Hi everybody, I've made a Raspberry Pi distribution the only purpose is to upload Naomi games to the Net Dimm. Its name is NaoPi (what else ) If you're interested feel free to ask, thanks Paolo
Ok, I'll bite. I did see some news about this being attempted at one point. How does it work exactly, have any more info as how easy it is to use?
Sure ! I simply don't know if I can post the link, so I've done such an "elusive" post. Let's try: NaoPi There I've explained all there is to know but now, after this post, I'll do another with all the info. Let's see if this message will be published now or will have to wait for approval... Paolo
First of all sorry for the elusive post, but without moderator approval it seems I can't post the link where I've put all the info. Anyway, down here I'll copy them for you... tl;dr NaoPi is a minimal linux distribution for Raspberry Pi which only purpose is to load Naomi games. First you have to put the NaoPi image on an SD card, the games on an USB memory stick, and both in a Raspberry Pi model B. Then you connect the Raspberry Pi to the properly configured Net Dimm Board via an Ethernet cable and finally you switch on everything. requirements A working Naomi machine with a Naomi base with a firmware supporting Net Dimm (by the way, it’s NOT necessary to have the “NETWORK SYSTEM” sign beneath the Naomi logo and the “Network Setting” entry in the Test menu. The Net Dimm Board must be simply “supported” by the Naomi base) a Net Dimm Board with a firmware supporting net booting a security chip with whatever key Game images “zeroed” how to download the NaoPi image extract the zip file to your hard drive, giving you the dd image naopi01-raspberrypi-*.rootfs.rpi-sdimg (where the star stands for the version date) write this image to the target SD card. The SD card will need to be 2GB or larger. Linux Replacing sdX with the location of the SD card, run: dd bs=1M if=/path/to/naopi01-raspberrypi-*.rootfs.rpi-sdimg of=/dev/sdX Windows Download and install Win32DiskImager Select the naopi01-raspberrypi-*.rootfs.rpi-sdimg image file, select your SD card drive letter and click Write. If it does not work try to format your SD before or look around the various Raspberry Pi info get an USB memory stick and create a folder called naopi just on the root copy the zeroed and uncompressed game images on the naopi folder. Their names must end with a lowercase .bin make sure the Net Dimm Board is a “net” one (remember to set the dip switches…) and make it use the dynamic network configuration (DHCP) with network setting menu enter in the test menu, then select network setting and finally select set ip address. Here set remote enable without network setting menu ask someone with a Naomi base showing the network setting menu to do this step once for you connect the Raspberry Pi to the Net Dimm Board using an Ethernet cable, cross or stright as you like game selection if you put only one *.bin game image on the naopi folder of the USB memory, that will be the one loaded if you put many *.bin game images on the naopi folder of the USB memory, the first listed in alphabetical order will be loaded triforce & chihiro I think it should work on triforce and chihiro too. I can’t test it so I’m waiting for a feedback. The loader behind NaoPi is the evergreen Triforce Tools from debugmode so it should work for all
let's try if I can post a not clickable url: http://www.e-venturi.com/jamma/?page_id=1073 p.s. hope the admin will excuse me
Wow, that is some pretty awesome stuff! I totally want to try and set this up on mine. I didn't previously have a net dimm though >.> Looks like I need to pick one up
Ah, I just recently read the link to your website, looks like it can hold multiple games on the USB and grabs the first alphabetical one. What version of Net DIMM is required to net boot these. I know net booting from compact flash (non-sega cards) required firmware 4.02
Hi... yes, the link appeared only after some good admin gave his ok. Anyway, in my tests I'm using a 3.13 net dimm. The firmware only must be able to let the net dimm to be bootable, and a 3.13 seems enough. The 4.02 stuff is necessary only to boot from a "normal" compact flash using the adapter connected to the gdrom scsi port (afaik...). Here instead, with NaoPi, you need the "net" part of the dimm board, not the gdrom one Thanks for your message and please, if you try, let me know if all works... I hope so but I've another couple weeks I can in case make modifications. Then I'll have to return the dimm board to the person who lent it to me. Ciao
Hi, the "dip switch selector" is on the to do list, it's not implemented right now and honestly I'll do only if there are people interested and a valid reason. I mean, it was only an idea I had but then I've seen it's so easy to put the image to load on the usb and change it there I don't think there will be people interested in this little "hardware hack" to make the game selectable by switch. My priority is to know if people have tried NaoPi and if it works. Have you already tried it ? Can you please write me if it's all ok ? Thanks Paolo
i have not tried it yet ... but i will in the next days and report.... i hope you will implement the dip switch feature ... this would be kickass to select the games ! great stuff !!!
I will keep my CompactFlash solution, but am glad someone develops alternatives. We never know what the future will be. Good job!
Sure, the compact flash solution has the advantage it's easier to find a gdrom dimm, at least I think. The biggest disadvantage is, if I remember well, there is the need of one flash card for game and the 4.02 firmware. Anyway for sure if you've it you've really no reason to change Thanks for the message ! Paolo
and you need to find the id of the CF card ... just put file on a USB stick is great ! btw. i also have the cf adapter
Well, not all NetDIMM have a SCSI port, so some owners only can rely on netbooting. Also, some people have a PC near their Naomi, some don't. But the most important thing is that we need alternatives, so that each can pick the solution he likes best, knowing that if ever that solution fails he can rely on another one. Should CF fail, I'll be happy to still have netbooting, which is why I am happy to see you working on this.
