demomenu v 1.5 - loser (april 2000)
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files in zip:
readme.txt - this file
programs.txt - text file used to store path and title infomation for the
games and demos you wish to run. Edit this file to suit your
needs.
pc.exe - an executable file that attempts to retrieve the
programs.txt from your PC instead of from a cd in the psx.
this is used for testing purposes and isnt needed on your
final. to test it you need to use caetla. if you dont know
what this is, chances are it doesnt concern you! so just
ignore this file.
psx.exe - this is the cd version of the above file, the only
difference is that it tries to find the programs.txt file in
the root dir of your psx cd.
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WTF IS THIS PROGRAM FOR??!!
this program is used to load many different psx exes from one simple menu interface. all you have to do is edit the programs.txt file to contain the titles and paths of the psx executable files you wish to run.
'psx.exe' is the executable menu program for use on your psx. Psx's will automatically boot a file in the root directory of a psx called psx.exe so there is no need to put a 'system.cnf' file on the cd. that file is just like a batchfile for loading the boot exe file for that cd. You must make sure that both psx.exe and programs.txt are present in the root directory of your psx cd.
MAKING A CD: <----- READ THIS
this is an important part to read if you wish to make a correctly work psx cd.
1) use 'combine' to make all you demo's files and libps (if needed) be combined
into one exe file.
2) once you have all the programs you wish to boot off cd use 'exefixup' on each
exe file to make sure their file size is a multiple of 2048 bytes. (the psx
cd system reads exe files in multiples of 2048 bytes)
3) make sure each file is in the standard 8.3 format (old dos style format)
4) the psx cd functions are known to be a dodgy and so some suggested
limitations have been placed on cds by sony. try and not have more than 40
directories on a cd, and dont have more than 30 files in each dir. this
shouldn't pose too much of a problem as this still allows for 1200 files on
the one cd. a cd should also not be made any bigger than 624 meg (71
minutes).
5) ok so once you have all you files fixed up and ready to go, the next thing to
do is to make an iso image of your cd (ez cd pro 2 is best for this). when
making the iso make sure the following options are checked: close disc, iso
9660 level 1 filenames, 8.3 characters with version info and mode 2 XA
format. also if you can set the application system name, you should set it
to PLAYSTATION. dont forget to make sure that the root directory of your cd
contains the files programs.txt and psx.exe (no system.cnf should be present
and pc.exe is not needed)
6) now you should have a valid cd image file on your hard drive all ready to
burn and play :) first you need to 'license' the cd though. this just adds
certain stuff to the cd that allows the psx bios to correctly boot it.
bootedit by yours truely is great for this. just run it and select the cd
image and then pick your license area (japan, USA or europe) and patch. note
this doesnt defeat copy protection, or change the SCEX letters displayed on
your psx.
7) now burn it and play it :)
MAKING PROGRAMS.TXT
this is another important part. although it is simple to make it is good just to make sure you are doing the correct thing.
the first line should always only be START. and the last line should always be "END". note the quotes around end but not start, also note that END and START are in capital letters.
there should be no spaces (except in title names) and no blank lines.
each line between START and "END" should start with a " and consist of no more than 22 characters for the title/name of the exe. (anymore characters and it won't look pretty on your menu!). After the title, without adding any spaces or pressing enter put another " then enter the path of the exe. now add one last " before pressing enter and now you are ready to start on the next line. repeat as above.
the exe path is now the only thing that may provide hassles. if it is from the cd use cdrom:\FILENAME.EXE;1
note the capital letters in the filename and the version info (;1) on the end. if you were going to be using pc.exe to retrieve programs.txt from your PC drive, use pcdrv:filename.exe. no version info or capitals are needed.
well that about wraps it up, and i cant be bothered to write any more anyway.
loser
loser@paradogs.com
http://start.at/loser-psx