USB Cable -- standard? included?

[jgoggan]

I bought my GP32 used and it did not come with any USB cable. Is this normal or not? The guy I got it from said that it did not come with one -- but Lik-Sang says that it does and isn't a standard cable that they sell separately.

So -- can someone confirm/deny that? Does the GP32 normally come with a USB cable? And, regardless of that, is it just a standard (A-B?) USB cable? And, if not and it is custom, can I get one somewhere?

Thanks!

- John...

 

[esoteric_]

It should most definitely come with a cable. If this guy should know what he's talking about, then he's a liar!

IT comes with a (as far as I know) custom USB Link cable. Stand USB on one end, but with a connector on the other end that mates with the port on the GP32.

You'll need this to link up and put software/mp3's/movie on your system. (Though I would recommend a cheap $14 SMC card reader/writer as it copies MUCH faster). .FPK packages can really only be installed over the regular included USB cable though.

I'd recommend talking to the guy who sold it to you? Was it used??

 

[jgoggan]

Yes, I bought it used. Maybe he lost his cable along the way...

Seems odd/dumb that it doesn't have a standard USB A-port though. It would be the same size and everything! What a waste/mistake, IMO, to have a custom USB port...

- John...

 

[Vanguard]

Actually, it wouldn't be the same size. The USB jack on the GP32 is very very small.

I agree that a standard cable would have been nice, but if it's between that and a smaller size, I'll take the smaller size every time.

Also, the fact that a GP32 can run in USB host or client mode might have something to do with it. Usually the squareish USB end is for the client only.

 

[GurtyGurt]

My digital camera has a near identical USB cable. I say near identical because I haven't actually tested it to see if it works on both and I don't have the guts to, having had bad experiences many times with anything involving cables and power (I've damaged a GBC and blown up my arcade cabinet!), but it looks like a very close match indeed. FYI it's a Canon Powershot A200.

All the same, a SMC reader will do the job. If the guy's crazy enough to sell it, it's probably because he lost it and it didn't occur to him to get a reader. If you want the cable for say, flashing your bios, your only other option is to ask Gamepark for a replacement. It might be expensive.

 

[jgoggan]

Actually, it wouldn't be the same size. The USB jack on the GP32 is very very small.

Oops. My mistake. I meant mini-USB -- which is used on cameras and such -- and IS the same size.

I'm actually thinking it may BE a mini-USB port -- but no one can tell me for sure -- and no one wants to just lug one in and see because they dont' want to blow it up.

I guess someone could at least plug in the cable -- WITHOUT the other end connected -- and tell me if it is really the same connector or not. If it is, then I bet it is a standard mini-USB and would work fine...

- John...

 

[esoteric_]

If a standard USB->MiniUSB cable doesn't work, for most things you should be able to use a card reader/writer. Even FPK's can be unpacked and installed individually.....

As for buying a replacement cable... I have no idea...

 

[jgoggan]

I was under the impression that to put anything on there really, you had to "register" your unit or something -- and that that REQUIRED the USB cable.

If I have a card reader/writer -- and I forget about the FPKs for a moment -- can I do everything else? Don't I have to connect it up to "register" it properly first? And, if not, then how do I go about getting the launcher or whatever without a USB cable connected up?

Thanks!

- John...

 

[jgoggan]

Bump! Come on, people! Someone MUST know... I have it down to two questions:

1. Can someone try a mini-USB cable and see if it fits the USB port on the GP32??

2. Is there a way to get apps to the GP32 via a SmartCard reader/writer WITHOUT a USB cable? I.e. some other way to "register" it or whatever needs to be done so that homebrew stuff can be used -- without having that cable??

Thanks!

- John...

 

[spaceboygp32x]

bump!


my USB cable is lost!! arrrghhgh

just wondering if anyone has tried to use a standard mini usb cable for the gp32? - i know it should work but i dont want to damage my gp32!

and also if i want to use a card reader/writer what software should i use to format new memory cards and upload files - im guessing that its just a case of using it as a removable drive in XP and making the right folders and copying the files into the correct ones - but I have been known to get things horribly wrong!

:blink:

J

 

[ratx]

As far as I know ( and I have a vested interest ) you can only format the card correctly for gp32 in win2k... ( or lower ) not XP. Other people have reported they have had no problem , also that they have managed to format in cameras or whatever. I guess the best approach is "suck it and see" however if you do have problems you can use my smc recoverery thing:

http://l33t.spod.org/ratx/gp32/smcrecover.zip

cheers

 

[spaceboygp32x]

so - i just use a card reader


format the smc with this image thing

and then just copy my files into the correct folders via my computer ?

sorry to be thick but?? :rolleyes:

J

 

[ratx]

yep thats about the gist of it, though obviously you only need the smc image thing if you have problems formatting in xp etc

 

[spaceboygp32x]

yep thats about the gist of it, though obviously you only need the smc image thing if you have problems formatting in xp etc

​

wow thank you so much!!

off to buy a card reader!

dont suppose it matters which brand?

J

[beeming from ear to ear]

 

[spaceboygp32x]

arrrrararrarraragh

im really screwed now!!!

i have no freelauncher now and dont have a way of getting one without my usb cable???

help help help help