ReadMe.txt
DreamLink Version 0.11 Alpha
May 13, 2000
Copyright (c) 1999-2000 Riley McArdle
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
The Sega Dreamcast logo is a registered trademark of Sega of America.
This program is alpha software, and is not to be distributed.
Download the latest version from http://www.crosswinds.net/~glyff/dreamlink/
Introduction:
This program is for transferring files to and from the 4Mb/16Mb Dreamcast memory cards. This program will run on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000.
Distribution:
This program is alpha software, and is not to be distributed. Please direct people to the website if they would like a copy of this software.
You should have recieved this program directly from the official website at http://www.crosswinds.net/~glyff/dreamlink/.
Instructions:
- If you are using Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000, you first need to install the MapMemPlus kernel mode driver so that DreamLink can directly access the printer port. Use the install program in the MapMemPlus folder to install it. You also should set the delay factor to 0 microseconds. Start DreamLink, click "File", "Settings", then in the "Delay Factor" box, type "0", and click OK.
To download a file from the memory card (to a DCI file):
- Click "Memory Card", "Set Page X" or use the button on the side of the memory card to set the correct page.
- Click "View", "Refresh" to see a list of files on the memory card.
- Select the file you want to download.
- Click "File", "Download From Card..."
- The file will be downloaded and you will be prompted for a location to save it.
To upload a file to the memory card (from a DCI file):
- Click "Memory Card", "Set Page X" or use the button on the side of the memory card to set the correct page.
- Click "File", "Upload To Card..."
- Select the file you want to upload.
- The file will be uploaded.
- Click "View", "Refresh" to see a list of files on the memory card including the one you just uploaded.
To backup an entire page of memory (to a DCM file):
- Click "Memory Card", "Set Page X" or use the button on the side of the memory card to set the correct page.
- Click "Memory Card", "Backup..."
- The backup will be downloaded and you will be prompted for a location to save it.
To restore an entire page of memory (from a DCM file):
- Click "Memory Card", "Set Page X" or use the button on the side of the memory card to set the correct page.
- Click "Memory Card", "Restore..."
- You will be prompted for a backup file to use, and then it will be restored to the memory card.
Notes:
- There are only options to change to the first four pages of memory. If you have a 16Mb card, use the button on the card to change pages.
- The help system can be access from the Help menu, but isn't written yet.
Future Improvements:
Short Term:
- Work on stability and clean up the code
- Add the ability to delete files from the card
- Keep improving the interface
- Add setup program
Long Term:
- Add support for different file formats, including US format .VMI/.VMS files
- Create and add support for a new custom file format (.DLF)
- Add ability to change the VMU's icon and color
- Add the ability to extract icons from files into GIF format images
- Add file hacking capabilities, using GameShark-like codes, and perhaps a built-in hex editor
- Add the ability to format the VMU
- Add more error checking during transfer
- Make the transfer code self tuning, to remove the need for the timeout and delay factor settings
- Add support for the Double Power (might already work, tell me if you have one)
Contact:
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or technical information, please E-Mail me at [email protected]. I'm very interested in knowning if this program works for you, if it doesn't, if there are any bugs, if you have any ideas to make the program better, or if you have any technical information about how the link or the VMU works.