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Nintendo GameCube: Cobra firmware for Viper GC
Cobra version 1.0 for the Nintendo GameCube
Cobra is a firmware for the Viper GC modchip. It allows to play backup discs on the Nintendo gameCube.
Several versions have been released over the years.
Here are the original NFOs of each known release.
Cobra for Viper GC v0.2
∞ ∞ ∞
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≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V0.2 - ≥
≥ (Proof Of Concept Version) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 15th of december, 2004 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You didn't expect it to be true, right? Well, guess what... it IS! ≥
≥ As of today, no need for PSO anymore, you can boot your code directly ≥
≥ from the GC drive using DVD-R or Mini-DVD-R! This also includes the ≥
≥ ability to boot your backups. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD- burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ In fact, we wanted to release the first version of our Viper BIOS ≥
≥ around Xmas time, but it appears that some fucker leaked a -PRE-ALPHA- ≥
≥ version two days ago together with a screenshot (fuck you Vincenzo), ≥
≥ together with a screencap. We decided to release a proof-of-concept ≥
≥ version as soon as possible so that people can stop spreading rumor ≥
≥ about it (and DON'T USE the pre-alpha as it has some major bugs). ≥
≥ We feel it's totally natural that most people did doubt it was true, ≥
≥ as most of them have been waiting for such a solution for years! So ≥
≥ now those people can try the thing for REAL :-). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ USER MANUAL ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer (well, their manual says so) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with an ORIGINAL DISC in the drive. ≥
≥ If there's no Title Screen coming, but the original BIOS instead ≥
≥ it's probably that you messed up your viper install:-) ≥
≥ Check that it's clean (and no wires crossing each other etc...) ≥
≥ If you have a black screen coming, it's probably because you have ≥
≥ some wierd BIOS we don't support (and don't know about) yet. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - While turning on your GC: ≥
≥ - Hold X if you want to boot Original BIOS instead ≥
≥ - Hold Y if you want to boot Original BIOS with region-free hack ≥
≥ - Don't hold any button if you want to run DVD-R :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - "PLEASE WAIT" should appear. then "SWAP DISC NOW!" and the GC ≥
≥ disc is stopped (and laser off). As soon as you see the disc is ≥
≥ slowing down it's safe to remove the original disc and put your ≥
≥ DVD-R instead. After a few seconds the drive will start to spin ≥
≥ again and disc will boot (if you didn't have enough time to do the ≥
≥ swap trick, turn off the GC and try again) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Remove the top of your GC if you want to use full-size DVD-R ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE MEDIA ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive only eats DVD-R, MINI-DVD-R and single-layer silver DVD, ≥
≥ it doesn't work with + media or DL at all. ≥
≥ But, like Xbox thomson drive, it is very "sensitive" to the brand of ≥
≥ media you're using. Some are working better than others, some even ≥
≥ NOT AT ALL! So better check what media other users recommend. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ After a few tests here is what we think: ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - For DVD-R, most media are working, except some cheap no-names. On ≥
≥ some drives only the best media is working really fine. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - BUT FOR MINI-DVD-R it's more tricky. We tested the following brand: ≥
≥ SONY DVD-R 1.4GB handycam: doesn't work ≥
≥ TDK DVD-R 1.4GB scratchproof: doesn't work ≥
≥ MAXELL DVD-R 1.4GB: sometime boots, but then loose sync ≥
≥ DATAWRITE DVD-R 1.4GB: on some drives it works 100% like the ≥
≥ best DVD-R, but on some other drives it just can't sync ≥
≥ (when it does its working perfectly) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ In fact, we have some idea on how to improve the compatibility with ≥
≥ bad media in our next BIOS. For now we really suggest you to find ≥
≥ a good full-size DVD-R media, and get the opinion of other users. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You don't need to encrypt the disc or use a special burner firmware ≥
≥ to write the disc. Just burn your ISO/GCM (we use Nero). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Maybe different burners will lead to different results too, for now we ≥
≥ just tried a cheap NEC burner. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TROOBLESHOOTING ≥
≥ ≥
≥ REMEMBER, THIS IS A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT-VERSION ! ≥
≥ There are probably lots of bugs we need to fix including: ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Sometime the "SWAP DISC" message doesn't appear (or disc doesn't ≥
≥ slow down/laser is still on). If this happen to you just turn off ≥
≥ your GC and try again (ok, this is clearly our fault :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If sometimes after you swapped a disc there is a sync problem with ≥
≥ the DVD-R and origial BIOS is not loading, then try again. If this ≥
≥ happen very often, then you need a better media. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If the drive becomes idle for a couple of minutes, depending on the ≥
≥ media you're using it might loose sync, and hang. This is also a ≥
≥ bug of ours we will track. For now, if this happens to you, avoid ≥
≥ "PAUSE MODE" in games. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Audio Streaming doesn't work. So, the games/programs using the ≥
≥ special streaming commands will work, but instead of a nice MUSIC ≥
≥ you'll hear annoying NOISE :-). We'll have a look at those issues as ≥
≥ well ! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Doesn't work with multi-discs games yet ≥
≥ ≥
≥ REMEMBER, THIS IS A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT-VERSION ! All those problem ≥
≥ could be fixed in a next update, except for media maybe (if someone ≥
≥ wants to try laser tweaking we'd be interested by the results!) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Note that on screen there's a two digit number corresponding to your ≥
≥ GC version (right after the Cobra Version). Here are the current ≥
≥ versions we support: 14,16,18,24,26,28,34,36,38,44,46,48. If you have ≥
≥ another version, then we don't know about it yet... ≥
≥ ≥
≥ IF YOU MAKE BACKUPS, DON'T USE ANY "WIPE" TOOLS TO SAVE SPACE. Unless ≥
≥ you know it's REALLY working. Most of thoses tools only work because ≥
≥ the current pso loaders patch libraries routines to emulate DVD. But ≥
≥ on REAL HARDWARE, each file/fst has to be aligned on a 4-byte boundary! ≥
≥ Else nothing will work. Audio Files (for audio streaming) even need ≥
≥ to be aligned on a 32kb-boundary ! So forget current "WIPE" tools until ≥
≥ they are fixed. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE FUTURE ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Apart from fixing the current bugs, we have plans to make a (better ≥
≥ looking) real GUI, and some other surprises :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ For coders it's a bit(!) annoying to burn DVD-R for each test. We'll ≥
≥ try to work on a better solution (either using BBA or viper debug ≥
≥ IO) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CLOSING WORDS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, and RoM for the early units. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ That's it for this NFO, hope we didn't missed some important point. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Have a nice day :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
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Cobra for Viper GC v0.3
∞ ∞ ∞
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≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V0.3 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 12th of january, 2005 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Today is a big day for GC owners, as one of the best rated games (RE4) ≥
≥ for the system was just released. To celebrate with you, we decided we ≥
≥ would give you a new version of our Cobra BIOS. It allows PAL users ≥
≥ to play their RE4 import, which was not possible with Cobra 0.2 ! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ What's the Cobra BIOS ? A special BIOS specially tailored for your ≥
≥ Viper GC that allows yo to run your backups (and now homebrew code!) ≥
≥ from the GC drive using DVD(-/+)R or Mini-DVD(+/-)R! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ WHAT'S NEW ? ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The software part was improved a lot while our low-level hackers had ≥
≥ some great time in vacation :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - NTSC Regionfix issue on PAL systems is fixed! ≥
≥ - Wireless controller is now supported! ≥
≥ - Added a real GUI ≥
≥ - The following Cobra options can be changed (stored in Viper flash): ≥
≥ - Default boot action ≥
≥ - Boot action when the X-key is hold at boot time ≥
≥ - Video mode of the Cobra GUI (doesn't change Games' video mode) ≥
≥ - Behaviour of the lid sensor when booting Original BIOS ≥
≥ - You can get detailed GC Version Info ≥
≥ - You can explore the content of your GC discs (original and backups) ≥
≥ and even DVDs with ISO9660 filesystem! ≥
≥ - You can flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ (but don't throw away your programmer in case of a bad flash! :-) ≥
≥ - You can execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ USER MANUAL ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with an ORIGINAL DISC in the drive. ≥
≥ If there's no Title Screen coming, but the original BIOS instead ≥
≥ it's probably that you messed up your viper install:-) ≥
≥ Check that it's clean (and no wires crossing each other etc...) ≥
≥ If you have a black screen coming, it's probably because you have ≥
≥ some wierd BIOS we don't support (and don't know about) yet. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - While turning on your GC: ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Boot DVD" if you want to play a backup / homebrew program ≥
≥ from DVD. "Please wait..." should appear. then "SWAP DISC NOW" and ≥
≥ the GC disc is stopped (and laser off). As soon as you see the disc ≥
≥ is slowing down it's safe to remove the original disc and put your ≥
≥ DVD-R instead. After a few seconds the drive will start to spin ≥
≥ again and disc will boot (if you didn't have enough time to do the ≥
≥ swap trick, turn off the GC and try again) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Remove the top of your GC if you want to use full-size DVD-R ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS (Region Free)" if you want to play an original ≥
≥ import Game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS" if you want to play an original Game ≥
≥ compatible with your GC region, or if you want to go into the ≥
≥ Original BIOS menus. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Configuration Menu" if you want to change your Cobra BIOS ≥
≥ configuration. The options are quite self-explanatory. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Disc Explorer" to enter what we belive is the best new ≥
≥ feature in this BIOS! It allows you to browse the content or your ≥
≥ original GC discs or DVDs (a swap trick is needed for them) ! ≥
≥ Supported file systems are FST (GC File System) and ISO9660. ≥
≥ Joliet encoding is not supported in ISO mode. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .DOL file if you want to run ≥
≥ a homebrew program! (You can put up to 1.4 GB of homebrew things on ≥
≥ a disc. We hope this will give some inspiration to emu authors :-) ≥
≥ Our DOL loader is not perfect for now and works for around half of ≥
≥ the public homebrew programs. Here are some of the programs booting ≥
≥ successfully: Kinderkram demo by Hitmen (you gotta see this), ≥
≥ GC-Linux, Ascii Fighter, DVD Browser, CTR_GCS, CTR_SND, GBQ Gameboy ≥
≥ emulator, PSOLoader "It's working" demo, Maze, Nitrorally, Yeti 3D ≥
≥ 3D engine, Chip8 emulator, Snowlords game, Terranigma and probably ≥
≥ many we missed! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE MEDIA ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. But a couple of weeks ago, speedi from the afterdawn ≥
≥ forums found a nice way to tweak the laser so it reads almost any burned≥
≥ media including some DVD+Rs. We recommend doing this laser tweak if you ≥
≥ have any problems reading your DVDs. We are no laser experts, in fact ≥
≥ we think it would be more appropriate to just lower the value of the ≥
≥ variable resistor instead of setting it to an absoulte given value, ≥
≥ but lots of people including us have been using this laser tweek for a ≥
≥ couple of weeks without any problem reported so far. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You don't need to encrypt the disc or use a special burner firmware ≥
≥ to write the disc. Just burn your ISO/GCM (rename it to .ISO) with ≥
≥ Nero (or any other tool). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TROOBLESHOOTING ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Here are the current bugs we will fix in a future version: ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Sometime the "SWAP DISC" message doesn't appear (or disc doesn't ≥
≥ slow down/laser is still on). If this happen to you just turn off ≥
≥ your GC and try again (ok, this is clearly our fault :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If sometimes after you swapped a disc there is a sync problem with ≥
≥ the DVD-R and origial BIOS is not loading, then try again. If this ≥
≥ happen very often, then you need a better media. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If the drive becomes idle for a couple of minutes, depending on the ≥
≥ media you're using it might loose sync, and hang. This is also a ≥
≥ bug of ours we will track. For now, if this happens to you, avoid ≥
≥ "PAUSE MODE" in games. It almost never happens for people that don't ≥
≥ have a ?8 Version. For more info about the issues with this version, ≥
≥ keep on reading. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Audio Streaming: Some games use a special audio streaming mode ≥
≥ that can be compared to CDDA. For now, the ISO of the file needs to ≥
≥ be patched with 0rbital's great ViperTemporaryAudioFix 1.1+. If the ≥
≥ ISO is not patched you'll have noise instead of music. We will try to ≥
≥ fix this issue so no patching is required. But in case we do, YOUR ≥
≥ PATCHED ISOS WILL BE FULLY COMPATIBLE and still work with music! ≥
≥ (so forget what is written in the fixer nfo file). Don't run the fix ≥
≥ on ISOs that don't need fixing as it will only destroy them :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Most multi-discs games are working, just play with Disc 1 until ≥
≥ you're asked to change disc and make a save here. Then boot with ≥
≥ Disc 2 instead. We started working on code to allow disc-change, ≥
≥ and we'll integrate it in a new release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ All those problems could be fixed in a next update. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To know what's your GC Version code (2 digit number) go into Config ≥
≥ Menu, then Version Info, 2nd page. First digit corresponds to GC ≥
≥ mobo version, 2nd digit corresponds to drive version. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ There IS an issue with drive "8" and current BIOS. People with latest ≥
≥ drive version can run backups, but get a lot of "Disc Errors". At first ≥
≥ we thought it was some mechanical problem (different laser or so), but ≥
≥ we got your hands on a 48 unit a couple of days ago (thanks Melan) and ≥
≥ confirm it's 100% Cobra related! We already localized the problem and ≥
≥ have a dirty-fix working! We'll work hard on making a clean fix and ≥
≥ do the necessary testing (all "48" testing wasn't done by us directly), ≥
≥ and you could expect a Cobra 0.4 version fully compatible with ?8 units ≥
≥ within one week! It will then work fine on just every gc version. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ IF YOU MAKE BACKUPS, DON'T USE ANY "WIPE" TOOLS TO SAVE SPACE. Unless ≥
≥ you know it's REALLY working. Most of thoses tools only work because ≥
≥ the current pso loaders patch libraries routines to emulate DVD. But ≥
≥ on REAL HARDWARE, each file/fst has to be aligned on a 4-byte boundary! ≥
≥ Else nothing will work. Audio Files (for audio streaming) even need ≥
≥ to be aligned on a 32kb-boundary ! So forget current "WIPE" tools until ≥
≥ they are fixed. But note that Garbage is NOT NEEDED by the GC. The ≥
≥ files must be correctly aligned that's it. So if your "WIPE" tool is ≥
≥ not changing the image size (meaning there's no relocation) then it's ≥
≥ probably fine. It is also possible to write a tool that re-aligns the ≥
≥ files of a badly-wiped image. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE RUMORS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We won't comment on the tons of rumors we read daily about the Cobra, ≥
≥ we can just say that what you don't read here is not official. But we ≥
≥ feel honored so many people decided to look at our code, too bad we ≥
≥ didn't expect your visit or we'd have added some funny hidden messages! ≥
≥ Depends on what your goal was, we made it even easier for you this ≥
≥ time. Just hold Z at boot time :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE FUTURE ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We now have a 48 unit for a couple of days, and already found a fix for ≥
≥ it so cleaning/testing/releasing it is now our main priority. ≥
≥ Apart from that, we have written a complete Cheat System compatible ≥
≥ with (decrypted) AR codes. Only the GUI for it has to be written now. ≥
≥ (Maybe we can even support crypted codes if Parasyte allows us to ≥
≥ integrate his great GCNcrypt tool into the Cobra? :-) ≥
≥ We have lots of ideas to expand the Disc Explorer possibilities as ≥
≥ well! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CLOSING WORDS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC and to everybody that tried Cobra V0.2 and posted ≥
≥ constructive feedback. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ That's it for this NFO, hope we didn't miss some important point. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Have a nice day :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC v0.4
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V0.4 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 19th of january, 2005 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We promised you we would fix the latest drive issue within a week, so ≥
≥ here is the version 0.4 of your favorite Viper GC BIOS! If you had ≥
≥ tons of disc errors, you'll enjoy this new Cobra. Look at trouble- ≥
≥ shooting section for more info. Apart from that nothing was changed, ≥
≥ but there will be much more in the next release! Oh yeah... you can ≥
≥ flash this release from DVD if you already have Cobra 0.3 installed! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ What's the Cobra BIOS ? A special BIOS specially tailored for your ≥
≥ Viper GC that allows yo to run your backups (and now homebrew code!) ≥
≥ from the GC drive using DVD(-/+)R or Mini-DVD(+/-)R! You can also ≥
≥ enjoy imports (originals or backups) without the need of a boot disc. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ WHAT'S NEW ? ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Fixed Disc Errors problem on drive 8 ≥
≥ - NTSC Regionfix issue on PAL systems is fixed! ≥
≥ - Wireless controller is now supported! ≥
≥ - Added a real GUI ≥
≥ - The following Cobra options can be changed (stored in Viper flash): ≥
≥ - Default boot action ≥
≥ - Boot action when the X-key is hold at boot time ≥
≥ - Video mode of the Cobra GUI (doesn't change Games' video mode) ≥
≥ - Behaviour of the lid sensor when booting Original BIOS ≥
≥ - You can get detailed GC Version Info ≥
≥ - You can explore the content of your GC discs (original and backups) ≥
≥ and even DVDs with ISO9660 filesystem! ≥
≥ - You can flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ (but don't throw away your programmer in case of a bad flash! :-) ≥
≥ - You can execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ USER MANUAL ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this ≥
≥ BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with an ORIGINAL DISC in the drive. ≥
≥ If there's no Title Screen coming, but the original BIOS instead ≥
≥ it's probably that you messed up your viper install:-) ≥
≥ Check that it's clean (and no wires crossing each other etc...) ≥
≥ If you have a black screen coming, it's probably because you have ≥
≥ some wierd BIOS we don't support (and don't know about) yet. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - While turning on your GC: ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Boot DVD" if you want to play a backup / homebrew program ≥
≥ from DVD. "Please wait..." should appear. then "SWAP DISC NOW" and ≥
≥ the GC disc is stopped (and laser off). As soon as you see the disc ≥
≥ is slowing down it's safe to remove the original disc and put your ≥
≥ DVD-R instead. After a few seconds the drive will start to spin ≥
≥ again and disc will boot (if you didn't have enough time to do the ≥
≥ swap trick, turn off the GC and try again) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Remove the top of your GC if you want to use full-size DVD-R ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS (Region Free)" if you want to play an original ≥
≥ import Game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS" if you want to play an original Game ≥
≥ compatible with your GC region, or if you want to go into the ≥
≥ Original BIOS menus. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Configuration Menu" if you want to change your Cobra BIOS ≥
≥ configuration. The options are quite self-explanatory. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Disc Explorer" to enter what we belive is the best new ≥
≥ feature in this BIOS! It allows you to browse the content or your ≥
≥ original GC discs or DVDs (a swap trick is needed for them) ! ≥
≥ Supported file systems are FST (GC File System) and ISO9660. ≥
≥ Joliet encoding is not supported in ISO mode. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .DOL file if you want to run ≥
≥ a homebrew program! (You can put up to 1.4 GB of homebrew things on ≥
≥ a disc. We hope this will give some inspiration to emu authors :-) ≥
≥ Our DOL loader is not perfect for now and works for around half of ≥
≥ the public homebrew programs. Here are some of the programs booting ≥
≥ successfully: Kinderkram demo by Hitmen (you gotta see this), ≥
≥ GC-Linux, Ascii Fighter, DVD Browser, CTR_GCS, CTR_SND, GBQ Gameboy ≥
≥ emulator, PSOLoader "It's working" demo, Maze, Nitrorally, Yeti 3D ≥
≥ 3D engine, Chip8 emulator, Snowlords game, Terranigma, XRick and ≥
≥ probably many we missed! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you didn't install the "lid passthru" wires of the Viper GC, then ≥
≥ simply tape down the lid sensor so the GC thinks the drive is always ≥
≥ closed. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE MEDIA ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. But a couple of weeks ago, speedi from the afterdawn ≥
≥ forums found a nice way to tweak the laser so it reads almost any burned≥
≥ media including some DVD+Rs. We recommend doing this laser tweak if you ≥
≥ have any problems reading your DVDs. We are no laser experts, in fact ≥
≥ we think it would be more appropriate to just lower the value of the ≥
≥ variable resistor instead of setting it to an absoulte given value, ≥
≥ but lots of people including us have been using this laser tweek for a ≥
≥ couple of weeks without any problem reported so far. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You don't need to encrypt the disc or use a special burner firmware ≥
≥ to write the disc. Just burn your ISO/GCM (rename it to .ISO) with ≥
≥ Nero (or any other tool). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TROOBLESHOOTING ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Sometime the "SWAP DISC" message doesn't appear (or disc doesn't ≥
≥ slow down/laser is still on). If this happen to you just turn off ≥
≥ your GC and try again (ok, this is clearly our fault :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If sometimes after you swapped a disc there is a sync problem with ≥
≥ the DVD-R and origial BIOS is not loading, then try again. If this ≥
≥ happen very often, then you need a better media. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If the drive becomes idle for a couple of minutes, depending on the ≥
≥ media you're using it might loose sync, and hang ("Disc Error"). ≥
≥ This is a bug of ours we will track. For now, if this happens to ≥
≥ you, avoid going into "PAUSE MODE" in games. ≥
≥ It should almost never happen with Cobra 0.4, but it can sometimes. ≥
≥ Use good media and tweak your laser to avoid this. If you're using ≥
≥ full-size DVD, pad the image up to 2.5GB (yes, 2.5GB!), this ≥
≥ dirty temporary fix just worked for us (no more disc errors at all) ≥
≥ on one system that gave us some troubles. If you're using minis, ≥
≥ pad your image to the max (1.4GB). We now know exactly what the bug ≥
≥ is, and will fix it in a future release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Audio Streaming: Some games use a special audio streaming mode ≥
≥ that can be compared to CDDA. For now, the ISO of the file needs to ≥
≥ be patched with 0rbital's great ViperTemporaryAudioFix 1.1+. If the ≥
≥ ISO is not patched you'll have noise instead of music. We will try to ≥
≥ fix this issue so no patching is required. But in case we do, YOUR ≥
≥ PATCHED ISOS WILL BE FULLY COMPATIBLE and still work with music! ≥
≥ (so forget what is written in the fixer nfo file). Don't run the fix ≥
≥ on ISOs that don't need fixing as it will only destroy them :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Most multi-discs games are working, just play with Disc 1 until ≥
≥ you're asked to change disc and make a save here. Then boot with ≥
≥ Disc 2 instead. We started working on code to allow disc-change, ≥
≥ and we'll integrate it in a new release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ All those problems could be fixed in a next update. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To know what's your GC Version code (2 digit number) go into Config ≥
≥ Menu, then Version Info, 2nd page. First digit corresponds to GC ≥
≥ mobo version, 2nd digit corresponds to drive version. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ IF YOU MAKE BACKUPS, DON'T USE ANY "WIPE" TOOLS TO SAVE SPACE. Unless ≥
≥ you know it's REALLY working. Most of thoses tools only work because ≥
≥ the current pso loaders patch libraries routines to emulate DVD. But ≥
≥ on REAL HARDWARE, each file/fst has to be aligned on a 4-byte boundary! ≥
≥ Else nothing will work. Audio Files (for audio streaming) even need ≥
≥ to be aligned on a 32kb-boundary ! So forget current "WIPE" tools until ≥
≥ they are fixed. But note that Garbage is NOT NEEDED by the GC. The ≥
≥ files must be correctly aligned that's it. So if your "WIPE" tool is ≥
≥ not changing the image size (meaning there's no relocation) then it's ≥
≥ probably fine. It is also possible to write a tool that re-aligns the ≥
≥ files of a badly-wiped image. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE RUMORS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We won't comment on the tons of rumors we read daily about the Cobra, ≥
≥ we can just say that what you don't read here is not official. But we ≥
≥ feel honored so many people decided to look at our code, too bad we ≥
≥ didn't expect your visit or we'd have added some funny hidden messages! ≥
≥ Depends on what your goal was, we made it even easier for you this ≥
≥ time. Just hold Z at boot time :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE FUTURE ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Now that we have fixed the big issue with the 48 units, we will fix ≥
≥ our BIOS so the few people that still get a few Disc Errors sometimes ≥
≥ (with any drive) won't have any at ALL. (Same symptoms but the issue ≥
≥ is totally different). We'll also fix minor 0.3 bugs that people ≥
≥ reported. We have written a complete Cheat System compatible with ≥
≥ (decrypted) AR codes. The GUI for it has been partially written now. ≥
≥ (Maybe we can even support crypted codes if Parasyte allows us to ≥
≥ integrate his great GCNcrypt tool into the Cobra? :-) ≥
≥ We have lots of ideas to expand the Disc Explorer possibilities as ≥
≥ well! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CLOSING WORDS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC and to everybody that tried Cobra V0.3 and posted ≥
≥ constructive feedback. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ That's it for this NFO, hope we didn't miss some important point. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Have a nice day :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC v1.0
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V1.0 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 1st of april, 2005 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So, you were wondering what was the surprise in Cobra 1.0 ? Well... ≥
≥ We are proud to give you the very first Gamecube BIOS that works ≥
≥ Without swap. Seems that the Viper GC was unwittingly 2nd Generation ≥
≥ from the very beginning, since we made nice use of the lid switch ≥
≥ sensor cable designed by the Viper Team. Thanks guys you made it easy ≥
≥ with your foresight, for us to make the Cobra BIOS swapless. Don't ≥
≥ mess with the disc & lid anymore. Turn on your console and play. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ FEATURES ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Direct boot of all media, without swapping! ≥
≥ - Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play! ≥
≥ - Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP ≥
≥ - Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in ≥
≥ region-free feature ≥
≥ - Idle-bug free (no more Disc Read Errors when the drive is resting :-) ≥
≥ - Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc! ≥
≥ - Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and ≥
≥ that allows you: ≥
≥ - To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ - To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ - To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ - To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation ≥
≥ - To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes, ≥
≥ codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed! ≥
≥ - Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from ≥
≥ a file using the Disc Explorer ≥
≥ - BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash ≥
≥ - Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS, ≥
≥ Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held) ≥
≥ - Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility ≥
≥ - Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 units) ≥
≥ - User-Friendly GUI ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ WHAT'S NEW ? ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Well, as you can see from the feature list, there are a lot of new ≥
≥ features we introduced in this release. ≥
≥ - Direct boot of all media, without swapping ! ≥
≥ - Fixed compatibility problem with DOL-101 units ≥
≥ - Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play! ≥
≥ - Fixed Idle bug, you won't have any DRE if the drive is resting :-) ≥
≥ - Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes, ≥
≥ codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed! ≥
≥ - Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from ≥
≥ a file using the Disc Explorer ≥
≥ - Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc! ≥
≥ - A lot of fixes and low-level changes ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also ≥
≥ replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward ≥
≥ compatible. Read more below ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ USER MANUAL ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the ≥
≥ console. Team Xtender will be releasing replacement lids compatible ≥
≥ with full DVD-R within two week. Best of all, we learned this week ≥
≥ that they will be officially Viper GC branded! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this ≥
≥ BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip. ≥
≥ We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip ≥
≥ soon if you prefear USB. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an ≥
≥ original or a backup, but if it's a backup it should be filled with ≥
≥ 1.3GB of data at least (for now). If you have a black screen coming, ≥
≥ it's probably beause your Viper installation is not clean. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - While turning on your GC: ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Direct Disc Boot" if you want to play a backup or homebrew ≥
≥ program from DVD. If you have problems using the Direct Disc Boot ≥
≥ method with your media, you can still use the Swap trick. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are ≥
≥ not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot) ≥
≥ boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc" ≥
≥ option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you ≥
≥ can select Direct Disc Boot option again. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS" if you want to play an original Game ≥
≥ compatible with your GC region, or if you want to go into the ≥
≥ Original BIOS menus. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Configuration Menu" if you want to change your Cobra BIOS ≥
≥ configuration. The options are quite self-explanatory. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Disc Explorer" to enter to browse the content or your ≥
≥ original GC discs or DVDs. Supported file systems are FST ≥
≥ (GC File System) and ISO9660. Joliet encoding is not supported in ≥
≥ ISO mode. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Cheat codes" to select, enable, disable and edit cheat codes ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" to select a game from a MultiBoot disc ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .DOL file if you want to run ≥
≥ a homebrew program! (You can put up to 1.4 GB of homebrew things on ≥
≥ a disc. We hope this will give some inspiration to emu authors :-) ≥
≥ Our DOL loader is not perfect for now and works for around half of ≥
≥ the public homebrew programs. Here are some of the programs booting ≥
≥ successfully: ≥
≥ GC-Linux, Ascii Fighter, DVD Browser, CTR_GCS, CTR_SND, GBQ Gameboy ≥
≥ emulator, PSOLoader "It's working" demo, Maze, Nitrorally, Yeti 3D ≥
≥ 3D engine, Chip8 emulator, Snowlords game, Terranigma, XRick and ≥
≥ probably many we missed! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .COD file if you want to add ≥
≥ cheat codes for a game without the need to enter it using the pad! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Make sure that the "lid passthru" wires of the Viper GC are ≥
≥ installed correctly or the disc won't spin.
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ DIRECT BOOT LIMITATIONS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE MEDIA ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. But a couple of weeks ago, speedi from the afterdawn ≥
≥ forums found a nice way to tweak the laser so it reads almost any burned≥
≥ media including some DVD+Rs. We recommend doing this laser tweak if you ≥
≥ have any problems reading your DVDs. We are no laser experts, in fact ≥
≥ we think it would be more appropriate to just lower the value of the ≥
≥ variable resistor instead of setting it to an absoulte given value, ≥
≥ but lots of people including us have been using this laser tweek for a ≥
≥ couple of weeks without any problem reported so far. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You don't need to encrypt the disc or use a special burner firmware ≥
≥ to write the disc. Just burn your ISO/GCM (rename it to .ISO) with ≥
≥ Nero (or any other tool). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CHEAT CODES ≥
≥ ≥
≥ If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game, ≥
≥ check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable ≥
≥ cheats. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are ≥
≥ compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using ≥
≥ the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given ≥
≥ cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and ≥
≥ load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ For now we've reserved 4kb in Viper GC Flash memory to store cheat ≥
≥ codes. If that's not enough we'll add some more space in next release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TROOBLESHOOTING ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If the disc stops spinning in the menu it means that the drive can't ≥
≥ sync with your media, or that there are not enough data on your disc. ≥
≥ In direct boot mode the GC is very selective about the media it ≥
≥ takes. If you have any problem please try the swap trick. If you ≥
≥ still have problems try with different media/burner. Make sure your ≥
≥ laser is correctly tweaked! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Audio Streaming: Some games use a special audio streaming mode ≥
≥ that can be compared to CDDA. For now, the ISO of the file needs to ≥
≥ be patched with 0rbital's great ViperTemporaryAudioFix 1.1+. If the ≥
≥ ISO is not patched you'll have noise instead of music. We will try to ≥
≥ fix this issue so no patching is required. But in case we do, YOUR ≥
≥ PATCHED ISOS WILL BE FULLY COMPATIBLE and still work with music! ≥
≥ (so forget what is written in the fixer nfo file). Don't run the fix ≥
≥ on ISOs that don't need fixing as it will only destroy them :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Most multi-discs games are working, just play with Disc 1 until ≥
≥ you're asked to change disc and make a save here. Then boot with ≥
≥ Disc 2 instead. We started working on code to allow disc-change, ≥
≥ and we'll integrate it in a new release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ All those problems could be fixed in a next update. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Before burning an image, makes sure it is 1459978240 bytes long else ≥
≥ you may need to use the swap trick method. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To know what's your GC Version code (2 digit number) go into Config ≥
≥ Menu, then Version Info, 2nd page. First digit corresponds to GC ≥
≥ mobo version, 2nd digit corresponds to drive version. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ IF YOU MAKE BACKUPS, DON'T USE ANY "WIPE" TOOLS TO SAVE SPACE. Unless ≥
≥ you know it's REALLY working. Most of thoses tools only work because ≥
≥ the current pso loaders patch libraries routines to emulate DVD. But ≥
≥ on REAL HARDWARE, each file/fst has to be aligned on a 4-byte boundary! ≥
≥ Else nothing will work. Audio Files (for audio streaming) even need ≥
≥ to be aligned on a 32kb-boundary ! So forget current "WIPE" tools until ≥
≥ they are fixed. But note that Garbage is NOT NEEDED by the GC. The ≥
≥ files must be correctly aligned that's it. So if your "WIPE" tool is ≥
≥ not changing the image size (meaning there's no relocation) then it's ≥
≥ probably fine. Use FSTFIX by LOONYCUBE to fix bad rips. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TECHNICAL INFO ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We'll release a command-line MultiBoot Disc maker next week if nobody ≥
≥ releases a better one before we do :-) Here are the specs for Multiboot ≥
≥ discs. Note that every image should be aligned on a 32kb boundary. ≥
≥ At offset 0x00: 43 4F 42 52-41 4D 42 31 ≥
≥ 0x40: Position of the 1st image in bytes (Big endian) ≥
≥ 0x44: Position of the 2nd image in bytes (Big endian) ≥
≥ ....: ...etc... ≥
≥ ....: 00 00 00 00 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The MultiBoot feature is stealth for the GC so it's 100% compatible ≥
≥ with homebrew images. If you want to put several backups on one disc ≥
≥ you'll have to remove the garbage at first. ≥
≥ The maximum size of a MultiBoot disc is 1459978240 bytes. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE RUMORS & EVENTS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Lately there has been a few events we'd like to comment. First, ≥
≥ congratulation to Utopia for the deobfuscation work you did and the ≥
≥ release of Anaconda. We like your style :-) Except maybe for the ≥
≥ "Mentalcube [...] did a well job while choosing the neccessary patches" ≥
≥ we find that "choosing" is not exactly the right term, as this patch ≥
≥ is the results of tousands of lines of firmware code and several months ≥
≥ of hacking and debugging. And thanks for the obfuscation tips :-) ≥
≥ Anaconda led to a lot of stuff from the best (GCOS) to the worst ≥
≥ (people selling our code without authorisation). Anaconda code is ≥
≥ a 1:1 rip of our code, except for the loading part running on the GC ≥
≥ CPU that was rewritten by Utopia (they made it clear but some people ≥
≥ just didn't get it). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Now about GCOS. We like what you're doing, even if up until now you're ≥
≥ using our code without authorisation. But we're releasing Cobra 0.4 ≥
≥ drivecodes under GPL license so it matches the license of other files ≥
≥ you're using. Feel free to use, abuse it and improve it! ;-) ≥
≥ Cobra 1.0 drivecode might follow in the future, but for now we chose ≥
≥ closed source. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ It appears that one of our beta-testers leaked a beta of Cobra 1.0 one ≥
≥ month ago. We'll do all beta testing by ourselves now. We find it's an ≥
≥ amazing coincidence that a swapless chip was announced two weeks after ≥
≥ the leak. Please don't support thieves. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Oh and about Idle-bug, it was a BUG, yes a BUG of our old cobra ≥
≥ code in the way we were handling a protection. The bug is now fixed ≥
≥ and now the laser won't go out of the data area anymore, causing idle ≥
≥ DREs when it couldn't focus. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE FUTURE ≥
≥ ≥
≥ There's MUCH more to come, you'll see soon :-) ≥
≥ And our low-level hackers are currently working on the disc calibration ≥
≥ code to improve Direct Boot Media compatibility. We'll mess with that ≥
≥ only when we are certain that the code won't hurt your console! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CLOSING WORDS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC and to everybody that tried Cobra V0.4, posted ≥
≥ constructive feedback. Thanks a lot for your patience. You'll never ≥
≥ wait that long anymore for future release, this was a very special ≥
≥ milestone :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Enjoy! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC v1.1
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V1.1 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 14th of april, 2005 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ WHAT'S NEW ? ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config ≥
≥ Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups. ≥
≥ - Music Player in Disc Explorer! Select an audio file to play it. For ≥
≥ now only ADPCM audio streams are supported (*.ADP, *.PCM, *stream*, ≥
≥ etc.), the GC streaming format. Support for more formats, including ≥
≥ MP3, is coming in a next release. ≥
≥ - Optimal DRE Handling, read more below. ≥
≥ - Improved Direct Boot mode Compatibility, now it should be compatible ≥
≥ with every good media, including DVD+R. ≥
≥ - No need to enter Disc Explorer anymore to boot MultiBoot discs, just ≥
≥ select Direct Boot Disc and the Cobra BIOS will detect automatically ≥
≥ if you inserted a GC Original, DVD-R, DVD+R or MultiBoot Disc ! ≥
≥ - Fixed a MultiBoot compatibility problem. Now it should work properly ≥
≥ with every images. ≥
≥ - Upgrade with the Disc Explorer from Cobra 1.0 if you want to keep ≥
≥ your AR codes and configuration intact. ≥
≥ - And some more bugfixes/changes ≥
≥ ≥
≥ About Disc Read Error handling, we can't help you if you use a bad ≥
≥ burner, media or if your laser is not tweaked correctly. But we've ≥
≥ improved the error handling code A LOT. Here is a small experiment ≥
≥ we don't recommend trying at home, except if you know what youre doing: ≥
≥ You can remove the spinning disc for one second while it's playing a ≥
≥ movie or loading data. This will trigger some serious read error with ≥
≥ any other BIOS :-) Now put the disc back in quickly and it will ≥
≥ continue loading, without a crash! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ FEATURES ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Direct boot of all media, without swapping! ≥
≥ - Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play! ≥
≥ - Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP ≥
≥ - Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in ≥
≥ region-free feature ≥
≥ - Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config ≥
≥ Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups. ≥
≥ - Idle-bug free (no more Disc Read Errors when the drive is resting :-) ≥
≥ - Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc! ≥
≥ - Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and ≥
≥ that allows you: ≥
≥ - To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ - To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ - To play music, for now only ADPCM files aligned on a 32kb ≥
≥ boundary are accepted. This is the format of all GC games that ≥
≥ are using audio streaming, so listen to those games songs! ≥
≥ - To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation ≥
≥ - To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes, ≥
≥ codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed! ≥
≥ - Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from ≥
≥ a file using the Disc Explorer ≥
≥ - BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash ≥
≥ - Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS, ≥
≥ Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held) ≥
≥ - Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility ≥
≥ - Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 units) ≥
≥ - User-Friendly GUI ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also ≥
≥ replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward ≥
≥ compatible. Read more below ≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ USER MANUAL ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the ≥
≥ console. Team Xtender will be releasing replacement lids compatible ≥
≥ with full DVD-R within two week. Best of all, we learned this week ≥
≥ that they will be officially Viper GC branded! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this ≥
≥ BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip. ≥
≥ We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip ≥
≥ soon if you prefear USB. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an ≥
≥ original or a backup, but if it's a backup it should be filled with ≥
≥ 1.3GB of data at least (for now). If you have a black screen coming, ≥
≥ it's probably beause your Viper installation is not clean. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - While turning on your GC: ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Direct Disc Boot" if you want to play a backup or homebrew ≥
≥ program from DVD. If you have problems using the Direct Disc Boot ≥
≥ method with your media, you can still use the Swap trick. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are ≥
≥ not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot) ≥
≥ boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc" ≥
≥ option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you ≥
≥ can select Direct Disc Boot option again. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Original BIOS" if you want to play an original Game ≥
≥ compatible with your GC region, or if you want to go into the ≥
≥ Original BIOS menus. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Configuration Menu" if you want to change your Cobra BIOS ≥
≥ configuration. The options are quite self-explanatory. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Select "Disc Explorer" to enter to browse the content or your ≥
≥ original GC discs or DVDs. Supported file systems are FST ≥
≥ (GC File System) and ISO9660. Joliet encoding is not supported in ≥
≥ ISO mode. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Cheat codes" to select, enable, disable and edit cheat codes ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .DOL file if you want to run ≥
≥ a homebrew program! (You can put up to 1.4 GB of homebrew things on ≥
≥ a disc. We hope this will give some inspiration to emu authors :-) ≥
≥ Our DOL loader is not perfect for now and works for around half of ≥
≥ the public homebrew programs. Here are some of the programs booting ≥
≥ successfully: ≥
≥ GC-Linux, Ascii Fighter, DVD Browser, CTR_GCS, CTR_SND, GBQ Gameboy ≥
≥ emulator, PSOLoader "It's working" demo, Maze, Nitrorally, Yeti 3D ≥
≥ 3D engine, Chip8 emulator, Snowlords game, Terranigma, XRick and ≥
≥ probably many we missed! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .VGC file if you want to reflash ≥
≥ your Viper GC without the need of the Parallel port programmer! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Enter "Disc Explorer" and select a .COD file if you want to add ≥
≥ cheat codes for a game without the need to enter it using the pad! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Make sure that the "lid passthru" wires of the Viper GC are ≥
≥ installed correctly or the disc won't spin. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ DIRECT BOOT LIMITATIONS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE MEDIA ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. But a couple of weeks ago, speedi from the afterdawn ≥
≥ forums found a nice way to tweak the laser so it reads almost any burned≥
≥ media including some DVD+Rs. We recommend doing this laser tweak if you ≥
≥ have any problems reading your DVDs. We are no laser experts, in fact ≥
≥ we think it would be more appropriate to just lower the value of the ≥
≥ variable resistor instead of setting it to an absoulte given value, ≥
≥ but lots of people including us have been using this laser tweek for a ≥
≥ couple of weeks without any problem reported so far. For more info on ≥
≥ laser tweaking please read this forum post: ≥
≥ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/138930 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You don't need to encrypt the disc or use a special burner firmware ≥
≥ to write the disc. Just burn your ISO/GCM (rename it to .ISO) with ≥
≥ Nero (or any other tool). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CHEAT CODES ≥
≥ ≥
≥ If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game, ≥
≥ check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable ≥
≥ cheats. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are ≥
≥ compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using ≥
≥ the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given ≥
≥ cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and ≥
≥ load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Cheat codes are working for backups and original games. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ For now we've reserved 4kb in Viper GC Flash memory to store cheat ≥
≥ codes, that should be enough to store a few hundred of codes. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TROOBLESHOOTING ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If the disc stops spinning in the menu it means that the drive can't ≥
≥ sync with your media, or that there are not enough data on your disc. ≥
≥ In direct boot mode the GC is very selective about the media it ≥
≥ takes. If you have any problem please try the swap trick. If you ≥
≥ still have problems try with different media/burner. Make sure your ≥
≥ laser is correctly tweaked! We strongly recommend NEC burners, they ≥
≥ produce really good discs that won't give you any DRE. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Audio Streaming: Some games use a special audio streaming mode ≥
≥ that can be compared to CDDA. For now, the ISO of the file needs to ≥
≥ be patched with 0rbital's great ViperTemporaryAudioFix 1.1+. If the ≥
≥ ISO is not patched you'll have noise instead of music. We will try to ≥
≥ fix this issue so no patching is required. But in case we do, YOUR ≥
≥ PATCHED ISOS WILL BE FULLY COMPATIBLE and still work with music! ≥
≥ (so forget what is written in the fixer nfo file). Don't run the fix ≥
≥ on ISOs that don't need fixing as it will only destroy them :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Most multi-discs games are working, just play with Disc 1 until ≥
≥ you're asked to change disc and make a save here. Then boot with ≥
≥ Disc 2 instead. We started working on code to allow disc-change, ≥
≥ and we'll integrate it in a new release. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ All those problems could be fixed in a next update. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Before burning an image, makes sure it is 1459978240 bytes long else ≥
≥ you may need to use the swap trick method. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To know what's your GC Version code (2 digit number) go into Config ≥
≥ Menu, then Version Info, 2nd page. First digit corresponds to GC ≥
≥ mobo version, 2nd digit corresponds to drive version. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ IF YOU MAKE BACKUPS, DON'T USE ANY "WIPE" TOOLS TO SAVE SPACE. Unless ≥
≥ you know it's REALLY working. Most of thoses tools only work because ≥
≥ the current pso loaders patch libraries routines to emulate DVD. But ≥
≥ on REAL HARDWARE, each file/fst has to be aligned on a 4-byte boundary! ≥
≥ Else nothing will work. Audio Files (for audio streaming) even need ≥
≥ to be aligned on a 32kb-boundary ! So forget current "WIPE" tools until ≥
≥ they are fixed. But note that Garbage is NOT NEEDED by the GC. The ≥
≥ files must be correctly aligned that's it. So if your "WIPE" tool is ≥
≥ not changing the image size (meaning there's no relocation) then it's ≥
≥ probably fine. Use FSTFIX by LOONYCUBE to fix bad rips. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ TECHNICAL INFO ≥
≥ ≥
≥ We'll release a command-line MultiBoot Disc maker next week if nobody ≥
≥ releases a better one before we do :-) Here are the specs for Multiboot ≥
≥ discs. Note that every image should be aligned on a 32kb boundary. ≥
≥ At offset 0x00: 43 4F 42 52-41 4D 42 31 ≥
≥ 0x40: Position of the 1st image in bytes (Big endian) ≥
≥ 0x44: Position of the 2nd image in bytes (Big endian) ≥
≥ ....: ...etc... ≥
≥ ....: 00 00 00 00 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The MultiBoot feature is stealth for the GC so it's 100% compatible ≥
≥ with homebrew images. If you want to put several backups on one disc ≥
≥ you'll have to remove the garbage at first. ≥
≥ The maximum size of a MultiBoot disc is 1459978240 bytes. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You can use Viper_Multi_Boot_ISO_Creator by LoonyCube to create ≥
≥ MultiBoot discs easily. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ THE FUTURE ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Much more to come :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CLOSING WORDS ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC and to everybody that tried Cobra V1.0 and posted ≥
≥ constructive feedback. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Enjoy! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC v1.2
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC V1.2 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 8th of may, 2005 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[WHAT'S NEW ?]------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Multi-disc games support ≥
≥ - Introducing Cobra Plug-in System: put a GC program (Game Ripper, ≥
≥ MP3 Player, Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory! ≥
≥ - Full Panasonic Q support ≥
≥ - Supports disc changing from homebrew applications ≥
≥ - A lot of backend changes (the VGC is smaller now!) and some bugfixes. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[FEATURES]----------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Direct boot of all media, without swapping! ≥
≥ - Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play! ≥
≥ - Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP ≥
≥ - Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in ≥
≥ region-free feature ≥
≥ - Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config ≥
≥ Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups. ≥
≥ - Fully compatible with multi-disc games ≥
≥ - Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc! ≥
≥ - Cobra Plug-in System: put your GC program (Game Ripper, MP3 Player, ≥
≥ Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory! ≥
≥ - Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and ≥
≥ that allows you: ≥
≥ - To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ - To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ - To play music (ADPCM files aligned on a 32kb boundary) ≥
≥ - To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation ≥
≥ - To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - To load a cobra plug-in from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes, ≥
≥ codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed! ≥
≥ - Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from ≥
≥ a file using the Disc Explorer ≥
≥ - BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash ≥
≥ - Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS, ≥
≥ Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held) ≥
≥ - Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility ≥
≥ - Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 and Panasonic Q) ≥
≥ - Idle-bug free ≥
≥ - User-Friendly GUI ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also ≥
≥ replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward compatible.≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[USER MANUAL]-------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the ≥
≥ console. This week team Xtender should be releasing their officially ≥
≥ Viper GC branded replacement case that works with full-size DVD-R! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this ≥
≥ BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip. ≥
≥ We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip ≥
≥ soon if you prefear USB. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an ≥
≥ original or a backup. While turning on your GC : ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are ≥
≥ not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot) ≥
≥ boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc" ≥
≥ option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you ≥
≥ can select Direct Disc Boot option again. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Read more about the different menu options below. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[THE MEDIA]---------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. By tweaking your laser it's possible to have your GC ≥
≥ read almost any media including DVD+R. For more info use google with ≥
≥ GC laser tweak keywords. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[MAIN MENU]---------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ DIRECT DISC BOOT : Play a backup or an original GC game from any ≥
≥ region. ≥
≥ ORIGINAL BIOS : Play an original game compatible with your GC ≥
≥ region or enter GC BIOS menus. ≥
≥ CONFIGURATION MENU: Change Cobra settings and view GC version info. ≥
≥ DISC EXPLORER : Browse the content of the disc and load files. ≥
≥ CHEAT CODES : Manage cheat codes ≥
≥ CHANGE DISC : Change the disc without having to reset the GC. ≥
≥ PLUG-IN : Execute the embedded Cobra Plug-in. Only available ≥
≥ if a plug-in is loaded. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[DISC EXPLORER]------------------------------------------------------ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The Disc Explorer lets you browse the content of the inserted disc. ≥
≥ The following file systems are supported: ISO9660 (Level2 compatible, ≥
≥ no joliet) and FST (GC native file system). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The files with following extensions can be selected, loaded or ≥
≥ executed by pressing the A button: ≥
≥ ≥
≥ .VGC : Viper GC flash file. Select this file to reprogram your Viper GC ≥
≥ without the need of the Viper GC parallel port programmer. ≥
≥ .DOL : Homebrew application. Select this file to execute it. Examples ≥
≥ of homebrew applications are emulators, games, loaders, etc. ≥
≥ .COD : Cobra cheat code file. Select this file to add cheat codes for ≥
≥ a game without the need to enter it using the pad! ≥
≥ .CBP : Cobra plug-in. Select this file to load a plug-in into Viper GC ≥
≥ Memory. You can then execute it from the Cobra main menu. ≥
≥ Examples of plug-in are disc rippers, MP3 players, loaders, etc. ≥
≥ .PCM : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary). ≥
≥ .ADP : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The disc explorer can also play any audio file encodded with GC native ≥
≥ ADPCM format, regardless of its file extension. If you suspect a file ≥
≥ is an ADPCM audio file, simply select it and see if it plays! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[CHEAT CODES]-------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game, ≥
≥ check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable ≥
≥ cheats. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are ≥
≥ compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using ≥
≥ the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given ≥
≥ cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and ≥
≥ load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Cheat codes are working for backups and original games. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[MULTIBOOT DISCS]---------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The MultiBoot features let you put several games on one disc. ≥
≥ You can use Viper_Multi_Boot_ISO_Creator by LoonyCube to create ≥
≥ MultiBoot discs easily. Technical info can be found in Cobra 1.1 NFO. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[COBRA PLUG-IN SYSTEM]----------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A plug-in is a small application that stays into Viper GC memory and ≥
≥ can be executed from Cobra main menu. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You can load plug-in (.CBP) from DVD Explorer. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Another possibility is to embed the plug-in into the Cobra .VGC file. ≥
≥ To do so you must append the plug-in to the Cobra .VGC file. Use the ≥
≥ following DOS command line: "copy /b cobra.vgc+plugin.cbp out.vgc" ≥
≥ You can then reprogram your Viper GC with the file "out.vgc" using the ≥
≥ Viper GC Programmer or Cobra Disc Explorer. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To create your own plug-in from a .DOL file, use the supplied program. ≥
≥ Plug-in files (.CBP) can't be bigger than 45056 bytes but their ≥
≥ corresponding executables (.DOL) can be a lot bigger, as plug-in are ≥
≥ compressed. You can distribute your plug-in by sharing the .CBP file, ≥
≥ but you're also free to distribute the Cobra .VGC file with your ≥
≥ plug-in embedded! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[TECHNICAL INFO FOR DEVELOPERS]-------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ It is now possible to let the user change discs in your homebrew ≥
≥ program. To do so, stop the disc using the usual E3 immediate command. ≥
≥ Don't reinit the drive as usual to load the new disc. Instead call E5 ≥
≥ command in DMA-read mode (read 0x20 bytes and discard them), followed ≥
≥ by an immediate E0 immediate read command (discard the result). It ≥
≥ works just as the reinit command would, so you must read the new Disc ≥
≥ ID before reading anything else. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Technical info about MultiBoot disc format can be found in Cobra 1.1 ≥
≥ NFO File. Official .COD file sample can be found in Cobra 1.0 ZIP file. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[THE FUTURE]--------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ As usual, much more to come :-) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[CLOSING WORDS]------------------------------------------------------ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC, ATH for the Panasonic Q and to everybody that ≥
≥ tried Cobra V1.1 and posted constructive feedback. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Enjoy! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC and Viper GC Extreme v1.6
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC & VIPER GC EXTREME V1.6 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 30th of january, 2006 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[WHAT'S NEW ?]------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Added support for new PAL GC (DOL-101) ≥
≥ - Fixed cheat slowdown bug ≥
≥ - Various other bugfixes ≥
≥ ≥
≥ If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are OFF ≥
≥ before running this Cobra BIOS. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ CobraBackup.exe allows to you make disc backups. Run this program on ≥
≥ your PC while you're in Cobra main menu. It takes 25 minutes to make ≥
≥ a Full Backup (including garbage). It takes from 1 minute to 25 minute ≥
≥ to make a Smart Backup (without garbage) depending on the game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ DOLSendUSB.exe is a command line tool that allows remote execution of ≥
≥ DOL files. If you don't know how to use a command line tool, simply ≥
≥ drag and drop the DOL file on the DOLSendUSB.exe icon ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[FEATURES]----------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Direct boot of all media, without swapping! ≥
≥ - Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play! ≥
≥ - Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP ≥
≥ - Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in ≥
≥ region-free feature ≥
≥ - Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config ≥
≥ Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups. ≥
≥ - Fully compatible with multi-disc games ≥
≥ - Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc! ≥
≥ - Cobra Plug-in System: put your GC program (Game Ripper, MP3 Player, ≥
≥ Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory! ≥
≥ - Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and ≥
≥ that allows you: ≥
≥ - To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD ≥
≥ - To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many ≥
≥ already-released homebrew productions! ≥
≥ - To play music (ADPCM files aligned on a 32kb boundary) ≥
≥ - To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation ≥
≥ - To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - To load a cobra plug-in from disc into Viper GC Memory ≥
≥ - Backup Tool that allows you to make backups of original GC discs ≥
≥ using the USB connection ≥
≥ - Remote Execution of DOL files using the USB connection ≥
≥ - Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes, ≥
≥ codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed! ≥
≥ - Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from ≥
≥ a file using the Disc Explorer ≥
≥ - BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash ≥
≥ - Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS, ≥
≥ Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held) ≥
≥ - Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility ≥
≥ - Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 and Panasonic Q) ≥
≥ - Idle-bug free ≥
≥ - User-Friendly GUI ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also ≥
≥ replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward compatible.≥
≥ ≥
≥ So what do you need exactly ? ≥
≥ - A Viper GC chip ≥
≥ - This very flash file ≥
≥ - Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[USER MANUAL]-------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are ≥
≥ OFF. (see Viper manual for more details) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the ≥
≥ console. This week team Xtender should be releasing their officially ≥
≥ Viper GC branded replacement case that works with full-size DVD-R! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port ≥
≥ connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this ≥
≥ BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip. ≥
≥ We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip ≥
≥ soon if you prefear USB. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an ≥
≥ original or a backup. While turning on your GC : ≥
≥ - Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode) ≥
≥ - Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu) ≥
≥ - Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are ≥
≥ not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot) ≥
≥ boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc" ≥
≥ option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you ≥
≥ can select Direct Disc Boot option again. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - Read more about the different menu options below. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[THE MEDIA]---------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and ≥
≥ a few MINI-DVD-R. By tweaking your laser it's possible to have your GC ≥
≥ read almost any media including DVD+R. For more info use google with ≥
≥ GC laser tweak keywords. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[MAIN MENU]---------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ DIRECT DISC BOOT : Play a backup or an original GC game from any ≥
≥ region. ≥
≥ ORIGINAL BIOS : Play an original game compatible with your GC ≥
≥ region or enter GC BIOS menus. ≥
≥ CONFIGURATION MENU: Change Cobra settings and view GC version info. ≥
≥ DISC EXPLORER : Browse the content of the disc and load files. ≥
≥ CHEAT CODES : Manage cheat codes ≥
≥ CHANGE DISC : Change the disc without having to reset the GC. ≥
≥ PLUG-IN : Execute the embedded Cobra Plug-in. Only available ≥
≥ if a plug-in is loaded. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[DISC EXPLORER]------------------------------------------------------ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The Disc Explorer lets you browse the content of the inserted disc. ≥
≥ The following file systems are supported: ISO9660 (Level2 compatible, ≥
≥ no joliet) and FST (GC native file system). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The files with following extensions can be selected, loaded or ≥
≥ executed by pressing the A button: ≥
≥ ≥
≥ .VGC : Viper GC flash file. Select this file to reprogram your Viper GC ≥
≥ without the need of the Viper GC parallel port programmer. ≥
≥ .DOL : Homebrew application. Select this file to execute it. Examples ≥
≥ of homebrew applications are emulators, games, loaders, etc. ≥
≥ .COD : Cobra cheat code file. Select this file to add cheat codes for ≥
≥ a game without the need to enter it using the pad! ≥
≥ .CBP : Cobra plug-in. Select this file to load a plug-in into Viper GC ≥
≥ Memory. You can then execute it from the Cobra main menu. ≥
≥ Examples of plug-in are disc rippers, MP3 players, loaders, etc. ≥
≥ .PCM : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary). ≥
≥ .ADP : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary). ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The disc explorer can also play any audio file encodded with GC native ≥
≥ ADPCM format, regardless of its file extension. If you suspect a file ≥
≥ is an ADPCM audio file, simply select it and see if it plays! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[CHEAT CODES]-------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game, ≥
≥ check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable ≥
≥ cheats. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are ≥
≥ compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using ≥
≥ the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given ≥
≥ cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and ≥
≥ load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Cheat codes are working for backups and original games. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[MULTIBOOT DISCS]---------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ The MultiBoot features let you put several games on one disc. ≥
≥ You can use Viper_Multi_Boot_ISO_Creator by LoonyCube to create ≥
≥ MultiBoot discs easily. Technical info can be found in Cobra 1.1 NFO. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[COBRA PLUG-IN SYSTEM]----------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ A plug-in is a small application that stays into Viper GC memory and ≥
≥ can be executed from Cobra main menu. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You can load plug-in (.CBP) from DVD Explorer. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Another possibility is to embed the plug-in into the Cobra .VGC file. ≥
≥ To do so you must append the plug-in to the Cobra .VGC file. Use the ≥
≥ following DOS command line: "copy /b cobra.vgc+plugin.cbp out.vgc" ≥
≥ You can then reprogram your Viper GC with the file "out.vgc" using the ≥
≥ Viper GC Programmer or Cobra Disc Explorer. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ To create your own plug-in from a .DOL file, use the supplied program. ≥
≥ Plug-in files (.CBP) can't be bigger than 45056 bytes but their ≥
≥ corresponding executables (.DOL) can be a lot bigger, as plug-in are ≥
≥ compressed. You can distribute your plug-in by sharing the .CBP file, ≥
≥ but you're also free to distribute the Cobra .VGC file with your ≥
≥ plug-in embedded! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[TECHNICAL INFO FOR DEVELOPERS]-------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ It is now possible to let the user change discs in your homebrew ≥
≥ program. To do so, stop the disc using the usual E3 immediate command. ≥
≥ Don't reinit the drive as usual to load the new disc. Instead call E5 ≥
≥ command in DMA-read mode (read 0x20 bytes and discard them), followed ≥
≥ by an immediate E0 immediate read command (discard the result). It ≥
≥ works just as the reinit command would, so you must read the new Disc ≥
≥ ID before reading anything else. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Technical info about MultiBoot disc format can be found in Cobra 1.1 ≥
≥ NFO File. Official .COD file sample can be found in Cobra 1.0 ZIP file. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[THE FUTURE]--------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Thanks to the people that reported bugs. If you do so please always ≥
≥ include the GC version and Drive version as shown in the Version Info ≥
≥ menu. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Expect new releases soon with full support of the Viper GC Extreme ≥
≥ 2 Megabytes of memory and more... ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ -[CLOSING WORDS]------------------------------------------------------ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units, ≥
≥ Melan for the /48 GC, ATH for the Panasonic Q and to everybody that ≥
≥ tried Cobra V1.2 and posted constructive feedback. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed, ≥
≥ patched, ported, or whatever. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party. ≥
≥ It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for ≥
≥ other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect ≥
≥ toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right" ≥
≥ side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Enjoy! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
Cobra for Viper GC and Viper GC Extreme v2.1
∞ ∞ ∞
⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
≥X ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl X≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥ ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ - COBRA FOR VIPER GC & VIPER GC EXTREME V2.1 - ≥
≥ ≥
≥ 1st of january, 2007 ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Happy new year! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Check the PDF manual for more info. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ It seems the GC scene is pretty much dead, greetings to those who keep ≥
≥ it alive. ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Wii'll be back soon :) ≥
≥ ≥
≥ Enjoy! ≥
≥ ≥
≥ ∞ ∞ ∞ ≥
√ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ ±≤ ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
≥ ∞€fl‹‹ ∞€flfl ‹€flfl ≤€fl flfl‹ ≤€ ∞‹fl€ ∞‹ € ≤€fl€ ∞€flfl ≥
≥ €€ € € €€fl €€ € €€ ≤€fl€ €€ €€ ‹ €€ € €€ € €€fl ≥
≥X ∞ ± ≤ € ≤€ ≤ € fl€≤€ €€ ≤ fl€≤± fl€€≤ fl€‹ fl€≤€ fl€≤€ €€≤fl fl€≤€ € ≤ ± ∞ X≥
¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
