spyksaturn Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Tried to do as much looking with Google as I can and this seems to be the one thing I can't figure out. To start with the things I have ruled out: - DeMul it's self seems to work fine (Dynamite Cop). Very game specific. - Games that are bin/cue files, all cue files checked to see that they match bin files - cdi files having same issues as well - some bin/cue or cdi games work, where as others only bring up the bios screen or CD player screen and does not play the game upon request. Seems to be needing a boot disc of some sort to read properly. Region does not seem to be an issue as most all games I have are USA. Some games bring up nothing but a pitch black screen that never moves from it. Each bios setting in demul tried. Only one functioning. - Launches from launch box fine (Thank God) so it is definitely not that. - Games that do not work do not show up in ReDream library either so my hunch is that these are bad rips (if I violate a rule by saying that I apologize) but not sure how to troubleshoot such a thing. So in a nutshell I believe this to be specific to the game it is trying to play, however I have no idea why others with that file type would work why others wouldn't if all the naming situations match up fine. I try not to resort to such things like asking online (I spent three hours today messing around with mednafen to get as close to HD looking as possible by using google ? ) but I don't see much info about this that usually points to not having a bios or it being something that happens to there whole set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I think you are on the right track when you say its most likely just the rip that is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 5 hours ago, DOS76 said: I think you are on the right track when you say its most likely just the rip that is bad. Thanks. I can't imagine what that. Only thing is it seems to be allot of them ? that's why I was hoping it was some stupid thing I overlooked. Just couldn't imagine what it would be if both emulators were having the same issue. Also held out for hope since most were still being recognized as having some kind of data showing up as 74 minutes or so of music that wouldn't play on the music part of the BIOS. Almost like there is a boot disc needed? Was thinking maybe I missed some setting or extra file that needs to be placed with the game files that acts as an auto boot disc or something but not seeing anything through Google and not having much experience here I'm kinda lost beyond my current diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobucks Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 I have had some experience with demul and most of the time the dreamcast rip is the problem as mentioned above but there are a few other things you can try. If its a bin and cue try converting it to a chd file. There is a free utility called "cue or gdi to chd" that will convert cue or gdi files to chd. I have had very good luck with doing this conversion. If you dont already have the lastest version of demul then try updating. The very latest version is 180428. After uprading some of my cdi games started working properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 2 hours ago, twobucks said: I have had some experience with demul and most of the time the dreamcast rip is the problem as mentioned above but there are a few other things you can try. If its a bin and cue try converting it to a chd file. There is a free utility called "cue or gdi to chd" that will convert cue or gdi files to chd. I have had very good luck with doing this conversion. If you dont already have the lastest version of demul then try updating. The very latest version is 180428. After uprading some of my cdi games started working properly. I think I have the latest version but I'll see if I can find this utility and I'll give that a shot. Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) So I have chdman but it does not want to run or I am just clueless on how to do this. Looking online they said to drop it in a folder with just that bin/cue or just that CDI file, double click on batch and it should do the rest but I am having no such luck. Edit: gdi files were named CDI so changing that and the program seems to be running atm. Going to double check my cue files here and see what goes on with those. Edited June 9, 2019 by spyksaturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 I'm coming to the conclusion these are bad rips. Even after conversion I'm getting nothing. Made sure to switch plug in for CHD prior. Don't know what else it could be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) Now I have an issue where my launch box won't even load and reinstalling it greets me with a new screen that says free version and all my work missing. Also there icon where I reinstalled it still does not bring up launch box. Edit: fixed launch box was making a folder in a folder when reinstalling. Ugh sorry to flood you guys. I just got super angry for a moment. Edited June 9, 2019 by spyksaturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 Ok so I just did some digging. My files are CDI files which some are apparently self boot and some are not. This is what I was thinking since there was clearly data the emulator could see but couldn't play. Also it does seem to point to the need of a boot disc with a set up of using dameon tools and swapping discs virtually but still having to physically do so. My goal is to make everything like a console where you never have to see windows by using big box so this method is going to be unexceptable for my expectations and is leaving me to hope and pray there is another way to do this. Converting the files to CHD did not work as it seems to still require a boot disc. I don't know where to find working CHDs of my collection (and I'm not asking as I don't want to break any rules) or how to make them from my physical copies (which ultimately some of these games are no longer in my possession and I would have to reaquire them) or if that would even be the answer (because they may just rip the same way no matter what). Anyone have any advice regarding this? This is the last system I need to get set up and there are so few games I got working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 No clue I've never heard of rips being self booting or requiring a boot disc for any DC games. You can get DC chd games by download the Dreamcast folder out of the MAME Software List CHD torrent that is available and update almost every month on Pleasure Dome but you are required to register there and maintain a ratio which depending on peoples internet can be an issue and get you banned from their site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Just to add I have no clue how close to complete the Saturn set in the MAME SWL CHD folder is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) 28 minutes ago, DOS76 said: Just to add I have no clue how close to complete the Saturn set in the MAME SWL CHD folder is. Oh man Saturn games I'm good on. I got everything working well. It's just Dreamcast games. I would hit them up but I feel I wouldn't be able to meet there requirements. I'm kinda looking to make this a stand alone deal. Kinda once I got what I needed I'll help those that ask but not on a mass scale. I don't trust torrents too much and the idea of keeping one open scares me real good. It's not that I don't want to help the community, just worried about safety. Edited June 15, 2019 by spyksaturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 yeah I meant Dreamcast sorry for the typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 No worries I appreciate your help. I'm going to get set up with a VPN and maybe give it a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 So I checked out pleasure dome and they ask if you are new to not use a VPN or they will ban you? Does that seem kinda shady? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil9000 Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 4 minutes ago, spyksaturn said: So I checked out pleasure dome and they ask if you are new to not use a VPN or they will ban you? Does that seem kinda shady? No, all private trackers are like that. You need to sign up without one but can use it to actually download. Its because the attach a passkey to your account and IP so they know you and can monitor your share ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 5 minutes ago, neil9000 said: No, all private trackers are like that. You need to sign up without one but can use it to actually download. Its because the attach a passkey to your account and IP so they know you and can monitor your share ratio. Hmm I'm sorry I'm new to this concept. If I have a VPN running after I sign up but not during wouldn't the VPN address get the credit for downloading/uploading? I'm sorry to be a bother about all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil9000 Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 1 minute ago, spyksaturn said: If I have a VPN running after I sign up but not during wouldn't the VPN address get the credit for downloading/uploading? No, this is because of what i said above. To download a torrent you first need the torrent file which you add to your torrent client in order to download it. That torrent file is unique to you and has a unique passkey identifier that connects it to your account, so that they can keep track of if you are sharing or not. If you are seen to be "leeching, or hit and running" by blocking upload and deleting the torrent once it is downloaded you will be banned from the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 Hmmm ok so just don't block or delete the torrent. The only other question I would have is does a VPN still protect you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyksaturn Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 So a buddy of mine reassured me everything is kosher. I apologize for all the questions and appreciate everyone's patience with me ?. Hopefully as time goes on I'll be able to add some wisdom to these forums as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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