Monthly Archives: April 2013

Apr 30

PiMAME Installer Script

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Hey everyone!

PiMAME Installer

I have just released the first version of the PiMAME Installer Script.  This script will allow you to turn any Raspbian install into a PiMAME installation.  It includes the ability to update installations  (and to remove PiMAME if you wish 🙁 … )

You can find it on Github at: https://github.com/ssilverm/pimame_installer

I would appreciate testing and feedback.  Also please feel free to contribute code and send a pull request.

PiMAME Bug Fix

I figured out the issue about the 8MB file size limit in the PiMAME uploader.  If you use the Installer or the Updater you should automatically get the fix.  If you wish to fix it manually follow these instructions:

sudo nano +674 /etc/php5/cgi/php.ini
change post_max_size = 8M to post_max_size = 0
exit and save.
reboot.

You will now have larger uploads available.

PiMAME Stickers

The first batch of stickers have gone out.  If you haven’t received yours in the next few days, please feel free to email me and I will put one in the mail.

Thanks!  Have a great night.

-Shea

Apr 26

Friday Post: Mausberry Circuits Raspberry Pi Power Switch

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Hey All,

First of all I am happy to say that I aced my course this semester.  Woo!  It’s weird having free time again.  Going to be really focusing on PiMAME.  Onto the cool stuff…

So, I got my Mausberry Circuits Raspberry Pi Power Switch in the mail this week.  I linked to the Kickstarter for this previously and I’m really happy it was funded.  The device is tiny, but feels well soldered and sturdy.  My only complaint is that the headers cables for the GPIO pins are on the top of the board, as opposed to the bottom, making it harder to put in a project box or in a DeskCade.

The device itself works flawlessly.  You install the script, connect the GPIO pins, and then hit the switch.  The script tells the Pi to power down, and after it’s completely halted, the power is cut.  It also includes a hard reset button in case the Pi is completely frozen / crashed.

maus1

It’s $22 with shipping, and you can order one at mausberrycircuits.com

Have an awesome weekend everyone.

-Shea

Apr 19

Friday Post: Raspberry Pi Model A and New PCSX_ReARMed Binaries

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Hey all,

I got my Raspberry Pi Model A in this week.

Photo Apr 19, 1 53 49 PM Photo Apr 19, 1 54 13 PM Photo Apr 19, 1 54 26 PM Photo Apr 19, 1 54 55 PM

 

I haven’t had the chance to put the board through it’s paces yet.  I was a little surprised to see they are only shipping with 256MB of RAM, as I figured it would cost more to keep two supplies of RAM chips in stock, but I’m not complaining.

It did overclock to turbo mode, and it ran the same PiMAME SD card from a Model B without any problems which makes me happy.  If you don’t need ethernet on board, and don’t mind using a USB hub for everything, this is the board for you.

PCSX_ReARMed

I’ve updated the binaries.  The error shouldn’t be appearing anymore.

For those who have used PiMAME, you’ve seen that Playstation emulation is included.  If you don’t use PiMAME, and just want the binaries to run on your own Pi, here they are.

To download & run:

  • Type in console: wget http://sheasilverman.com/rpi/raspbian/pcsx_rearmed_22042013.tgz
  • tar zxfv pcsx_rearmed_22042013.tgz
  • cd pcsx_rearmed
  • ./pcsx
  • Select your game and have fun!

 

 

Apr 17

PiMAME 0.6 Beta 5 – Now with PlayStation support!

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Hey all,

PiMAME 0.6 Beta 5 Available

Sorry to release another image so quickly but I figure this is a good reason.  PCSX_ReARMed is working beautifully on the command line, with sound, and at 99% speed.  So I added it to PiMAME.  You can now play PlayStation games on your Raspberry Pi.

I’ve tested Gran Turismo 2, Syphon Filter, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2.  They worked really well.

I also added the fix for the slow menu in AdvMENU.

The next version of PiMAME (0.7) will have an updater so that you don’t need to keep downloading new images.

Download Now

Enjoy everyone!

-Shea

Apr 12

Friday Post: PiMAME 0.6 Beta 4

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Hey All,

I’m happy to announce PiMAME 0.6 Beta 4!  You will need a 4GB SD Card for this release.  The updates and new items required a bump in space.

pimame_small

This release includes:

  • Neo Geo support with the GNGeo emulator!!! (Full Speed and Audio)
  • Neo Geo roms and bios are stored in the same Roms folder.
  • Raspbian upgraded and updated.

Known issues:

  • GNGeo does not work with the XArcade Tankstick at the moment.  You must use a keyboard.
  • GNGeo small screen size.  Will not do scaling through composite.  Will scale up through HDMI.
  • I have been informed of the slowness with AdvMENU.  I have confirmed the issue and will be working on that.

Go Get It!!!!

Apr 12

SDL Keymappings

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Hey All,

I’ve been trying to get the Tankstick working with GNGeo recently, and the issue that has been cropping up is that the Tankstick by default uses LeftCtrl, LeftAlt, and Space for the top row of buttons.  This would be fine if I could just specify that, but the GNGeo config file (gngeorc) needs the SDL key mapping, which isn’t really documented anywhere.

What I have found is that if I start X Windows, run xev, press the required button, take that output hexadecimal, then convert that to decimal, about 99% of the time it’s the valid SDL key mapping.

Just a heads up to anyone else with that kind of issue.

Apr 09

Broken glasses and a new use for Instamorph

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Hey all,

While getting dressed this morning one of the stems on my glasses snapped in half.  You’d think I would have a spare set somewhere, but nope.  No spare.  I am really happy this didn’t happen while on my honeymoon!  I could not find any tape, and I wasn’t sure what to do, when it hit me!  Instamorph!

I was able to see well enough to throw a tupperware container full of water into the microwave for two minutes, dump in some Instamorph, and then mold it around the two parts of the stem.  This is actually working really well until I can get new frames tomorrow.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

-Shea