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Topic: [PSX] Viewing memory from actual hardware (Read 1 times)
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m35
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« on: March 27, 2010, 09:59:14 am » |
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I need access to PlayStation 1 RAM, but using an emulator isn't an option (want to ensure emulators are actually doing what the hardware does). I just need to see a small potion of memory at a time.
I have an unmodded PSone, but I also have a Gameshark which lets me play burned/other region discs. Ideas I've come up with so far:
* Write a small PSX executable myself which will perform the operations then display the memory on screen. However my area of interest (MDEC chip) only seems accessible using the official Sony SDK. None of the homebrew libraries provide access to it.
* Modify the assembly of an existing game to break into my own routine to do similar.
I would love if there was some way to get a PSX memory dump onto my computer, but that doesn't seem very possible.
So the question: Anyone have any idea how I might do this? Or even better, does anyone have access to a PlayStation 1 that lets you capture memory dumps?
Thanks a ton.
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Dragoon ZERO
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« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2010, 01:31:43 pm » |
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I'm not certain, but I think that Game Shark Pro might have been able to dump RAM to a PC via parallel port. I know that the device itself let you poke around in RAM, but I can't remember if it was limited in any way. I sold mine about ten years ago after my original PSX died. I didn't know enough to actually make good use of it at the time I had it (used it to build Gran Turismo hybrids on the fly), so I really can't say for sure how useful it would be.
That said, you'd need an older model PSX with the required port, a PC with a parallel port, and you'd need to find a download for the PC software (it was always free, so it shouldn't be too hard to find).
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cclh12
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« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2010, 06:37:56 pm » |
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If your gonna go do some monstrous assembly hacking for whatever you need, Gameshark Pro will let you dump the RAM, modify it, and send that RAM back to the PSX. The only headache with this method is running the software to do this. It only works on windows 98 and I haven't been able to get it to run on vista or XP. Luckily I have a ancient desktop that is NEVER used running 98, but is useful for this.  |
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m35
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« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2010, 02:52:59 pm » |
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Gameshark Pro will let you dump the RAM Holy crap that's exactly what I need...but I'm stuck with the later PSone model without the ports  If only I could get a handful of memory dumps while a FMV is playing, preferably Tekken 3 or FF9 opening movie, but any game would be a start. |
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« Last Edit: March 28, 2010, 02:58:21 pm by m35 »
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creaothceann
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« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2010, 02:58:29 pm » |
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I need access to PlayStation 1 RAM, but using an emulator isn't an option (want to ensure emulators are actually doing what the hardware does).
Wouldn't pSX be reasonably close? It emulates lots of games without issues after all, afaik. |
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Gemini
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« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2010, 04:59:23 pm » |
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If he's doing what I think, no emulator is suitable for this task, not even pSX.
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cclh12
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« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2010, 09:34:16 pm » |
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I flashed my gameshark pro cart with zippy afew months back, but I will look into flashing it back and snag you afew FFIX FMV dumps.
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m35
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« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2010, 09:50:08 pm » |
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I flashed my gameshark pro cart with zippy afew months back, but I will look into flashing it back and snag you afew FFIX FMV dumps.
Dude, you would be my freakin hero.  It would help me to add perfect PSX video emulation in my jPSXdec program (even MAME doesn't claim to do that yet). Your name shall be included in my long list of people who made jPSXdec possible. |
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cclh12
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« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2010, 12:43:21 am » |
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Here you go, m35.If that's not enough, I don't mind making you as many as you need ;]
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« Last Edit: March 29, 2010, 01:00:06 am by cclh12 »
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creeperton
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« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2010, 11:39:55 am » |
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Gameshark Pro will let you dump the RAM Holy crap that's exactly what I need...but I'm stuck with the later PSone model without the ports If only I could get a handful of memory dumps while a FMV is playing, preferably Tekken 3 or FF9 opening movie, but any game would be a start. The port is still back there. They didn't take it out, they just changed the cover on the playstation. If you want, you can unscrew it, take the top off, cut a hole in the back for the port, and put the top back on. |
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m35
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« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2010, 03:01:53 pm » |
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Here you go, m35.If that's not enough, I don't mind making you as many as you need ;] Holy cow dude, you're fast--and awesome! :thumbsup: Digging into just one of those ram dumps I already found a bit of decoded video data that clearly belongs to frame 832. Now comes the hard part of trying to figure out the precise math behind it all. I thought I was going to need a ton of these, but these two should keep be busy for quite awhile. Thanks a ton! The port is still back there. They didn't take it out, they just changed the cover on the playstation. If you want, you can unscrew it, take the top off, cut a hole in the back for the port, and put the top back on.
Hmm, I'll poke around with the unit to see, but I still need the correct Gameshark Pro right? I've only got a disc based version. |
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Skeud
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« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2010, 08:27:28 am » |
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With this and  you'll be able to view/edit PS ram in realtime. |
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