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******************************************
* SofaRun v6.1 *
* coded by Louthrax in December 2019 *
******************************************
===================================================================
Introduction
===================================================================
SofaRun is an MSX-DOS 2 tool that allows you to run disk (.DSK),
cassette (.CAS) and cartridge (.ROM) images. Various settings
can be set and stored for each game. It can also be used to
launch normal MSX-DOS 2 and BASIC programs.
It features a joystick controlled file browser, ZIP files support,
options to map JoyMega buttons to keyboard and "soft reset",
allowing you to play lying on your sofa just like a lazy penguin!
===================================================================
License
===================================================================
You are allowed to freely use and distribute SofaRun for any non-
commercial usage.
This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied
warranty. In no event will the author be held liable for any
damages arising from the use of this software.
===================================================================
Requirements
===================================================================
SofaRun works on any MSX computer with MSX-DOS 2 and 32KB free
mapped memory.
MSX machines with a total of 128KB mapped memory are supported,
assuming that you use COMMAND.COM version 2.31 or lower
(versions above 2.31 are allocating an extra 16KB memory
segment).
That beeing said, if you want to launch a disk image containing a
program using mapped memory (like Project Melancholia or cracked
games from the 80's), you'll need more memory.
Also, launching a ROM image may require more memory (when using
the "Memory mapper" device) or a specific device. Supported ROM
devices in SofaRun v4.0 are:
* Memory mapper
* turboR mapper
* SD Snatcher
* Snatcher
* MegaRAM
* ESE SCC
* ESE RAM
* MegaFlashROM SCC
* MegaFlashROM SCC+
* MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD
* Carnivore 2 - Flash
* OCM
* GR8NET
* Multi-MSXRAM
* Carnivore 2 - RAM
The SRAM auto-save feature requires a Panasonic PAC or FM-PAC.
===================================================================
Features
===================================================================
* ZIP files support (see the "ZIP files support" section for
details).
* Disk access when running ROMs. You can save and load,
for example, your King's Valley stages or Game Masters game
states.
* Option to edit text files on any MSX machine (even MSX 1),
using the great & free VEDIT.COM tool.
* Basic Copy, Paste and Delete operations on files and
directories.
* SofaSet tool to control all MSX2 RCT settings.
* Writing back tape images (.CAS) to real tape, thanks to Martos'
CAS2TAPE.COM tool.
* SRAM auto-backup.
* Game Master 1 and Game Master 2 support. Game Master 2 can be
used only with a supported flash device, but Game Master 1
works without for small ROMs.
* Soft reset: if you have selected JoyMega support, you can reset
the game by pressing the [Down], [A] and [Start] joystick
buttons simultaneously.
* Editable SR.INI file. You can specify your "saves" and
"temporary" locations here, define your custom palettes, and
even your own file-type associations.
* Save of all settings for each game, so that you don't have to
set them every time.
* Support of external SCC or SCC+ sound cartridge,if you want to
hear the "real thing".
* PSC to SCC: you can redirect PSG sounds to an SCC cartridge, and
define SCC waveform for each PSG channel.
* Various settings, like other game loaders (video mode, language,
CPU mode, MSX version).
* Auto-start (random or sequential) of files from a directory or
ZIP file.
* Virtual joystick-controled keyboard (to create or rename files
and directories) and to set ZIP filter.
===================================================================
Installing SofaRun
===================================================================
From your desktop computer, extract "sofarun.zip" somewhere to your
MSX-DOS2 mass storage device (SD card or hard drive).
Plug your mass storage device on you MSX, boot to MSX-DOS 2, go to
the directory where you extracted "sofarun.zip" using the "cd"
command, and type "SR" from the command line. You should see
the SofaRun title screen. SofaRun takes no file arguments,
only these two options can be specified:
/S: Skip the display of the title screen.
/I: Ignore last launched game, and start SofaRun from current
directory.
===================================================================
Supported file types
===================================================================
All file types associations here can be changed in the SR.INI file
(see "The SR.INI file" section below).
* .ROM
Cartridge images. Can be ROMs or MegaROMs.
* .DSK
Disk image files, as used by MSX emulators. Several disk images can
be concatenated into a single .DSK file. You'll be able to swap
disks during game (see SRI.TXT documentation for details).
* .CAS
Cassette images, as used by MSX emulators. Those files are loaded
using the "LOADCAS" tool from Martos.
* .COM
MSX-DOS executables.
* .BAT
MSX-DOS batch files. Those files can be launched but also edited
(like described below for .INI and .TXT files).
* .LDR
BASIC files. ".BAS" files are not displayed to distinguish them
from "loader" specific BASIC files.
* .ZIP
PKZIP compressed files. Contents of these files can be extracted
and played with a single click. See the "ZIP files support" section
for details.
* .MIG
MSX compressed images. Those are displayed using MIGVIEW.COM.
* .VGM
Video Game Music files. Those are played using Grauw's VGMPLAY.COM
player.
* .INI and .TXT
Those are considered as text files. SofaRun allows you to edit them
using AKID.COM.
===================================================================
Controls
===================================================================
Everything in SofaRun can be controlled with either the keyboard or
the joystick in port 1.
To validate something, press [Space] key, [Enter] key or
joystick [Button A]. This is referred later in this document as
[Validate].
To cancel something, press [ESC] key or joystick [Button B].
This is referred later in this document as [Cancel].
===================================================================
The game browser
===================================================================
This is what you get when you launch SofaRun: a list of all
supported files, and directories.
You can move in the entries here using the keyboard arrows or the
joystick.
To open the "Game" menu in order to launch you game, or change to
another directory, just [Validate].
[Cancel] to enter the "Quit" menu.
===================================================================
The "Game" menu
===================================================================
This menu is invoked by [Validating] a game in the game browser.
Following is a description of each menu entry.
** Start **
Start the game!
** Settings **
Edit settings for the game (see "Settings" menu below).
** Erase SRAM **
Erases the SRAM for the current game if "PAC-SRAM auto-save" is
enabled in its settings.
** Write to tape **
Write the current cassette image to tape (.CAS files only).
** Write to disk **
Write the current disk image to floppy (.DSK files only). Select
the target drive and [Validate] to start writing.
** Back **
Go back to the game browser.
===================================================================
The "Settings" menu
===================================================================
This menu is invoked by selecting "Settings" in the "Game" menu. It
displays available settings for the game.
You can change a setting with the [Left] and [Right] cursor keys or
with the joystick in port 1.
At first, all settings are set to the default values. If you change
a setting, it will be displayed with a star ("*"). This indicates
that this setting is set and will be used instead of the default
value.
You can toggle a setting between the "set" and "default"
states by [Validating].
Following is a description of each menu entry.
----------------------------- Actions -----------------------------
** Apply **
Apply your settings choices and go back to the "Game" menu.
** Cancel **
Cancel the changes made in the settings and return to the "Game" menu.
** Reset to defaults **
Reset all settings to the default ones.
------------------------ Generic settings -------------------------
** Video mode: **
(MSX 2 only)
Choose between 50Hz or 60Hz video modes here. Most of the games are
looking better in 60Hz mode.
** Erase VRAM: **
Erase the VRAM first 16KBs to 0 before launching the game. Can be
useful for flawed games that expect the VRAM to be completely set
to 0.
** Palette: **
(MSX 2 only)
Choose between different color palettes for the game. Palettes can
be defined in the SOFARUN.INI file. You can for example use the
MSX1 palette to have the original look and feel of a game on an
MSX2. The "CoolColors" palette by FRS also looks very well on lots
of ROMs! See the "SOFARUN.INI" section below for more details.
** PAC-SRAM auto-save: **
If you have a PAC-SRAM cartridge, its content will be saved after
each game's run, and saved when you go back to SofaRun. This allows
to play several games using PAC with no danger of loosing saved
data. The generated SRAM backup file has the same base name as the
game file, with extension replaced by ".USR".
** Find Music-Module: **
Allow some games (mainly Compile ones) to find and use the Music-
Module sound cartridge.
-------------------------- Disk settings --------------------------
** Start disk: **
SofaRun handles .DSK files with concatenated disk images. You can
select which disk image to boot to here.
** Write enable disk: **
By default, the .DSK file you have selected is write-protected.
Enable this to allow writing. Note that each time a .DSK image is
launched, a "virtual" user disk is added in last position. It has
the same base name as the .DSK file with extension replaced by
".USR". This virtual disk is only created if accessed.
** Disk delay: **
Some games do not like the fact that disk accesses are quite faster
on an SD card or hard disk compared to original floppies. This
leads to graphical glitches or even crashes. Increase the value
here until the problem is solved.
** Simulate [CTRL] pressed: **
Free up some memory by allowing only one drive instead of two, just
like when you press the [CTRL] key at boot time.
** No memory mapper **
Simplifies memory handling by assuming that the game is not using
memory-mapped memory. Increases speed but might cause crashes for
games that do use the memory-mapped memory.
------------------------- turboR settings -------------------------
** CPU mode: **
If you're the happy owner of a turboR, you can define which CPU
mode to use here.
** Disable FM-PAC: **
Prevent games from using the integrated FM-PAC on turboR, so
you'll get standard PSG sounds. This allows to run games in R800
mode without FM-PAC sound glitches.
--------------------------- OCM settings --------------------------
** CPU speed: **
Define which OCM CPU speed to use.
** VDP speed: **
Define which OCM VDP speed to use (fixes some games like RADX-8).
** Keyboard layout: **
Define which OCM Keyboard layout to use (fixes Pointless Fighting).
** Slot1 mode: **
Define which mode to use for slot 1 ("Current", "External" or
"Internal SCC").
** Slot2 mode: **
Define which mode to use for slot 2 ("Current", "External" or
"Internal SCC").
-------------------------- VGM settings ---------------------------
** Blackout: **
Sets the screen to black to reduce video interferences when playing.
** Loops: **
Number of loops used when playing (default is 2).
-------------------------- MIG settings ---------------------------
** Loop: **
Loop back to the first image when reaching the end of concatenated
MIG files.
** Delay: **
Automatically jumps to next image after delay when using
concatenated MIG files.
-------------------------- ROM settings ---------------------------
** Pref. device **
Selects the prefered ROM device used to launch a .ROM file. If that
device does not exist or does not fit the requirements to launch a
ROM, another device will be selected instead if possible.
** Flash speed: **
(MegaFlashROM SCC+ (SD) and Carnivore 2 devices only)
Sets flashing speed for the flash memory devices. Default speed for
MegaFlashROM SCC+ is 1x, default speed for MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD and
Carnivore 2 is 4x. MegaFlashROM SCC only supports 1x.
** ROM type **
By default, SofaRun tries to guess the type of the ROM file when
flashing it. If this does not work, you can specify a type
here.
** No subslots: **
Disables subslots for the ROM device when launching ROM.
** Disable disk driver: **
Disable the disk driver when launching ROM. Required for Iligks
Episode IV.
** Interruption mode: **
Change this to improve game speed or fix freezings and crashes.
** A.I. level: **
Increase value to fix glitches or crashes.
** Page switch optimization: **
("Memory mapper" ROM device only)
Increase value to reduce disk accesses. Warning: might cause
crashes if too high.
** Game Master: **
You can select to launch a game with Konami's Game Masters here.
"Memory mapper" ROM device only supports Game Master 1 for small
ROMs.
** MSX version: **
You can lie about the version of your MSX here. This allows to play
Gradius 3 in MSX1 mode for example. Well, there's little interest
in that, but if you are playing a game with the Game Master 2 and
want to use a custom palette, this might be useful: the Game Master
2 in MSX2 mode sets its own palette, and erases the custom palette
before launching the ROM. This won't happen if you set the MSX
version to MSX1!
** Language: **
Set this to "International" to play the ROM in English instead of
Japanese.
** JoyMega: **
If you have a JoyMega adapter and a Megadrive joypad, you can
choose between different configurations here. Some "generic"
configurations are provided in the default SOFARUN.INI file, but
you can add as many configurations as you want in this file. See
the "SR.INI" section below for more details.
The 3 buttons configurations will be a bit faster compared to the 6
buttons one, but only [A] and [Start] buttons are available.
** Disable keyboard: **
If you enable this, the keyboard will not be read and be inactive.
As reading the JoyMega and converting buttons to keys takes a
while, this might speeds things up a bit. Use this if you
experience slowdowns when JoyMega is enabled.
** Contiguous MFRSCC+SD: **
Two kinds of MFRSCC+SD have been produced. Some models have a
contiguous flash memory, and some have a "hole" after 2MB, which
prevents "big" games like Pointless Fighting to work. SofaROM
patches big games like that by default, but if you have a
"contiguous" MFRSCC+SD, this is not required. Enable this setting
in that case.
** Fast interruptions: **
Patches the MSX interruption routine to skip keyboard reading. This
might speed-up some games.
** Preserve AB header: **
Some games like "Elevator action" require the AB header of the
ROM to be present in order to work. Note that enabling this
setting implies to power off your MSX or reset your flash device
manually to boot back to MSX-DOS.
----------------------- ROM sound settings ------------------------
** Use external SCC: **
Flash devices usually emulate SCC and SCC+ very well, but if you
are a "vintage fanatic", set this to "Yes" to use a real SCC or
SCC+ cartridge instead. You have to set which SCC slot to use with
the "SCC slot" setting below.
** PSG port: **
You can redirect the default PSG port to another one here. Use "MFR
SCC+" to use the MegaFlashROM SCC+ ports. Use "Disabled" to mute
the PSG.
** PSG channel #x: **
You can filter the 3 PSG ports here. "Noise only" will only allow
noise on the x channel. "Music only" will only allow music on the x
channel. "On" allows everything and "Off" disable everything.
** PSG to SCC: **
Set this to "Yes" to also play PSG sounds on an SCC cartridge. You
can select which SCC waveform is associated to each PSG channel
with the next settings. You have to set which SCC slot to use with
the "SCC slot" setting below.
** SCC Waveform x: **
Select which SCC waveform is associated to PSG channel x when
the "PSG to SCC" setting is enabled. You can add and edit
SCC waveforms in the SROM.INI file.
** SCC slot: **
Select which SCC slot to use when "Use external SCC" or "PSG to
SCC" settings are enabled (there's not auto-detection of SCC
cartridges yet in SofaRun).
Note that you might receive "SCC slot conflict" errors or warnings
when launching ROM depending of your slot layout. Basically, the
SCC slot specified here can't be in the same "main slot" as the
RAM or flash device slot used for the game.
===================================================================
The "Write to tape" menu
===================================================================
This menu is invoked by selecting [Write to tape] from the "Game"
menu.
** Write game to tape: **
Select the desired baud rate (1200, 1800, 2400 or 3600) and
[Validate] to start writing the game to tape.
** Write silence: **
Select the silence duration and validate to start writing silence
to tape.
** Back **
Go back to the "Game" menu.
===================================================================
The "Quit" menu
===================================================================
This menu is invoked by [Canceling] in the game browser. Following
is a description of each menu entry.
** Parent directory **
Change current directory to the parent one. If browsing a ZIP file,
exit to the containing directory.
** Quick launch: **
Allows to quickly launch any application without browsing to it.
These applications can be added in the SR.INI file (see "The SR.INI
file" section below).
Default Quick launch applications are:
* SofaSet
Launches SOFASET.COM which allows you to customize all MSX2 RTC
chip settings.
* JoyTest
Launches FRS JOYTEST.COM tool to test your joystick, joymega,
paddle, mouse or lightgun.
* BLOAD"CAS:",r
Goes to BASIC then load and run a binary file from tape.
* CLOAD
Goes to BASIC then load and run a BASIC file from tape.
* RUN"CAS:"
Goes to BASIC then load and run ASCII BASIC file from tape.
** Auto-start: **
Auto-start files in the current folder or ZIP file. Use this to start
"slideshow" of VGM or MIG files. Different options are available:
* Sequential
Start files sequentially from the current location.
* Random
Start files randomly.
* Sequential no VDP
Same as "Sequential" but does not display back SofaRun brower screen.
Useful to mix VGM and MIG files.
* Random no VDP
Same as "Sequential no VDP" but in random order.
** SofaRun and default settings **
This will invoke another menu allowing you to edit the default
settings inherited by all games. There are also some extra "SofaRun
settings" in this menu (see "SofaRun settings" section below).
** Memory **
Displays the avaible memory for TPA (in bytes) and for segments (on
segment is 16KB).
** Quit SofaRun **
Returns to MSX-DOS 2.
** ZIP filter **
You can specifiy here a filter used when displaying ZIP files
content. That can be specially useful if your ROMs are named based
on the TOSEC naming convention. Keyboard input is allowed.
The filter is using a classic wildcard system with "*" and "?":
* "?" matches any single character.
* "*" matches any sequence of characters.
Here are some examples:
* "Z*" display all files starting with letter Z.
* "*.ROM" display all ROM files.
* "*(KONAMI)*" display all files released by Konami.
* "*(199?)*" display all files released in the nineties.
** Clean temporary files **
This deletes all temporary files generated by SofaRun from in
the "TMPPATH" directory, including *.UNZ directories. Use this if
you run out of disk space or to solve corrupted files issues.
* .UNZ files are individual files extracted from ZIP files.
* .UNZ directories are generated when using the [Extract all]
command on ZIP files.
** Forget last flashed ROM **
Tells SofaROM to forget about ROMs flashed on non-volatile ROM
devices. This forces a reflash on next game launch.
** New directory **
Create a new directory in the current directory.
** New file **
Create a new file in the current directory.
** Cut all **
Select all files and directories in the current directory for later
pasting. All selected files and directories will be deleted after
pasting.
** Copy all **
Select all files and directories in the current directory for later
pasting.
** Delete all **
Delete all files and directories recursively in the current directory.
** Paste <file_or_directory> **
Paste the previously copied file or directory in current directory.
Directories are copied recursively.
** Rename <file_or_directory> **
Delete the current file or directory.
** Cut <file_or_directory> **
Select the current file or directory in the current directory for later
pasting.
** Copy <file_or_directory> **
Copy the current file or directory for later pasting.
** Delete <file_or_directory> **
Delete the current file or directory. Directories are completely
and recursively deleted.
** Back **
Returns to the game or ZIP browser.
===================================================================
SofaRun settings
===================================================================
Those settings are only available in the "Quit" menu "SofaRun
settings".
** Show all files: **
Toggles display of all files or only supported ones. You can use
this to check your hard disk or SDCard for other files. Note that
nothing happens if you select a non-supported file in the game
browser.
** Show command line: **
Display the command line created when SofaRun launches an external
application.
** Show free space: **
Displays the availble free space on the current drive in the game
browser. This takes some time and slows down the display, users
with a non-turbo machine might prefer to disable it.
** Quiet launch: **
Do not display any text or ask for launch confirmation when
launching a .DSK or .ROM image.
** Video mode: **
(MSX 2 only)
Choose between 50Hz or 60Hz video modes for SofaRun's UI display.
** Text color: **
Choose the text color SofaRun's UI display.
** Background color: **
Choose the background color SofaRun's UI display.
** Force 40 columns: **
(MSX 2 only)
Force UI display in 40 columns mode instead of 80 on MSX 2
machines.
===================================================================
The SR.INI file
===================================================================
You can setup different things in this file. Each section is
documented, just have a look at the file. You can edit it directly
from SofaRun.
Below is the default SR.INI file bundled with SofaRun:
####################################################################
[SYSTEM]
####################################################################
# Path where your save files (PAC-SRAM (.SRM), ROM or Game Master
# files, user disks (.USR)) will be placed (current directory if
# not defined).
SAVEPATH=A:\SAVES
# Path where ZIP-extracted files (.UNZ) and patched ROMs (.PRM) will
# be placed (current directory if not defined).
TMPPATH=A:\TMP
# Path where game (.GST) and SofaRun (SR.SST) settings files will be
# placed (current directory if not defined).
SETTINGSPATH=A:\SETTINGS
####################################################################
[QUICKLAUNCH]
####################################################################
# %s: SofaRun directory (e.g. A:\SOFARUN\)
# %c: COMMAND2.COM path (e.g. A:\COMMAND2.COM)
BASIC=%c basic
RUN"CAS:"=%c BASIC %sCASRUN.LDR
BLOAD"CAS:",r=%c BASIC %sCASBLOAD.LDR
CLOAD=%c BASIC %sCASCLOAD.LDR
HIDtest=%sHIDTEST.COM
Reset=%c reset
SofaSet=%sSS.COM
#_LD=%c BASIC %sCALLLD.LDR
#Update local=%c A:\DEVICES\GR8NET\UPDLOCAL.BAT
#Update remote=%c A:\DEVICES\GR8NET\UPDREMOT.BAT
####################################################################
[EXTS]
####################################################################
# *1: internal ROM (ROM image) handling
# *2: internal CAS (tape image) handling
# *3: internal DSK (disk image) handling
# *4: internal ZIP (zipped file) handling
# %s: SofaRun directory path (e.g. A:\SOFARUN\)
# %f: Selected file path (e.g. MYGAME.ROM)
# %c: COMMAND2.COM path (e.g. A:\COMMAND2.COM)
ROM=*1
CAS=*2
DSK=*3
ZIP=*4
BAT=%c %f
BAS=%c BASIC %f
LDR=%c BASIC %f
COM=%f
TXT=%sAKID.COM %f;Edit
INI=%sAKID.COM %f;Edit
BAT=%sAKID.COM %f;Edit
AD4=%sADAM.COM %f
AD5=%sADAM.COM %f
AD8=%sADAM.COM %f
MIG=%sMIGVIEW.COM %f;View
VGM=%sVGMPLAY.COM %f;Play
# To be used with AutoStart to mix pictures and sound
#MIG=%sMIGVIEW.COM /U /A120 %f;View
#VGM=%sVGMPLAY.COM /U %f;Play
SG=%sSG1000.COM %f;Run with SG1000 MMM
SG=%sSG1000F.COM %f;Run with SG1000 Franky
#MID=A:\DEVICES\TADAMIDI\SZMMP.COM /U1 %f
#MID=A:\DEVICES\MIDIPAC\MIDIPLAY.COM %f
####################################################################
[PALETTES]
####################################################################
# Palette configurations
#
# Format is <name>=<color_code>*16
#
# <name> is the name displayed in SofaRun.
#
# <color_code> is composed of 3 digits between 0 and 7, in RGB
# order. For example 700 is red, 070 is green, 007 is blue, and 777
# is white.
CoolColors= 000 000 253 364 125 236 521 357 632 742 762 774 142 524 555 777
MSX1= 000 000 051 263 237 347 632 167 732 743 552 663 041 635 666 777
Gray scales= 000 000 444 555 222 333 222 555 333 444 555 666 333 444 666 777
Green scales=000 000 040 050 020 030 020 050 030 040 050 060 030 040 060 070
===================================================================
ZIP files support
===================================================================
Selecting a ZIP file from the game browser displays its contents in
a way quite similar to the game browser. "Game" and "Quit" menus
are available and work the same way.
When a game file is selected, it is extracted to a "cache" file
with extenstion replaced with ".UNZ". Those .UNZ files are not
displayed by default by SofaRun. You can delete them using
"Clean temporary files" from the "Quit" menu.
The [Extract all] command allows to extract the whole content of
the ZIP file (including sub-directories) to a directory. This
directory is made of the ZIP file base name (file name without
extension), and placed in the "TMPPATH" (that you can define in
SR.INI).
===================================================================
Error messages
===================================================================
* "Bad signature in <ZIPfile>"
<ZIPfile> seems corrupted.
* "Unable to open <file>"
<file> does not exist or can't be opened for some reasons.
* "Unable to create <file_or_directory>"
<file_or_directory> can't be created for some reasons.
* "Out of TPA memory"
The current directory or ZIP file is too big. Try to split your
games in several smaller directories or ZIP files.
* "Out of segments"
You need more available segmented memory. See the "Requirements"
section for details.
* MSX-DOS 2 errors
When an MSX-DOS 2 error happens (disk write protected
for example), you'll get a menu in which you can choose to
Retry, Ignore or Abort the current operation.
===================================================================
Thanks
===================================================================
Thanks are flying to (no special order):
* FRS for JOYTEST.COM, his help on JoyMega and the CoolColors
palette.
* Grauw for his great VGMPLAY.COM tool.
* Lars the 18th for v2.4 title GFX.
* Martos for LOADCAS.COM and TAPE2CAS.COM.
* NearDark for providing sources of they RunIt tool.
* Nestor Soriano for Nextor.
* The openMSX & BlueMSX teams for their awesome emulators.
* GDX for SG-1000 launchers.
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