Generally about incompatibility

[Zippy]

Had a proper look at Star Wars and Return of the Jedi now.

In Star Wars they're checking the TOS version and freezing, in Return of the Jedi they're checking for 60z and freezing.

So here's the image with both those checks removed, so all 3 should work on a US machine now. Of course maybe there's some timing problem with running those games at 60hz rather than 50hz and it's not just a "region" protection, but I guess you can find that out.

STARWARS.MSA

[ijor]

If it's the budget Star Wars Trilogy release I actually put that together for Domark back in the early 90's. I still have the master disk so I'll get it imaged and uploaded here.

IIRC there was no copy protection on any of the original copies they supplied of the 3 games, so I just needed to drag them all onto a single disk and create a small text menu for the front end.

Hi Zippy,

No, he is using the retail release with three separate disks. But guess any release that works for him should be good enough.

OK I've tried it in Steem with US TOS and Empire Strikes back works, Return of the Jedi won't go past the title screen and Star Wars freezes as game starts. For Return of the Jedi it's a 50/60hz problem, if you set to 50hz before running it then it works OK with the US TOS, but even at 50hz Star Wars is still freezing.

As I said, it is region locked. It explicitly checks the PAL country flag on TOS and freezes if it's cleared.

But as long as this is on Star Wars only (the only one I actually checked), then it is not so bad because there is an US release for this title. The other two are the ones that apparently were released in Europe only.

[Zippy]

As I said, it is region locked. It explicitly checks the PAL country flag on TOS and freezes if it's cleared.

But as long as this is on Star Wars only (the only one I actually checked), then it is not so bad because there is an US release for this title. The other two are the ones that apparently were released in Europe only.

In Star Wars they're checking the TOS ROM, in Return of the Jedi they're checking for 60hz at $ff820a , but both have the same result of freezing. I'm not sure if there was a check in the original loader for Empire Strikes Back as I made my own loader when filing it so that version works on 60hz machine without further modification.

I've updated the single disk version image above with the 60hz fixes.

[simonsunnyboy]

I'm sorry were you replying to my post? I am not using an emulator.

No, it was update to nearly decade older earlier posts on EmuTOS. I.e. just on the "Generally about incompability" subject.

Sorry for confusion, I should have been clearer on that!

PS. People are nowadays using EmuTOS also on real HW, as it fixes many bugs in older TOS versions.

Exactly my thought, whil browsing this antique stash of outdated information I wanted to point out that the world is changing.

[ftovar]

Hi Eero. So something like sidecartride.com I can use without having to modify my Mega ST?

[ftovar]

As I said, it is region locked. It explicitly checks the PAL country flag on TOS and freezes if it's cleared.

But as long as this is on Star Wars only (the only one I actually checked), then it is not so bad because there is an US release for this title. The other two are the ones that apparently were released in Europe only.

In Star Wars they're checking the TOS ROM, in Return of the Jedi they're checking for 60hz at $ff820a , but both have the same result of freezing. I'm not sure if there was a check in the original loader for Empire Strikes Back as I made my own loader when filing it so that version works on 60hz machine without further modification.

I've updated the single disk version image above with the 60hz fixes.

Thank you for looking in to it Zippy. So basically the only way to play Empire or Return of the Jedi I will need to play off an emulator. I don't plan to modify my Mega ST. I did buy the original Trilogy assuming it would work. Never knew there would be region lock on it. The vendor seems like he does not want to refund me. I asked ahead of time about PAL and NTSC compatibility all he sent was a link to Atari Age and I read as long as I use an Atari SC monitor it would work. Now we know that was not the case. I have the Broderbund US Star Wars version. I was looking forward to playing Empire and Return.

Vendor is in the UK Etsy. I posted images on the Atari Forum. I did not mind paying the asking price as I collect stuff from time to time but if it does not work on a US ST, I should be allowed to return and get a refund since it will still work with a UK ST.

I did see the sidecartridge. Looks like that would work without modifying my ST unless I am mistaken on how that works?

Thank you

[AnthonyJ]

Thank you for looking in to it Zippy. So basically the only way to play Empire or Return of the Jedi I will need to play off an emulator.

No, you have at least 1 other option, quite possibly 2.

One is to extract that MSA file that Zippy has kindly uploaded onto a blank disk, and then run that on your real hardware (MSA is just a suitable a archive format like zip, that can store ST disk images - it is not just for emulators). Sure, it's not using the original disk you purchased, but if your goal is to play the game then that works, and you still know that you have an original disk in your possession.

Another option seems to be to use the disk provided by your Etsy vendor, but first of all boot to the desktop and run the 50/60Hz toggle program that Zippy linked:

I used this 50/60hz toggle program to get Return of the Jedi working, then just ran the RETURN.PRG from desktop.
https://www.atarimania.com/pgesoft.awp?version=33144

There's probably other issues on the Falcon as many ST games don't work on there, but you can also set that into PAL mode via the NVRAM settings, although that seems a bit of an extreme way to fix it, and I guess may or may not work with your monitor.

[Eero Tamminen]

In Star Wars they're checking the TOS ROM, in Return of the Jedi they're checking for 60hz at $ff820a , but both have the same result of freezing. I'm not sure if there was a check in the original loader for Empire Strikes Back as I made my own loader when filing it so that version works on 60hz machine without further modification..

It's checking the actual ROM i.e. it's not enough to run e.g. PRG variant of suitable EmuTOS language version: https://sourceforge.net/projects/emutos ... mutos/1.3/ ?

[ftovar]

My friend used the UK TOS Roms on his emulator and the games work. The only one that worked without the UK TOS was Empire Strikes Back but I have to ask him again if it was the Trilogy or stand alone version. I appreciate everyone for replying.

[ftovar]

As I said, it is region locked. It explicitly checks the PAL country flag on TOS and freezes if it's cleared.

But as long as this is on Star Wars only (the only one I actually checked), then it is not so bad because there is an US release for this title. The other two are the ones that apparently were released in Europe only.

In Star Wars they're checking the TOS ROM, in Return of the Jedi they're checking for 60hz at $ff820a , but both have the same result of freezing. I'm not sure if there was a check in the original loader for Empire Strikes Back as I made my own loader when filing it so that version works on 60hz machine without further modification.

I've updated the single disk version image above with the 60hz fixes.

Hi Zippy.

Just wanted to give an update as I was waiting on the PARCP-USB adapter that I ordered to arrive so I can download the file. I also picked up a refurbished HP LaserJet 5 to replace my SLM804 so I can start printing again with CUBASE Score 2.0 and Notator SL.

Anyway, so i used my Atari VCS with Windows 10 to download the file then transfer to my Atari Mega ST. I used JayMSA version 1.7 because 1.8 would not work. kept bombing on me. I then extracted the file to my hard drive and ran Return of the Jedi with the PRG file. it worked fine. I then tried Empire Strikes back and it bombed like the disks I have. I then realized the Auto folder and saved the files to a floppy and ran from there. Everything works great with the menu. No issues whatsoever.

I am sure I will probably post new questions regarding other things as my memory on using the ST is pretty bad. Been 27 years since I was really using it on a daily basis. So questions will arise especially when using my Falcon 030 as I picked one up after the JTS merger and have yet to use that.

Thank again it is appreciated and to everyone who replied.

ftovar

[Zippy]

Nice one, good to hear you got it working and from a floppy too.

BTW There's a crack for Cubase 3 and Score now and even Cubuse Audio for Falcon if you're feeling adventurous.

[ftovar]

Nice one, good to hear you got it working and from a floppy too.

BTW There's a crack for Cubase 3 and Score now and even Cubuse Audio for Falcon if you're feeling adventurous.

Hi Zippy

I did pick up a Clone Cartridge key from Facebook Atari ST Musicians network when I had thrown out my Cubase 3.1 because of water damage. I left my Tote Bin at my parents house when I bought my house in 2008. I left it out in their backyard for years . I thought I had brought all my Atari ST software with me. I was devastated. Then about a year ago I check my closet and pulled out all my ST stuff and there was Cubase Score 2.06 and Key in it's original box. The software was still installed in my hard disk. So I had both Cubase 3.1 and Cubase Score just in different areas. I just did not remember I had both. I do want to pick up Cubase Audio for the Falcon 030 and if I am not mistaken the Clone key will work with the Falcon 030 as does the Cubase Score key.

Here is my next question. If I download a file from mania or another source and the file is compressed in ZIP, LZH or MSA, when it is decompressed , if file shows as ST and not a PRG, TOS, or TTP, I cannot run it off my original hardware, correct? ST images are only used for emulators?

Thank you

[mikro]

ST images are disk images. So you have to write them to either physical floppy disk or to use a tool like JayMSA to extract their content (if possible).

[simonsunnyboy]

Or use a Gotek drive, most firmwares will read .ST happily.

[ftovar]

Or use a Gotek drive, most firmwares will read .ST happily.

I found the Floppy Image Runner program that I can use to load the ST or MSA files via Hard Drive or on a Floppy without using GoTEK. What I cannot run is STX files. So I am looking to see what I can use to convert the STX to MSA or ST.

I am reading up but if someone can direct me it is appreciated. I was going to install a GOTEK to my External SF354 but that drive died on me. I think it is the power supply or the power board. But I also have my interal Elco 1.44 HD floppy drive and I read that the GOTEK can be assigned as a B drive but if I want to use it as an A then the internal has to be disabled. I kind of want to keep any modification to my hardware to a minimum.

Anyway sorry if I went off topic.

[ftovar]

ST images are disk images. So you have to write them to either physical floppy disk or to use a tool like JayMSA to extract their content (if possible).

Yes I am using JayMSA 1.7 or ST Zip 2.6 to extract (Decompress) the files. Then I use IMGRF1.prg to run the game off my Hard Drive or Floppy. I cannot run STX files with that program. Only works with ST or MSA.

Thank you for the reply.

[ftovar]

Hi everyone. If you remember a while back I had purchased the Star Wars Trilogy and afterwards found out that it was region specific. I also found out I had the Broderbund version of Star Wars so that one worked. Guess what. As I was looking through my bin again for Mercenary The Second City or Escape from Targ, I forgot which one I have. It has gone missing even after I saw it a few days ago. Anyway I stumbled upon Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi in individual CD case from Domark each. They run on my Mega ST. D'oh! Needless to say if anyone wants to collect the Trilogy I will post on the for sale section if anyone is interested. Thank you
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u1ss15 ... p=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u28og1 ... p=drivesdk