You guys are either gonna get sick of me asking questions or get sick of me apologizing for them, but I'm trying to not be rude or TOO needy and nooby. Hopefully you guys won't hate me for this but I apologize once again if these questions are getting annoying. I guess I just realized that there's questions I have about how this thing works and it would be better if I just put down the ones that I can think of. In no order, here they are, please be patient with me!
My unit is a 166mhz BLU+.
1. Is there a version of the firmware that's commonly considered the best as far as ease of use and freedom from bugs? If so, which? Is it always just the current version?
2. Can the firmware easily or quickly be switched between in case one version is better for certain things? I hear Final Fantasy 3 is affected by this.
3. I see that games like Doom and Wolfenstein are available, but I sometimes see that they require shareware or other files. Can I play the PC versions of these two games on my gp32 using files only found on this site (it's the only one I feel I can trust for sure), and if so, is it as simple as flashing them, then double-clicking?
4. Am I even using the term "flashing" right? It does refer to the process of connecting my SMC card, dragging files to the application on my PC, and "saving" it to the card, right?
5. From the standpoint of a newbie, is it difficult to get the gp32 started? Mine's used and should therefore already have lots of stuff on it. But eventually I'll change or add some, so is it easy to connect and do this? I mean, does it speak in a language of numbers and versions to the point that I won't know exactly what's being changed, or is it a simple "drag files here to add to the SMC" and "Click here to delete files from the SMC" type of affair?
6. Can the light on my BLU+ ever be turned off?
7. As far as what's safer and easier on the system, what is better- rechargable batteries or an adaptor?
8. Is there a place other than filesharing networks where movies or episodes of shows such as the Simpsons are available to flash? Just yes or no, you don't need to direct me unless you wish to pm me.
9. Speaking of which, if the unit has a video player, can the files I play on it be in .wmv format or do they have to be changed or encrypted or something?
10. Since I bought a used unit, should I be concerned about the fact that I hear about having to register the unit and specify it with passwords and stuff, or does the unit even still have to do that?
11. Can I alter the appearance of my gp32 menu screen, such as placing the jpeg of my choice as wallpaper?
12. I see a topic about the BLU+ having a bad screen. Are all BLU+ equipped with this screen, the one from Taiwan, and if so, has the problem been corrected with recent applications? It was an old post.
13. Firmware again- If I'm satisfied with how my gp32 performs and don't care to change its functions or interface, will I ever have to flash firmware or similar "system update" type of things at all?
14. As a fan of Lucasarts games, I'd like to play Monkey Island on the gp32. Since this runs on the SCUMM engine, what do I need to do? Are these games emulated and I just drag the roms into the emu, or do I need to flash both the original PC game roms and a Scumm application or something?
15. Lastly, can I save in all my games? Barring specific game glitches, do I save any of my Nes and Snes games by doing so at their programmed locations in-game, or do I pause and do a save state? If so, do the save states appear in their own spot on the gp32, always to stay until erased over?
Okay, that covers the vast majority of specific things I was wondering about with the GP32. I know that a lot of this stuff may seem impatient, silly, or a waste of time to some of you, and for that I'm sorry. Long story short is that I bought my system used online and await its arrival, and I just want to know everything i can to make sure I know what I'm doing and have some kind of familiarity, so if a problem does occur I can be better prepared to handle it on my own.
Thank you all VERY MUCH to anyone who can answer these questions directly. If anyone can take the time to answer them all, thank you and that's cool. If you just wanna answer an individual question please just tell me which number and explain the answer. remember, I'm a noob, and I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm trying to be as friendly and un-annoying as possible, so please bear with me!
Thank you all for any help. My unit is a 166 mhz gp32 BLU+.
My unit is a 166mhz BLU+.
1. Is there a version of the firmware that's commonly considered the best as far as ease of use and freedom from bugs? If so, which? Is it always just the current version?
2. Can the firmware easily or quickly be switched between in case one version is better for certain things? I hear Final Fantasy 3 is affected by this.
3. I see that games like Doom and Wolfenstein are available, but I sometimes see that they require shareware or other files. Can I play the PC versions of these two games on my gp32 using files only found on this site (it's the only one I feel I can trust for sure), and if so, is it as simple as flashing them, then double-clicking?
4. Am I even using the term "flashing" right? It does refer to the process of connecting my SMC card, dragging files to the application on my PC, and "saving" it to the card, right?
5. From the standpoint of a newbie, is it difficult to get the gp32 started? Mine's used and should therefore already have lots of stuff on it. But eventually I'll change or add some, so is it easy to connect and do this? I mean, does it speak in a language of numbers and versions to the point that I won't know exactly what's being changed, or is it a simple "drag files here to add to the SMC" and "Click here to delete files from the SMC" type of affair?
6. Can the light on my BLU+ ever be turned off?
7. As far as what's safer and easier on the system, what is better- rechargable batteries or an adaptor?
8. Is there a place other than filesharing networks where movies or episodes of shows such as the Simpsons are available to flash? Just yes or no, you don't need to direct me unless you wish to pm me.
9. Speaking of which, if the unit has a video player, can the files I play on it be in .wmv format or do they have to be changed or encrypted or something?
10. Since I bought a used unit, should I be concerned about the fact that I hear about having to register the unit and specify it with passwords and stuff, or does the unit even still have to do that?
11. Can I alter the appearance of my gp32 menu screen, such as placing the jpeg of my choice as wallpaper?
12. I see a topic about the BLU+ having a bad screen. Are all BLU+ equipped with this screen, the one from Taiwan, and if so, has the problem been corrected with recent applications? It was an old post.
13. Firmware again- If I'm satisfied with how my gp32 performs and don't care to change its functions or interface, will I ever have to flash firmware or similar "system update" type of things at all?
14. As a fan of Lucasarts games, I'd like to play Monkey Island on the gp32. Since this runs on the SCUMM engine, what do I need to do? Are these games emulated and I just drag the roms into the emu, or do I need to flash both the original PC game roms and a Scumm application or something?
15. Lastly, can I save in all my games? Barring specific game glitches, do I save any of my Nes and Snes games by doing so at their programmed locations in-game, or do I pause and do a save state? If so, do the save states appear in their own spot on the gp32, always to stay until erased over?
Okay, that covers the vast majority of specific things I was wondering about with the GP32. I know that a lot of this stuff may seem impatient, silly, or a waste of time to some of you, and for that I'm sorry. Long story short is that I bought my system used online and await its arrival, and I just want to know everything i can to make sure I know what I'm doing and have some kind of familiarity, so if a problem does occur I can be better prepared to handle it on my own.
Thank you all VERY MUCH to anyone who can answer these questions directly. If anyone can take the time to answer them all, thank you and that's cool. If you just wanna answer an individual question please just tell me which number and explain the answer. remember, I'm a noob, and I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm trying to be as friendly and un-annoying as possible, so please bear with me!
Thank you all for any help. My unit is a 166 mhz gp32 BLU+.