Pc Engine CD and Sega/Mega CD games not loading (PS3 case sensitivity)

RetroArch General
#1

Hi all! I installed Retro Arch 0.9.7 on my PS3 Fat with CFW 3.55 Kmeaw because I wanted to use it mainly to play PC Engine CD games and Sega/Mega CD games. After several tries, I didn’t manage to load those games and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong.

This is what I did for PC Engine CD games:

  • I put games in hd0\PCE folder (they come in 2 files: .bin and .cue)
  • I downloaded Super CD-rom System ver 3 rom, renamed it syscard3.pce and put it in my PCE folder with my .bin and .cue files (I tried with several syscard3.pce files I found on different web sites)
  • I even put the same syscard3.pce in the “system” folder of the emulator because I saw it will be necessary for the future releases
  • I launched Retro Arch and changed the core to Mednafen PCE fast, saved the change, exited the emulator and launched it again
  • I choose the .cue file of the game I want to play and push the cross button… on the bottom of the screen I can see a message telling me the game is loading, but nothing happens and the PS3 freezes, I have to reset it, I tried with several CD games but none of them works
  • I tried with .pce Hucard games and they work perfectly though

This is what I did for Sega/Mega CD games:

  • I put games in hd0\Genesis folder (they come in .cue + .iso + .mp3 files)
  • I renamed the CD BIOS files that already work on my computer into bios_CD_E.bin, bios_CD_U.bin and bios_CD_J.bin and put it in the “system” folder of the emulator
  • I launched Retro Arch and changed the core to Genesis Plus GX, saved the change, exited the emulator and launched it again
  • I choose the .cue file of the game I want to play and push the cross button… on the bottom of the screen I can see a message telling me there’s an error loading the file and nothing happens, I tried with several CD games but none of them works
  • I tried with Megadrive/Genesis cartridge games roms and they work perfectly though

Sorry if my English is not perfect, it’s not my mother language… Thank you for helping me!

Edit by Lex: added “(PS3 case sensitivity)” to title for future readers

#2

Hi there,

judging by your description, you did all the right things - so I don’t know why it is not working for you.

Could you try it out first on RetroArch PC and tell me if it works on there? If it doesn’t - there might be something wrong with the BIOS files used in combination with the emulator cores we’re using on RetroArch.

Please try that out first so we can narrow down what the problem is.

#3

I’ve tried RetroArch PC a few minutes ago, and everything works well with the same BIOS files I put on my PS3. The only weird thing is that for Sega/Mega CD games I have to load the .iso file instead of the .cue file, else I get the following message: “RetroArch returned with an error! Code: 1”. But it works well when I load the .iso file (but no music). And PC Engine CD games work well when I load the .cue file. So, what might be the problem? :-\

#4

There’s no CD music period - ekeeke has not implemented it yet in Genesis Plus GX.

I’m a bit confused as to why it wouldn’t work with .cues as opposed to.iso on PC.

Can’t really say I know what the problem is - everything works on my end. Is your PS3 a DEX by any chance or do you have just CFW? (I’m asking because there is a better way to troubleshoot in case it’s a DEX).

#5

Ok, thanks for your answer anyway. I understand it’s normal that I don’t have music in Sega/Mega CD games if it has not been implemented yet in Genesis Plus GX. Moreover I think I can’t have music if I can’t load the .cue file. It’s still weird I can’t load any CD games on my PS3. I’ll try to make other tests with other files and other games.

#6

Yes, even if the emulator were to support it (as in - CD music) - you absolutely would have to load a cuesheet in order to get it working.

I ask again about your PS3 - is it DEX or CFW? I guess if DEX doesn’t ring any bells it is safe to assume you’re on CFW. I could make a separate build of Genesis Plus GX for you that could help me troubleshoot what is going wrong - however, you do need to follow some instructions I am about to lay down to you - you will need to have your PS3 on your LAN somewhere and you will need to tell me the private IP address your computer has (NOT public IP ) - so that I can make a build that has these details compiled into it.

What we’re going to do is start up a netlogger (through netcat), booting up the PS3 with a custom Genesis Plus GX core and then you’ll be able to tell me what debug messages show up in the terminal.

#7

My PS3 is in Kmeaw CFW 3.55, not DEX. Thanks for helping me, I’m ready to do any test you ask me to do, if I’m able to (I know nothing about programming and technical stuff like that). My PS3 is already on my LAN. My computer’s private IP address is 192.168.0.10

#8

Prock78,

Please check your cuesheets to make sure that the “FILE … BINARY” lines are not incorrect. For example, let’s say for Sonic CD you have the files “Sonic CD (USA) (DW0044).cue” and “Sonic CD (USA) (DW0044).bin”

The top line for “FILE” must match up with the actual .bin name. It’s important that the .cue, .bin and the “FILE” line inside the cuesheet all have the same name. You’ll also want to make sure that the .cue and .bin files are always together in the same directory.

The inside of your .cue will look something like this:


FILE "Sonic CD (USA) (DW0044).bin" BINARY
  TRACK 01 MODE1/2352
    INDEX 01 00:00:00
  TRACK 02 AUDIO
    PREGAP 00:02:00
    INDEX 01 13:10:11
  TRACK 03 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 13:14:25
    INDEX 01 13:16:25
  TRACK 04 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 15:05:39
    INDEX 01 15:07:39
  TRACK 05 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 16:27:42
    INDEX 01 16:29:42
  TRACK 06 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 17:53:52
    INDEX 01 17:55:52
  TRACK 07 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 19:34:57
    INDEX 01 19:36:57
  TRACK 08 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 20:55:62
    INDEX 01 20:57:62
  TRACK 09 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 22:18:63
    INDEX 01 22:20:63
  TRACK 10 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 24:15:00
    INDEX 01 24:17:00
  TRACK 11 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 25:36:02
    INDEX 01 25:38:02
  TRACK 12 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 26:55:06
    INDEX 01 26:57:06
  TRACK 13 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 28:39:10
    INDEX 01 28:41:10
  TRACK 14 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 29:58:43
    INDEX 01 30:00:43
  TRACK 15 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 31:04:55
    INDEX 01 31:06:55
  TRACK 16 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 32:37:58
    INDEX 01 32:39:58
  TRACK 17 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 33:40:68
    INDEX 01 33:42:68
  TRACK 18 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 35:01:74
    INDEX 01 35:03:74
  TRACK 19 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 36:58:09
    INDEX 01 37:00:09
  TRACK 20 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 38:12:19
    INDEX 01 38:14:19
  TRACK 21 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 39:20:25
    INDEX 01 39:22:25
  TRACK 22 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 40:46:32
    INDEX 01 40:48:32
  TRACK 23 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 41:53:39
    INDEX 01 41:55:39
  TRACK 24 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 43:07:45
    INDEX 01 43:09:45
  TRACK 25 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 44:28:49
    INDEX 01 44:30:49
  TRACK 26 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 45:53:50
    INDEX 01 45:55:50
  TRACK 27 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 46:24:51
    INDEX 01 46:26:51
  TRACK 28 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 46:55:52
    INDEX 01 46:57:52
  TRACK 29 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 47:06:12
    INDEX 01 47:08:12
  TRACK 30 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 47:30:13
    INDEX 01 47:32:13
  TRACK 31 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 47:53:51
    INDEX 01 47:55:51
  TRACK 32 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 48:06:52
    INDEX 01 48:08:52
  TRACK 33 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 50:09:62
    INDEX 01 50:11:62
  TRACK 34 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 52:14:71
    INDEX 01 52:16:71
  TRACK 35 AUDIO
    INDEX 00 53:47:73
    INDEX 01 53:49:73

Also, ideally you’ll want to find new CD dumps that were done by Redump.org project. Example here: http://redump.org

#9

I can tell you about the game Silpheed (Euro) that I have, my files are called: Silpheed.iso Silpheed.cue Silpheed 02.mp3 … Silpheed 08.mp3 And my .cue file looks like this:

FILE “Silpheed.iso” BINARY TRACK 01 MODE1/2048 INDEX 01 00:00:00 POSTGAP 00:02:00 FILE “Silpheed 02.mp3” MP3 TRACK 02 AUDIO PREGAP 00:02:00 INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 03.mp3” MP3 TRACK 03 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 04.mp3” MP3 TRACK 04 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 05.mp3” MP3 TRACK 05 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 06.mp3” MP3 TRACK 06 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 07.mp3” MP3 TRACK 07 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 FILE “Silpheed 08.mp3” MP3 TRACK 08 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00

If I compare with your example I notice my TRACK 01 is MODE1/2048 while yours is MODE1/2352, is it important? (the game works well on my computer with the Kega Fusion or Gens emulators)

#10

Just because it plays on Kega Fusion or Gens is no guarantee at all it will play on Genesis Plus GX.

Also - just a heads up - Ekeeke has already said that he will not support MP3s for CD games. It might be that this is behind the problems you have been having trying to load the cuesheet.

Try to find an ISO that has no MP3 files for audio similar to clobber’s - ie. a properly dumped CD game - because there’s a very good chance this image simply won’t work as it is on Genesis Plus GX.

Here are two cuesheets of games that have worked for me on Genesis Plus GX - as you can see, none of them are using any MP3s.

http://pastie.org/4654062

http://pastie.org/4654065

It is VERY possible that this is what is causing problems for you on PC Engine CD too - as the author (Ryphecha) also has a vendetta against MP3s and won’t support them (licensing reasons). There are likely to be technical limitations involved with MP3s too.

Here is a pastie of a PC Engine CD game that has worked for me -

http://pastie.org/4654066

Again, no MP3s. Actually, I’m fairly positive that this is the problem at this point.

#11

OK, thanks, I’ll see that this evening after I come back from work. I can see you’re telling me I shouldn’t use MP3 file, does it mean I should convert into .wav or something else? Actually my PC Engine CD games already are in .bin + .cue format, the .cue looks like that:

FILE “AKUMAJOU DRACULA X.BIN” BINARY TRACK 01 AUDIO INDEX 01 00:00:00 TRACK 02 MODE1/2352 PREGAP 00:03:00 INDEX 01 00:48:65 TRACK 03 AUDIO PREGAP 00:02:00 INDEX 01 03:04:14 TRACK 04 AUDIO INDEX 01 04:50:48 TRACK 05 AUDIO INDEX 01 05:53:67 TRACK 06 AUDIO INDEX 01 07:30:09 TRACK 07 AUDIO INDEX 01 08:53:61 TRACK 08 AUDIO INDEX 01 09:58:35 TRACK 09 AUDIO INDEX 01 12:56:60 TRACK 10 AUDIO INDEX 01 14:40:28 TRACK 11 AUDIO INDEX 01 17:21:05 TRACK 12 AUDIO INDEX 01 19:02:58 TRACK 13 AUDIO INDEX 01 21:33:18 TRACK 14 AUDIO INDEX 01 24:00:69 TRACK 15 AUDIO INDEX 01 27:40:51 TRACK 16 AUDIO INDEX 01 30:06:10 TRACK 17 AUDIO INDEX 01 33:21:56 TRACK 18 AUDIO INDEX 01 34:51:29 TRACK 19 AUDIO INDEX 01 36:33:49 TRACK 20 AUDIO INDEX 01 38:33:50 TRACK 21 AUDIO INDEX 01 42:35:12

No MP3 files in this one and it doesn’t work anyway, my PS3 freezes. By the way, isn’t it strange that all my games work well on Retro Arch PC and not on my PS3?

#12

OK, I’ve tried with the Sega-CD game Flashback, which has no audio files. There are only 2 files: Flashback.iso and Flashback.cue The .cue file looks like this:

FILE “Flashback.iso” BINARY TRACK 01 MODE1/2048 INDEX 01 00:00:00 POSTGAP 00:02:00

And it still doesn’t work… I’ll try to find and make a test with a Sega-CD game in .bin format like in the examples you gave me, maybe the emulator doesn’t like .iso? And I’ll try to find a PC Engine CD game in .iso format like in your example too. But can you tell me, in the cue file you gave me of Dracula X, you have an .iso file called draculax.iso, I suppose you have music files coming with it and that we can notice in the cue file with no specifications, in which format are they? .wav? Thanks again.

#13

No, there are not supposed to be any music files for that draculax.iso - they are embedded into the ISO so to speak - it’s a proper ISO dump.

#14

Flashback for Sega CD is supposed to have audio tracks.

#15

I didn’t know there could have been music embedded into .iso files, I thought it was only the case with .bin files, but you must be right, I found a Dracula X dump similar to yours, .iso + .cue, I tried it but it still doesn’t work on my PS3, same issue: the console is freezing… (It still works on RetroArch PC though)

#16

Tell me what your system directory points to - go to Settings, Paths.

#17

That is correct, .iso cannot contain audio tracks. Your copy appears to have been ripped without the soundtrack.

#18

It points to /dev_hdd0/game/SSNE10000/USRDIR/cores/system which seems fine to me since it’s where I put my Sega/Mega CD bios files.

kode54, I’ll try to check if I can find another rip of Flashback, maybe mine is bad. I should try with a FMV game maybe, they usually don’t have audio tracks.

#19

I was just told by ekeeke that Sega CD ISOs should actually be loaded with the ‘ISO’ file instead of ‘cue’ for now - I’ll have to add that to the Genesis Plus GX libretro port - I’ll provide you with a new SELF so you can test if it works this time.

It’s odd because I’ve definitely been able to load Sega CD games by loading up the .CUE file. Perhaps something changed.

#20

Now I can understand what was my problem with Sega CD games, I only had games in the .cue + .iso (+ .mp3) format. I’ve just downloaded and tried with games in .bin format and they work well indeed. Thanks! :slight_smile: Since ekeeke wrote “When a .cue file is loaded, it does not even attempt to read it and instead try to load .bin image file with the same name”, I suppose maybe you had tried .cue + .bin games, that’s why it worked? Well, one of my problems is solved, thanks a lot! Now I’ll be waiting for ekeeke to implement audio tracks to Genesis Plus GX, soon I hope, but I can wait after all, he has already made great work, I can understand it takes some time.

I still have this problem with PC Engine CD games now. Maybe the problem comes from .cue files too?