SMYNES HELP VERSION 1.0

Introduction of Nintendo Family Computer :

  The Nintendo Family Computer was published during the 80s by Japanese Nintendo company as a family game computer. At that time, the field of computer games were intensively competed with one another. With various well representive works published , the Nintendo Family Computer became the most active family computer during the 80s and 90s. Basically, the structure of Nintendo machine is not complicate after all. It uses the 6502 CPU. In the aspect of sound, it uses two square waves, one triangle wave, one noise and one PCM (two types). However, game suppliers were asking for the perfection towards Nitendo games, and most of them added the extra sound chips into game cards. If those extra sound chips were not emulated, then that particular games would appear the problem of absence of sound. Not only that, various Nintendo games also included hardware equipments while they were published. For example, "mahjong joystick", "swipping card machine", "stuff puff motorbike", "shrewmouse joystick", "dancing board" and "ray gum", etc. If these peripheral equipments were not emulated, then the games might not be able to function properly.

SMYNES FEATURES :

  SMYNES Emulates the master piece of Japanese Nintendo Family Computer. For that reason, the accuracy of hardware emulation is therefore very high. Not only the difficulties in emulating the Vbank and NMI have been solved, but also the sound probelm has been worked out by checking against the actual Nintendo machine. These sound emulations are therefore not captured from the spreaded infromation of internet. Since the sound was 100% emulated from the original Japanese Nintendo Family Computer, please do have confidence in what you hear! So far, some of the Taiwanes made and pirated Nintendo machines have abridged materials in making the sound parts for saving money. The natural sounds of those Nintendo machine are of course not as nice and accurate. Other than that, SMYNES has built in with the most Japanes original verion of game database. As long as your games are dumped from the correct Japanese verion roms, the information of games should be able to be displayed for the convenience of everyone. In the case of European version, the complete infromation is currently short of. Therefore, only English names are provided in the datatbase. For those Japanese verion games that ought to have supported information, but those information are not displayed, that means 90% of your roms have dumping problems. Surely, it could also be our carelessness in missing typing some information. Nevertheless, we will continuely update the database information. If you are definite that those games are dumped by yourself without problems, then please contact us for the updating of new database. At the moment we are still searching for the rom of mapper 2 "Athena" that was dumped from the original version card. We know that this mapper 2 "Athena" is the only one with the problems in our emulation so far.

SMYNS 1.0 Final UPDATING AND SUPPORTING ASPECT:

SMYNES usage manual :

(First step)

  When you first execute SMYNES.EXE file, the basic path setting (picture 1) and the controlled button setting (picture 2) will jump out, as showen below:

(Picture 1)When you see the appearence of this image, please first select the file that you stored the Nintendo games from left window *.nes  *.nz *.fds game path¡Athen press the toppest (Add>>)button, so that "ROM directories" is completed. Of course you can add more "ROM directories" path if you have more than one directory. SMYNES will automatically search for all the Nintendo games under that selected directory (including sub-directory). As for other paths that are showen as below, please follow ROM's directory path setting way. This enables your SMYNES to execute under best condition.
(Picture 2) This is a very important setting image. If all the function keys have not been set then they will not be to function, because SMYNES doesn't have the default key setting. We hope to provide a most flexible conditions for the users to set functions for the keys. All the function keys have "Keyboard" and "Joystick" these two parts for setting. That means users don't have stick to keyboard setting. Some most common function keys like "Chat Enable Switch" can also be set on the Joystick (as you wish). About "Joypad1" please also set it up. Otherwise games can't be started.

The following is the meaning of function keys represent:

Resete : That means reset, restart new games

Realtime Save : The button for real time saving that records the scheduled progress of the runnig games

Realtime Load : Real time loading (but firstly it has to have the record of Realtime Save)

RTS Slot Select Up :This button can be used for the selection of real time saving/loading of whatever records

RTS Slot Select Down : This button can be used for the selection of real time saving/loading of whatever records

Cheat Edit : SMYNES Provides the function for everyone freely searching the information of game characters.  The cheat will be automatically saved after the editing, and will be retrived when next time the game starts.

Cheat Enable Switch : When you have successfuly used the function of "Cheat Edit" to capture the information of the selected characters, you only have to press "Cheat Enable Switch" button for the information to disable temporary, until you press "Chat Enable Switch", then it will recapture the original set infromation. This function is particlarly suitable for action games after past the levels, and HP will recound from the zero.

Screen Shot Save : After pressing this button, the images of the game will be presented with the less information, but the best qulity of PNGcc format for the output. It will also be saved in the path that was set at the begining.

Input Barcode : This function can only be used under Mapper 16 of DATCH swipping card machine that was publised by Bandai company. While you are swipping the card character, you only need to press this button for a small window to jump out asking you to enter 7 or 11 numbers to replace a swipping action.

Fullscreen Switch : Just need to press this button to switch between window and full screen

ROM Information : Display the infromation of selected games¡]including file name and other information¡^

Frame Skip Up : If the speed of the game is too slow¡Ayou can press this button to omit certain part of images. Too much omission will have serious jumping problems¡Aand lead to block situation. However, this function can be used to quickly jumped out those sections that you don't want to see.

Frame Skip Down : It is opposite to the "Fram Skip Up"

Disk Side Incras : read *.fds while you are playing the games with Nintendo family computer disk system, when it reaches the time of switching to another side, you need to apply the method of increasing or decreasing the disk code to replace the switching action.

Disk Side Decreas : read *.fds while you are playing the games with Nintendo family computer disk system, when it reaches the time of switching to another side, you need to apply the method of increasing or decreasing the disk code to replace the switching action.

Inser Disk : When switching disk message appears in the middle of game progress, you just need to change the disk and press this button for the game to restart.

Show FPS : One of the most important functions. It tells you the speed of how many pictures execute per second on the frame while the game is progressing. If everything progresses smoothly, the number should be about 60. However, the number is mostly displayed between 58~60. The smaller the number is displayed, the worst the frame block problem appears. Users can use this function in the beginning to help them contrasting among different display mode, to find out what display mode will present the best frame condition.

(Step 2)

When you see this image appears, congratulate you, the setting procedure is almost completed. What you need to do now is to select a game from the game menu. The right corner preview window will automatically display the animated game image. Press twice for the game to start.

¡]Step 3 - Extra Setting¡^

You may already discover that not all the games information displayed on the display windows that are all necessary for you to see. Let's say you are using the Chinese version of SMYNES. The column with information of Japanese files is therefore no as necessary. These columns can be adjusted according to your needs. You simply need to drag mouse to the column that you don't need or want to change the size, the sign of mouse will become adjustable left and right arrow for you to adjust the column. And this adjusted columns will be recorded by SMYNES. So there is no need for resetting when next time you execute SMYNES.

Usage Query FAQ¡G

Q1 : Why my game in SMYNES cannot be showen with game information?
A1 : The most possible answer towards this problem is that your rom is not dumped from a Japanese version game card. Our game information has currently stored only 1245 Japanese version games. Of course, it could be our carelessness in omitting some of game information. However, it could also be the problems with the version of which game was dumped from.

Q2 : SMYNES execute so slow on my computer. Is there any way to improve it?
A2 : Currently SMYNES is obviously slower in the S3 series of video cards. I don't really have answers for a such situation, but you can try to go to "Emulator Setting" and choose the second function "NES Emulator Video Setup". After that, please follow the picture below for the rest set up - tick the bottom function "Default Fullscreen Mode" , and this will make some sort of speed improvement.
6.gif (4667 bytes)

If it is still too slow, please select "NES Emulator Sound Setup" Setupand change "Sound ngine Select" to "Engine 2 (Fast)" (As the image below) This should improve the speed, but diminishes the quality of sound.
7.gif (848 bytes)

Q3 : Why the games of Mapper 5, 6, 8, 17, 96, 188 cannot be executed?
A3 : At the moment, SMYNES hasn't emulated 3 mappers - Mapper 5, 96, 188. However, the next SMYNES version might do it. About other 3 mappers- Mapper 6, 8, 17, the files of those games are reconstructed by "FFE" family computer disk system, and those games themselves have been changed. Therefore, SMYNES is not going to support those changed, reconstructed and error version of those Mapper 6, 8 and 17 games at the moment. In fact the correct version of those games can be easily find from the internet.

Q4 : How can you use the cheat function that is provided by SMYNES?
A4 : While you are playing games, what you need to do is to press the set "Cheat Editor" button. Then, it will pop up the picture just like below
5.gif (8349 bytes)
For the first searching, please press "Reset Search" and then press "Exit". When the searched infromation is changed after playing games, you need to call the editing image, like increasing and decreasing. Of course, you can straight choose "Value" to enter number if you know what is the correct number. Please be awared that the number is made up by 16 bites. The search might not be able to carry out if the number is bigger than 9. Then press "Search" after finish chosing, the searched numbers will be appeared in the middle section of the image. Repeat the above actions by trying to change the locked information while playing the games. When there is only one set (or less) left in the middle section, you can then click twice in this section. At that moment, "Lock Address (Hex)" will appear in this section. You then only need to enter the lucked number in the "Lock Valu (Hex) below, and press "Add" . If you want to stop the lock while playing the game, you can press the self pre-set button Cheat Enable Switch. However, you will get the hand of it with several practices. Also, these searched cheats will be automatically saved. They will be loaded when next time you start the game, which no search is required.

Q5 : Can I change the screen color of the game if I don't like it?
A5 : YES¡ASMYNES has 9 types of color pallets, and it also includes most color pallets that are used by other famous emulators! You are free to choose any kind of color pallets. Of course, SMYNES also provides two self defined color pallets for users (No.0 and No.1 color pallet). These two set color pallets can be freely defined, and save and read functions can also be perfomed there.

Q6 : Why is there a word "DEMO" in the middle of screen?
A6 : SMYNES is a software that needs to be registed. There will be a word "DEMO" in the middle of the screen before the registration, and a 5 minutes limiation for playing games. If you believe SMYNES is a good software, please support me by registrations. This will also help me to build up my confidences to complete other better emulators. :)

Q7 : How much is the registration fee? How can I register SMYNES? Is the later updated version of SMYNES free of charge? How about if SMY has published other registered EMU in the future, would SMYNES registered users get certain kind of discount?
A7 : The registration fee is NT$300 (New Taiwanese Dollars). There are two ways to be registered - by sending the actual money or transfering the account. Please refer to the end of this text for the more detailed information. :) That's right! Once you have registered SMYNES, any updated SMYNES will be free of charge. If SMYNES registeration has been strongly supported by everyone, we will shortly develop more of best EMU. All SMYNES members will get discount by that time. :)

Q8 : Why SMYNES is carried out by the registration way? Isn't free of charge great?
A8 : After you have executed SMYNES, if you find that other version of EMU - which are free of charge - are either no difference or even better than SMYNES, then there is no needed for you to use SMYNES. Frankly, there are already many good and free of charge NES EMU existed in this field, such as Famtasia, Fwnes, NESten, Nesticle, etc. However, only the developing process of SMYNES have already spent us more than thousands of working times and countless Taiwanese money (such as buying the equipment of Nintendo Family Computer, making hareware testing cards, etc). The fees are all very dear! Because of these investement, SMYNES has reached an estimated of 97% accuracy in emulating Nintendo Family Computer. Only some of the errors of computers that are either too difficult or almost impossible to be adjusted are left currently, such as in the games of car racing in making a turn that sometimes lead to the disturbance of images. If you appreciate SMYNES, please support us in developing other even better emulators. :)

Q9 : May I please ask whether SMY has plans in developing other types of EMU?
A9 : There is none currently as SMYNES has already spent too much my effort and money. At this stage, I'll only hope to present a even better version of SMYNES to those registered users. After all, I want to present the best! Of course when the developing of SMYNES has reached a certain limit, I'll then consider to develop other EMU.

Q10 : What is the function of Mapper 86 Jaleco sound file that is provided on the website?
A10 : This is the file especially supported"Moero!! Pro Yakyuu", because there is a special sound chip in "Moero!! Pro Yakyuu". So far, there is not other emulators to support such function. If you have this game, then you will be able to listen a real person's recorded voice just like from a real card while you are playing the game! You must try it :) However, other versions of "Moero!! Pro Yakyuu" will not have a such function supported at the moment. They will be supported in the next version of SMYNES.

Q11 : Why I can't play Disk System roms ?
A11 : Well, you will need DISKROM.SYS file, this is a BIOS image frome the the Family Computer Disk System, you can find this file on the net very easy, and FWNES also use this file to load Disk System roms :)

Q12 : Where can I get the help if I still have other questions?
A12 : I already asked Billy Jr. to help me to insert a discussion board on the net. Therefore, you can express any kind of questions when the discussion board is ready.

How to apply registration:

(Method One)

Complete your personal details in "order.txt" print it out and sent it with $10 U.S Dollars or $300 New Taiwanese Dollars or money order US$15 to the P.O Box which shows as below

Ming-Yu Shih

Post Code 333

Taoyuan Post Office Box 19-79, Taiwan

P.S: Please provide your details with clear hand writtings if you don't have a printer, especially the E-mail information. Otherwise, we will have difficulties to find you, and to provide and send registered file to you

Special Thanks to

Billy Jr.  <--- The monster who .. pushed me to start a such difficult work of writing SMYNES
Conan Supports the information of games
Frankkao Helps building the database of games
KATANA Supports cards and other peripheral equipments
Mr. Lee Provides hardware technical supports
Postman Supports cards and other peripheral equipments
WOOD Provides suppports in technique and information
Pei-I and Pei-Ying Shih Translated Chinese readme version into English version with spiritual supports

And every users who helps in testing and registering SMYNS :)

SMY  2000/5/27