VIDEOPAC uSD CART

[polluks]

I published the files for DIY since it's an easy assembly, but someone sells my PicoPAC on eBay too, just look there if you want one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176721732017

[Sorex]

Too expensive if you add the shipping cost and possible import taxes it would end up > $60 so around 60 euros.

I found a dutch guy who sells them for 20 euros with shipping added it would be around 25 euros I guess.

What I wanted to know...

Can you leave the usb-c cable connected to a pc while using the cart?

So that I can use this method:

adjust source code > compile > copy to cart > reset > run

or do I need to turn off the videopac each time and remove the cart to be able to copy to it?

Merry Christmas by the way 

[AOtta]

@Sorex: you can leave usb connected, but pico must disconnected for restarting in usb mode and load in flash new compiled rom, so it won't work as you thought

[Sorex]

and how does it disconnect?

is turning off the console enough?

and do I need to flash like an eprom or does it act like a usb drive?

[Sorex]

I received my picopac cartridge.

At first boot a needed a few attempts to get a menu.
But some chars in the menu were changing to something else ever xx frames.

After another reset I only get a gray screen with some random stuff on it.
No change after dozens of power offs and back on.

When turning the console towarths me I can seen a yellow led that flashes a few times and a few seconds not.

It works fine on the pc side tho. I tried to reflash it but that didn't change anything.

Anyone having an idea what might be wrong here?

@videopacbelgium : do you have such cart? Does it work right in one of your Radiola G74s ?

[AOtta]

Some garbage char after xx frames is normal, but if you got an error you should investigate on it.
How many flashes you got between pause (that's the error code)?
Do you use few files and short filenames for yours .bin game?
Are present both selectgame.bin and selectgame.$$$ files in your flash?

[Sorex]

Got it working afterall.

The seller told me to sandpaper the cartridge port a little.
After a few blows into the port aswell the cart booted again
after I added the selectgame files back to it (forgot it after the reflashing and the completely delected partition).

For some reason Rene's C7051 cart always worked right even today before the sand papering
maybe it's using less pins or something.

Also the difference in usage is something you need to get used to.

Rene's boots straight into the menu and loads images + resets into them.
PicoPac just shows rubbish and you need to reset to reach the menu.
After loading you need to manually reset again.

It's just a habbit ofcourse.

But it's a great thing that you don't need another tiny SD cart with this unlike the original uSD.

I also found a fork with another bootloader.

https://github.com/JaneDoe649/PicoPAC

But the info is a straight copy of yours so I don't have a clue what the differences are.

[AOtta]

Got it working afterall.

(omissis)

I also found a fork with another bootloader.

https://github.com/JaneDoe649/PicoPAC

But the info is a straight copy of yours so I don't have a clue what the differences are.

Happy you solved.
I don't know JaneDoe649, but i think her it's simply a clone of my repo.

[Stefan]

Just built my PicoPac and really satisfied.
@aotta Grazie Andrea!!
Got PiRTO too ;-)
Any chance you'll make a Neo geo mvs multicart ?

[AOtta]

Just built my PicoPac and really satisfied.
@aotta Grazie Andrea!!
Got PiRTO too ;-)
Any chance you'll make a Neo geo mvs multicart ?

No, NeoGeo has specs too high for being emulated by a Teensy or a Pico, the boards i used for my flashcarts.
But, after the PiRTO II for Intellivision, you could build my others flashcart for Colecovision, Sega SG-1000, Atari 2600/7800 and SABA Videochannel!