BJL Loading problems! Options

[Acdimalev]

Alright, results are in. We're getting the exact same symptoms on any combination of software, boot loader, and platform. That leaves us with trying out Windows 98 or replacing the parallel cable (neither is happening tonight). Thanks again for your help guys.

As a side-note. The Windows-XP-ified loader app seems to be working... at least just as much as the latest official BJL loaders from WindowsXP or DOS emulators. The old Linux BJL loader doesn't seem to be working at all.

[leearco]

was the cable ever tested on someone elses setup. (you get it from someone??) or you made it yourself?

[T2KFreeker]

was the cable ever tested on someone elses setup. (you get it from someone??) or you made it yourself?

I got the connection from Chris. The thing here is that information is getting where it needs to go, but it seems to not be getting there right, like it's jumbled or a zero is in the wrong place, we shall see what happens.

[JagChris]

Alright, results are in. We're getting the exact same symptoms on any combination of software, boot loader, and platform. That leaves us with trying out Windows 98 or replacing the parallel cable (neither is happening tonight). Thanks again for your help guys.

As a side-note. The Windows-XP-ified loader app seems to be working... at least just as much as the latest official BJL loaders from WindowsXP or DOS emulators. The old Linux BJL loader doesn't seem to be working at all.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'official BJL boot loaders from XP or DOS emulators'. The official BJL Bootloader was written for DOS platforms 9x.

The new ones from JagWare sometimes work, but nowhere near reliable enough to even seriously consider as an uploader. Plus they are slower than standard BJL.

[leearco]

I got the connection from Chris. The thing here is that information is getting where it needs to go, but it seems to not be getting there right, like it's jumbled or a zero is in the wrong place, we shall see what happens.

then my best guess would be getting win98 and ditching winxp

[T2KFreeker]

Like I said guys, I appreciate all the help and will appreciate it again when we need it. It will happen again here soon, unless the cable is the problem! It is nice to see the support from you guys and I appreciate it more than you know! You guys still rock!

[JustClaws]

Hello Ben(?),

Alright, results are in. We're getting the exact same symptoms on any combination of software, boot loader, and platform. That leaves us with trying out Windows 98 or replacing the parallel cable (neither is happening tonight). Thanks again for your help guys.

I really think your cable has to be suspect here, maybe a crossed wire?
The fact that the result is consistent suggests a reliable but badly wired data connection.

As a side-note. The Windows-XP-ified loader app seems to be working... at least just as much as the latest official BJL loaders from WindowsXP or DOS emulators. The old Linux BJL loader doesn't seem to be working at all.

The 2nd revision of the Jagware XP loader works 100% for me, and I'm very glad,
and for development I use a dedicated Windows 98 PC. (I try graphics on my modern PC.)

At the expense of repeating what I said before, these questions would attract more replies
from experienced users if posted ALSO on Jaguar-Homebrew Yahoo group. It's not a devel-
opment group, but it's intended for all questions such as this and for various feedback or
play testing questions. (Post on AA as well maybe.) I'd not normally have seen this query.

Cheers,
JustClaws.

[LinkoVitch]

I would suggest you use linux as this gives you direct access to th eparellel port hardward (windows 2K onwards is an abstraction, hence issues). I use Linux for all my dev, BJL and alpine work beautifully.

I would suggest also setting port to SPP if you can.. SPP uses TTL signaling IIRC which allows the jag to see the signals correctly EPP may have too low a signal level so may give ropey results, ECP is compressed and hence of no use.

I didn't see it mentioned here, but when I used the BJL system under linux I used bastians own uploader I believe and had to put the switch -l on the CLI to get it to run

run lo with -? and try out some of the switches -w can help I think.. has been a while since I used it.

HTH

[JagChris]

Thanks for the input Linkovitch and JC. We need all the help we can get getting these boys up and going.

@JustClaws. You were able to get the second revision of the BJL loader to work for you? The thing worked few and far between for me. It wasn't enough to even consider it seriously.

[MegaData]

Just about done setting up dosbox on my end. Will make sure my printer port is set to EPP and take a swing at loading colors with the latest bjl uploader.

Thanks for the help guys! It's been more of a ride just getting stuff loaded onto the Jag than I ever anticipated.

Get the userport..the link is a few posts back...

Just double-checking on this. Userport is XP-only, right? Getting it set up on Jason's end right now.

No.

Sorry, I don't use BJL but it was discussed in this thread.

UserPort is a simple kernel mode driver for Windows NT/2000/XP that will give programs access to I/O ports. This makes it possible to access the hardware I/O ports directly under Windows NT/2000/XP just like 95/98/ME.

This post has been edited by MegaData: Nov 7 2006, 11:40 AM

[Orion_]

you can use the BJL uploader WinXP compatible made by Zerosquare of Jagware.

[MegaData]

That's what they are trying to use.

I suggest you use the 9x version with UserPort.

[T2KFreeker]

Hmm, and the information keep rolling. We shal continue to fight the good fight. Here is what I have been chatting away at Ben about as I may not be the hardware guy and just the artist, but believe me when I say we have some stuff worked out, but this is the last part of the puzzle on this end as after we do that, we can really get down to some heavy duty work on this! We are considering that the cable may be too long, but the problem here is that we went to about every damn store we can think of for a Parrelel Port Cable and cannot find them shorter than six feet. This is the second cable we bought by the way. Where in the Hell can you suggest finding possiblt a three foot cable? Or hell, do they make them in Four feet? Trust me, we are as excited as ou guys on this idea, but this is getting a little frusturating. Not ready to throw in the towel. If need be, we will just have to find another method to do this game, but wobviously need to get BJL working anyway in order to do the demo system and whatnot we are thinking of doing, so, there you go, cable? Where? Suggestions?

[MegaData]

Did you try different BJL Software?

If it is the cable, couldn't it be hacked down to the desired length?

[T2KFreeker]

Did you try different BJL Software?

If it is the cable, couldn't it be hacked down to the desired length?

Good point, but I ain't one for hacking these things down these days. This is not the kind of cable that actually is soldered into the machine, this is the one that plugs to the second player port and then is conmnected to the PC through a Paralel cable.