D r e a m e m u
Version 0.0.4.1
Copyright (C) Lord Cheese 2000 - 2002
http://www.dreamemu.net
Contents:
1. Disclaimer & Copyright
2. What's New
3. System Requirments
4. Where To Get Required Software
5. Using Dreamemu
6. Known Issues
7. Contact & Feedback
8. History
9. Thanks & Greets
1. Disclaimer & Copyright
Dreamemu is strictly a non profit product. Dreamemu, or any part
therof, may not be sold commercially, for profit or otherwise.
It is not to be placed on media which contains illegal
Dreamcast GD-ROM/CD-ROM images. It is also not to be used in
conjunction with illegal Dreamcast GD-ROM/CD-ROM images.
Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are either trademarks
or registered trademarks of Sega Enterprises Ltd.
The author, Lord Cheese, is not responsible for any damages
caused through the use of this software. You run this software
at your own risk, and the software is provided "AS IS" without
a warrenty of any kind.
2. What's New
- SH-4:
- A minor bug in some delay slot instructions is fixed
- Store queues implemented
- PowerVR:
- Implemented plugin system
- Fixed FPS counter (was displaying a higher FPS than it actually was)
- 3D Graphics Support
- Maple Bus:
- Revised plugin system
- polling of controllers much improved
- Other:
- Fixed a few bugs like the crash on exit.
- Uses Win32 heap allocation functions for memory for very quick memory allocation.
- Windows XP Theme support.
- New user interface.
- Dosn't crash as much.
There are a few more but I can't remember since it was such a long time since the last release :)
3. System Requirements
At the moment, Dreamemu only runs on Microsoft Windows enviornments and x86 processors (Intel, AMD etc.) so you will need these to run dreamemu.
Dreamemu hasn't got a minimum speed requirement as such, it will just run faster if you have a faster computer.
On a PII 350MHz (my system) you should get about 10fps in 2d freeware demos, so you can judge accordingly. It would
be pretty unusable at anything less than a 300MHz processor.
RAM wise, Dreamemu needs about 40MB to be allocated, so you should have at least this amount free for optimal performance. However, because of virtual memory, Dreamemu will be able to run if you have less RAM than this, although performance will most likly be affected.
Plugins are mostly independant of Dreamemu and may have quite different system requirements so make sure to check out the respective plugin readme files.
4. Where To Get Required Software
- Dreamcast demos and freeware games can be downloaded at The Dreamemu Compatibility Website, DC Emulation.com and Boob!, among other sites.
- IP.BINs and 1ST_READ.BINs/Bootfiles are the executable code the Dreamcast processes. These will be contained in the software you download from these sites.
- ISO images of freeware software may be downloaded off these sites and others. To make your own, download CDRWIN from this site or get any other program that allows you to make ISO9660 images, such as the excellent Baka-FuriiISO or cdrecord/mkisofs.
- Dreamemu plugins, which should be provided with this package. For information on plugins, you should see their relevant readme files.
- Optional: A dreamcast BIOS which must be dumped yourself from your own dreamcast (A BIOS will allow BIOS font text to display).
- Optional: Any binary files downloaded from the DC which will allow exception handlers etc. to be loaded (e.g. blue screen).
5. Using Dreamemu
When you execute Dreamemu for the first time, you should get a message stating that it is starting for the first time. Just click OK.
First, setup your Directorys (Default ones based on the current directory will be used as default).
Then load a BIOS (if you have one) using Settings->BIOS.
Next specify the Input (Maple) and Video (PowerVR2) plugins, and configure them.
*Important*: Plugins may have certain requirements (such as newer DirectX drivers, or a colour depth
that must be set). Make sure your read the respective readme files of these plugins to see you meet
the requirements.
After this, set your default preferences (most are self explanatory - see later for details).
It is advisable to quit Dreamemu and restart after you have done this or else you may get unpredictable
behaviour.
Load an IP.BIN and/or bootfile and press start emulation.
If CD/GD filesystem support is required, you must also load an ISO image
of the files needed. Support for cd filesystem will be greatly improved in
future versions.
Note: Presently, you only need a BIOS to make sure the BIOS font displays properly.
It is not essential to run any software titles (however, text will not display if the program
uses the BIOS font). However, if you do not have a BIOS present, Dreamemu may crash
unexpectedly.
6. Known Issues
- Dreamemu has crashed on Windows 2000 sometimes for me, although I can get Stars running. Some beta
testers have reported that it crashes on Windows 2000 and cant run anything at all! I would like
to hear from people who cannot get it running on Windows 2000
- Some beta testers have reported that it crashes on Win98 and Win98 SE. I have tested it on
Win98 it works fine for me. Again I would like to hear from you if it crashes on these OSs
- If a software title requires cd-rom/gd-rom filesystem support, you must load both the ISO9660 image
and the IP.BIN/Bootfiles for the software. The need for this will be removed soon (i.e., the IP.BIN and bootfiles
will be loaded directly from the ISO image)
For Input/Video related errors, please read the documentation for the plugins.
To report bugs, it is preferable to use the forum or send an email to bugs@dreamemu.net.
7. Contact & Feedback
If you find any bugs in this program, or have any other useful
feedback, please inform me, either by e-mail, IRC or on the forum.
Queries such as "Where can i download ISOs?" will be ignored,
and repeated questions of this nature will be forwarded to Sega
Enterprises Ltd, who will deal with you accordingly.
Also, please DO NOT e-mail me questions like:
"Do commercial games work" or
"How come XXX game dosn't work" or
"How do I get XXX game to work" or
"How do I make an ISO run with Dreamemu" etc.
These are EXTREMELY ANNOYING and are the main cause of why I
don't regularly reply to e-mails.
AND...Do not send me pictures of bugs or of "games that work" that
are really doctored screenshots. I know what my emulator is capable
of, what it is not capable of and know roughly what sort of results it
gives. I code the thing remember?!?
E-mail: lordcheese@dreamemu.net
WWW: http://www.dreamemu.net
Forums: http://www.emutalk.net
IRC: #Dreamemu on EFnet
8. History
Dreamemu v0.03
Dreamemu v0.02
Dreamemu v0.01
9. Thanks & Greets
See About