Phoinix, the free Gameboy emulator for PalmOS
by Bodo Wenzel| Sitemap: | |
|---|---|
| Home (downloads) | |
| F. A. Q. |
|
| Compatibility of... | |
| free cartridges | |
| commercial cartridges | |
| How to... | |
| use the emulator | |
| convert cartridges | |
| make cartridges run | |
| get in touch | |
| About... | |
| the history | |
| the future | |
| the playability testing | |
| skipping frames | |
| some accessories | |
| limits and extensions | |
| Thank you for the cookies |
This site is kindly hosted by
Frequently asked questions (F. A. Q.)
Index:
- 1. General:
- 1.1. When I launch Phoinix, there are no games!
- 1.2. I did as you said, but still there are no games!
- 1.3. Where do I find those famous games like "Tetris"?!
- 1.4. Phoinix is sooo slooowww! What could I do?
- 1.5. There is this prominent warning about possible data corruption. How much should I take care of it?
- 1.6. Why is there no sound?
- 1.7. How can I get color?
- 2. Converting:
- 2.1. Now I've got some GB files - how to get them into Phoinix?
- 2.2. When I start the converter it just flashes shortly in a window but I can't read the output. How do I use it?
- 2.3. The converter says it can't open the file...
- 2.4. When I try to convert "XXX" the converter complains about the cartridge, why?
- 3. Usage:
- 3.1. For some reason I have to press the keys "Start" and "Select" at the same time. How can I do that?
- 3.2. How can I save the state of a game?
- 3.3. But you said that each game's state is saved, what do you mean?
- 3.4. I'd like to change the game, but quitting and relaunching brings me back to the old game!
- 4. Miscellaneous:
1. General:
- 1.1. When I launch Phoinix, there are no games!
- Phoinix only emulates the Gameboy's hardware, to play a game requires the game's binary data. You'll find these as files, commonly with a "*.GB" file extension. After obtaining a game's file, it must be converted to a Palm database ("*.PDB"). This is achieved with the converter "gb2pdb" on your personal computer.
- 1.2. I did as you said, but still there are no games!
- You used the wrong converter. Please download the correct one and try again.
- 1.3. Where do I find those famous games like "Tetris"?!
- Oh, I don't know! If you don't own the cartridge you aren't allowed to play the game on emulators, anyway. Please try some free games, provided in the archive "freegame.zip", or follow these links!
- 1.4. Phoinix is sooo slooowww! What could I do?
- Get some overclock utility and try again. If that doesn't help, buy a real Gameboy! Now seriously: currently there's no chance for more speed. If I get some time the next months, I'll try to look after a method called "dynamic recompilation". But don't hold your breath...
- 1.5. There is this prominent warning about possible data corruption. How much should I take care of it?
- That much you like - you're the one who is responsible for the safety of your data. The chance for destroying data exists not only with Phoinix, it may be a bad set of batteries, or a trojan horse, too. If something goes wrong in Phoinix you'll probably notice it. So if everything's fine with your favourite game, you don't have to worry.
- 1.6. Why is there no sound?
- The sound system uses four generators in stereo, including something like a WAV player. I'm sure you don't want this emulated, because first it will slow down the emulation a lot, and second because the beeper of the most handhelds can't generate adequate output.
- 1.7. How can I get color?
- Oh, I'm sorry, you can't. Phoinix emulates only the standard Gameboy. Supporting the Color Gameboy will slow down the emulation quite much, because about three times the screen data have to be handled.
2. Conversion:
- 2.1. Now I've got some GB files - how to get them into Phoinix?
- Read the text about conversion. Before any data can be hotsynced into your device, it has to be put into a PDB (Palm DataBase) file.
- 2.2. When I start the converter it just flashes shortly in a window but I can't read the output. How do I use it?
- You are surely a Windows-only user. Please open a DOS box where you can enter commands, refer to your documentation. Then read the text about conversion. I have plans about a Java based converter that will run on any PC with a graphical user interface. Please try the Tcl/Tk frontend in the meantime.
- 2.3. The converter says it can't open the file...
- Apparently this affects only Windows users. Please make sure that you're naming a real file, not a link.
- 2.4. When I try to convert "XXX" the converter complains about the cartridge, why?
- There are only some cartridge types supported. Maybe your special game will never be supported, maybe some next version will support it.
3. Usage:
- 3.1. For some reason I have to press the keys "Start" and "Select" at the same time. How can I do that?
- Tap and hold one of the buttons. Then drag over to the other one, the first one will remain pressed. For Zelda users: try starting with A and B so you wont come into the wrong menus.
- 3.2. How can I save the state of a game?
- Saving with cartridges which have RAM in their original hardware works, tested with "Zelda, Link's Awakening" and "Final Fantasy II". To learn how to execute this operation, read the game's manual.
- 3.3. But you said that each game's state is saved, what do you mean?
- In the current version Phoinix saves only the state of the currently running game. If you leave Phoinix while emulating, the state will be saved. If you relaunch Phoinix, you will continue where you left. You don't have to uncheck "Run" for this function.
- 3.4. I'd like to change the game, but quitting and relaunching brings me back to the old game!
- Just open the menu; use the "Menu" silk button below the "Home" (or "Arrow") left of the Graffiti area. On Palm OS prior to version 3.5 this was the only way to open it! You'll find a "Game" menu, and a "Quit" entry. Simple, eh?!
4. Miscellaneous:
- 4.1. With Phoinix my life is now full of joy! How could I thank you?
-
Take a pack of your favourite cookies and send it to my address:
Bodo Wenzel, Saarbrückener Straße 210, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany.
At least go and tell your friends about the fun you have with Phoinix... - 4.2. I want Phoinix to run on my "XXX"! How could I make you work on this all your time?
- That's simple: spend me a "XXX", address see above.