How To Set Up A Rom File For Gngeo2x

[Shikaku]

How to set up a ROM file for Gngeo2x, or how to make the game work if it doesn't when you just put it in.

There are 2 things you can do to fix this:

1.Edit the files for the romrc
2.Edit the romrc for the files

Here's how to do 1:

Open the romrc file that is inside the Gngeo2x folder. Next, search for the game name in question in the romrc. Let's just say I'm trying to get King of Fighters 2002 to run for this example (go ahead and extract it in a new folder or some other place):

Here's the whole contents of the zip file of my version that I have:

265-m1d.bin
265_c1.bin
265_c2.bin
265_c3.bin
265_c4.bin
265_c5.bin
265_c6.bin
265_c7.bin
265_c8.bin
265_p1.bin
265_p2.bin
265_s1.bin
265_v1.bin
265_v2.bin
265_v3.bin
265_v4.bin

Here's what the romrc is asking for:

game kof2k2 MVS "The King of Fighter 2002"
CPU 0x500000
kof2k2_p1.rom 0x0 0x100000 NORM
kof2k2_p2.rom 0x100000 0x400000 NORM
END
SFIX 0x20000
kof2k2_s1.rom 0x0 0x20000 NORM
END
SM1 0x40000
kof2k2_m1.rom 0x0 0x40000 NORM
END
SOUND1 0x1000000
kof2k2_v1.rom 0x0 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v2.rom 0x400000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v3.rom 0x800000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v4.rom 0xc00000 0x400000 NORM
END
GFX 0x4000000
kof2k2_c1.rom 0x0000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c2.rom 0x0000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c3.rom 0x1000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c4.rom 0x1000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c5.rom 0x2000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c6.rom 0x2000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c7.rom 0x3000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
kof2k2_c8.rom 0x3000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
END
END

As you can see, there is a kind of basic structure here for the filenaming:

*gamecode*_[letter of data type]#.bin or rom

The d before the . means it is decrypted, which is good for us. Now we have to change everything to match the romrc. Nothing too complicated, make sure it is .bin or .rom if it says so in the romrc, change the p's that match with the p's, s's with s's, v's with v's, c's with c's, you get the drill, it's just simple renaming. I renamed them in the order that it goes down the romrc.

kof2k2_p1.rom
kof2k2_p2.rom
kof2k2_s1.rom
kof2k2_m1.rom
kof2k2_v1.rom
kof2k2_v2.rom
kof2k2_v3.rom
kof2k2_v4.rom
kof2k2_c1.rom
kof2k2_c2.rom
kof2k2_c3.rom
kof2k2_c4.rom
kof2k2_c5.rom
kof2k2_c6.rom
kof2k2_c7.rom
kof2k2_c8.rom

Now, here's the tricky part: there may be more or less m's, p's, or s's. If there is, and if there isn't another set that matches this, or if the sizes do not match with the size in hexadecimal in the romrc (it might not work if so, but try it anyway) we have to add the ROM to the romrc ourselves.

Here's how to do 2:

We gotta use a little hexadecimal for this, so bear with me here.

Here's how to add your own entry to the romrc. Note that you need the sizes for the files, and that you need to look up the game line, and GFX portion in romrc from the same game, and copy it to the new one, changing the GFX filenames as needed. Pretending that King of Fighters 2002 didn't work, we start with this:

game kof2k2v2 MVS "The King of Fighter 2002"
GFX 0x4000000
265_c1.bin 0x0000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c2.bin 0x0000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c3.bin 0x1000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c4.bin 0x1000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c5.bin 0x2000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c6.bin 0x2000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c7.bin 0x3000000 0x800000 ALTERNATE
265_c8.bin 0x3000001 0x800000 ALTERNATE
END
END

Notice the 2 ends, and the CHANGED game name for the game. The zip has to be named this (kof2k2v2.zip), and there cannot be duplicate game names in the romrc.

Next, we have to add the other parts. However, you are going to have to check the size yourself, and see how big it is. This is where the hexadecimal comes in, but it is not complicated at all. Let's analyze some parts of the romrc to understand it a little better:

If there is only 1 file, it's quite simple:

SFIX 0x20000
kof2k2_s1.rom 0x0 0x20000 NORM
END

Since the only file is 128 KB (0x20000), we have to allocate only that file. SFIX 0x20000 means begin preparing to load the file with a total of 0x20000. kof2k2_s1.rom 0x0 0x20000 NORM means load the file kof2k2_s1.rom beginning at 0 that is 0x20000 large, completing it with END.

However, there is usually multiple files, so here's how to handle that:

SOUND1 0x1000000
kof2k2_v1.rom 0x0 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v2.rom 0x400000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v3.rom 0x800000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v4.rom 0xc00000 0x400000 NORM
END

The SOUND1 parts in total takes 16 MB (from SOUND1 0x1000000). These 16 MB are comprised of 4 files: kof2k2_v1.rom, kof2k2_v2.rom, kof2k2_v3.rom and kof2k2_v4.rom. kof2k2_v1.rom 0x0 0x400000 NORM means this: begin loading kof2k2_v1.rom at 0, and load the whole file which is 0x400000 (4 MB). kof2k2_v2.rom 0x400000 0x400000 NORM means this: now from 0x400000 because we have loaded the previous file already, add this 0x400000 (4 MB) file as well, making the whole 0x800000. kof2k2_v3.rom 0x800000 0x400000 NORM means this: now from 0x800000 because we have loaded the previous files already, add this 0x400000 (4 MB) file as well, making the whole 0xc00000. kof2k2_v4.rom 0xc00000 0x400000 NORM means this: now from 0xc00000 because we have loaded the previous files already, add this 0x400000 (4 MB) file as well, making the whole 0x1000000 and thus completing the whole SOUND1 with END.

Basically, add each part yourself using these guidelines, and looking at the romrc for examples. It's not too complicated, but there is 1 thing you have to make sure you do EVERYTIME: SAVE IN UNIX FORMAT! Use Programmer's Notepad to save the romrc in Unix Format, or use this tool:

http://www.gp2x.de/cgi-bin/cfiles.cgi?0,0,0,0,15,1422

Hopefully this will be helpful to lots of people, I had to figure all this out on my own =)

 

[shinneri]

Nice guide, Shikaku. It's now up on Gamepark newbie as well.

I never tried the Neo Geo emulator.. maybe I will now.

 

[Shikaku]

OO, I completely forgot! You have to rezip the files when your done. Just use any zipper, and make sure that it matches the game name that either it says or you say.

Ooops =/

 

[stormyandcold]

great guide!

I started writing 1 myself a week ago but urs is much more technical and complete.

still...if only gngeo would support neoragex roms or even have it's compatibility. renaming roms becomes very tedious very quickly.

Have to search around for complete roms as some sets miss certain files while some files are different sizes. You may have to rebuild rom sets urself from a few different roms. I found this was needed to get mslug3n working.

Btw, if after rebuilding u get corrupted gfx in-game then uv probably got the wrong c files (they're probably encrypted). The corruption is usually noticable in the neogeo boot screen aswell; showing up as a gfx glitch.

Btw, whats the difference between mame n neoragex roms? are they cross compatible provided files are renamed?

 

[Shikaku]

Btw, if after rebuilding u get corrupted gfx in-game then uv probably got the wrong c files (they're probably encrypted). The corruption is usually noticable in the neogeo boot screen aswell; showing up as a gfx glitch.

This could also mean that other parts of the file are encrypted as well. Look for files with the d before the period (i.e, not encrypted versions).

Btw, whats the difference between mame n neoragex roms? are they cross compatible provided files are renamed?

It should be the same data, ROM dumps shouldn't change format for emulators...

Someone could make a program to do all of this automatically... However, I am not at a capacity to program at such a level yet, nor do I have time right now.

 

[Goemon4]

say what would i do for metalslug? cause i kieep getting errors when i try to load the rom (i renamed all the files and zipped them up but it wont work)


plz help

 

[xtravbx]

Hey I noticed you guys talking about graphics glitches.

Most of my Neo Geo roms do that. I wasn't sure if it was a BIOS problem, or problems with my roms.

I'm way less technical when it comes to renaming, fixing, or even understand what you mean be "encrypted"?

I jus don't really understand why I get garbled graphics. Things look very blocky, and basically is unplayable. What's strange though, is game titles and most fonts are totally clear and normal.

 

[stormyandcold]

can confirm neoragex roms work! DOH!

apart from a few like mslug3n which needs files from different sets its all good...simple file renaming is enough!

 

[purple_goat]

Is there a way to do this automatically? i.e. a program? I takes me a while <_<

 

[Shikaku]

Someone could make a program to do all of this automatically... However, I am not at a capacity to program at such a level yet, nor do I have time right now.

However, chances are that if you use such a program, it wouldn't know if it is encrypted in any way and would not be supported by Gngeo2x because of it. So if you tried a set, maybe 1/4th wouldn't work and require hand editing anyway... =/

 

[plounted]

if you use winrar, you can actually rename the files within the zipped archive.

 

[Cervante]

I got metal slug working, but I cant get the sound to work, this whole hex thing is giving me a head-ache

SOUND1 0x800000
mslug_v1.rom
0x0 0x400000 NORM
mslug_v2.rom
0x400000 0x400000 NORM
END

so what I do here is???

 

[Shikaku]

SOUND1 0x800000
mslug_v1.rom
0x0 0x400000 NORM
mslug_v2.rom
0x400000 0x400000 NORM
END

SOUND1 0x1000000
kof2k2_v1.rom 0x0 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v2.rom 0x400000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v3.rom 0x800000 0x400000 NORM
kof2k2_v4.rom 0xc00000 0x400000 NORM
END

READING FTW

 

[Lupin]

Hmm Ive loaded a number of roms onto Gngeo no problem. Ive actually found it very easy to use never had to use any Hex either I have a good source or am lucky hehe.

Cervid you try pressing Y before loading the title to activate sound?

 

[jeezy103]

can confirm neoragex roms work! DOH!

apart from a few like mslug3n which needs files from different sets its all good...simple file renaming is enough!

care to share your insights on the subject...

i got 98 neoragex roms, but no one to show me how to make-em gngeo compatible....
imkinda confused on whether to go for mame roms and neorage roms ...

lil.....HElP??!!..buddy..pal.....ehmm....Uncle???