Carnivore / SofaRun / Running Games For Dummies

Resident (45)

09-01-2022, 15:17

So I have finally got my Carnivore 2 (thanks, @Warchild) and I'd like to start using it properly. But, despite having a lot of experience with other micros i must admit I find MSX operations rather daunting, hence this catch-all thread.

To start with I'd like to get to grips with Carnivore itself (running on my JP FS-A1). It seems to work ok - boots to the menu, which displays some pre-flashed games (tried couple, they work fine). But I'd like to proceed and use SofaRun, and don't really know how (despite reading the C2 user guide).

I'm using a CF adapter with an SD card which I previously used with my Mapper Megaram multicart. This card already has Nextor, SR, and games on it (it was autostarting via autoexec.bat). Just to be sure I also copied the user-guide recommended Nextor files to the root of this card. Now, when I ESC from C2 I land in "Nextor BASIC 2.10 beta", but don't really know what to do next - and not sure if my SD card is actually recognised. Any help would be most appreciated.

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By Manuel

Ascended (19691)

09-01-2022, 17:53

Can you make a video that shows what is going on? You should get a message about whether the SD card/CF adapter is recognized when the IDE driver is loaded.

By zadokallen

Resident (45)

09-01-2022, 18:24

Ok then

https://share.vidyard.com/watch/9dLpJwtydMYXnKQ1RUDjDc?

By sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4318)

09-01-2022, 18:26

The SD card cannot be used as-is through the CF adapter. Backup all files from the SD card if you don’t have a copy on your PC. You then need to run _FDISK when you are in Nextor Basic. Delete any existing partitions and create 1 or more partitions and write those. Then put your files back (from now you have to use the CF adapter also on your PC with the SD in the adapter). The C2 should then boot into Nextor.

By zadokallen

Resident (45)

09-01-2022, 18:49

sdsnatcher73 wrote:

The SD card cannot be used as-is through the CF adapter.

Thanks. I thought that it should be ok, since it was already formated on my MSX1. Is it different because I'm using CF now? Asking coz I'd like to understand everything this time as well, not just follow instructions

sdsnatcher73 wrote:

Then put your files back (from now you have to use the CF adapter also on your PC with the SD in the adapter).

Ouch. I don't have a PC CF adapter atm...is this a necessary step? I mean, Win10 won't see this SD card?

By zadokallen

Resident (45)

11-01-2022, 20:10

I bought an USB PC CF card reader. When I inserted the CF/SD formated on MSX, Windows does not recognise it and wants to format it...

By sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4318)

11-01-2022, 20:46

The adapter is doing some translation because CF is like IDE. Does your C2 report it is 0.15 or 0.17 when it detects the card. Is your CF-SD adapter on the C2’s compatibility list?

By zadokallen

Resident (45)

11-01-2022, 21:01

Not sure about the numbers...have a look at that video, I think the relevant info is around 25sec mark :
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/9dLpJwtydMYXnKQ1RUDjDc

The adapter is on the list (2nd one), it works on my Amiga as well.

After I format the card on the MSX, it is visible on my Win 10 PC when I'm using just the SD card (without the CF adapter). I put the nextor files on it but when I try to run it on MSX I just get Nextor Basic, not DOS.

I read this thread which has some detailed instructions, but I don't have access to Linux, Mac or Win 7 machine - only Win10.

By Manuel

Ascended (19691)

11-01-2022, 21:07

Apparently you use the 0.1.7 driver, which is probably OK (I don't trust the 0.1.5 one in any case).

What happens if you type "FILES" in Nextor Basic?

By zadokallen

Resident (45)

11-01-2022, 21:32

Typing "files" (it's not case sensitive, is it?) gives "bad drive name".

By gdx

Enlighted (6443)

12-01-2022, 01:46

Format your CF inserted in the C2 with _DISK in FAT16 and make a partition, then copy the files on the CF by using your USB PC CF card reader. (at least NEXTOR.SYS and COMMAND2.COM)

On Mac, you will have problems with hidden files and folders that macOS writes with long names and without giving a choice. Try to find software (like clean eject, Drive clesn, etc) that removes them and ejects the card at the same time. It's a bit painful but this way you can handle your files and folders on MSX without any problem.