UNIVERSE BIOS 1.2 released...

Yup its finally here and available from the UNIVERSE BIOS homepage. Anyone with previous versions should consider upgrading to this newer version. Below is a quick rundown of whats new.

Raz

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 1.2
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Additions

Added Multislot support to the Jukebox Player and Gamecart CRC check.
Added the ability to continue on from a hardware error.
Allowed Test Mode button to give access to TEST mode menu while in console mode.
Cheats for MATRIMELEE added to the cheats database.

Test mode improvements

Time added to main test mode menu screen (date format changes from euro to usa region).
Crosshatch test shrunk to match fullscreen used by most games.
Full color fade bars in color test (why the original BIOS never did this is beyond me).
Setting up the code number will now be in English even when set to Japan region.
Soft DIP settings will always be in English even if set to Japan region. (Soft DIPs
shown will always be from Euro region, this means some settings will not work unless
system set to EURO region, like the language soft DIP for example).

Changes

Disabling the hardware test (general bios settings) now disables the Z80 test also.
Visually improved the gamecart crc check screen making it better.
Games that use the protected banking system no longer calculate the crc32 for those
banks, instead it is indicated that they are custom.
Doing a 'WORK RAM TEST' (all hard dips on at power on) no longer clears region settings.
Updated CRC32 database although there could still be errors.

Fixes

Fixed a lockup if entering the Memory Card Manager or Test Mode from the splash screen
when running in console mode with hard DIP 8 (stop) on.
Fixed 'unlock Kyo & Iori' kof99 cheat (no longer jumps to character select after win).
Fixed distorted music in Jukebox Player with games ROTD, KOF2002 and MATRIMELEE.
Fixed REALBOUT2, KOF98, NEOCUP98 and BREAKREV reset on the 'winners dont use drugs'
screen on multislot Hardware.

buttrock buttrock buttrock

I'll get it when I get back home!

Kudos to Razoola!

good news. thanks.

Great, will be sending my two uni-bios's back soon for upgrade. Awesome work man buttrock buttrock buttrock

Kaz

hmm.. small bug report:

inserting coin with pin 26 (select) doesn't work anymore, wether "disable input crossing" is checked or not.

on my "special" 2-slot it reports a Z80 error with no addresses given. if I disable the hardware check, it gives me a black screen when powering on. if I enable hardware check, it tells me z80 error, and I can skip it with A.. the board will boot flawless with sound.
is there a way to make it auto-skip that z80 error?

Arakon:
hmm.. small bug report:

inserting coin with pin 26 (select) doesn't work anymore, wether "disable input crossing" is checked or not.

on my "special" 2-slot it reports a Z80 error with no addresses given. if I disable the hardware check, it gives me a black screen when powering on. if I enable hardware check, it tells me z80 error, and I can skip it with A.. the board will boot flawless with sound.
is there a way to make it auto-skip that z80 error?

Click to expand...

On a multislot you can't use select to enter coins unless there is only 1 game in the MVS, its always been like this to allow correct game swapping without inserting coins.

Disable the hardware test in the UNIVERSE BIOS general settings and that will turn off the Z80 and other hardware tests, it should get past that blank screen after a couple of seconds. Its normal for no address to show with the Z80 error.

Raz

just figured that select one out too

disabling HW check will freeze at the black screen no matter what.. I can still enter the unibios menu by holding ABC from there, so it seems it's constantly resetting.

Arakon:
just figured that select one out too

disabling HW check will freeze at the black screen no matter what.. I can still enter the unibios menu by holding ABC from there, so it seems it's constantly resetting.

Click to expand...

hmmmm, do you have the splash screen disabled? if so can you enable it and tell me if it freezes after or before the splash screen.

Also try a different game in slot and and tell me if you still get the freezing.

Raz

does this new version get around the calendar error? i remember reading something on the beta version of this where i thought it did but i was wondering if this final release does

scooby105:
does this new version get around the calendar error? i remember reading something on the beta version of this where i thought it did but i was wondering if this final release does

Click to expand...

it should do yes.

Raz

after the splash screen. I tried with different game combinations, different games, always the same result.

Time to send mine back i think! i missed 1.1 so i should be very impressed with 1.2

Arakon:
after the splash screen. I tried with different game combinations, different games, always the same result.

Click to expand...

so I take it that it keeps resetting and the splash screen shows again over and over? Can you read private message also.

Raz

I have done a quick fix to version 1.2, if you already downloaded it pleae download it again.

Raz

Razoola is the man, well done Raz I will be sending a few of my bios chips back for an upgrade...........

Razoola:
I have done a quick fix to version 1.2, if you already downloaded it pleae download it again.

Raz

Click to expand...

Are you sure about this raz ? I downloaded mine before bug appearence, then compare the file with the one actually online, they are the same

Know what would be cool, is if there was a way to make practice mode in ROTD work better... maybe the dummy doesn't move, and unlimited life/supers? Just a thought...

Not like the UniBIOS itself isn't cool. I'm probably gonna buy one but then my pause switch will be worthless.

<small>[ July 28, 2003, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: DanAdamKOF ]</small>

HPMAN:

Razoola:
I have done a quick fix to version 1.2, if you already downloaded it pleae download it again.

Raz

Click to expand...

Are you sure about this raz ? I downloaded mine before bug appearence, then compare the file with the one actually online, they are the same

Click to expand...

Yes, the correct crc32 of the bios is 4fa698e9. It was actually up a good few minuted before I posted about it here.

Also if anyone is intrested I have updated the screenshot page to include screenshots of the testmode enhancements.

Raz

Raz, in your "what it does" page on your site you mention it supports "true USA MVS" mode with coin inputs on the right and left of the screen. SNK did offer a US/English MVS chip that used only one credit input for single-slot cabs, I don't know if you're unaware of this or if you're referring to something else, but... I ordered it via Pacific Vend, and they ordered it from SNK US. It has SNK part numbers on it and is not am EPROM. Has only one credit indicator in the center of the screen.

NEOGEOman:
Raz, in your "what it does" page on your site you mention it supports "true USA MVS" mode with coin inputs on the right and left of the screen. SNK did offer a US/English MVS chip that used only one credit input for single-slot cabs, I don't know if you're unaware of this or if you're referring to something else, but... I ordered it via Pacific Vend, and they ordered it from SNK US. It has SNK part numbers on it and is not am EPROM. Has only one credit indicator in the center of the screen.

Click to expand...

hmmm, I wouldent mind seeing this BIOS, can you dump it?

Raz

I can dump it, but I'm not able to at the moment. Not only am I six days away from a move but I recently re-paved the system with the eprom reader with Win2k and it doesn't support the DOS software for my eprom card. And do you think I can find a boot disc to save my life?

The code on the chip, assuming I've got the right one (JAMMA gear's all packed, can't check) is SP-S2. No one was keen to sell me a chip to make my jp 4-slot into an English model, but when I told them I wanted to use a 4-slot in a 1-coin-slot cab they were more than happy to oblige.

<img src="http://nfg.2y.net/temp/neochip.jpg" alt=" - " />

(woo, my 100th post)

<small>[ July 30, 2003, 04:01 AM: Message edited by: NEOGEOman ]</small>

neogeoman, I had a similar prob with my system (win2k and only dos software for eprom burner).. I found that using vmware works great for this. I installed win98 in it, gave it access to the printer port, and it all works fine.. can even "suspend" the virtual pc at the eprom software screen and simply start up right in the eprom software, no need to boot up the virtual win98 every time.