# WAVeR v.2.

> Programmer: Eduardo A. Robsy Petrus
> e-mail: eduardo@robsy.net
> Date: 14th June 2002
> System requirements: IBM/PC computer with 80386 or higher CPU and MS-DOS/Win'9x.

### Introduction

> WAVeR automatically converts MSX ROM files to audio files in WAV format, to be loaded in MSX / MSX2 / MSX2+ computers using the cassette entry. This WAV files are CD-audio compatible format (16-bit, 44.1 KHz, stereo), so that the classical cassette recorder can be substituted by any CD player to load the games. And games always load at the first try!
> I have developed this new version due to the limited compatibility and options of the previous once, and mainly because of the huge feedback that I have received during the last months.

### Usage

> WAVeR is a Win32 console mode application, so that it should run fine under any Windows operating system: Windows'95, Windows'98, Windows NT, Windows ME and Windows XP. It will not work neither in MS-DOS nor in OS/2.
> Command line switches are used to change default options. Syntax is simple:

> > WAVER file.ROM [-switches]

> File extension can be supressed, but it should be an MSX ROM. If the selected file is not a proper MSX ROM, it will display an error message.

### Switches

> Program can be configurated in its different options using switches. They also afect conversion parameters. Allowed switches are the following (please note that all of them are preceded by an hyphen):

> > -? : Shows all switches and their meanings.

> > -reset : Patches ROM header to avoid its execution after resetting the computer. It is not done by default, and thus, Game Master can be used, for example, or Konami's cartridge combinations.

> > -mono : By default the resulting WAV files are in stereo mode (two channels). Using this switch will force a mono WAV file (one channel). This will reduce the file sizes to half, useful to store them in the hard disk.

> > -baud NUMBER : Sets the conversion baud rate. The default speed is 2400 bauds, the fastest standard in MSX systems. During beta-testing, speeds between 3200 and 3400 bauds were compatible with most MSX models. Other models have reached higher baud rates.

> > -size NUMBER : This will cut the ROM file size to the selected value in Kilobytes. This will probably prevent the ROM of working properly if data or program sectors are lost. It is useful for ROMs with duplicated blocks.

> > -color NUMBER : Determines the colour title in the loading screen. By default it is set to 5, blue. Colour numbers are coded as in MSX palette.

> > -msx "TEXT" : Defines the internal name for the loader. It will be the text that appears following "Found:" after the long header. If it is not specified, it will use the same name as the ROM file. Maximum length is 6 characters.

> > -title "TEXT" : Configures the loader to display this text as the title. If it is not specified, it will use the ROM file name. If the title has got more than one word, please use quotes (" ").

> > -copyright "TEXT" : Sets the copyright information to be displayed in the loader screen. If it is not initialized, no copyright will be shown.

> There are some hidden options that activate extra functionality or produce some special effects. Welcome to Easter Eggs' World!

### Examples

> To convert DEMO.ROM (included in this distribution package) the following command line would be used:

> > WAVER DEMO

> Or it can be a more detailed conversion using switches:

> > WAVER DEMO -baud 3200 -msx "Demo" -title "WAVER DEMO" -color 10 -copyright "2003 EDUARDO ROBSY" -reset -mono

> With this sentence we would get the same conversion, but with a patched header (not resident game), converted using 3200 baud speed (non standard), with the title WAVER DEMO included in the loading screen in yellow color, indicating the copyright notice. Also, the resulting WAV file would be mono, not stereo.

### Loading instructions

> Loading instruction for MSX-Basic is BLOAD"CAS:",R. If it does not load properly, adjust the volume and check the connections. Non-standard speeds higher than 2400 bauds could not work in all MSX models.
> First it will load a special loader developed for WAVeR v.2. This program enables high-speed loading and also checks if there are errors in the file loaded (checksum).

### SVI-738, MSX2 and MSX2+ computers

> These computers have a V9938 o higher video processor built-in. The loader program, once that loading process is finished, will allow the selection of different screen frequency updates: 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Not all televisions are compatible with both frequencies. Apart from this, some european games developed for 50 Hz refresh will not work correctly at 60 Hz.

### Compatibility

> WAVeR v.1. did not manage the mapped memory of MSX2/MSX2+ computers, but WAVeR v.2. does, and so, the "magic POKE" is not needed anymore. It will work in every MSX system with at least 64 KB of RAM in the same slot/subslot. Some game will work on MSX systems with less RAM, but not all.
> If the selected speed is higher than 2400 bauds, the resulting WAV could not be compatible with every MSX computer.
> WAVeR will only convert properly non-mapped MSX ROMs with a maximum size of 40 KB. MegaROMs are not supported in this version.

### Using Konami's Game Master

> It can be very useful to activate some Game Master cheats. There are two different possibilities:

> If you have the original Game Master cartridge and you want to use it to modify a game converted using WAVeR, you should to the following:

> > 1.- Convert the Konami game using WAVeR and without the -reset switch.
> > 2.-Switch on the computer without inserting the Game Master.
> > 3.-Once started the MSX BASIC, introduce carefully the Game Master. Warning: do this at your own risk. This operation could damage both your cartridge and your computer. I have done this so many times and nothing happened, but many people complain about crashed computers.
> > 4.-Load the game normally using BLOAD"CAS:",R. 5.-Once loaded, reset the computer. First, the Game Master will be executed, and it will allow you to change the parameters of the other Konami game.

> If you do not have the Game Master but you have an original Konami cartridge, you should follow this procedure:

> > 1.- Convert the Game Master ROM using WAVeR.
> > 2.- Switch on the computer without any cartridge inserted.
> > 3.- When BASIC starts, introduce carefully the game cartridge. Please, read the warning above.
> > 4.- Load the converted Game Master using BLOAD"CAS:",R.
> > 5.- Once loaded, it will allow to change the game options. Please note that this can only be done one time. In order to modify again the game you should repeat all the process from step 2.

> It is not possible to load both Game Master and game from cassette.

### Using Konami's game combinations

> Some Konami's cartridges look for the presence of other games from the same company, and if so, some details or cheats apear. WAVeR also can simulate this. The same rules for using the Game Master are applied.

> Despite megaROMs are not supported, this combinations usually work fine because they only check the first page ROM. For example, if you have Salamander but not Nemesis 2 it will not be possible to reach the good ending. But you can do the following:

> > 1.- Convert Nemesis 2 using WAVeR, and including the option -size 32 to convert only its first 32 KB. The resulting file will not work as the game, but it will allow to activate all the tricks in Salamander.
> > 2.- Switch on the MSX without any cartridge. 3.- When in BASIC, insert Salamander cartridge carefully.
> > 4.- Load the WAV file resulting from the conversion of Nemesis 2.
> > 5.- Once loaded, reset the computer. Now Salamander will be executed as is Nemesis 2 were in the second slot.

> This is only an example. There are much other posibilities once that the process is understood.

### Technical data

> This program should work on any IBM-PC computer with 80386 or higher CPU and MS-DOS or compatible operating system. It works fine under Win'9x.
> The technical specifications about FSK format were extracted from "The MSX Red Book" in its digital edition. All ROM loaders have been coded from scratch using rZ80, a z80 cross-assembler for PC.

### Legal stuff

> This software is given as-is, with no warranty at all. The author declines all responsability: use it at your own risk. Please do not ask about MSX ROM file sites: using commercial MSX ROMs without owing them is not legal. Piracy is harmful! Anyway, all MSX software should be freeware right now. This program is freeware: it can be copied and distributed freely.

### Last warning

> There are lots of MSX ROMs in Internet, but many of them are hacked versions and others are really crappy dumps, with lots of errors. Due to the copy routines used, most ROMs have 16 KB or 32 KB. If you look them closer, using a debugger or a disassembler, you can find that many of them have only 8 KB of data. You can cut them into the right size. This is an uncomplete list:

> > Balance
> > Boggy'84
> > Bomberman
> > Bouncing Block
> > Butamaru Pants
> > Computer Billiards
> > Condori
> > Crazy Train
> > Dragon Attack
> > Frogger
> > Fruit Search
> > Galaxian
> > Heavy Boxing
> > Jump Coaster
> > Juno First
> > Konami's Billiards
> > Mr.Chin
> > Space Maze Attack
> > Space Trouble
> > Sparkie
> > Super Snake
> > Super Cobra
> > Video Hustler

### Problems and suggestions

> If the program does not work as it should or if it does something weird, please contact me using e-mail. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have got any suggestions or doubts.

> Thank you for using WAVeR v.2.