Author Topic: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ  (Read 2478 times)

gameofyou

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8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« on: June 12, 2012, 11:38:47 AM »
I wanted to make a seperate topic, so that we can help each other out with any issues concerning the low-cost Flash HuCard.  Hopefully, it will be a place to capture common problems, concerning the hardware, PC software, and running certain games.
 
The first source of information is the 3 page instruction sheet (Flash_HuCard_USB_Setup_Instructions_V10.pdf), which is included in the software download package.  The next souce of information is to read through my web page (http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/Flash_HuCard), especially this page  http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/Flash_HuCard/rom_tips.html.
 
After that, post the questions here, and hopefully either myself or others can answer! 

spenoza

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2012, 05:56:39 AM »
Well, mine just arrived in the mail today, so I'll be sure to post any questions resulting from my experiments here.

OK, so Vista x64 keeps deciding to go on-line and find the drivers I need for me. This may be why I keep getting a communication timeout message that instructs me to connect the flash card device even though it is properly connected and purportedly recognized.

Any guidance how to circumvent this?

Provided drivers don't like Vista x64. Using the ones from the web site. Played with the COM settings and I can't seem to get anything that works just right.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2012, 07:06:29 AM by spenoza »
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ConHuevos

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2012, 10:26:12 AM »
Just realized this card had its own thread.  I ordered one last night and I had this question:

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12046.0

Since you can't (I assume) fit it into an official cart...is there any way to make it more "official" looking rather than plugging in an electronic board with all the circuitry exposed?  It scares me thinking if I forget to ground myself or something and grab this.

gameofyou

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2012, 11:36:51 AM »
Well, mine just arrived in the mail today, so I'll be sure to post any questions resulting from my experiments here.

OK, so Vista x64 keeps deciding to go on-line and find the drivers I need for me. This may be why I keep getting a communication timeout message that instructs me to connect the flash card device even though it is properly connected and purportedly recognized.

Any guidance how to circumvent this?

Provided drivers don't like Vista x64. Using the ones from the web site. Played with the COM settings and I can't seem to get anything that works just right.

Does Vista itself recognize the card when you plug it in?  You should get a solid green light, and the PC should assign it a COM value (you can check this in device manager). 
 
Another way to check is by opening the Downloader software and go to File...Configure.  When you do this, does it show any COM ports in the pulldown?

spenoza

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2012, 03:25:11 PM »
Yes. Vista recognizes it. It is COM7 and the light is green. I even tried playing with the settings in the Device Manager. Still won't talk, though.

Just got everything set up on my wife's laptop running XP 32-bit and it's largely the same. Drivers install (this time from the download with the software), set up a USB COM port (COM4 on this laptop), and the light on the card is green. But in the downloader, trying to send data, I get the error message that it can't communicate. I'm wondering if I got a dud.

My suspicion is that there's something wrong with the flash chip or the soldering job with the flash chip, because it seems the USB controller stuff is working alright.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 03:53:03 AM by spenoza »
<a href="http://www.pcedaisakusen.net/2/34/103/show-collection.htm" class="bbc_link" target="_blank">My meager PC Engine Collection so far.</a><br><a href="https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/" class="bbc_link" target="_blank">PC Engine Software Bible</a><br><a href="http://www.racketboy.com/forum/" c

gameofyou

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2012, 06:03:07 AM »
Yes. Vista recognizes it. It is COM7 and the light is green. I even tried playing with the settings in the Device Manager. Still won't talk, though.

Just got everything set up on my wife's laptop running XP 32-bit and it's largely the same. Drivers install (this time from the download with the software), set up a USB COM port (COM4 on this laptop), and the light on the card is green. But in the downloader, trying to send data, I get the error message that it can't communicate. I'm wondering if I got a dud.

My suspicion is that there's something wrong with the flash chip or the soldering job with the flash chip, because it seems the USB controller stuff is working alright.

I do fully test each card before shipping it.  But, you could be right.  Maybe a cold solder joint, and it got bumped during shipping.  You can send it back to me & I'll ship you a replacement.  I'll let you know what I find.

thesteve

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2012, 07:57:45 AM »
if you have it in the system it will timeout as well.
please only connect the USB with it not inserted in the console

spenoza

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2012, 10:13:21 AM »
I haven't inserted it into the console, yet. I have no reason to. I can't get any content onto it.

I'm out of computers to test it on, but it has thrown the same error on both a Vista 64-bit desktop and an XP 32-bit laptop.
<a href="http://www.pcedaisakusen.net/2/34/103/show-collection.htm" class="bbc_link" target="_blank">My meager PC Engine Collection so far.</a><br><a href="https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/" class="bbc_link" target="_blank">PC Engine Software Bible</a><br><a href="http://www.racketboy.com/forum/" c

gameofyou

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2012, 10:54:56 AM »
if you have it in the system it will timeout as well.
please only connect the USB with it not inserted in the console

Correct.  You should never do that.  I have stated this in the instructions (in bold), as well.

TheOldMan

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2012, 10:55:20 AM »
Quote
I haven't inserted it into the console, yet. I have no reason to.

Unless the power for the chips comes from the pce connector.....
Maybe, just guessing.....

gameofyou

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2012, 10:57:48 AM »
Just realized this card had its own thread.  I ordered one last night and I had this question:

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12046.0

Since you can't (I assume) fit it into an official cart...is there any way to make it more "official" looking rather than plugging in an electronic board with all the circuitry exposed?  It scares me thinking if I forget to ground myself or something and grab this.

 
It is good practice to ground youself before handling the card.  But really, it's no more succeptable than when you touch the contacts of a commercial HuCard.  Just handle it by the edges, whenever possible, and you will be fine.

gameofyou

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2012, 11:00:26 AM »
Quote
I haven't inserted it into the console, yet. I have no reason to.

Unless the power for the chips comes from the pce connector.....
Maybe, just guessing.....


Power to the chips is from the USB connector when programming it.  Power to the chips is from pce connector when playing a game.  You should never plug in both at the same time.

soop

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2012, 10:43:12 PM »
Don't cross the streams...

sunteam_paul

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2012, 10:13:22 PM »
I've managed to install all the software and transfer a ROM across to it with no issues, but when I insert it into either my white PCE or DUO-RX, all I get is a white screen. I've removed the headers, and tried it on homebrew roms but still no success.

OH wait....more info incoming soon....

OK, some success. I've had to swap the bits for a Japanese rom on a Japanese machine to get it to work.

So far I've tried Cyber Core and Out Run, both being unplayable due to graphics corruption. I'll try some more now.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2012, 10:24:15 PM by sunteam_paul »
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sunteam_paul

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Re: 8Mbit Flash HuCard FAQ
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2012, 11:19:28 PM »
Here's my report so far:

I've got working - Circus Lido, Psycho Chaser, Soldier Blade & Tongueman's Logic

Not working - Cyber Core, OutRun (4 roms tried), Parasol Stars, Ninja Warriors (2 roms tried).

All these non-working roms run fine in an emulator - can I assume that there's something bad in the rip that stops it working on a real PCE?
Also, is it likely that th utility to remove the 'SNES' header could be removing something it shouldn't?

Because some are working, I am hoping it's just a ROM thing and the hardware is fine. My main reason for getting this is to test out homebrew games on real hardware anyway.


One thing I can't get working is US games on Japanese Duo, tried swapping and not swapping the bits with no success - only tried Magical Chase and China Warrior so far, white screen both times.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2012, 12:26:10 AM by sunteam_paul »
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