UNIVERSE BIOS news (surprise inside)

Well as its new year I sopose its time to let the cat out of the bag...

The next UNIVERSE BIOS release will have AES support (although it should be classed as beta as there will probably be prblems). At present from what I can tell it almost runs on par with the DEBUG BIOS although there are some problems that still remain (a few games dont work at all like the DEBUG BIOS for example).

Unlike the DEBUG BIOS its far more user friendly, you can use the select buttons to insert coins for example. SOFT DIP editing can also be done from the main UNIVERSE BIOS menu (this option will not be available when running on MVS hardware). And of course the mostly wanted CHEATS option will be in

Presently it does not allow games that bring the red warning screen up to work in MVS mode (like the DEBUG BIOS) but I hope I can fix this before the release is ready. Also it does not save the default region so on power up the AES will default to EURO/CONSOLE mode (you can enter the main UNIVERSE BIOS menu and switch to other modes as needed).

As you can imagine much has changed to allow a single BIOS to work either on MVS or AES hardware so much testing is needed as its possible some things that were working in v1.2 got broke adding AES support. For this reason the next release is still some time away and I will probably be looking for a few beta testers before release (you will need a EPROM programer and AES / MVS).

I really need to thank HPMAN for his help so far. Its hard to believe but I don't even have any AES hardware here, everything has been done through HPMAN's time testing and giving feedback. He is the one who has taken the time to make this possible so far. He is the only person who has seen it running on AES hardware also so if anyone has any questions he is the only person who can answer them as even I havent seen it running on AES hardware myself yet.

Apart from AES support of course there are new additions and fixes as one can expect plus new cheats, crc's and the odd eyecandy improvement too. One new addition I am very happy about is the fact that the Neogeo spinning logo will now only appear once at the start when in AES mode and never again like it does on AES hardware (this includes if the game uses the newer progear logo).

I think that covers all I need to say so far apart from please keep any comments about this stuff in this thread... Ohh yes and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Raz

someone lend this man an AES system so he can continue his work please!

Very nice raz. Hope all works out!

I'm really looking forward to 1.3!

Anyway, I'm just wondering one thing. From what I understand, the same bios will be used in both AES and MVS. In my opinion, wouldn't it much better to make 2 different bios, one for AES and one for MVS? This way we would be sure they don't interfere with each other. This is just a guess as I have no idea on how this stuff works.

I volunteer to beta-test unibios 1.3 in my MV1A (I have over 30 games), but I don't have an EPROM programmer, I need to go to an Electronics store to have them programmed. I guess I could do it a few times.

Keep up the good work!

Great news Raz, I don't have an EEPROM programmer but if someone wants to hook me up and burn it for me I would be glad to test the bios out for you on my new 4 slot.

awesome news. sounds like i might - finally - have a reason to wipe the dust off of my ngh system.
i'm with Amano here, but i guess you know what you're doing.

do you think, that a bios could really destroy hardware? i already tested some fucked up bios chips (you might remember) with different mvs boards and the boards still work flawlessly.

well ... i'm willing to test the beta version with my ngh system, a mv-4ft, a mv-1fz, a mv-1b and a mv-2f. i also own some of the home carts, which give you the red screen. (afair last blade, real bout 2, fatal fury 3 ... and robo army caused some problems as well.)
just let me know.

I was going to do 2 seperate BIOS's but its to much work doing 2 instead of 1 that I put it all in one.

I dont think its possible for a BIOS to wreck a system but you never know. I mean a fualty chip or installing it incrrecly can always cause problems.

Raz

Raz, have you been able to find out what causes the bank errors with SSV using the uni-bios?

Also if anyone here in the US has a programmer or easy access to one, let me know if you can burn me a chip a few times, I will more than happy to compensate you for the troubles.

Raz you are the coolest geek, and never cease to amaze me.

Decepticon said:

Raz, have you been able to find out what causes the bank errors with SSV using the uni-bios?

Also if anyone here in the US has a programmer or easy access to one, let me know if you can burn me a chip a few times, I will more than happy to compensate you for the troubles.

Click to expand...

SSV is not in the v1.2 data base whick is why you get the errors.. its will be in the next version though.

Raz

Razoola said:

SSV is not in the v1.2 data base whick is why you get the errors.. its will be in the next version though.

Raz

Click to expand...

Ahh ok, thanks

I can lend my AES to make it easier to test if you REALLY need one.

( as long as it keeps working when returned ! )

Might be a pain for me ( as I don't have any backup AES now ), but we should help.

Sounds neato Raz, though I don't have a AES (hey I have an oldstyle case :P). I'm looking forward to seeing what's added/changed in v1.3, then I'm gonna buy it. Enough procrastinating, I've been saying I'd buy it since v1.0.

Razoola,

Could you send me a PM when the new chip will be out and price. I am getting ready to get a 2-slot consolized and I want to get a Universe bios for it. Thanks

Phillip

Raz,

I could loan you an AES system that already has a socket in it for the BIOS. You'll need to locate a 9V supply as I don't have a PAL power supply. Possibly from a PAL Genesis system?

Drop me a line...

Jeff
jmkurtz@columbus.rr.com

Hmmm...That's good news Razoola..

I'd be interested in purchasing this when it's done or even testing it out on either MVS or AES..
(I don't own an EPROM programer though..

Thanks to everyone who has offered to beta test, I will hopefully be able to send a beta version out in the next few weeks to some of you.

Just a little more news in the mean time about progress and one development I know many will like I have been able to bypass the red warning screen so games that will not work in MVS mode with the debug BIOS should work with the UNIBIOS... Tested and confirmed working so far are;

Garou
Rage of the Dragons
KOF 2000
KOF 99
KOF 98
Metal Slug 3

I have also been able to remove the 'CART CHECK' screens for the games that have them which is another good thing cause those screens really bugged me.

On the downside it looks like most games will have attract mode sounds disabled and there dosent look like there is anything I can do to correct this... Well unless anyone knows how to make the backupram region (which the AES dosent have) return 0x0000 instead of 0x3205 for every word in that region (0xd00000 to 0xd0ffff).

Raz

I sure hope it comes out soon.. I'd have it already if I didn't have a one slot, hearing about full functionality with a 1 slot = music to me.

Keep it up Raz.

It goes without saying, Raz: you're the man. Plain and simple.

I'm curious though- a whilie back in other threads talking about UNIBIOS AES support, that memory was an issue- that is, if I'm not mistaken, that one would have to select the region everytime the system is turned on due to a lack of memory to save the settings to. Is this still the case?

CrackerMessiah said:

It goes without saying, Raz: you're the man. Plain and simple.

I'm curious though- a whilie back in other threads talking about UNIBIOS AES support, that memory was an issue- that is, if I'm not mistaken, that one would have to select the region everytime the system is turned on due to a lack of memory to save the settings to. Is this still the case?

Click to expand...

Yes at present this is still the case. However on AES you do not have to select region every time you power on, Instead it will default to EUROPE/CONSOLE at power on. You can then change region from the splash screen as needed.

Raz

KMGor said:

I sure hope it comes out soon.. I'd have it already if I didn't have a one slot, hearing about full functionality with a 1 slot = music to me.

Keep it up Raz.

Click to expand...

The UNIVERSE BIOS has always worked on 1 slot hardware as long as its MVS. It just hasent worked on the home system before if thats what you mean.

Raz

Razoola said:

The UNIVERSE BIOS has always worked on 1 slot hardware as long as its MVS. It just hasent worked on the home system before if thats what you mean.

Raz

Click to expand...

Maybe I'm remembering something wrong. Don't you need to use the select button for some things in 1.2?

KMGor said:

Maybe I'm remembering something wrong. Don't you need to use the select button for some things in 1.2?

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There are some things you can do with the select buttons yes but the same thing can be done using a coin switch also.

If you mean about getting into the in game menu then the next version will have an option to access it via START+A+B+C as it may be diffucult to access the menu if the coin switch is not on a button (which it probably won't be if you own a cab).

Raz

KMGor said:

Maybe I'm remembering something wrong. Don't you need to use the select button for some things in 1.2?

Click to expand...

A 1-slot board can also have the select button wired. I use the select button in my MV1A .

Raz, I'm looking forward to beta-test 1.3 in my set-up!

Razoola said:

There are some things you can do with the select buttons yes but the same thing can be done using a coin switch also.

If you mean about getting into the in game menu then the next version will have an option to access it via START+A+B+C as it may be diffucult to access the menu if the coin switch is not on a button (which it probably won't be if you own a cab).

Raz

Click to expand...

Yeah, that was it. I know it would be possible to rig a coin switch (I might someday do it, but I think I'd rather have actual coin inserts if anything), but I figured if 1.3 would make it not even needed, I'll just wait.

A 1-slot board can also have the select button wired. I use the select button in my MV1A

Click to expand...

I'd just rather have it be a simple button combination rather then having to wire a new button, personally.