Transferring DC VMU saves to a PC

[spiritplx]

I have been looking into transferring Dreamcast saves to/from a VMU from a PC.

Here is some info about my setup:
-DC has dialup modem
-PC has dialup modem
-PC is running Windows XP Home Edition
-I have PlanetWeb Browser v3.0

I do not have a dialup connection through an ISP (actually, I do not even have a dial tone on any phone line).


I am mainly interested in using some type of direct connect to transfer files between the PC and DC. If a direct connect is not an option, I am willing to try and set up a connection similar to the one listed here: http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/php ... cwin98.php

The problem is that the guide is for Win98, and not for XP.

If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it.

(I tried looking for a thread like this already, but I had no luck, so if this question has already been answered, just point me to that thread.)

[SegaDreamscape]

Im sure you can get a usb vmu reader that you simply connect to your computer and transfer all the saves onto your hard drive. Ive seen these on ebay (im in the uk though). Its a small box about the size of the vga adapter with the vmu connection point on one end and the usb lead on the other. That would be your best bet. (i think)

[Niode]

I know of no way to transfer saves from a DC to a PC using the set up you have. The DC just doesn't really support that kind of thing, not even through homebrew.

You need to get your hands on a NEXUS memory card, this has a PC interface that allows you to access the files on your PC. However, the software must be run on windows 95, 98 or 2000. Compatibility for any other OS is unlikely. Plus you need a Parallel port, so if you computer is less than 5 years old it is highly unlikely you have one, even less likely if it's a laptop.

The only other option is there are a few websites out there that allowed you to upload your save directly from the planetweb browser, such as this one http://bswirl.kitsunet.org/vmu/save/pub ... en&menu=on (whether it still works is another matter altogether). However you say you have no simple way of getting online with the DC and the only workarounds for non-dialup users without a broadband adaptor is to use a PC modem, but the only instructions I know of involve the use of Windows 98. http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/php ... cwin98.php

So yeah, unfortunately, I don't think it's possible given the options. Unless you have a spare PC you can put Windows 98 on, or pray to the gods of virtualisation and hope that you can make some sort of interim solution using something like Virtual PC or another similar piece of software.

Good luck.

[spiritplx]

I have been reading through this guide and trying to get it to work with WindowsXP. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about modems (other than what I have read in the guide, and a little reading online).

I have all of the registry keys changed and when I try to start the connection (which will initialize the modem), it seems to error out when it attempts to execute the ATH1 command (go off the hook, and wait), I get the following messages in my modem logs...

12-04-2009 19:33:42.828 - Send: ATH1<cr>
12-04-2009 19:33:42.843 - Recv: <cr><lf>ERROR<cr><lf>
12-04-2009 19:33:42.843 - Interpreted response: Error

However, the next line says that it is waiting for a call, so I am not sure if the error is what is causing it not to start dialing, or if I have missed another step.

I can post the rest of the log for the connection attempt, if that would be helpful. Just let me know.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[spiritplx]

You need to get your hands on a NEXUS memory card, this has a PC interface that allows you to access the files on your PC. However, the software must be run on windows 95, 98 or 2000.

I ended up purchasing a Nexus card with the PC link cable. However, I am unable to get it to connect. It seems to be communicating, but having no success making the connection. A couple of times it has made the connection, but it almost immediately drops.

I am running it on Windows XP, however. Although the software I am using claims it is compatible with Windows XP.

Does anyone have any experience trouble shooting these things?

I have read through http://www.hkems.com/qa_4mdc.htm, and I am still having no luck.

Again, it appears to be making the initial connection, but then it promptly disconnects. The seller sent another, so I currently have two to test with (both exhibiting the same behavior).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[alaterale]

Hi,
Guess this is a bit of an old post, but I wanted to add that there are other drivers out there to get the Nexus working:
http://mc.pp.se/dc/sw.html

It comes with source, so I would imagine it's possible to compile under cygwin or something (if you don't have access to linux). I haven't tried myself. I have one of these nexus cards but haven't yet found a way to get it working for me since well... my mac mini doesn't have a parallel port It might work on usb adaptors, but since most are printer-only, not sure about that either. Still, I grabbed one anyway when I saw one for sale just in case someday I can use it

The other option is to (somehow) get yourself a SD card reader for the DC. It was announced and then went into oblivion and I can't find anyone who's selling any, but that might an option to look forward to. I would love to get one if I could, I do have a coders cable from way back but I'm unsure if I could hook up a usb sd card reader to that and have it work the same way. And the added ability to run original backups via the sd card isn't bad either

Hope this helps (figured it was time to sign up to this forum anyway)!

[Niode]

Apparantly according to posts on he DC-Emu forums regarding the device, they couldn't source (the already scarce) enough serial cables.

I wish they'd just release the schematics for the SD card because I'd just make my own and solder straight to the motherboard bypassing the need for a serial cable all together. I'd just use my dremel to cut a slot for the SD card and have the SD port and internal modification. Much better/cleaner than having an adaptor hanging out of the console.

The only thing I can find is instruction in Japanese

[spiritplx]

Oops, I guess I forgot to follow up on this issue. I ended up trying it on another computer (once I had another with the proper port available) and it seems to work fine now. However, I cannot export the DCM file (it times out first), but it is able to export the DCI files just fine. So I just have to save each game one at a time.