:
- Removed my stupid music volume hack that prevented music from being completely muted.
- Fixed enemy AI problems and BFG ammo bug by adding back dehacked support.
- Added support for modified wads. If all you want to do is play the official wads then the app will work exactly as it did before (with all your wads in the Dooom folder). To run a modified wad or total conversion you will need to create a text file called “comline.wub” that contains the command line options needed. It is also best to make sure that the Dooom folder only contains the files needed for the wad you want to play. It *should* be possible to specify these details with the command line options but I haven’t been able to do so reliably yet. For example, Aliens TC needs these files: ALITCSF.WAD, ALITCSND.WAD, ALITCWAD.WAD, ATCUD19.DEH and DOOM.WAD
- The command line options to run the wad are: chocolate-doom -deh atcud19.deh -merge alitcsf.wad -file alitcsnd.wad alitcwad.wad – Copy/paste that line of text into a new notepad document and save it as “comline.wub” in the /GAME/DOOOM/ folder.
- When you launch the app you can select an over-clock value as before and then press START to launch the wad. More information on running some of the popular wads can be found here: http://www.chocolate-doom.org/wiki/i...p/Category:TCs
- The command line can also be used to launch an official wad with extra options like -nomonsters etc…
http://boards.dingoonity.org/dingoo-...goo-native-os/
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July 29th, 2013, 16:41 Posted By: wraggster
Thats right "The Eagle Has Landed" the KickStarter GCW Zero consoles have arrive with the fixed D-Pad and buttons. You all have asked a couple questions so I will take time to answers those also.
1. Will the consoles when shipped have tracking yes all packages will be trackable bu USPS.com and Stamps.com links.
2. What about resellers like Dragonbox.de shipping the consoles at this point we are still trying to work out a way but as always when it comes down to the VAT either I pay it or you pay it.
Either way it's not going to be a small amount for me or you who ever pays it, I won't be reimbursed in anyway and it was not calculated into your shipping cost as no one can calculate what each countries VAT or customs fee will be as they differ.
One person same country got charged two pounds another almost thirty pounds same country same customs for the GCW Zero SE. The paperwork was filled out the same so no ryhm or reason to differences.
3. We will start flashing consoles tonight and follow through till Sunday and start shipping on Monday. All SE models that are left from d-pad replacement will ship by Staurday and Monday.
4. As for address changes we are going to reset the webform so everyone can put there new address in if it has changed from address you originally put in when you made your pledge. I will post the link as soon as we reset it as an update.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...d/posts/549930
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July 23rd, 2013, 10:54 Posted By: wraggster
via http://www.slaanesh.net/
What is Temper?
Temper is an NEC PC Engine emulator originally coded by Exophase and ported by Slaanesh.
Temper plays HuCard, CD, SCD, AracdeCD and SuperGfx games.
Another one that's been a long time in the coming. Much of this was done more than a year ago, however it wasn't polished or fast enough as I couldn't use any of the ARM assembly code that a good portion of this is written in.
A few recent breakthroughs in my development toolchain and other optimizations on the native side code has meant that this is now working fullspeed on the Dingoo Native!
Most games (even CD) will run at fullspeed with no frameskip. Well all the ones I've tried - about 30 or so.
Everything seems to work fine including HuCard, CD, SCD and Arcade support. There is full OGG support for CD tracks and BZIP2 compression is also supported for compressed ROMs and savestates.
Download Binary - Temper 0.80 for Dingoo Native
[h=3]CD support and the .CUE file[/h]For CD games, you will need .CUE and .ISO/.OGG files for data and sound tracks respectively.
I converted my own PC Engine CD games to test this out so I know that it works fine.
There isn't however a lot of error checking so the file format is picky.
The .CUE file is simply a TXT file that tells Temper what each file is. Edit it with a text editor like vim.
For example, the first 3 file entries of Castlevania would look something like this.
FILE "DraculaX_t1.ogg" OGG
TRACK 01 AUDIO
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "DraculaX_t2.iso" BINARY
TRACK 02 MODE1/2048
PREGAP 00:03:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "DraculaX_t3.ogg" OGG
TRACK 03 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
Note that the FILE entries are just the actual filenames with no paths.
All files should be contained within the directory where the .CUE is found.
I use separate directories for each CD game, the game selector can navigate through around the filesystem.
[h=3]GP32 version[/h]I also have a GP32 version of Temper which is also quite fast and playable. Is anyone interested in a GP32 version of this anymore?
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July 22nd, 2013, 01:04 Posted By: wraggster
via http://pdroms.de/gcw-zero/opendingux-06-07-2013-gcwz-os
If you own a GCW Zero device you might be happy to know that there was an improvement/update for the OpenDingux OS.
Changes:
* improved video performance (enabled framebuffer caching)
* made vsync more robust (eliminated glitches on page flipping)
* made the FTP server list hidden files (names starting with a dot)
* improved Unicode support in both gmenu2x and command line tools
* fixed bug that powered off the system if the power slider was raised, released, then raised again soon after
* list IP addresses in System Info application
* added unrar command line tool
* added shared memory support (allows more applications to be ported)
http://www.gcw-zero.com/updates
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July 22nd, 2013, 00:34 Posted By: wraggster
via http://pdroms.de/gcw-zero/xrick-v1-0-gcwz-game-port
Way before Lara Croft, back in the 1980′s and early 1990′s, Rick Dangerous was the Indiana Jones of computer games, running away from rolling rocks, avoiding traps, from South America to a futuristic missile base via Egypt and the Schwarzendumpf castle. xRick is a clone of Rick Dangerous, known to run on Linux, Windows, BeOs, Amiga, QNX and plenty of other platforms! Ported to GCW Zero by alekmaul.
http://boards.dingoonity.org/gcw-releases/xrick-v1-0/
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July 22nd, 2013, 00:12 Posted By: wraggster
via http://pdroms.de/dingoo/dingoo-emula...-0-dingoo-misc
lion_rsm has been working hard to bring us an updated Dingoo Emulation Pack. All emulators included to run on native Dingoo without the need of modification or installing Dingux. News via Dingoonity-Board.
Changes:* Significant code refactoring
* Changed color theme to new one named “Orange” for DEP v2.x
* Maximum size for box cover changed to 200×200
* Now box cover is more visible as result of edging frame adding
* Fixed menu title absent during rom loading or first time menu open
* Fixed platform logo placement in UI
* Fixed animation speed in hidden extra menu
* Added frame rate synchronization in various UI menus
* Now sound volume in emulators changes nonlinear (lower value has a greater effect)
* Added saving and loading of the current game state in “Old School” mode
* DingooNES, DingooSMD, DingooSNES: Added support for IPS patches
* DingooNES: Fixed sprites per scanline limitation
* DingooSMS: Added Coleco Vision console support
* DingooSMS: Added separate GFX resources for each supported platform
* DingooSMS: Added backdrop support for Game Gear platform
* DingooSMS: Fixed a lot of various minor runtime problems
* DingooSMS: Fixed periodical crash after game state load
* DingooSMS: Fixed some sound issues and delay on emulation start
* DingooPCE: First release
http://drlionrsm.blogspot.co.at/2013...-pack-v20.html
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July 1st, 2013, 00:05 Posted By: wraggster
Everyone if you have an SE with Sticky D-Pad the three options are:
1. Send it back and we will replace it with a new smaller one for you.
2. Request a replacement D-Pad and once we get them from Factory we will mail it to you.
3. You can use the work around youtube video Relay01 has posted which shows how to use Silicon lube to resolve the issue.
We will be changing out the D-Pad on the few SE units we have left 30 or so to ship and 150 which will be used for warranty replacement if they are needed once we recieve the new smaller replacement D-Pad from the factory.
KS buyers once the issue was seen at my cost all units were sent back to factory to have the D-Pad replaced at the factory to insure they were done correctly and would be warrantied by factory.
Those units ship back to me today and should be here some time next week. I apologize for the delay but once this was seen we had to resolve the issue ASAP.
As for exact date of shipping they will start to ship once we get them back from the factory...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...d/posts/523750
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July 1st, 2013, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster
Yes the KS models will have the smaller D-Pad and buttons to prevent any sticking of them that appeared in some of the SE models that have been shipped.
We are working vigorously to get this done and doing vigorous QC/QA testing of each unit to insure they work right when they are received by you the user.
I apologize for the delays but want to make sure this does not continue to happen or be an issue in the future. As it has for other unnamed consoles recently in the news.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...d/posts/522292
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