NaoPi - a Raspberry Pi as Naomi loader

[joeks]

Yes I am here see you in the chat Paolo!

Just finished a couple tests after editting the naopi.py (for adding the time delay).
You can read the log here log http://pastebin.com/EfXkc5xL"

Doesn't work just yet, but at least now it does SOMETHING everytime

After powering the Triforce and Pi on, I see the normal Triforce boot logo.
Then after a couple seconds I hear the reboot sound but screen stays on "waiting for network".. which is a bit strange afaik.
Normally the reboot sound and logo animation appear at the same time, together.
EDIT: After booting, Triforce displays "checking network please wait.."
Then after about 20-30 seconds it reboots into "error 31 - game not acceptable by main board".
The 20-30 seconds can't be a complete game transfer, right? normally using transfergame it takes about 1-2 minutes?

Triforce set like this:
network type = ether
remote = enable
region = export (which used to work with mariokartgp2.bin)

Keeps coming up with error 31 - game not acceptable by main board.

Wouldn't it be possible to test it with a fixed ip?
like i can enter the ip to my triforce in naopi.cfg or something?

Thanks for your time Paolo!

[Paolo63]

I've sent you a pm, and I'm on the chat
and thanks

and these are the switches. To netboot they are both on (up in this image). When the triforce was set as gdrom the #2 (the right one) was off (down)




Paolo

[Paolo63]

Ok, now I've updated my Triforce using the system update inside the VS 2006 image and I've the same values as firmware as yours, still the NaoPi loader works flawlessy...
we will find the culprit !
perhaps...

[andygeezer]

My memory is poor, but someone told me mkgp games dont netboot via python script.

He might have been a dumbarse though.

[geotrig]

My memory is poor, :

sounds like my memory these days

[Paolo63]

My memory is poor, but someone told me mkgp games dont netboot via python script.

He might have been a dumbarse though.

Hi Andy, nice to read you

As a fact in my Triforce I can easily net boot the mkgp using the triforcetools script, via NaoPi or PC, as you can see in the picture below, but it's a fact also that the good old joeks can't

For sure the python implementation is minimal, it's not like the transfergame. The triforcetools script does not check if the loading is going ok. As an example if I put back the #2 switch to off, returning to a gdrom triforce, the triforcetools "upload" the game till the end while the transfergame doesn't even start, probably interpreting a game feedback.

But actually we have the same hardware (a raspberry and a triforce type 3) and the same software (NaoPi and the same firmware version as seen from the triforce system info) but something is not working for him.
Cables ? A little too fast raspberry ? Security chip ? What else ?

Sadly it's not easy for me to find the problem from remote although joeks has been super collaborative.

I don't know... I'm thinking

Paolo

[andygeezer]

My memory is poor, but someone told me mkgp games dont netboot via python script.

He might have been a dumbarse though.

Hi Andy, nice to read you

As a fact in my Triforce I can easily net boot the mkgp using the triforcetools script, via NaoPi or PC, as you can see in the picture below, but it's a fact also that the good old joeks can't

For sure the python implementation is minimal, it's not like the transfergame. The triforcetools script does not check if the loading is going ok. As an example if I put back the #2 switch to off, returning to a gdrom triforce, the triforcetools "upload" the game till the end while the transfergame doesn't even start, probably interpreting a game feedback.

But actually we have the same hardware (a raspberry and a triforce type 3) and the same software (NaoPi and the same firmware version as seen from the triforce system info) but something is not working for him.
Cables ? A little too fast raspberry ? Security chip ? What else ?

Sadly it's not easy for me to find the problem from remote although joeks has been super collaborative.

I don't know... I'm thinking

Paolo

Solution for some was a null netboot PIC chip, while all type3 triforces look the same there is quite a few FPGA firmwares present. Yours sounds like it has a stock one as vs4 wants to update the firmware.

[Paolo63]

Solution for some was a null netboot PIC chip, while all type3 triforces look the same there is quite a few FPGA firmwares present. Yours sounds like it has a stock one as vs4 wants to update the firmware.

It's not still clear for me if there are different versions of null/net boot PIC chip.

Anyway, using the only PIC I've (the same I've used for the Naomi), I "netboted" when I had these versions:
main (boot: 2.17 - firm: 0.44 - fpga: 7.09) dimm (firm: 1.15) - net (firm: 12.11)
and I continue to boot via net now that I've updated my Triforce using the VS4 system update to these versions:
main (boot: 3.01 - firm: 0.44 - fpga: 7.09) dimm (firm: 3.06) - net (firm: 13.05)
and always using the same PIC
The FPGA code has not changed (at least not the version) and now I'm aligned with the versions joeks has.
I'm pointing at the PIC now, do you know there are different versions ?

Thanks !

Paolo

[andygeezer]

Solution for some was a null netboot PIC chip, while all type3 triforces look the same there is quite a few FPGA firmwares present. Yours sounds like it has a stock one as vs4 wants to update the firmware.

It's not still clear for me if there are different versions of null/net boot PIC chip.

Anyway, using the only PIC I've (the same I've used for the Naomi), I "netboted" when I had these versions:
main (boot: 2.17 - firm: 0.44 - fpga: 7.09) dimm (firm: 1.15) - net (firm: 12.11)
and I continue to boot via net now that I've updated my Triforce using the VS4 system update to these versions:
main (boot: 3.01 - firm: 0.44 - fpga: 7.09) dimm (firm: 3.06) - net (firm: 13.05)
and always using the same PIC
The FPGA code has not changed (at least not the version) and now I'm aligned with the versions joeks has.
I'm pointing at the PIC now, do you know there are different versions ?

Thanks !

Paolo

Net boot PIC is a one or two byte difference over a regular PIC.

Some so called net boot pics for sale do not work. I'd say the PIC is the issue here.

[geotrig]

well gave it a quick test last night with the naomi and works great ....after 20 mins of realising i didn't create the naopi folder o\ that is but nice simple solution paolo63

Didnt have a whole lot of time ,but gave it a quick go in the chihiro as well ,didnt get it to work but i havent used the chihiro in ages and may have it setup wrong as it wouldnt boot from transfergame either ,i could have changed it back for gdroms or something the last time i used it.

[joeks]

I have it working flawless on my Naomi 2 mobo with netdimm. The netdimm doesn't need the zero pic inserted.
Great and super easy way too load games without opening the cabinet or grabbing my laptop and cross-cable each time.

When I use it on my Triforce with zero pic inserted (Paolo told me the Triforce does need a zero pic for now, Naomi doesn't).
it doesn't work properly. I tested two zero pic's / netboot chips which do work when loading a game trough transfergame.exe.
So the chips seem to be ok.

Didn't think of it before, but I have a zero pic for my Chihiro (Type 3) too, which I can probably test on the Triforce as well!

[Paolo63]

I have it working flawless on my Naomi 2 mobo with netdimm. The netdimm doesn't need the zero pic inserted.
Great and super easy way too load games without opening the cabinet or grabbing my laptop and cross-cable each time.

When I use it on my Triforce with zero pic inserted (Paolo told me the Triforce does need a zero pic for now, Naomi doesn't).
it doesn't work properly. I tested two zero pic's / netboot chips which do work when loading a game trough transfergame.exe.
So the chips seem to be ok.

Didn't think of it before, but I have a zero pic for my Chihiro (Type 3) too, which I can probably test on the Triforce as well!

Thanks for the review

I don't know about the pic swapping between Chihiro and the other two (Naomi and Triforce) but I believe it's doable.
Then another question: at the beginning of this "tests session" you had the Naomi not booting too, do you know why ? Were you using the pic on them at that time ?
Anyway I've just (half an hour ago) sent you my Raspberry Pi and my security chip, the same I was using here having no problems booting my Triforce type 3. We'll see

Last thing, I'm thinking at a super easy way to make the game selectable without even building the dip switch thing I've published on my site:

I'll call it the "poor man selector" and it will be simply done by jumpers. What's more easy ?! No soldering at all ! Not so many selections possible as with dip switches, but better than one only
Or for the "riches" I'm thinking at this solution: http://www.ebay.it/itm/Read-your-Pi-16x ... 1245193857"
but first let's try to understand why my Triforce type 3 can boot and your not

Thanks

Paolo

[mchay]

Finally got my colleague's spare Raspberry Pi today - hoping to test NaoPi this weekend

[geotrig]

Well i used to use my pic from the Naomi with the chihiro type 3 and it worked ok ,again as i said it been quiet awhile since i used the chihiro (as in easily 12 months) and cant remember if it was transfergame or some python script i was running. but it definitely loaded.

Just wondering now if i was using the right pic last night
I might go back to gdrom settings on chihiro boot game and work from there.

[Paolo63]

well gave it a quick test last night with the naomi and works great ....after 20 mins of realising i didn't create the naopi folder o\ that is but nice simple solution paolo63

Didnt have a whole lot of time ,but gave it a quick go in the chihiro as well ,didnt get it to work but i havent used the chihiro in ages and may have it setup wrong as it wouldnt boot from transfergame either ,i could have changed it back for gdroms or something the last time i used it.

Eheheh, sorry for the naopi folder, I did'n want to mess with other things on someone else usb memory so I've decided to require such a folder
Great to know it works on Naomi, now the goal is to make it work on Chihiro and Triforce types 3 like it works on my Triforce here. I've just sent my security pic to joeks to see if that's really the problem like andy supposed.
I know it's no more an "hot" topic, being everyone interested already equipped with a cf adapter, and so thanks again for your tries, sons of a real "spirit of curiosity"

Paolo

[emphatic]

I really love this thread. I don't even have a system that can benefit from it, I'm just a curious guy too.

[Paolo63]

I really love this thread. I don't even have a system that can benefit from it, I'm just a curious guy too.

you seems.. emphatic !

[joeks]

Thanks for sending me your Raspberry Pi and chip for testing Paolo!
Really generous gesture. Hope it helps me sort my Triforce troubles and help you with some more testing

[Paolo63]

Thanks for sending me your Raspberry Pi and chip for testing Paolo!
Really generous gesture. Hope it helps me sort my Triforce troubles and help you with some more testing

We have a mission here, we have to sort it out !

[FrancoB]

I'm just a curious bi too.