Homebrew [Help wanted] DualHexen issues in DSi.

[CrashMidnick]

I have always had the same burning desire. Guess who comes to mind, who could make the great miracle....

I hope you're right... I hope...

 

[RocketRobz]

Apps built with old versions of libnds do not support the touch screen on the dsi. I want to say this is true even in ds mode.

Really? How old are we talking about?
I tried MegaETk, which was released in 2007, and touched worked on my side on DSi, but does not work on 3DS.

 

[elhobbs]

Really? How old are we talking about?
I tried MegaETk, which was released in 2007, and touched worked on my side on DSi, but does not work on 3DS.

maybe stuff built before the dsi was released? or maybe I am just mistaken ...

edit: this update from 2010 seems to add dsi mode support:
https://github.com/devkitPro/libnds/commit/59a63f7668b60d7ed97df8cf8021149a7ca006c5

was MegaETk compiled in 2007? if it was recompiled on or after 2010 it would use this updated libnds code.

 

[Indy13]

Hi friends,

I just finished a small series of tests on O3DSXL and on NDSL with an R4 flashcard (for both consoles). I think that before going further that it is necessary that I explain a little bit how I organize my SD card.

On my root, I try to have as little as possible (yes, I'm that kind of guy^^) as you can see in the picture :



I only use 4 applications in the R4 menu, it there is an old version of HBMenu (version 4.1 if I'm not being stupid) that I renamed "retromenu" and which I use to launch old homebrews and emulators, especially those compatible with ram expansion (EZ Flash 3in1), then jEnesisDS (which only launches from root on R4), BOOT (the latest version of HBmenu) and YSmenu (for nds & gba with gbarunner2). I have grouped in the "data" directory (the one placed at the root) various subdirectories assigned to each of these menus (01reromenu, 02Bootmenu and 03YSmenu).

So this is what my sd card looks like on my pc, the root :



Into the "data" folder on the root, you have the first subdirectories for the different menus :



For this new version of dualhexen, of course i'm using the last version of HBmenu so the subdirectory concerned is "02 - BootMenu", inside this subdirectory I've put other subdirectories for each kinds of machines (or ports & apps) :



Of course Hexen is placed into the "02- PC & portages PC" (portages means ports in french) :



And at last all the files for Hexen are into this hexen folder :



So here is the path (R4DSSD is the name of my sd car so the root) :



Why did I do this installation, first, I created a "hexen" folder in the "data" folder of the root of my sd card as indicated in the installation instruction but this one is empty because I put all the files in the second folder "hexen" of which I put the photo of the path above.

If I did the installation in this way it is because it is @elhobbs which modified this new version of dualhexen and I said to myself that perhaps like cheretic it could perhaps work and to my great surprise it is the case.

The application seems to recognize the directory in which the .nds file and the .wad and .argv files are placed as a root. In addition, it automatically creates a "data" folder and a "hexen" subdirectory in the folder where the files are placed and that's really cool ! (especially for a guy like me who wants as little as possible on his root! Yes, I'm still that kind of guy^^)

To summarize, this seems to mean the hexen folder containing all the files needed to run dualhexen and its mods can be placed anywhere on the sd card.


On NDSL and on 3DS XL, the touch screen works correctly but on O3DSXL, there is a display bug that appears on both screens (it's the same on the top screen as on the bottom one)



Unfortunately whether on O3DSXL or on NDSL, there is always a memory problem, I deliberately used an R4 to see if this bug was still present, I could have installed on my DSi but @Nikokaro and @CrashMidnick had already done the test, so I was looking to deepen with a minimalist configuration with an R4 where only the motherboard of the two consoles could perhaps have made the difference although I suspected the result because in both cases the hardware in question is that of the R4 and not of the consoles themselves.

 

[RocketRobz]

maybe stuff built before the dsi was released? or maybe I am just mistaken ...

edit: this update from 2010 seems to add dsi mode support:
https://github.com/devkitPro/libnds/commit/59a63f7668b60d7ed97df8cf8021149a7ca006c5

was MegaETk compiled in 2007? if it was recompiled on or after 2010 it would use this updated libnds code.

Yes, it was compiled in 2007.

 

[RocketRobz]

On NDSL and on 3DS XL, the touch screen works correctly but on O3DSXL, there is a display bug that appears on both screens (it's the same on the top screen as on the bottom one)

View attachment 317518

Does this issue occur consistently or randomly?
It can occur on any 3DS model, as this is an issue with TWL_FIRM itself.

 

[CrashMidnick]

On NDSL and on 3DS XL, the touch screen works correctly but on O3DSXL, there is a display bug that appears on both screens (it's the same on the top screen as on the bottom one)

If you close the lid and re-open it, it should remove those "duplicated" pixel lines.

Unfortunately whether on O3DSXL or on NDSL, there is always a memory problem

That means you got the memory problem on both consoles using the Slot-1 with R4 using HBmenu + O3DS with TW (where you got the display problem) ?

I will try to install this on my older flashcard (R4i + R4 clone) and on TW++ (O3DS + N3DS) tonight and report back. TW++ on DSi and O3DS have most of the time the same behaviour. However, on N3DS it can fail with some apps mainly the touch screen not working (see comment above from RocketRobz).

 

[Indy13]

Does this issue occur consistently or randomly?
It can occur on any 3DS model, as this is an issue with TWL_FIRM itself.

This happens randomly on both consoles.

If you close the lid and re-open it, it should remove those "duplicated" pixel lines.

Thx for the tips, this fixes the display problem.

That means you got the memory problem on both consoles using the Slot-1 with R4 using HBmenu + O3DS with TW (where you got the display problem) ?

Just to clarify, I didn't use TWL++, I really wanted to do a test only with my R4 so whether it's for NDSL or O3DSXL, my tests are done on both consoles using the Slot-1 with R4 using HBmenu

 

[CrashMidnick]

This happens randomly on both consoles.


Thx for the tips, this fixes the display problem.


Just to clarify, I didn't use TWL++, I really wanted to do a test only with my R4 so whether it's for NDSL or O3DSXL, my tests are done on both consoles using the Slot-1 with R4 using HBmenu

I cannot reproduce your problem. I tested the following setups :

- DS Fat + R4 (labelled as 2020) : launch from the menu OK - Launch from HB Menu OK
- O3DS + R4i : Launch from the menu OK - Launch from HB Menu OK
- O3DS + TWL++ : all OK
- O3DS + DSTWO : Launch from the menu OK - Launch from HB Menu OK

 

[Indy13]

@CrashMidnick thx for your tests

I found that my problem came from the moment when I had recovered the silver key at the first level, from this point the game becomes slightly slow and at that moment the game crashes randomly.

 

[elhobbs]

It is not surprising that the ds has memory issues and z_malloc failures given the 8mb memory requirements on the pc version.

 

[Nikokaro]

A brief message just to confirm that on SD slot of DSi no more crashes occur either during gameplay or saving.

I got through the first hub (Seven Portals) of the main game without problems and tested 4 or 5 user hubs from the doomworld archive with very good results, except for rare slowdowns.
Really good work. A simple tweak here and there by our @elhobbs was enough to make it perfect. Truly like the mythological king Midas, everything he touches turns to gold, here as elsewhere.
All of us old fans of early FPS games owe you a lot, and we could hardly repay your kindness: hail to the king of ports...


Edit: @elhobbs I just noticed that you uploaded another version with updated controls: precisely what changes did you introduce?

 

[elhobbs]

A brief message just to confirm that on SD slot of DSi no more crashes occur either during gameplay or saving.

I got through the first hub (Seven Portals) of the main game without problems and tested 4 or 5 user hubs from the doomworld archive with very good results, except for rare slowdowns.
Really good work. A simple tweak here and there by our @elhobbs was enough to make it perfect. Truly like the mythological king Midas, everything he touches turns to gold, here as elsewhere.
All of us old fans of early FPS games owe you a lot, and we could hardly repay your kindness: hail to the king of ports...


Edit: @elhobbs I just noticed that you uploaded another version with updated controls: precisely what changes did you introduce?

I made the X button act like an alt key. And I made strafe left and right at the same time a combination for speed.
L+R=speed
X+left/right=inventory change
X+up/down=fly
X+L=use item
X+R=change weapon

 

[ichig0]

I am a bit late to the "DOSxDS revival" but am having a lot of fun nonetheless. However, I was wondering if anybody knows how to edit the controls here? I like using the touchscreen as a mouse and it seems this one supports free look, but all the buttons are wrong for using this on the fly.

Sometimes you can do this via a config of ini file or something, this might sound ignorant but is something like that possible for this? Alternatively, I am getting used to the single d-pad setup, but it seems like a waste not to use the touchscreen when we have it. Or you can tell me this is a dumb idea or not worth the effort and I should be grateful for what I get etc etc

 

[Nikokaro]

Hi @elhobbs , how are you? I have a small request regarding Dual Hexen. Now when you save a game it stores/displays the date in the save-slot and nothing else, and this is quite useless and does not allow to recognize the add-on (user wad) it refers to. Couldn't you make it display the name of the .wad used instead? Implementing a virtual keyboard would be even better but more demanding for you, so the previous one would still be enough. Sure, when you have some free time, and if you want. Thanks for everything, chief.

 

[elhobbs]

Hi @elhobbs , how are you? I have a small request regarding Dual Hexen. Now when you save a game it stores/displays the date in the save-slot and nothing else, and this is quite useless and does not allow to recognize the add-on (user wad) it refers to. Couldn't you make it display the name of the .wad used instead? Implementing a virtual keyboard would be even better but more demanding for you, so the previous one would still be enough. Sure, when you have some free time, and if you want. Thanks for everything, chief.

Hello nikokato - hope you are well. I am doing ok. Very much lacking motivation though … I will try to take a look at this. There were massive libnds changes released recently. While they look like nice improvements - they also require a lot of changes just to recompile the source.
If that does not crush my spirit then the changes should not be too difficult. However, there is bit of complexity - as there can be a new iwad and/or multiple pwads. I feel like there should be sub directories based on these unique combinations - or perhaps add a parameter to specify the save directory? If one does not already exist …

 

[Nikokaro]

Hello nikokato - hope you are well. I am doing ok.

Thank goodness. Same goes for me. But you mangled my nickname; I hope not on purpose. Just kidding!
Even today cheretic, cquake, jfDuke3ds and this one give me great and incessant fun on my old, dear DSi, thanks to your genius and creativity.

Very much lacking motivation though

Hmm... What I feared. Good thing I limited my requests, I almost wanted to suggest you some new (ms-dos) fps ports for DSi: Strife, Witchaven, Tekwar, Terminator:FS or Dark Forces.... or even Blood, Redneck Rampage or Shadow Warrior. But I contained myself.

If that does not crush my spirit then the changes should not be too difficult.

Sure, I hope so. Display the name of the saved title, or its internal map, in the save menu to distinguish it from other save-slots related to other titles. Even better, as mentioned, with a virtual keyboard the player could enter any name he wants.

P.S. Actually I have other small requests, but there is no rush.
1) cquake: lighten the gamma without changing it every time via command console (r_ambient parameter);
2) jfDuke3ds; the font to select the user maps is microscopic and unreadable; can it be enlarged?

 

[elhobbs]

But you mangled my nickname; I hope not on purpose

Sorry, not on purpose. I typed it about 5 times on my phone … apparently a 6th time was required to get it right.
For cquake you can create an autoexec.cfg and add console commands for things like r_ambient and v_swap

 

[elhobbs]

Sorry, not on purpose. I typed it about 5 times on my phone … apparently a 6th time was required to get it right.
For cquake you can create an autoexec.cfg and add console commands for things like r_ambient and v_swap

https://github.com/elhobbs/dualHexen
A new version built with updated libnds. This version may be slower than the previous version. I had to move a bunch of hot functions out of the fast memory region as the were causing exceptions. I am not sure if there was no longer enough room or a something different.
Changes:
- bottom screen is centered rather than scaled
- keyboard on the bottom screen. It can be toggled between a full and small version. There is also a menu option to hide it completely
- added a “-savedir” parameter to allow a separate save directory to be specified
- changed some of the key mapping. Start/select now function as enter/escape. X+L+R is tab - this is mapped to toggle the map.

 

[Nikokaro]

https://github.com/elhobbs/dualHexen
A new version built with updated libnds. This version may be slower than the previous version. I had to move a bunch of hot functions out of the fast memory region as the were causing exceptions. I am not sure if there was no longer enough room or a something different.
Changes:
- bottom screen is centered rather than scaled
- keyboard on the bottom screen. It can be toggled between a full and small version. There is also a menu option to hide it completely
- added a “-savedir” parameter to allow a separate save directory to be specified
- changed some of the key mapping. Start/select now function as enter/escape. X+L+R is tab - this is mapped to toggle the map.

Thank you so much, chief, for updating and improving an already excellent port. I hope that many other users, like yours truly, can appreciate your dedication and priceless commitment in all your wonderful projects. I will test it as soon as possible.