Pinball Fantasies ECS (ID: 25) extra disk

jotd · 11 November 2020, 17:04

I checked 2 archives and they have 1 boot disk and 3 course disks...

2 problems:

- course disk 2 seems to be corrupt: unable to image it using the IPF, using WinUAE IPF or even with RawDIC 4.2 IPF support. Checksum errors on a lot of tracks 21, 23... Looks like a bad dump, seen on 2 different archives.
- there's only scans of the boot disk and 2 course disks, plus the game runs under whdload with only those 3 disks. The 3rd disk seems to have the same MFM format, but contains unknown data. Any idea?

dlfrsilver · 11 November 2020, 17:22

you're talking about IPF 0025 ?

jotd · 11 November 2020, 21:39

yes, IPF 0025

Retroplay · 12 November 2020, 04:13

About the fourth disk (Source: HOL)
http://hol.abime.net/1055

Quote:

[2] Two versions of the game were released: [a] 3-disk (1MB) and [b] 4-disk version (512k). The fourth disk of the latter featured a "slimmed" version of the game for 512k machines.

[3] The 512k and 1MB releases of PINBALL FANTASIES are identical, except there is absolutely no sound (not even sound FX) in the 512k version.

jotd · 12 November 2020, 12:35

ah I just searched EAB and found this thanks...

The remaining issue is: bad dump on a course disk (course disk 1 AKA disk 2). EAB file server contains this corrupt file.

I suppose that if the program detects 512k only, then it asks for disk 4 for trimmed down tables

DrBong · 12 November 2020, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

I suppose that if the program detects 512k only, then it asks for disk 4 for trimmed down tables

You're more of an expert than me, but that would be my best guess!

dlfrsilver · 13 November 2020, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

ah I just searched EAB and found this thanks...

The remaining issue is: bad dump on a course disk (course disk 1 AKA disk 2). EAB file server contains this corrupt file.

I suppose that if the program detects 512k only, then it asks for disk 4 for trimmed down tables

I will contact you, i have access to the IPF in question.

dlfrsilver · 13 November 2020, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

ah I just searched EAB and found this thanks...

The remaining issue is: bad dump on a course disk (course disk 1 AKA disk 2). EAB file server contains this corrupt file.

I suppose that if the program detects 512k only, then it asks for disk 4 for trimmed down tables

the IPF 0025 contains 3 disks, and after checking, all of them are ok.

They use the TSL2 Digital Illusions $3394 long track format.

What is the version you're refering about ?

DamienD · 13 November 2020, 17:47

I haven't manually checked all the .IPF releases for this game, but the SPS website says:

I know in the past I also noticed 4 x disks with Pinball Fantasies .IPF set and wondered what it was.

dlfrsilver · 13 November 2020, 18:50

This is an error, i have only 3 disks in the IPF 0025 archive.

Belgarath · 13 November 2020, 18:52

The copy I have of 0025 has 4 disks.

edit: but like JOTD says it only contains scans of 3 disks.

dlfrsilver · 13 November 2020, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgarath

The copy I have of 0025 has 4 disks.

edit: but like JOTD says it only contains scans of 3 disks.

There is something wrong, i have access to the SPS amiga catalogue. There are 3 disks inside not 4.

Please PM me, and send me the files, i will check the disk 4.

jotd · 13 November 2020, 23:09

EAB file server has SPS copy with 4 disks. The 4th disk is the table disk but cut down for 512k

dlfrsilver · 14 November 2020, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

EAB file server has SPS copy with 4 disks. The 4th disk is the table disk but cut down for 512k

I picked it. OK. I have checked the disks, i see no errors on the tracks.

All disks use the TSL2 long track format as said above (length $339x)

jotd · 14 November 2020, 10:11

strange as my RawDIC imager reads disk 1 and disk 3 (and even disk 4), but fails on a lot of tracks of disk 2 (but not all of them).

dlfrsilver · 14 November 2020, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

strange as my RawDIC imager reads disk 1 and disk 3 (and even disk 4), but fails on a lot of tracks of disk 2 (but not all of them).

You have something wrong or buggy in the rawdic slave.

Each track use 2 sync marks :

First is $2112, second is $448A.

dlfrsilver · 14 November 2020, 10:53

BTW rawdic is v5.0

jotd · 14 November 2020, 11:41

you may be right. I have used the Patcher imager code, and I think there are imaging problems with that one too.

dlfrsilver · 14 November 2020, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotd

you may be right. I have used the Patcher imager code, and I think there are imaging problems with that one too.

You need to rework the whole thing from point 0.

The patcher is really a crap soft (it forces the use of a physical disk).

Rawdic is much more better.

jotd · 14 November 2020, 17:58

no the patcher is just a very old software, that predates Amiga emulators we could work with.

You don't need to convince me that RawDIC is better. RawDIC has a much better conception / simpler slaves, you don't have to issue the IO commands, and it also shifts the raw tracks according to first sync, which saves a lot of hassle. I remember adding IPF support to this program myself a long time ago too.

It's been ages since I didn't create a rawdic slave... I forgot a lot of stuff. Anyway, I simplified the decoding routine copied from the patcher imager (removing shifts and syncs) and now it works perfect on all disks, thanks for the hint.

11 November 2020, 17:04	#1
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	Pinball Fantasies ECS (ID: 25) extra disk I checked 2 archives and they have 1 boot disk and 3 course disks... 2 problems: - course disk 2 seems to be corrupt: unable to image it using the IPF, using WinUAE IPF or even with RawDIC 4.2 IPF support. Checksum errors on a lot of tracks 21, 23... Looks like a bad dump, seen on 2 different archives. - there's only scans of the boot disk and 2 course disks, plus the game runs under whdload with only those 3 disks. The 3rd disk seems to have the same MFM format, but contains unknown data. Any idea? Last edited by jotd; 11 November 2020 at 17:13.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pinball Fantasies 3 disk version!	BarryB	project.WHDLoad	5	02 May 2022 22:14
Pinball Fantasies ECS - WHDLoad problem	liviux76	support.Games	11	12 November 2020 12:32
Pinball Fantasies (OCS/ECS) WHDLoad version; how to select Course Disk 2 boards?	ReL0aDed	Games images which need to be WHDified	3	22 March 2020 16:57
Pinball Fantasies hard disk upgrade	absence	request.Old Rare Games	11	25 September 2013 10:27
Pinball Dreams & Pinball Fantasies - Special Edition (OCS/ECS)	teh	HOL contributions	3	23 March 2012 14:39

11 November 2020, 17:22	#2
dlfrsilver CaptainM68K-SPS France Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melun nearby Paris/France Age: 46 Posts: 10,412	you're talking about IPF 0025 ?

11 November 2020, 21:39	#3
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	yes, IPF 0025

12 November 2020, 12:35	#5
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	ah I just searched EAB and found this thanks... The remaining issue is: bad dump on a course disk (course disk 1 AKA disk 2). EAB file server contains this corrupt file. I suppose that if the program detects 512k only, then it asks for disk 4 for trimmed down tables

13 November 2020, 17:47	#9
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	I haven't manually checked all the .IPF releases for this game, but the SPS website says: I know in the past I also noticed 4 x disks with Pinball Fantasies .IPF set and wondered what it was.

13 November 2020, 18:50	#10
dlfrsilver CaptainM68K-SPS France Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melun nearby Paris/France Age: 46 Posts: 10,412	This is an error, i have only 3 disks in the IPF 0025 archive.

13 November 2020, 18:52	#11
Belgarath HOL Team Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Manchester Posts: 2,513	The copy I have of 0025 has 4 disks. edit: but like JOTD says it only contains scans of 3 disks.

13 November 2020, 23:09	#13
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	EAB file server has SPS copy with 4 disks. The 4th disk is the table disk but cut down for 512k

14 November 2020, 10:11	#15
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	strange as my RawDIC imager reads disk 1 and disk 3 (and even disk 4), but fails on a lot of tracks of disk 2 (but not all of them).

14 November 2020, 10:53	#17
dlfrsilver CaptainM68K-SPS France Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melun nearby Paris/France Age: 46 Posts: 10,412	BTW rawdic is v5.0

14 November 2020, 11:41	#18
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	you may be right. I have used the Patcher imager code, and I think there are imaging problems with that one too.

14 November 2020, 17:58	#20
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	no the patcher is just a very old software, that predates Amiga emulators we could work with. You don't need to convince me that RawDIC is better. RawDIC has a much better conception / simpler slaves, you don't have to issue the IO commands, and it also shifts the raw tracks according to first sync, which saves a lot of hassle. I remember adding IPF support to this program myself a long time ago too. It's been ages since I didn't create a rawdic slave... I forgot a lot of stuff. Anyway, I simplified the decoding routine copied from the patcher imager (removing shifts and syncs) and now it works perfect on all disks, thanks for the hint.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)