MAME-STARTER-TI99-1.24-MANUAL
schmitz
MAME-MESS-STARTER-TI99-1.24-MANUAL THE MAME & MESS-STARTER-TI99 - BATCH for Windows v 1.24 - 21.10.2015 (McFly)
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IS ABLE TO START:
with PEB-Slots:
[ 1 ] = GENEVE-9640 [ 2 ] = TI-99/4A AE [ 3 ] = TI-99/EV [ 4 ] = GENEVE-9640-UDS [ 5 ] = TI-99/EV HSGPL [ 6 ] = TI-99/EV TurboForth
2:MEMEX 2:32KMEM 2: --2:MYARCMM 3:SPEECH 3:SAMSMEM
3:HRD4000 3:HRD4000 3:SPEECH 3:SPEECH 4:SAMSMEM 4: ---
5:SPEECH 5:SPEECH 4:SAMSMEM 4:RS232 5:HSGPL 5: SPEECH
6:RS232 6:RS232 6:RS232 5:HORIZON 6:RS232 6:RS232
8:HFDC 8:HFDC 8:HFDC 8:HFDC 8:HFDC 8:BwG
PRE-BLA: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As the MESS is now integrated in the MAME-Emulator, I had to do "some" changes to "The Batch". Most important one: It is called "MAME & MESS-STARTER-Batch" now :) From now on, you can use The Batch on BOTH versions, on MESS AND on MAME. Concurrent & parallel.
The new Direct-Running-BIG-ZIP comes with the latest MAME-Version. You also can unpack that next to any existing Mess- or Mame-folders, in co-existence, no problem. And copy the Starter-Batch to any existing Mess/Mame-installation-folder, to have the newest version. Just unpack it to your Mess- or Mame-Folder as usual (from the "Small-ZIP", coming with small tools)
There is added a TI-99/EV-machine with 80col and the SNUG-HSGPL-Card, as OPTION #5 in the main menu. Minimum for HSGPL is MESS V.0153. For easily running the HSGPL, means without the need of flashing it via "MessSwitches" and the DSRLDR3-tool and referring files, you need the NVRAM-folder with the ready-flashed HSGPL-files. Get the needed files from SNUG here: http://home.arcor.de/system-ninety-nine-user-group/hsgpl/index.htm Get complete how-to-infos here: http://www.ninerpedia.org/index.php/Setting_up_the_HSGPL_for_MESS
If you have access to this mine private, personal Backup BIG-ZIP-file ;) then Just copy the HSGPL-files from [BIG-ZIP] \MAME_64bit_Batch\nvram\ti99_4ev\*hsgpl* to the referring folder in any other installation.
SOME TERMS: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAME/MESS
BATCH SMALL-ZIP BIG-ZIP DATAFILES ROM-files ROMxyz
means both, the MAME AND/OR THE MESS-Emulator, 32 and/or 64bit (ALL versions are auto-supported from v1.21 on, but only "MAME" is mentioned here) the MAME-STARTER-TI99-Vx.x.BAT-batchfile the given ZIP-file with the BATCH (MESS-STARTER-TI99-xyz.BAT) + JAVA-RXTX + tiimagetool the maybe given big ZIP-Repository with some MAME-files, including the BATCH-file all DSK- and BIN- and RPK- and HD-files exluding the machines ROM-files means the machines´ ROM-files in the MESS-subfolder ..\roms means your own DATAFILES in all other own ..\ROMS.* -folders
INSTALLATION: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAME: For a manual download and install of MAME get your files here: http://www.mamedev.org/release.html Unpack the MAME-0164-bla-bit.EXE below i.e. C:\Program Files-bla\ Then you have to "get" the needed ROM-files (TI & Geneve), copy them into the ..\ROMs-folder, and you have to start the MAME once with: MAME64.exe -createconfig
THE BATCH: SMALL-ZIP / existing Mame/Mess-Installation: If you already have installed the MAME/MESS-Emulator on your computer (32 or 64bit supported), just copy/unpack the SMALL-ZIP with the BATCH-file (JAVA-RXTX and tiimagetool should coming with it) , into your existing MAME/MESS-Folder - i.e. C:\Program Files\Mess_0160b_64bit\.. Ready.
BIG-ZIP / complete Mame-Installation: For a FULL installation of MAME just unpack the BIG ZIP-Repository with the "preconfigured" MAME, i.e. below your C:\Program Files\.. folder, or any other desired folder on a your harddiskdrive. i.e. ..\MAME_64bit_Batch as given in the BIG-ZIP.
Attention:
It is NOT recommended to overwrite/unpack into an old existing MAME-Installation-Folder, except you want to update your former BIG-ZIP-Installation. Otherwise just be sure to unpack the BIG-ZIP into another folder. Both installations will run parallel. Mandatory: If you are in doubt, and for routine, just ZIP your existing MAME-folder first, to have a Backup. Also please make an extra copy of your MAME.INI or MESS.INI-file. If you have "installed" with the BIG-ZIP before, you CAN overwrite your folder with a newer version. But: Make a backup/zip before !! If you unpack into another, new folder, you also have to copy your BINs and DSKs there.
BATCH-FUNCTIONS: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAME-STARTER-TI99-x.yz.BAT (THE BATCH) has the ability to start the MAME-Emulator (&MESS), and to give him one of 6 essential configs, for running the TI-99/4A or the Geneve9640, choosen by dialoge at start. For a "normal" Geneve-start, you just can press ENTER until it starts Thereby, some essential parameters for normal use of this systems are set. In later versions there will be more specific parameters, here I can need your suggestions for more wanted options. (99er@toxic-instruments.com)
Another essential function of the BATCH is the possibility to find your DATAFILES in the ROMS.xyz-folders (= *.DSK *.BIN *.RPK *.HD exluding the machines ROMs-files in the MESS-/MAME-ROM-path of course) You can sort your files in seperated subfolders below(!) the MAME-Folder, for a clear and proper order, and for a comfortable search, handling and overview through the Windows-Explorer.
If you start the MAME/MESS through the BATCH, after choosing some options, you can enter the wanted cartridge-, floppy- and harddisk-filenames like in a wildcard-format (or the full exact names, of course), without any pathnames, regardless in which subfolder these files exists. The BATCH finds your DATAFILES for you, to pass them to the final MAME-start-command at the end of the dialoge. On entering a full filename - except for the .ZIP-files - you do NOT need to enter the file-extensions (.DSK .RPK .HD). They are recognized and added automatically.
At this moment only 1 cartridge, 1 floppy and 1 harddisk are supported to load by the BATCH. ...but more is coming up, and there is also the possibility to mount more devices manually inside the Mess, of course, by pressing ScrollLock & then TAB to get the MAME-menue.
PREREQUISITES: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The comfortable organisation of your DATAFILES could be as shown here in the following example (given as standard if coming with the BIG-ZIP):
There is no need for this naming on DATAFILES´ subfolders by "ROMS.xyz", but this seems to be a good way to place, sort and find your DATAFILES with the Windows-explorer. .BIN- and .RPK-cartrige-files MUST remain in the FIRST level of this "ROMS.xyz"-subfolders, and MUST NOT remain in the MAME´s ROMS-path itself. Reserve this for the machines´ ROM-files only. .DSKs and .HDs may be placed deeper in the structure. This structure is also given if you use the BIG-ZIP-repository for a complete "install" (=unzip :). The MAME-program-folder ..\ itself MUST NOT contain your DATAFILES. They will only be found by the BATCH in its subfolders (here: ROMS.xyz). All subfolders which contain .ZIP-ROM-files (machines and cartridge-files) MUST be entered/added once in the MAME.INI-file, to the ROMPATH-section, regardless wether the BATCH has a searchfunction and would find it. This is requested by the MAME-Emulator. This is NOT needed for .RPK-files. They don´t have that requirement from the MAME.
Here an example, also coming as standard with the BIG-ZIP-repository:
If you experience any problems on starting the MAME, just delete (the backuped :) MAME.INI, restart the BATCH, answer the "Create MAME.INI?" (only now appearing) with YES, just enter through to start the MAME (regardless any parameters), close the MAME and the BATCH by "X", and re-enter the ROMS.xyz-folders to the ROMPATH-section (maybe from your backup-INI) into the MAME.INI again. Maybe you also want to check this 2 parameters in the .INI:
AGAIN: Your .RPK- and .BIN-files MUST reside in FIRST-level-subfolders below the MAME.EXE-folder (not deeper)
Your .DSK-files MUST reside in subfolders below the MAME.EXE-folder AND can reside in deeper subfolders thank you.
BATCH-START & PARAMETERS (in dialoge): -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in order of appearance)
Just doubleklick the (latest) BATCH-file, of course, to start it: (OK, this here in the pic is not the latest )
VERBOSE:
at a level of "0" you run the BATCH on a minimum of questions and screen-outputs at a level of "1" (this is standard) - all common things are asked and shown at a level of "2" you work a bit like in "debug"-mode, i.e. the option LOG is added,
and the MAME-logfile will open after you end your sesssion
SCAN ALL FOLDERS ONCE:
Here you can choose wether the BATCH scans your folderstructure below the MAME-Folder (these ROMS.xyz´s) for your DATAFILES. Here the BATCH learns in which folders exists .BINs, in which .DSKs, a.s.o. YES is standard, NO means you have to/are able to enter FIXED folders >inside< the BATCH. This is for geeks, not essential for standard users, but you can use it :) There is also some short description for that in the the REM-lines inside the batchfile. If you choose SELECTIVE, you can seperate the search for DATAFILES (search only cartridges, .DSKs, and/or/xor .HDs in the .ROMS.xyz-folders, and have fixed folders defined inside the batch) JUST press ENTER here for YES, and don´t worry so much about functions :) The BATCH is made for easy use, but sometimes options are welcome. For geeks: This manually-folders are coming from here: (active-only if SCANALLOCs=N)
If you use the normal Auto-Scan, you have the ability to add extra "additional" folders inside the batch, maybe some network-folders with some additional DATAFILES. (If you don´t want to copy all your DATAFILE to your local harddiskdrive. For geeks: This extra-additional-folders are coming from here:
Now the BATCH scans if "SCAN ALL FOLDERS" = NO -> only your in the BATCH edited manually folders (or a Selective combination) if "SCAN ALL FOLDERS" = YES -> (=standard) all your ROMxyz-folders in the MESS-path
plus actually inside the BATCH editet additional folders for the different types of DATAFILES, and you will see up to 3 summaries with the results, which you just can enter "away" (showing this is a result of VERBOSE = 1) Here, i.e., were found 7 subfolders containing CARTs (ZIPs+RPKs), 6 by autoscan, PLUS 1 additional (not: manually) folder entered in the BATCH (my networkfolder for testing purposes) You can differ this manual added one by the "+"-sign :
In the next option you can choose the wanted computer-system:
Press
"1" (or "G" or "Enter") for the Geneve9640, or
"2" (or "T")
for the TI-99/4A, or
"3" (or "E")
for the EVPC
"4" (or "U")
for the Geneve with COM1 to UDS COMx (Chris´ BBS)
"5" (or "H")
for the TI with SAMSMEM and a HSGPL-ready config
HINT: if you just press "Enter" at ANY prompt, the prompt-displayed standards will be choosen (here: "1")
IF you choose "4" for the Geneves´ UDS-Connection, the following screen appears. The JAVA-Version is shown for the later copy of RXTXcomm.jar and rxtxSerial.dll (SerialBridge-applet) Please choose the COM-port connectet to the LanTronix UDS-10:
No comment, just press "Enter" here: :O) If you like it, you can also open your webbrowser with the HTTP-MESS-GUI here: Now comes the first big input, the cartridge (NOT if the Geneve is choosen):
HINTS: - Extended Basic is standard by pressing "ENTER". - enter a full correct name on CART/FLOPPY or Harddisk, to choose it directly - enter "RPK" for a *.RPK-list, or "ZIP" for a *.ZIP-list here (catalog/directory) - read the text-hints in the screens :)
The way of choosing cartridge-, floppydisk- and harddisk-files is all the same:
If you do not know the exact name of one of them, JUST enter a shortcut (no wildcards like * needed) For example, if you search here an "Editor/Assembler"-cartidge, just enter a part of the name, i.e. "ED" or "ASS" or something like that. (yes I know, sorry, ass is badass-example :)
The BATCH here now searches all matching .BIN and .RPK-files, and presents the result with enumerations:
The last hit is the standard (for pressing "ENTER") Here in this example you just press "ENTER" to get no. 13, the "editasss.zip" You also can enter "0" to return to the input for a new cartridge-search&choice. Same mechanism for choosing a floppyfile:
Hint: enter "DSK" for a full *.DSK-list here (catalog/directory)
Here we take the red baron (11), by random also the last, means the standard choice (=ENTER):
Next is the choice of the harddisk. As we need no harddisk for the RedBaron, I demonstrate the "DIR"-command at zhis point here:
Hint: enter "HD" for a full *.HD-list here (catalog/directory)
This will be the result: Now please enter "0" to get back to the HD-choice (remember, we want NO harddisk now) and here also press "0" now to continue without a harddisk.
Here, at the almost last fuelstation before the MAME starts, you can see the choices you made (scroll up to see the choosen cartridge)
HINT: IF you have choosen "4" for the Geneves´ UDS-Connection, and the BATCH "stopps" here, something has gone wrong with your PCs COM-Port.
Just "X" the SerialBridge-panel away at this point, for a normal MESS/Geneve-start (without UDS)
HINT: If you get an error like this here in the next screen, please supplement the rompath-section like: "rompath roms;roms.ALL-OTHER;roms.CHECK;roms.CART-EDU;roms.CART-GAMES;roms.CART-OFFICE;roms.CART-TOOLS" (as described before)
Now press "Enter" (or any key) to start the MESS: If you´re lucky, it starts
The BATCH honestly remains in the background, faithful waiting for you stopping the MAME later. Then (after a keypress) it will jump to its beginning. Don´t hesitate to close te MAME with "X" and quickly ENTER again throug the dialoge to start MAME again. All choices will remain and reappear. OK, to bring it to an end, we are ready and press any key to begin :)
HINT:
If you get started the MAME the first time, on each machine, you have to press "O" and "K" in capital letters (= OK) (for the license-agreement of MAME, but this is also shown on the screen) Of course, you must have the licenses. This should not be mentioned extra.
There he is:
GOTCHA :)
Now just "X" the MAME-window and return to the BATCH. If VERBOSE is set to "2", the MAME-Logfile will open. Otherwise press any key to return to the BATCH-Start, or just close it with "X" too. I have the batch open almost the whole day, it needs zero CPU-consumption while waiting for my input, and if I quickly want to test i.e. a DSK-file, I switch to the BATCH-windows zack zack zack :) Have fun :)
MAME-MENUs: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How to get the MAME-Menu: Press Fn + Scroll-Lock (once) to switch from FULL-EMU-Mode to PARTITIAL-EMU-mode. Then just press the TAB-Key to get the OnScreenDisplay-Menu (OSD).
Keys in Partitial-EMU-Mode (Defined in ->OSD ->Input(General) -> User Interface):
F3
= Soft reset (Resetkey/EMU-Quit)
Shift F3 = Hard reset (OFF -> ON)
F12
= Snapshot
F12 (natural) = FCTN = (TI-Quit)
P
= Pause
ESC
= Stop Emulation (Break)
KNOWN PROBLEMS: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you only get a black screen at Mame-Start (after the Batch starting the EMU, awaiting the TI/Geneve-Screen): Try to get into the Partitial Mode (FN-Scroll-Lock), then into the OSD (TAB-Key). Go to the "Machine Configuration"-Menu, and set the "Console GROMS" to ON. Press ESC - ESC to leave the menu, try to Reset the Emu, or just close the EMU-Windows (not the Batch ) and, returned to the Batch-Windows, just press ENTER so man times to walk through all dialogues, until the MAME restarts.
POST-BLA: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE let me know all circumstances and NOT documented actions or extra needed steps you experienced, so that I am able to make it more comfortable for the future. All strange behave, or behave not described in the manual IS very interesting for me, to make it easier. ScreenPrints are also welcome :)
If you need or want special settings, just tell me your windows-computername, so I can condition any settings inside the Batch, belonging to your computername. Very easy.
Send it all to 99er@toxic-instruments.com
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