Q: Where do I go to download everything needed to set up sharp x68000?
A: Everything except the main menu video can be downloaded from here. Go to emumovies to download the main menu video.
Q: Can I use the emulator I already have?
A: Please use the one included in the download because it is the right version to work with the module and also contains the correct bios (SRAM.DAT) files that allow many different types of rom files to play. The download also includes a "backup" of the SRAM.DAT stored inside SRAM.ZIP. If the emulator is ever acting really odd, replace the SRAM.DAT with a copy from inside the SRAM.ZIP folder.
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Q: In what folder do I need to store the ROM files?
A: Well, this is the ONLY thing that you will have to do differently to get this system up and running. Why? In addition to loading single disk games directly, this setup also takes advantage of many save state files (.XM6) in order to avoid multiple disk loading. Some save state files (.XM6) "point" to .HDS and/or .HDF compilation disks that house multiple games. Some save state files (.XM6) "point" to two regular old floppy disk type files (.xdf, .dim, .2hd, etc) and simply load 'em up for you so that you do not have to. Either way, the save state files (.XM6) will be "looking for" the .HDS/.HDF/.xdf/.dim files in the following exact location:
S:\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
You have THREE choices on how to make this happen. OPTION 1: If you just happen to have an external drive assigned the letter "S:", simply store the Roms in the location described directly above and you are ready to go. Just make sure you go into HLHQ global settings and select "Real" next to "Real_or_Virtual_S:_Drive". This tells the module you are using a "real" drive. See image directly below.
OPTION 2: If you do not have an external drive assigned the letter "S:", select "Virtual" and do the following. Store the Roms in ANY location you want. On any drive you want. Just make sure that the final 41 characters of the romPath are exactly "\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms". Do not start counting characters! Just make sure the romPath looks like the ones below this paragraph (see below). It DOES NOT MATTER what the blue folders are called as long as the red folders are accurately named. But make sure you do have a couple of blue folders in front of the red folders. That is all you have to do. The module will do the rest. If you are curious how the module takes care of the rest? I will tell you. The module counts the number of characters (N) in your full romPath, then subtracts 41 from that number, and then left trims the romPath (N - 41) characters, thereby assigning only the remaining 41 (red) characters to the new variable. At that point the module uses the command prompt window and the "subst" command to create a temporary virtual drive "S:\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms". The module deletes the drive upon exiting the module. Here is a little extra info: If you run Hyperspin as an administrator, the command prompt window is also launched with admin privileges and strangely you will NOT be able to see the S: virtual drive in Windows Explorer. If you run Hyperspin wihout admin privileges, you will be able to see the virtual S: drive in Windows Explorer. This is the link that I found that mentioned this fact. Scroll down to Mumblic's response. I have tested it. It is accurate.
C:\Games\Sharp\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
D:\ROMS\House\Tree\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
K:\Hyperspin\Craig\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
L:\Game Roms\X68000\Tornado\Fart\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
D:\ROMS\House\Tree\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
K:\Hyperspin\Craig\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
L:\Game Roms\X68000\Tornado\Fart\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms
OPTION 3: This was provided by dougan78 over at Hyperspin. For this option, make sure you go into HLHQ global settings and select "Real" next to "Real_or_Virtual_S:_Drive".
Option 3: Mapped Network Drive
Create a folder called Sharp X68000.
Create sub folders Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms.
All of the Roms will be in the Roms folder so this will be 4 levels deep.
Next Right click on the Sharp X68000 folder click on properties.
Click on the Sharing Tab.
Click on Advanced Sharing.
Click on checkbox for Share this folder.
Leave the default name.
Click on permissions tab.
Select Full Control for Everyone.
Click Ok. Click Ok. Click Ok.
Open Windows Explorer (Computer, My Computer, This PC).
Click Map network drive.
Select S: for the drive letter.
Click Browse and browse to your computer and find the shared Sharp X68000 folder (Be sure network discovery is on in network and sharing center).
Be sure reconnect at sign in is selected.
Click finish.
Now you have your S: all set to go with the proper path.
Be sure that Real Drive is selected in the Module settings in HLHQ.
Create a folder called Sharp X68000.
Create sub folders Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms.
All of the Roms will be in the Roms folder so this will be 4 levels deep.
Next Right click on the Sharp X68000 folder click on properties.
Click on the Sharing Tab.
Click on Advanced Sharing.
Click on checkbox for Share this folder.
Leave the default name.
Click on permissions tab.
Select Full Control for Everyone.
Click Ok. Click Ok. Click Ok.
Open Windows Explorer (Computer, My Computer, This PC).
Click Map network drive.
Select S: for the drive letter.
Click Browse and browse to your computer and find the shared Sharp X68000 folder (Be sure network discovery is on in network and sharing center).
Be sure reconnect at sign in is selected.
Click finish.
Now you have your S: all set to go with the proper path.
Be sure that Real Drive is selected in the Module settings in HLHQ.
And if you do not construct your romPath location correctly, the module will send you an error like the following. This is the error message for an incorrectly named "Real" S: drive. There is a similar one for an incorrectly named "Virtual" S: drive.
Q: How can I be sure the Virtual (or Real) drive is really working?
A: This is a great question. Here is the answer. Once you have everything "set up," run "3 Danhenkei Meka Fuzzy (Craig).XM6" from Hyperspin. The wheel image looks like this (see Image 1 to the right). Before loading be certain that you have NOT selected to hide the statusBar. Once loaded, look at the statusBar. Do you see text in the floppy drive windows? See Image 2 to the right and note the subtle red arrows pointing at the floppy drive windows in the statusBar. If you see text like that in the floppy drive windows you can be confident that the virtual (or real) drive is set up correctly and the save state file (.XM6) is able to appropriately "find" the roms to which it is "pointing." If those floppy drive boxes are empty, something is not right. Please use this exact game to test this fact. Because some save state files (.XM6) point to HDD disk that do NOT show up in the floppy drives.
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Q: What should I do with xpadder and this system?
A: I have not played every game obviously, but I have noticed that on some games having keys mapped on xpadder interferes with gameplay (i.e. pauses game etc). So I have a blank profile (except for my exit keys) load into xpadder whenever I launch a game.
Q: Do you have a list of the Compilation Roms that should NOT be deleted from the Rom folder?
A: Yes. Please do not delete ANY of the following Roms because they "contain" other games/roms that the save state files (.XM6) load. There may be additional ones that I cannot recall at the moment, so I would recommend not deleting any of the Roms.
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Q: Are there any settings in HyperHQ that are essential for this setup?
A: Yes. You must select "wheels only" in HyperHQ so that only the .XM6 save state file is shown on the wheel. Because some games have multiple disks/roms but we only want one wheel image per game on the wheel so only the save state file (.XM6) has a wheel image assigned to it. See image to the right to see the setting.
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Q: Assuming that I am using a "Virtual" S: drive, do I set the HyperLaunch HQ romPath to the ACTUAL location of the Roms or to the VIRTUAL drive?
A: Set the romPath to the ACTUAL location of the Roms. Just like you would for any other system. For example, if your ACTUAL location of the Roms is the following: C:\Games\Sharp\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms, set the romPath to that full ACTUAL location. Do NOT set the romPath to the "Virtual" S: drive location: S:\Hyperspin Roms_Seagate\Sharp X68000\Roms.
Q: What Rom file types should I include in HyperHQ and Hyperlaunch HQ for this system?
A: I have the following file types listed in HyperHQ and Hyperlaunch HQ:
hdf,HDF,hdm,HDM,xdf,XDF,x68,X68,2hd,2HD,dim,DIM,XM6,xm6,HDS,hds,d88,D88
hdf|HDF|hdm|HDM|xdf|XDF|x68|X68|2hd|2HD|dim|DIM|XM6|xm6|hds|HDS|d88|D88
hdf|HDF|hdm|HDM|xdf|XDF|x68|X68|2hd|2HD|dim|DIM|XM6|xm6|hds|HDS|d88|D88
Q: What settings are able to be manipulated in HyperLaunch HQ?
GLOBAL SETTINGS
Real_or_Virtual_S:_Drive Global_Display Global_Keyboard_Transparency Global_Fullscreen_Resolution Global_Stretch Global_Player1_Input_Device Global_Player2_Input_Device Global_Player1_Controller Global_Player2_Controller |
ROM SPECIFIC SETTINGS
Display_Keyboard System_Clock_(CPU) System_Clock_(CPU)_Delay Mouse_Mode Player1_Input_Device Player2_Input_Device Player1_Controller Player2_Controller |
All of these settings should work with save state files/games (.XM6) as well as ALL of the other file types (xdf, hds, hdf, 2hd, dim, etc). Oh yeah, when manipulating settings for a specific game, always choose the save state file (.XM6) if one is applicable for that game. So for Bonanza Bros (see pic to the right), apply the settings to the save state file (.XM6) and NOT to the other two similarly named files. In order to easily identify the save state file (.XMG) I have included the text (Craig) at the end of every save state file (.XM6) because the file type (.XM6) does not show up in the list. See pic to the right again. Thanks.
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Q: Are there any games that still might require me to load additional disks?
A: Yes, but very few. Maybe about 25 of the >800 included games. And not for any of the "good" games. But, here is the situation in which this might happen. Imagine a game that is not included on one of the compilation disks and furthermore, the game is made up of a set of disks/roms that looks like this:
Goofy Game (disk 1).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 2).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 3).xdf <----------Game starts playing after this disk is loaded!
Goofy Game (disk 4).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 5).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 6).xdf
Goofy Game (Craig).XM6 <------------save state file.
Well, I try to have the save state file start at the beginning of the game (obviously) and if the game starts playing with 3/6 disks loaded, well that is where I must save the save state file (.XM6). So at some point the game is going to ask you to load the additional disks. See a list here of the games for which this situation might occur. I think I listed them all.
Goofy Game (disk 1).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 2).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 3).xdf <----------Game starts playing after this disk is loaded!
Goofy Game (disk 4).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 5).xdf
Goofy Game (disk 6).xdf
Goofy Game (Craig).XM6 <------------save state file.
Well, I try to have the save state file start at the beginning of the game (obviously) and if the game starts playing with 3/6 disks loaded, well that is where I must save the save state file (.XM6). So at some point the game is going to ask you to load the additional disks. See a list here of the games for which this situation might occur. I think I listed them all.
Q: I notice that some games are played via the mouse. Do you have a list of these mouse-based games?
A: No, I do not have a full list. See my partial list below. And please note that you can set Mouse_Mode to True in the Hyperlaunch HQ Rom-Specific Settings so that the game will automatically load with your mouse being activated to control the game.
Partial list of games controlled by mouse:
1) Afterburner II (Dempa) (Craig)
2) Space Invader (from Carrot Party Disk Magazine 8) (Craig)
1) Afterburner II (Dempa) (Craig)
2) Space Invader (from Carrot Party Disk Magazine 8) (Craig)
Q: Do you have a list of games that might require increased System Clock (CPU) to play "correctly"?
1) Mahou Daisakusen
2) Duel Fighter 2 3) Illumination Laser 4) Knight Arms |
5) Prince of Persia
6) Sion 4 7) Super Street Fighter 2 8) Zugya |
Check Out this Link as well.
And if you discover more games that require increased clock speed (CPU), please let me know so we can add them to the list. |
Q: I have increased System Clock (CPU) for a certain game, now it does not LOAD correctly?
A: Go into HLHQ and increase "System_Clock_(CPU)_Delay" for that particular game/rom. Default is 15 seconds for any game/rom in which the System Clock (CPU) is increased. However, if that is not enough time and the CPU is increased while the game is still loading/booting up, sometimes the game will not load correctly. Again, if that happens increase the "System_Clock_(CPU)_Delay" to 20 seconds or 25 seconds etc. Hopefully giving the game a little more time to load will fix the problem. This basically just increases the delay before increasing system clock speed (CPU).
Q: Do you have a list of ALL of the games included in the download?
A: Yes. Click here.
Q: Does the module support Fullscreen mode?
A: Yes
Q: Do you have any random hints and/or thoughts regarding this system?
1) Once loaded, some games can only be started via the emulator software keyboard. If you can't get a game to start, activate the keyboard (tools>software keyboard) and try hitting Opt.1 and/or Opt.2 buttons. Automatic launching/displaying of the emulator software keyboard can be set up in the HLHQ global and/or rom-specific settings.
2) There is a game called "Super Artemis (199x)(x68030)(Craig).XM6." It loads via a save state (.XM6) file. It was made for the sharp x68030 rather than the x68000. These settings have already been saved "in" the save state file (.XM6). But if the CPU (system clock) needs to be increased for this game, I do not think altering the settings in HLHQ will work on this game because the .ini file for the emulator treats that system separately. This is the ONLY game I know of that will have this difficulty. If more show up, I will alter the module accordingly but I did not feel like adding this option for just one game. If you need to increase the CPU (system clock) for this game, you will need to save a new save state file and replace the old one. Just FYI.
2) There is a game called "Super Artemis (199x)(x68030)(Craig).XM6." It loads via a save state (.XM6) file. It was made for the sharp x68030 rather than the x68000. These settings have already been saved "in" the save state file (.XM6). But if the CPU (system clock) needs to be increased for this game, I do not think altering the settings in HLHQ will work on this game because the .ini file for the emulator treats that system separately. This is the ONLY game I know of that will have this difficulty. If more show up, I will alter the module accordingly but I did not feel like adding this option for just one game. If you need to increase the CPU (system clock) for this game, you will need to save a new save state file and replace the old one. Just FYI.
Q: Do you have a database file (.xml) with all the genres etc?
A: We do now! Thanks to floatingyeti over at Hyperspin. It is on available on the download link.
Q: Are these instructions complete?
A: Pretty much but I will be adding more as I think of stuff..... If I messed something up, please let me know over at Hyperspin. I am not perfect. I am not being payed to do this. Thanks for your understanding. Here is an awesome site dedicated to x68000. If you are using a Windows operating system that is non-english, there is a module version for you as well. It should work with ALL non-english versions of Windows.