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Added FAQ and bootloader bugfix sections

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@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ So is the "Data Frog" any good? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
## Table of Contents
- [SF2000](#sf2000)
- [Table of Contents](#table-of-contents)
- [FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)](#faq-frequently-asked-questions)
- [Is this thing any good?](#is-this-thing-any-good)
- [Is there any custom firmware?](#is-there-any-custom-firmware)
- [I just got my SF2000; what modding can I do with it?](#i-just-got-my-sf2000-what-modding-can-i-do-with-it)
- [Help! I was doing stuff in the `bios` folder or trying to install a new firmware, and now my SF2000 won't turn on, or is stuck at a black screen!](#help-i-was-doing-stuff-in-the-bios-folder-or-trying-to-install-a-new-firmware-and-now-my-sf2000-wont-turn-on-or-is-stuck-at-a-black-screen)
- [Hardware](#hardware)
- [CPU](#cpu)
- [Display](#display)
@ -33,6 +38,7 @@ So is the "Data Frog" any good? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
- [Save States](#save-states)
- [Default ROMs](#default-roms)
- [Firmware/BIOS (bisrv.asd)](#firmwarebios-bisrvasd)
- [Bootloader Bug](#bootloader-bug)
- [Button Mappings/Key Bindings](#button-mappingskey-bindings)
- [Boot Logo](#boot-logo)
- [Resources](#resources)
@ -51,6 +57,34 @@ So is the "Data Frog" any good? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
---
## FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
### Is this thing any good?
[Read my introductory section above :)](#sf2000)
### Is there any custom firmware?
As of June 17th 2023, **no**, not yet. However efforts are underway; an SDK for the CPU has been identified, which may allow for the development of a custom in the future. [A GitLab repo](https://git.maschath.de/ignatz/hcrtos) has been set up by `ignatzdraconis` for the work, and you can [follow along with discussion in the `Retro Handhelds` Discord](https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1092831839955193987).
### I just got my SF2000; what modding can I do with it?
In no particular order, some of the current customisation options available are:
* You can [fix an annoying bug in the device's bootloader](#bootloader-bug)
* You can [upgrade the firmware to the latest version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dT2fdGfck)
* You can swap out the [buttons](#buttons) and [d-pad](#d-pad) (and their membranes) for ones from original SNES controllers (not SNES Classic), which gives a more retro "mushy" feel (if your replacement buttons have 3 "pins", you may need to file or clip one of the pins off)
* You can swap the [battery](#battery) for a higher-capacity `3500 mAh` 18630, which will give you longer playtime (at the cost of longer charging time). If you do decide to replace the battery, make sure you use one with a built-in protection circuit, as the SF2000 has no under-charge protection.
* You can [replace the boot logo](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/bootLogoChanger.htm) with a custom one
* You can [replace the main menu music, or remove it entirely](#sounds)
* You can [change the default button mappings](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/buttonMappingChanger.htm) for each emulator (newer firmwares have this feature built-in, but the built-in implementation is buggy)
* You can add your own ROMs to the `roms` folder on the microSD card, which will then appear in the user ROMs menu of the device. You can also modify the built-in ROM lists using [FROGTOOL](https://github.com/tzlion/frogtool)
* You can replace the default menu theme with a custom one
There's no centralised repository for boot logos or custom themes, but you can find many of them linked in the ["The Frog's Best Bits 🐸" thread](https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1110397766074638397) in the [Retro Handhelds Discord server](https://discord.gg/retrohandhelds).
### Help! I was doing stuff in the `bios` folder or trying to install a new firmware, and now my SF2000 won't turn on, or is stuck at a black screen!
You've probably run into the bootloader bug - you can [find the two fixes to it below](#bootloader-bug). Alternatively, [follow Data Frog's instructions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dT2fdGfck) to wipe your microSD card and flash a clean firmware image.
---
## Hardware
### CPU
@ -96,9 +130,9 @@ The device advertises support for arcade, NES, SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Bo
The SF2000 appears to be using Libretro with a custom front-end (i.e., not RetroArch).
### Arcade
The device is running Final Burn Alpha v0.2.97.42 (Git commit [`621e371`](https://github.com/Aftnet/fbalpha/commit/621e371)). Thanks to some truly exceptional work by `adcockm#8175` from the Retro Handhelds Discord, we know it supports an unusual mix of ROM sets, largely based on MAME 0.106 and Final Burn Alpha v0.2.97.42. `adcockm#8175` has gone ahead and compiled two separate [Clrmamepro](https://mamedev.emulab.it/clrmamepro/) dat files - [one for _all_ sets technically supported by the SF2000's current BIOS](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42.dat) (as of May 2023; though note that "supported" does not mean working or playable), and [one for all playable sets](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42_playable_no_dups.dat) with duplicates removed (and note, "playable" may include games with missing sound, graphical glitches, performance issues, but are otherwise technically functional). If you want to build a working set (must be non-merged) from the dat files, `adcockm#8175` has further provided [a list of "hints"](/arcade/Building_the_DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42_set.txt) as the sets you'll need to track down - for obvious reasons neither I nor anyone else can provide links to such material, but hopefully the hints will get you something you can start searching for. Finally, there's also [a HTML document](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA.html) with a list of all of the supported sets along with some useful metadata, such as the set's full name, playability information, screen orientation, etc.. The `inrom` column indicates if the ROM was included on the SF2000's stock microSD card; it's interesting to note that there were more ROMs located on the card than were defined in the `mswb7.tax` file (and thus available from the arcade game list); none of the unlisted games were actually playable on the SF2000, so it's possible someone from Data Frog actually tested the games to an extent, and removed ones from the available list that were broken.
The device is running Final Burn Alpha v0.2.97.42 (Git commit [`621e371`](https://github.com/Aftnet/fbalpha/commit/621e371)). Thanks to some truly exceptional work by `adcockm` from the Retro Handhelds Discord, we know it supports an unusual mix of ROM sets, largely based on MAME 0.106 and Final Burn Alpha v0.2.97.42. `adcockm` has gone ahead and compiled two separate [Clrmamepro](https://mamedev.emulab.it/clrmamepro/) dat files - [one for _all_ sets technically supported by the SF2000's current BIOS](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42.dat) (as of May 2023; though note that "supported" does not mean working or playable), and [one for all playable sets](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42_playable_no_dups.dat) with duplicates removed (and note, "playable" may include games with missing sound, graphical glitches, performance issues, but are otherwise technically functional). If you want to build a working set (must be non-merged) from the dat files, `adcockm` has further provided [a list of "hints"](/arcade/Building_the_DataFrog_SF2000_FBA_v0.2.97.42_set.txt) as the sets you'll need to track down - for obvious reasons neither I nor anyone else can provide links to such material, but hopefully the hints will get you something you can start searching for. Finally, there's also [a HTML document](/arcade/DataFrog_SF2000_FBA.html) with a list of all of the supported sets along with some useful metadata, such as the set's full name, playability information, screen orientation, etc.. The `inrom` column indicates if the ROM was included on the SF2000's stock microSD card; it's interesting to note that there were more ROMs located on the card than were defined in the `mswb7.tax` file (and thus available from the arcade game list); none of the unlisted games were actually playable on the SF2000, so it's possible someone from Data Frog actually tested the games to an extent, and removed ones from the available list that were broken.
`adcockm#8175` also provided the following interesting statistics:
`adcockm` also provided the following interesting statistics:
- Number of arcade ROMs known by the SF2000's firmware: `1431`
- Number properly rotated: `1291`
@ -156,7 +190,7 @@ If you want to mess around with SF2000 save states, you can [do so using my SF20
### Default ROMs
The default full firmware for the SF2000 comes with over 6000 ROMs across the seven supported systems. The manual suggests these are for "demonstration purposes" only, and should be deleted by the owner (with any failure to do so not being their responsibility) - despite the fact that the SF2000's menus are hard-coded for this specific list of ROMs. The ROM files themselves are a custom bundle format; the first `59,904 bytes` are an RGB565 image shown as a thumbnail beside the game when selected in a game-list, and the remainder of the file is a slightly mangled/obfuscated ZIP file containing the game's single ROM file. The only exception to this format are the arcade ROMs, which consist of a plain-old Final Burn Alpha ROM zip file, coupled with a `.zfb` file containing the thumbnail image and a pointer to the ROM zip file name.
I was curious to see how the included ROMs matched up against the current "[No-Intro](https://no-intro.org/)" catalogue for each of the non-arcade systems, so I wrote a small script to extract the ROMs from the SF2000's bundles (`05.22` firmware), and compare the hashes against the current (June 9th, 2023) set of No-Intro DAT files. You can [find a big HTML file with all of the results here](/defaultRoms/defaultRomsNoIntroCheck.htm), and [a raw CSV file of the same data here](/defaultRoms/defaultRomsNoIntroCheck.csv). You can click most of the column headers in the HTML version to sort the table by that column. The NES ROMs had their first 16-bytes stripped to remove their "iNES" header (thanks for the tip, `osaka#9664`!), and were compared against the "headerless" No-Intro NES dat file.
I was curious to see how the included ROMs matched up against the current "[No-Intro](https://no-intro.org/)" catalogue for each of the non-arcade systems, so I wrote a small script to extract the ROMs from the SF2000's bundles (`05.22` firmware), and compare the hashes against the current (June 9th, 2023) set of No-Intro DAT files. You can [find a big HTML file with all of the results here](/defaultRoms/defaultRomsNoIntroCheck.htm), and [a raw CSV file of the same data here](/defaultRoms/defaultRomsNoIntroCheck.csv). You can click most of the column headers in the HTML version to sort the table by that column. The NES ROMs had their first 16-bytes stripped to remove their "iNES" header (thanks for the tip, `bnister`!), and were compared against the "headerless" No-Intro NES dat file.
---
@ -174,8 +208,31 @@ Known firmware versions are currently (dates approximate):
There is not currently any custom firmware (CFW) for the device. The stock firmware is currently being investigated; here are some findings from it:
### Bootloader Bug
The bootloader on the SF2000 (the bit of code embedded in the devices hardware; it initialises things, and kicks-off loading of the BIOS from `bisrv.asd`) has a bug, which can cause the SF2000 to lock-up with a black screen during boot if the `bios` folder has been messed with. Specifically, the bug is triggered when the `bios` folder's FAT table contains a multiple of `4` entries, or a multiple of `4` plus `1`.
If your device is currently _not_ booting, and you've modified the `bios` folder in any way (e.g., patching a new boot logo, upgrading firmware, etc.), you can attempt to get the SF2000 booting again by creating empty text files inside the `bios` folder, one at a time (this creates new FAT entries, and should get you away from numbers of entries the stock bootloader doesn't like). For example, create an empty file in the `bios` folder called "temp1.txt", put the microSD card back in the SF2000, and see if it boots. If it still doesn't, add a "temp2.txt" file to the `bios` folder, put the card back in the SF2000 and try booting again, etc..
Alternatively, `bnister` found the root cause for the bug, and has created a patch which permanently fixes it (no added files required). Below are the patching instructions.
**NOTE: While many people have already reported success with patching their bootloader, and no-one has yet reported any issues with it, this patch should be considered experimental:**
1. Ensure your SF2000 is in a state where it boots normally when turned on (displays a boot logo, proceeds to the main menu)
2. Ensure your SF2000's battery is fully charged (having the device power off during the patching process will likely "brick" it, rendering it inoperable)
3. Power off the SF2000, and remove the microSD card
4. Connect the microSD card to your computer
5. Download this zip file: [SF2000_bootloader_bugfix.zip](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1099465777825972347/1105582470990135316/SF2000_bootloader_bugfix.zip)
6. Extract the zip file; inside is a folder called `UpdateFirmware`, containing a single file called `Firmware.upk`
7. Copy the `UpdateFirmware` folder to the root of the microSD card, so that the `UpdateFirmware` folder is in the same place as the `bios` and `roms` folders
8. Eject the microSD card from your computer, and put it back in the SF2000
9. Turn the SF2000 on; you should see a message in the lower-left corner of the screen indicating that patching is taking place. The process will only last a few seconds
10. When the patching is complete, you will be taken to the main menu as usual
11. Power off the SF2000, and remove the microSD card
12. Connect the microSD card to your computer
13. Delete the `UpdateFirmware` folder (it's no longer needed)
### Button Mappings/Key Bindings
`osaka#9664` discovered that the OS supports loading game-specific key bindings from `.kmp` files, stored in the `save` folder for each system and named after a game's ROM file (e.g., `/FC/save/Game Name.EXT.kmp`). They also discovered where in the `bisrv.asd` file the default mappings for each emulator are stored. Working with this information, `notv37#4200` worked out what bits related to what buttons for each emulator. Using both their findings, we now have a tool which can be used to update both the global button mappings for the emulators, as well as create per-ROM mappings - you can [find this tool here](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/buttonMappingChanger.htm).
`bnister` discovered that the OS supports loading game-specific key bindings from `.kmp` files, stored in the `save` folder for each system and named after a game's ROM file (e.g., `/FC/save/Game Name.EXT.kmp`). They also discovered where in the `bisrv.asd` file the default mappings for each emulator are stored. Working with this information, `notv37` worked out what bits related to what buttons for each emulator. Using both their findings, we now have a tool which can be used to update both the global button mappings for the emulators, as well as create per-ROM mappings - you can [find this tool here](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/buttonMappingChanger.htm).
Note that the game-specific key bindings function have been removed from the May 15th firmware onwards.
@ -415,7 +472,7 @@ So, for example: if your most recently played game (first in the history list) w
For more information on the ROM lists in general, see the next section.
### ROM Lists
Credit for this section goes to `taizou#9644`, author of [FROGTOOL](https://github.com/tzlion/frogtool). These files relate to the built-in game-lists under each main system; the list of games is pulled from these files instead of being built at runtime - annoying, but presumably for performance reasons. It means if you want to change the list of built-in games (instead of using the User ROMs section), you have to edit these files - hence FROGTOOL, you should really check it out.
Credit for this section goes to `taizou`, author of [FROGTOOL](https://github.com/tzlion/frogtool). These files relate to the built-in game-lists under each main system; the list of games is pulled from these files instead of being built at runtime - annoying, but presumably for performance reasons. It means if you want to change the list of built-in games (instead of using the User ROMs section), you have to edit these files - hence FROGTOOL, you should really check it out.
| Files | Description |
| ----- | ----------- |
@ -426,7 +483,7 @@ Credit for this section goes to `taizou#9644`, author of [FROGTOOL](https://gith
| `TSMFK.TAX` | This is a ROM list file similar to the other `.tax` files, except it is built at run-time from the ROM files in the user roms folder. The file is regenerated each time the device boots |
### Sounds
There are several sound files in the `20230420` firmware, stored in raw signed 16-bit PCM format (mono, little-endian at 22050 Hz). The SF2000 seems to play the files back at an incorrect sample rate vs. the raw data; if you want to customise the background music, resample your audio to 21560 Hz (21561.1 Hz is technically precise, but 21560 Hz is easer to remember, and all but the most exacting of human ears is unlikely to detect the difference), and then speed the audio up to 22050 Hz, using the resulting audio as the raw data (credit to `notv37#4200` in Discord for doing the initial discovery math, and to ``osaka#9664` for doing technical follow-up in the firmware - you can [read their deep-dive into the details here](https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1099465777825972347/1112643797344583710) (Discord link)).
There are several sound files in the `20230420` firmware, stored in raw signed 16-bit PCM format (mono, little-endian at 22050 Hz). The SF2000 seems to play the files back at an incorrect sample rate vs. the raw data; if you want to customise the background music, resample your audio to 21560 Hz (21561.1 Hz is technically precise, but 21560 Hz is easer to remember, and all but the most exacting of human ears is unlikely to detect the difference), and then speed the audio up to 22050 Hz, using the resulting audio as the raw data (credit to `notv37` in Discord for doing the initial discovery math, and to `bnister` for doing technical follow-up in the firmware - you can [read their deep-dive into the details here](https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1099465777825972347/1112643797344583710) (Discord link)).
If you want to do it using [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/) , the steps are:
@ -485,31 +542,35 @@ This section isn't really about the `Resources` files per-se, but it's tangental
All of these are linked above already in their relevant sections, but just in case you prefer to see them as a pulled-out list, here they are again:
- [BIOS CRC32 Patcher](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/biosCRC32Patcher.htm)
- [`bnister`'s Bootloader Patch](#bootloader-bug)
- [Boot Logo Changer](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/bootLogoChanger.htm)
- [Button Mapping Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/buttonMappingChanger.htm)
- [Community DataFrog SF2000 Compatibility List](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19TCedWEKFXlnS2dlmLxk1BcnlHrX-MSVrKwEURuiU0E/edit#gid=1327539659)
- [Data Frog's firmware update tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dT2fdGfck)
- [FROGTOOL](https://github.com/tzlion/frogtool) (for updating the built-in game lists)
- [Generic Image Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/genericImageTool.htm)
- [`ignatzdraconis`'s Gitlab Repo](https://git.maschath.de/ignatz/hcrtos)
- [Save State Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/saveStateTool.htm)
- [Silent background music file](/sounds/silentMusic/pagefile.sys) (replace the file in the `Resources` folder on the microSD card)
---
## Version History
- `20230617 - 1.18`: Added an FAQ. Added a section about the bootloader bug, along with steps for installing `bnister`'s patch. Added a link to `ignatzdraconis`'s Gitlab Repo. Some folks have updated their Discord handles to Discord's new naming convention, and those handles have been updated throughout.
- `20230609 - 1.17`: Added a section about the default ROMs that come with the SF2000, including a HTML file and a CSV file that have the SHA256/SHA1/MD5/CRC32 hashes for all non-arcade ROMs, and details about which ROMs match the current No-Intro database.
- `20230605 - 1.16`: Added my new [Save State Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/saveStateTool.htm). Added documentation to the Emulators section about the save state files and their format. Also added a note specifically to the Arcade section about the `.skp` files (which are secretly just save state files with a different extension). Added a "Favourites and History" section detailing the format of the `Favorites.bin` and `History.bin` files.
- `20230530 - 1.15`: Added link to the community ROM compatibility list. Added some personal notes for theme creators.
- `20230529 - 1.14`: Updated the main menu BGM sample rate details with the latest findings from `osaka#9664`. Clarified which menu text colour resets after exiting a game. Added a note about charging safety (thanks for your sacrifices, `Zerter#4954`! 🫡)
- `20230529 - 1.14`: Updated the main menu BGM sample rate details with the latest findings from `bnister`. Clarified which menu text colour resets after exiting a game. Added a note about charging safety (thanks for your sacrifices, `Zerter#4954`! 🫡)
- `20230526 - 1.13`: Updated Audacity instructions to support latest version of Audacity. Added a BIOS CRC32 patcher tool for the reckless and brave. Added a note about `Foldername.ini` text colours reverting after loading a game (thanks `Zerter#4954`!)
- `20230525 - 1.12`: Added a section about the internals of the `Foldername.ini` file. Added a note to the Arcade section about the "inrom" column in `adcockm#8175`'s metadata document. Added a small firmware note for the May 22nd about community-spotted GBA performance improvements. Added specific emulator versions and Git commit links for each emulator (thanks `osaka#9664` and `notv37#4200`!). Added specific steps for producting SF2000-format audio files using Audacity.
- `20230525 - 1.12`: Added a section about the internals of the `Foldername.ini` file. Added a note to the Arcade section about the "inrom" column in `adcockm`'s metadata document. Added a small firmware note for the May 22nd about community-spotted GBA performance improvements. Added specific emulator versions and Git commit links for each emulator (thanks `bnister` and `notv37`!). Added specific steps for producting SF2000-format audio files using Audacity.
- `20230524 - 1.11`: Added my new [Generic Image Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/genericImageTool.htm). Added more exceptional information from `adcockm#8175` in regards to arcade emulation on the SF2000, and cleaned up the old info accordingly. Corrected some typos related to `bisrv.asd` (thanks `Luke#4448`!). Usage of `nvinf.hsp` was tracked down to the numbers of games available on the main menu pages (thanks `kid_sinn#9691`!).
- `20230524 - 1.11`: Added my new [Generic Image Tool](https://vonmillhausen.github.io/sf2000/tools/genericImageTool.htm). Added more exceptional information from `adcockm` in regards to arcade emulation on the SF2000, and cleaned up the old info accordingly. Corrected some typos related to `bisrv.asd` (thanks `luke7352`!). Usage of `nvinf.hsp` was tracked down to the numbers of games available on the main menu pages (thanks `kid_sinn#9691`!).
- `20230522 - 1.10`: Updated resource tables for the new `05.22` firmware (no changes); added a table with details about known firmware versions. Added a "Tools & Links" section.
@ -519,16 +580,16 @@ All of these are linked above already in their relevant sections, but just in ca
- `20230512 - 1.7`: Added a note about stock battery runtime. Added a section with information about A/V output performance. Added a bit of info about PAL/NTSC region speed for Genesis/Mega Drive. Retitled the "bisrv.asd" section to make it clearer that's the BIOS/firmware.
- `20230511 - 1.6`: Added a quick note about the display panel to the Hardware section, and added a new section for Emulators, including an incredible collection of ROM notes for Arcade thanks to `adcockm#8175`! Also added a "silent" background music file for download, and a table of contents (this page is getting fairly long 😅). Added a `favicon.ico` to get rid of that one annoying console error.
- `20230511 - 1.6`: Added a quick note about the display panel to the Hardware section, and added a new section for Emulators, including an incredible collection of ROM notes for Arcade thanks to `adcockm`! Also added a "silent" background music file for download, and a table of contents (this page is getting fairly long 😅). Added a `favicon.ico` to get rid of that one annoying console error.
- `20230510 - 1.5`: Added additional detail to the Hardware section about the buttons, d-pad, thumb-stick, battery, and wireless controller support.
- `20230510 - 1.4`: Added my own version of `osaka#9664`'s button mapping tool at their request, and changed the link in the Key Mapping section accordingly.
- `20230510 - 1.4`: Added my own version of `bnister`'s button mapping tool at their request, and changed the link in the Key Mapping section accordingly.
- `20230509 - 1.3`: Added more details about how the boot logo ends up scaled on the screen, as well as a link to a new tool I wrote for altering the logo. Corrected one small formatting error.
- `20230508 - 1.2`: Added details for `Archive.sys` - thanks to `osaka#9664` for the hints on what it related to!
- `20230508 - 1.2`: Added details for `Archive.sys` - thanks to `bnister` for the hints on what it related to!
- `20230507 - 1.1`: Some "unknown" files from the `Resources` folder identified with `taizou#9644`'s help (thanks!); moved them to the Sounds and Rom Lists sections with details. Only two files left!
- `20230507 - 1.1`: Some "unknown" files from the `Resources` folder identified with `taizou`'s help (thanks!); moved them to the Sounds and Rom Lists sections with details. Only two files left!
- `20230507 - 1.0`: Original creation of this page.