I received my front-lit GP32 beast last week, and while I've been bragging and showing it off to all my friends, truth is I cannot get the darned thing to work. I've read every GP32 FAQ and manual I could find on the internet, and have downloaded working USB drivers for the unit, etc., but I always receive a series of "timed out", "error during GP32 process", or "communication error" messages before I can format the Smartmedia card or install Free Launcher. My OS is Windows 98 Second Edition.
To be more precise, I've tried:
1. All English versions of PC-Link I could get my hands on: 0.9, 1.2, 1.3, 1.3.1.
2. All English versions of PC-Link I could get my hands on, on my dad's Dell computer, admittedly also using Win98SE.
3. A "USB 1.0 fix" for my VIA Chipset from the company's web site. evildragon said regarding another owner's problem on this forum: "Could be an AMD PC with Via-Chipset...They always have USB Problems..."
4. Running Test Mode on my GP32. Everything worked fine, with the exception of UART, which gave me "timed out" errors, but I'm not sure what UART means anyway.
5. Emailing brian at gamepark dot com. No response. I'm lucky this community is so friendly and helpful, and there are so many knowledgeable GP32 owners willing to help. Wink. But seriously.
6. Three different Smartmedia cards, two Sandisk and one Samsung.
7. Fresh batteries, 1800mah rechargeables.
8. Threatening/cursing my GP32. This lead to tears and forced apologies.
9. Praying.
Should I give up and shell out the cash for a Reader/Writer? I don't really need the extra speed, because I know I'll tire after uploading a couple movie scenes (from Ghost World, Being There, and Legend of Drunken Master, already encoded ). Using a Reader/Writer, will I still be able to install programs such as Moviepark and ScummGP to the unit? Or could I transfer only files like mp3s, movies and roms?
Really, I just wanna play some good old NES classics on my lunch break. Please help me, I will appreciate you even trying! Thank you.
To be more precise, I've tried:
1. All English versions of PC-Link I could get my hands on: 0.9, 1.2, 1.3, 1.3.1.
2. All English versions of PC-Link I could get my hands on, on my dad's Dell computer, admittedly also using Win98SE.
3. A "USB 1.0 fix" for my VIA Chipset from the company's web site. evildragon said regarding another owner's problem on this forum: "Could be an AMD PC with Via-Chipset...They always have USB Problems..."
4. Running Test Mode on my GP32. Everything worked fine, with the exception of UART, which gave me "timed out" errors, but I'm not sure what UART means anyway.
5. Emailing brian at gamepark dot com. No response. I'm lucky this community is so friendly and helpful, and there are so many knowledgeable GP32 owners willing to help. Wink. But seriously.
6. Three different Smartmedia cards, two Sandisk and one Samsung.
7. Fresh batteries, 1800mah rechargeables.
8. Threatening/cursing my GP32. This lead to tears and forced apologies.
9. Praying.
Should I give up and shell out the cash for a Reader/Writer? I don't really need the extra speed, because I know I'll tire after uploading a couple movie scenes (from Ghost World, Being There, and Legend of Drunken Master, already encoded ). Using a Reader/Writer, will I still be able to install programs such as Moviepark and ScummGP to the unit? Or could I transfer only files like mp3s, movies and roms?
Really, I just wanna play some good old NES classics on my lunch break. Please help me, I will appreciate you even trying! Thank you.