NaoPi - a Raspberry Pi as Naomi loader

[Paolo63]

Hi all, NaoPi is a minimal linux distribution for Raspberry Pi which only purpose is to load Naomi games.
I've made it just to learn something new but I hope it will interest you.

It's usage I think it's easier and cheaper than a typical compact flash adapter.

First you have to put the NaoPi image on an SD card, the games on an USB memory stick, and both in a Raspberry Pi model B.

Then you connect the Raspberry Pi to the properly configured Net Dimm Board via an Ethernet cable and finally you switch on everything.

I've naturally tested it in my Naomi installation but I'd like a lot to have others trying it in different configurations. Is there someone wanting to give it a try, please ?

I've put all the stuff, image and instructions, here: http://www.e-venturi.com/jamma/?page_id=1073

Thanks in advance

Paolo

[Spectre]

Fantastic idea, how exactly does this work? I.e. will it load a given image by default, or do you need a monitor connected to the Pi to select one etc

[joeks]

I have no experience with a Raspberry Pi yet, but if this thing can automatically netboot Mario Kart GP to my Triforce I would be very interested!

[Paolo63]

Hi, thanks.
As I've wrote on that link the basic idea is to have it super simple, i.e. only a Raspberry Pi. So in this minimal form the game loaded is the first one, in alphabetical order, present on the usb memory stick. If you want to load another game you make it to be the first, for instance prepending 000 to the filename.
But the "real hackers" can build a super simple circuit with a dip switch to select what game to load.
I could also use a typical buttons and lcd shield but I don't want people have to spend more than for a Raspberry Pi
Attaching a monitor and a keyboard you can decide what game to load, but then is simpler to rename the files on the usb as i wrote.

About the Triforce. I'm using the great triforcetools.py behind NaoPi so, probably it will work but I can't test it.

I've a Triforce type 3 too but I need to know from you who seems to have one, if you can now netbooting it using a computer... I need to know how do you do (using the python scripts or via transfergame ?) and expecially what firmware versions are reported on the system info menu... please...

Paolo

[geotrig]

very nice simple solution

[Paolo63]

very nice simple solution

That's it ! Thanks.... now I simply need someone reporting it's working in his Naomi too

[Stompp]

Cool! I've been working on a similar solution but had to shelve the project due to other projects

[Paolo63]

Ehehe, we are all on the same boat... but luckily I broke a leg a couple weeks ago so i've found the time to work on it... too many great projects and no free time...

thanks... and if you can please try it

Paolo

[emphatic]

Very cool stuff!

[RoZioN]

Finally a cheap easy solution! Will buy a rasberry pi tonight! Thanks for sharing!

[Paolo63]

Thanks, hope you'll report here... hope it works, ther'is so much people starting to try....

[Spectre]

I'll look into this too, particularly if I can easily splice off the power for the Pi from my cab

[Paolo63]

Sure, it's a regulated +5 so I think there will be no problem

[RoZioN]

I hope so too. Im pretty bad with linux overall. but all I need to to is to transfer the distribution files to the SDcard? Which fileformat should the SDcard be in? I bought a regular CAT5 straight cable, that should work since you have a virtual router in the dist?

[Paolo63]

You don't have to worry about the sd formatting, it will be done automatically when you'll write the image in it following the instructions (or the instruction on how to write another image on an sd for a raspi). There is no linux involved for the user, here
Naturally it's linux inside, but you don't have to mess with it
As the info on my site say you've only to transfer the distribution on the sd card and copy your games (zeroed and with a filename ending with a lowercase .bin) on the usb memory stick, in a folder called naopi.
About the kind of ethernet cable there should be no problem if it's straight or cross. The raspi shoul be autosensing and adapt to whatever you use.
I've tried to make this stuff the most straightforward i could

[joeks]

Sounds absolutely perfect for my needs Paolo!
I would put only Mario Kart GP 2 (Triforce Type 3) on this usb-stick, and just wait for it to boot


Normally I use a laptop, cross-cable and transfergame.exe to load my games (Naomi, Triforce and Chihiro).
Have to buy a Raspberry and try your sofware!

[FrancoB]

Cool stuff

If I didn't already have a CF setup I would definitely give this a go.

[Paolo63]

Great ! That's the right usb memory to use
Can you please tell me all the data on the system info menu of your triforce type 3 ?
I've one but I can't netboot it and I'd like to know if it's a firmware problem as i think.
Thanks

[joeks]

@Paolo, I will check the firmware version on my Triforce tonight when I get home.

PS. Raspberry Pi and usb-stick ordered! Looking forward to testing it.

[RoZioN]

I used applepi to transfer the img to the SD, but had to rename the file as .img

did I mess something up changing the file ending?