Using Batch file to run Whdload game

[killergorilla]

anyway, if it does what he wants... cool.

[kipper2k]

Well, it looks like i have set some record loading times for these WHDload games lol...


here are some timings of some tests i done... very impressive times lol.

A600, 2mb chipmem

Loading my favorite WHDload test game - City Defence


1,719,496 bytes free

2:37:00 start
2:38:02 screen flash
2:41:15 sound crackling
2:41:55 title screen appears
2:44:54 menu screen appears

time to start playing game = 7min 54 seconds

-------------------------------------------------

1,728,688 bytes free

2:54:00
2:54:28 Screen flash
2:57:37 sound crackle
2:58:20 title screen appears
3:01:19 Main menu appears, game plays normal

time to start playing game = 7 min 19 seconds

---------------------------------------------

1,735,944 bytes free

3:12:00
3:12:25 Screen flash
3:15:34 sound crackle
3:16:18 title screen appears
3:19:15 Main menu appears, game plays normal

time to start playing game = 7 min 15 seconds

--------------------------------------------


Now... heres the result using 2mb chip and 512k slow ram

1,993,416 chipmem 245,424 slow

3:06:00
3:06:09 title screen appears
3:06:10 Main menu appears, game plays normal

time to start playing game = 10 seconds

-----------------------------------------------

Overall its pretty disheartening. I figure the only way to stand any
chance of getting decent load times is to create a boot floppy that
loads only the essentials for WHDload and paths. I have no idea what a
bare assed WB install would be as regards memory consumption.

Anyone got a bare assed WB boot disk ?

Thanks

[Retro-Nerd]

Preload is the most important WHDLoad tooltype. So, get more ram.

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

Preload is the most important WHDLoad tooltype. So, get more ram.

yah,

I'm on the list for the 8 MB ram cards, sure be nice to have the extra

[Retro1234]

Ive got a 2mb A600 and before I was lucky enough to pick up an extra 2mb SRam card I had to do a lot of fidling about choosing the best install for the setup and WHDload wasnt always suitable - For example City Defence can be run without WHDload, Without extra memory finding the right install might be your only choice.

[Eclipse]

I've asked before and it's similar...
Can you create a floppy that can load WHDLoad games without going into workbench?
i.e. you insert floppy, it loads the game from your hard drive without going into a full workbench.
Obviously you would have to assign where the folders are.

[Retro1234]

Sure but whats your setup? You could also have so when you hold down fire instead of Workbench loading a games menu comes up

[kipper2k]

you can create a workbench disk, and make it work just be copying the appropriate files to the directories on the floppy. Theres a few ways of making a bootable floppy, for me i just copied the workbench install disk and then deleted all the garbage i didn't need.

[TCD]

@Eclipse
Basic answer : Yes
Make a startup-sequence on your floppy which should contain this :
<path to WHDLoad>WHDLoad <insert game name with path>.slave <options>
It's very rough, but you should get the idea.

@kipper2k
You simply call 'Install DF0:' to make a disk bootable.

[kipper2k]

I don't see many memory cards available for the A600 except for the standard 1mb card and of course the new 8mb card that is being built now. Are there other cards with at least 2mb ram available for the A600 (not PCMCIA) or schematics available for home made jobbies. ?

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by TheCyberDruid

@Eclipse
Basic answer : Yes
Make a startup-sequence on your floppy which should contain this :
<path to WHDLoad>WHDLoad <insert game name with path>.slave <options>
It's very rough, but you should get the idea.

@kipper2k
You simply call 'Install DF0:' to make a disk bootable.

Thanks... (sometimes i miss the obvious

[TCD]

@Eclipse
I just tried it and it works You might need to adapt it for some games, but here you go :

DH0:C/Assign DEVS: DH0:Devs
CD DH1:Lionheart
DH0:C/WHDLoad Lionheart.Slave Preload

Of course you need to adjust paths (and the slave name)

@kipper2k
I'll never forget the day that I had my first bootable disk (running the AmigaBASIC line demo), so it's burnt in my mind

[Retro1234]

Good stuff TCD
I just ment you could add something like this to your HD Startup-Sequence and not worry about Floppys
Joypad RED
If Warm
LoadWB ; Or Menu
Endcli
Endif

[TCD]

Originally Posted by Boo Boo

I just ment you could add something like this to your HD Startup-Sequence and not worry about Floppys
Joypad RED
If Warm
LoadWB ; Or Menu
Endcli
Endif

Cheers Boo Boo
Mind to share the 'Joypad' program? That sounds like an interesting option to play with

[Retro1234]

Ok JoyPad attached I hope its of some use to someone.
From the CD32 Goodies
http://aminet.net/search?query=cd32+goodies

You hold down Fire for the Action

[TCD]

Thanks Boo Boo

[Eclipse]

Originally Posted by TheCyberDruid

@Eclipse
I just tried it and it works You might need to adapt it for some games, but here you go :

DH0:C/Assign DEVS: DH0:Devs
CD DH1:Lionheart
DH0:C/WHDLoad Lionheart.Slave Preload

Of course you need to adjust paths (and the slave name)

@kipper2k
I'll never forget the day that I had my first bootable disk (running the AmigaBASIC line demo), so it's burnt in my mind

Thanks,
that's exactly what I had in mind.
What if you don't want preload?

[TCD]

No problem
Just leave out 'Preload' then.

[musojon74]

Dunno if it helps (and it's ages since I did it (1996 - eeeeekkkk) ) - I used to set up a little script which you could run from wb - it created a rad: copied the required files over with a modified s: directory, assigned them then bounced the machine - bingo no workbench, straight into the game. I will try and remember how i did it - came in very useful with low memory. I will try and stick it together again if it's any help and not overcomplicating the situation :-0

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by musojon74

Dunno if it helps (and it's ages since I did it (1996 - eeeeekkkk) ) - I used to set up a little script which you could run from wb - it created a rad: copied the required files over with a modified s: directory, assigned them then bounced the machine - bingo no workbench, straight into the game. I will try and remember how i did it - came in very useful with low memory. I will try and stick it together again if it's any help and not overcomplicating the situation :-0

I'd like to see how it was done if you can recall