Use the supplied "Pippin" java program. It should run if you double-click the Pippin.bat batch file, or by just double-clicking Pippin.app in the MacOSX version. If your system is extremely retarded you can run it with "java -jar pippin.jar" .
Pippin will display an "In" and an "Out" column. Drag files (.d64, .t64, zipped .d64/.t64 or entire directories) into the in area. Alternatively use the menu item.
Files will be parsed, converted, and added to the output side. Converted? Yes, .d64 (disk images, 160 kB) that contain a sole file will be converted into .t64 (<60 kB).
Push the "Make pdb" button, or choose the corresponding menu item. You have to manually add ".pdb" at the end, for now. Double-click the resulting .pdb to transfer it to your palm device.
2) How to run an imported game.
Launch Frodo. Your .pdb will automatically be assimilated into the "main database". Choose "File Manager" from the menu, and you will se your games. Select one and press "Load".
Your game is now treated as if it was a disk inserted into the first 1541 device (unit 8). The hacked ROM's of Frodo give you some help in how to proceed.
Press 'F7' to perform a "LOAD "$",8", then type LIST (F1) to display disk contents.
Press 'F5' to print "LOAD ". Just add '*' and return and most programs will load.
Press 'F3' to RUN a loaded program.
Press 'F1' to perform a BASIC list.
3) The keyboard
The keyboard emulation is based on Graffiti events, as well as the on-screen keyboard. Just write a character with your pen and it will be passed to the C=64. The emulation will stutter in the meantime, because writing totally blocks the processor.
If you have a device with a real keyboard, that should work just as well. Since Palm in their wisdom have decided that there is no such thing as a key *up* event, I'm forced to guess as to if a specific key is being held down. I assume that a key is realeased ~1/2 of a second after is it pressed.
For those non-existant keys, like Commodore or Run/Stop, use your pen on the on-screen keyboard.
Commodore and Left Shift are both "sticky". If you tap them, they will be considered to be depressed until you tap them again. The keyboard graphics will change to reflect the characters that will be printed in shifted/"commodored" mode.
4) Joystick
By default, key 1 ("Date book" in most cases) is the fire button. Joystick directions are indicated by using the pen on the little TAC-2, what I call "JoyPen". Use the "Joystick" preference form to select other modes. The "Large" JoyPen mode uses the entire 320x320 area for joystick detection. That way, you will get tactile feedback (nice, solid bumps into the edges), but OTOH you will have to move the pen a lot.
You can also set the joystick directions to any *hardware* key. Hardware keys are keys such as "Date Book", "To Do", "Contrast", "Power". In the "Joystick" form, select one of the "Set" buttons. In the resulting dialog, *HOLD* your desired key while tapping "OK".
5) Graphics
The C=64 *should* look good by default on any device, and I am very interested if the screen looks mangled to you on first startup (please state which device you are using and which mode Frodo defaulted to).
If by chance Frodo looks strange on your device, go to "Graphics and Sound" options.
First, try the other 16 color mode. Then try 256 color direct, then the "compatible" 256 color buffered mode. If those all fail, I definitely want to hear about it.
6) .d64
The 1541 drive was quite a monster. It had its own RAM and a processor comparable to the main computer's. Some times, this was taken advantage of. Speed loaders and such relied on reprogramming the 1541. That will only work if you turn on the "Detailed 1541 emulation" option under "Obscure Options". Unfortunately, that's hidden right now, because the 1541 CPU emulation simply DOES NOT WORK. Sorry.
7) VFS
.pdb's packaged with Pippin can be dropped into the directory /Palm/programs/Frodo/ on your expansion card, and they will be scanned just like the main DB. I'm currently working on supporting single .d64/.t64 files, and saving to the VFS.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Johannes, can i ask... you have mentioned that you made something so people can get their basic programs out of the pdb, so this means you have something that allows files to be saved. So, why then can't i get the save to disk features in the games i have tried to work? Surely there's no such thing as a 'speed saver' so is there another reason why for example i can't save my characters to disk in the SSI rpg games? You need to save your characters to play properly :)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
How to use .t64 with Frodo ? Dragged one game using .t64 format into Pippin. It converted it fine into the pdb file, but then I couldnt load it at all. Neither via load "game",1 nor via load "game",8 :( .
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
i used pipping to convert all the files for wasteland: game1-4 master1-4... hotlinked... now what? i don't see any kind of options when i run frodo... (ps. i got the screen clear, thanks!)
i have made a word doc of the instructions to do it but its not helpin gme at all... if you can halp me my email is sturmkrahe@yahoo.com (do not send attachments because i will assume its something bad, thanks)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
this is sturmkrahe again... i have figured out one of my probs and yours too
after you load up frodo just hit your drop down menu button (right below your home button next to the graffitti area) thats where you find the stuff to change your graphics, quicksave and load up the gamefimes BEFORE you hit f7, then f5 (then hit * and return), then f3 to run...
WHERE to access the features was not in the manuel and noobs to PDA's could really use that tidbit... :D
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The Zire 31 has only a resolution of 160 x 160 pixel, but Frodo requires 320 x 320. Sorry. There is a thread in the open discussion forum with a link to a modifed version for low res devices. You have to use this on a Zire 31.
Regards,
Tom
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
1) How to get games into the emulator.
Use the supplied "Pippin" java program. It should run if you double-click the Pippin.bat batch file, or by just double-clicking Pippin.app in the MacOSX version. If your system is extremely retarded you can run it with "java -jar pippin.jar" .
Pippin will display an "In" and an "Out" column. Drag files (.d64, .t64, zipped .d64/.t64 or entire directories) into the in area. Alternatively use the menu item.
Files will be parsed, converted, and added to the output side. Converted? Yes, .d64 (disk images, 160 kB) that contain a sole file will be converted into .t64 (<60 kB).
Push the "Make pdb" button, or choose the corresponding menu item. You have to manually add ".pdb" at the end, for now. Double-click the resulting .pdb to transfer it to your palm device.
2) How to run an imported game.
Launch Frodo. Your .pdb will automatically be assimilated into the "main database". Choose "File Manager" from the menu, and you will se your games. Select one and press "Load".
Your game is now treated as if it was a disk inserted into the first 1541 device (unit 8). The hacked ROM's of Frodo give you some help in how to proceed.
Press 'F7' to perform a "LOAD "$",8", then type LIST (F1) to display disk contents.
Press 'F5' to print "LOAD ". Just add '*' and return and most programs will load.
Press 'F3' to RUN a loaded program.
Press 'F1' to perform a BASIC list.
3) The keyboard
The keyboard emulation is based on Graffiti events, as well as the on-screen keyboard. Just write a character with your pen and it will be passed to the C=64. The emulation will stutter in the meantime, because writing totally blocks the processor.
If you have a device with a real keyboard, that should work just as well. Since Palm in their wisdom have decided that there is no such thing as a key *up* event, I'm forced to guess as to if a specific key is being held down. I assume that a key is realeased ~1/2 of a second after is it pressed.
For those non-existant keys, like Commodore or Run/Stop, use your pen on the on-screen keyboard.
Commodore and Left Shift are both "sticky". If you tap them, they will be considered to be depressed until you tap them again. The keyboard graphics will change to reflect the characters that will be printed in shifted/"commodored" mode.
4) Joystick
By default, key 1 ("Date book" in most cases) is the fire button. Joystick directions are indicated by using the pen on the little TAC-2, what I call "JoyPen". Use the "Joystick" preference form to select other modes. The "Large" JoyPen mode uses the entire 320x320 area for joystick detection. That way, you will get tactile feedback (nice, solid bumps into the edges), but OTOH you will have to move the pen a lot.
You can also set the joystick directions to any *hardware* key. Hardware keys are keys such as "Date Book", "To Do", "Contrast", "Power". In the "Joystick" form, select one of the "Set" buttons. In the resulting dialog, *HOLD* your desired key while tapping "OK".
5) Graphics
The C=64 *should* look good by default on any device, and I am very interested if the screen looks mangled to you on first startup (please state which device you are using and which mode Frodo defaulted to).
If by chance Frodo looks strange on your device, go to "Graphics and Sound" options.
First, try the other 16 color mode. Then try 256 color direct, then the "compatible" 256 color buffered mode. If those all fail, I definitely want to hear about it.
6) .d64
The 1541 drive was quite a monster. It had its own RAM and a processor comparable to the main computer's. Some times, this was taken advantage of. Speed loaders and such relied on reprogramming the 1541. That will only work if you turn on the "Detailed 1541 emulation" option under "Obscure Options". Unfortunately, that's hidden right now, because the 1541 CPU emulation simply DOES NOT WORK. Sorry.
7) VFS
.pdb's packaged with Pippin can be dropped into the directory /Palm/programs/Frodo/ on your expansion card, and they will be scanned just like the main DB. I'm currently working on supporting single .d64/.t64 files, and saving to the VFS.
i am getting hte blurred screen on my clie tj27.. i know i am supposed to change the mode but HOW!
once frodo starts its in the c-64 screen but i dunno where to access the options
press on the menu icon on your grafitti area
Johannes, can i ask... you have mentioned that you made something so people can get their basic programs out of the pdb, so this means you have something that allows files to be saved. So, why then can't i get the save to disk features in the games i have tried to work? Surely there's no such thing as a 'speed saver' so is there another reason why for example i can't save my characters to disk in the SSI rpg games? You need to save your characters to play properly :)
How to use .t64 with Frodo ? Dragged one game using .t64 format into Pippin. It converted it fine into the pdb file, but then I couldnt load it at all. Neither via load "game",1 nor via load "game",8 :( .
i used pipping to convert all the files for wasteland: game1-4 master1-4... hotlinked... now what? i don't see any kind of options when i run frodo... (ps. i got the screen clear, thanks!)
i have made a word doc of the instructions to do it but its not helpin gme at all... if you can halp me my email is sturmkrahe@yahoo.com (do not send attachments because i will assume its something bad, thanks)
when i hit f7 it says:
10"$",8
searching for $
device not present error..
i can't get games to work and i have no menus after i start frodo... help!
this is sturmkrahe again... i have figured out one of my probs and yours too
after you load up frodo just hit your drop down menu button (right below your home button next to the graffitti area) thats where you find the stuff to change your graphics, quicksave and load up the gamefimes BEFORE you hit f7, then f5 (then hit * and return), then f3 to run...
WHERE to access the features was not in the manuel and noobs to PDA's could really use that tidbit... :D
What Palm OS is this restricted to?
for instance, will this run on Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Software for Pocket PC?
FrodoPalm works with PalmOS 5. For Windows Mobile devices, search for PocketHobbit.
I get a message that says I don't have the right screen density. I'm using a Zire 31.
The Zire 31 has only a resolution of 160 x 160 pixel, but Frodo requires 320 x 320. Sorry. There is a thread in the open discussion forum with a link to a modifed version for low res devices. You have to use this on a Zire 31.
Regards,
Tom
It is in the help forum not the open discussion, but thanks a lot!!!!!
Luke