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How to run MESS CD-i Emulation driver?

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:07 pm
by Bas
I think it's a little difficult to try the MESS CD-i driver ourselves. But it is possible, no?

You can download the latest MESS build right here: http://www.mess.org/download.php

Now, is it true you need to compile a version which contain the CD-i driver? I can't test it here (work-pc) but perhaps someone can share a little info for any for us without MESS experience how to try the new CD-i emulation :)

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:15 pm
by cdifan
You need to unzip BobZ's automatic MESS SVN build from http://bobz38.free.fr/mess_autobuild/index.php over the latest "official" build, otherwise your CD-i driver is way out-of-date.

Then you need to put one of the exact ROM images that MESS CD-i currently supports in the roms/cdimono1 folder; it supports either cdi200.rom or cdi220b.rom.

Finally you need to get one or more chd images and put these in the software folder. You can use chdman (included with MESS) or cdifile (get it here) to create one.

Finally run MessUI and off you go!

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:29 am
by Devin
It's bloody hard from a novice point of view to get MESS underway, but the CD-i Driver works!

I like the CHD method of archiving software as well, it really does condense the ISO down saving much needed space on the hard drive. That's probably the one advantage over CD-i Emulator although you can't beat the simplicity and functionality of CD-i Emulator. Doubt this will change either as MESS has to maintain a level of complexity to incorporate all the systems it emulates! Can you get the keyboatd working in MESS as a controller? That's something CD-i Emulator sorely needs instead of the old serial joypad which is way out dated!

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:19 am
by cdifan
Yes I can get the keyboard working, and I will: this has to be the most requested feature ever!

The next CD-i Emulator release will have CHD support (the development version already does).

CHD is a compressed format which means that emulating from it will carry a cpu cost because of the necessary decompression; this may be offset by a corresponding gain in hard disk performance (less data to read). The net effect will depend on your hardware characteristics and possibly even on the specific disc image you're emulating.

There are potential benefits for CD-i's with audio tracks as well, as the CHD format can also store the TOC, but these are not currently realized by either MESS CD-i or CD-i Emulator.

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:59 am
by oaacdi
cdifan wrote:put one of the exact ROM images that MESS CD-i currently supports in the roms/cdimono1 folder
Do you have to create this folder? I do not see this path in the main folder used to installed MESS.

Any help will be appreciated.

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:24 pm
by cdifan
The rom folder exists, the cdimono1 does not.

You can also put your zipped BIOSes in the rom folder, the zip file needs to have the name cdimono1.zip then.

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:30 am
by oaacdi
cdifan wrote:it supports either cdi200.rom or cdi220b.rom
I have the cdi220b.rom but when i run the program it says that cdi200.rom is not found :cry:

I had to create the rom folder. It wasn't during the MESS installation.

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:33 pm
by opt_fr_
Thanks for this guide !

I'm lost too.
I've added the software folder and chd roms appear in the messui. After double clicking one of it, mame runs the cdi start screen after 15 seconds, and then if I click play it stucks on a cyan clear screen and does not load anything.

I shoud have missed something.:D

Image

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Stuck screen :

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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 4:27 pm
by opt_fr_
Fully working ! I made outdated/bad chd images of disc images. Using the last chdman version worked. Thanks

ty

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:52 pm
by Anonymous
I was having the same problem! Thanks allot guys! :D :D :D