Creating your own IPFs

[dlfrsilver]

we need Keir's help i think.......

[Snoopy1234]

With Apprentice format in DA, sean_sk's Track 6 dump only has 2 unformatted tracks, 58.1 and 61.0.

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

With Apprentice format in DA, sean_sk's Track 6 dump only has 2 unformatted tracks, 58.1 and 61.0.

Those are used

[sean_sk]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

With Apprentice format in DA, sean_sk's Track 6 dump only has 2 unformatted tracks, 58.1 and 61.0.

Yep. Unfortunately I don't think the data tracks are being correctly detected using that format so I think it is unable to identify the damaged tracks properly. Those damaged disk tracks are responsible for 3 of the 6 race tracks (2-4) on the disk to not load properly in-game. So even when an IPF is created using the Apprentice format the same problem exhibits itself because the same disk tracks are still damaged.

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by sean_sk

Yep. Unfortunately I don't think the data tracks are being correctly detected using that format so I think it is unable to identify the damaged tracks properly. Those damaged disk tracks are responsible for 3 of the 6 race tracks (2-4) on the disk to not load properly in-game. So even when an IPF is created using the Apprentice format the same problem exhibits itself because the same disk tracks are still damaged.

They seems to be damaged. There is something wrong on those tracks, but i'm unable to determine what the problem is.

[Abaddon]

I'll take a closer look at the datadisk, track 5 and 6, maybe the track loader is different. The acid format works fine with the standard Super Skidmarks (7 disks), but fails on the 2 extra track disks I was surprised the Apprentice decoder worked at all as the track length is slightly longer than the acid format and the checksum calculation is slightly different.

I have another copy of the data disk and track disks and track disk 5 decodes all but T0.0-0.1: Unformatted*. Track disk 6 fails completely, but if I use Apprentice format it does decode the first 34 tracks.

[sean_sk]

Originally Posted by Abaddon

track disk 5 decodes all but T0.0-0.1: Unformatted*.

Yeah I think this is fairly typical of Track Disk 5. Mine does it and so does the Powercopy version available on the EAB FTP server.

[acd2001]

keirf disk-utilities 2024-08-18 git 2c00ac9
Added new decoders and updated a few protections

[Snoopy1234]

Originally Posted by acd2001

keirf disk-utilities 2024-08-18 git 2c00ac9
Added new decoders and updated a few protections

Thanks for the newest release. Is The Great Giana Sisters omitted from Formats for any reason?

[Abaddon]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

Thanks for the newest release. Is The Great Giana Sisters omitted from Formats for any reason?

I do not have a raw dump of the game and the decoder I wrote was based on the IPF, but before I release it I need to test it with a raw dump of the original.

[Snoopy1234]

Originally Posted by Abaddon

I do not have a raw dump of the game and the decoder I wrote was based on the IPF, but before I release it I need to test it with a raw dump of the original.

Untested 5 revs stream in the zone.

[Snoopy1234]

The stream raw files are from a read of an original disk, not a written one or converted image; if that's a concern.
Tested as SCP, runs fine.

[Abaddon]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

The stream raw files are from a read of an original disk, not a written one or converted image; if that's a concern.
Tested as SCP, runs fine.

The image does have a couple of bad sectors on the amigados tracks

T77.1: sectors 3, missing
T79.1: sectors 6, missing
T0.0: AmigaDOS
T0.1-76.0: The Great Giana Sisters
T76.1-79.1: AmigaDOS
T80.0-83.1: Unformatted
** WARNING: 2 tracks are damaged or unidentified!

[Snoopy1234]

T77.1 was read correctly in an earlier read attempt and included here. T79.1 shows sector 6 missing through all read attempts.

Edit: I see now using HxC emulator tool that T76.1-79.1 are empty amigados tracks and no matter. Is there a force write blank amigados track function in d-a?

It is good to know your decoder is working too.

[acd2001]

keirf disk-utilities 2024-08-24 git 623f989
Removed debug code from Okay Protetion

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

T77.1 was read correctly in an earlier read attempt and included here. T79.1 shows sector 6 missing through all read attempts.

Edit: I see now using HxC emulator tool that T76.1-79.1 are empty amigados tracks and no matter. Is there a force write blank amigados track function in d-a?

It is good to know your decoder is working too.

I'm sorry, but for me, it's not an original, it's a copy.

Great Giana Sisters is using the Thomas Lopatic format (not recognized on this disk), and even track 0 is seen as modified !

[Snoopy1234]

Originally Posted by dlfrsilver

I'm sorry, but for me, it's not an original, it's a copy.

Great Giana Sisters is using the Thomas Lopatic format (not recognized on this disk), and even track 0 is seen as modified !

Thanks Denis but I'm pretty sure it's an original UK disk. It is complete in jewel case and user guide, signed by Chris Heulsbeck. I bought it from Sebastian of International Retro Guide in Germany and he is a reputable seller.

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

Thanks Denis but I'm pretty sure it's an original UK disk. It is complete in jewel case and user guide, signed by Chris Heulsbeck. I bought it from Sebastian of International Retro Guide in Germany and he is a reputable seller.

I'm sorry to say this, but this is a copy. the game was duplicated in original, the Thomas Lopatic format is recognized by the SPS tool, so there's no way this game can be seen as a copy and the tracks unrecognized.

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by Snoopy1234

Thanks Denis but I'm pretty sure it's an original UK disk. It is complete in jewel case and user guide, signed by Chris Heulsbeck. I bought it from Sebastian of International Retro Guide in Germany and he is a reputable seller.

Here is the original UK release of Great Giana Sisters



Your "copy" :



Yours is seen as a copy. So i would advise you to fix your disk with the official IPF made from a pristine original disk in IPF.

[Snoopy1234]

Thanks Denis for the explanation. I could write the IPF to disk. I'll have to consider whether that would be unauthentic itself. I haven't felt comfortable with written disks to be honest.