-[WHAT'S NEW ?]-------------------------------------------------------
- Added support for new PAL GC (DOL-101)
- Fixed cheat slowdown bug
- Various other bugfixes
If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are OFF
before running this Cobra BIOS.
CobraBackup.exe allows to you make disc backups. Run this program on
your PC while you're in Cobra main menu. It takes 25 minutes to make
a Full Backup (including garbage). It takes from 1 minute to 25 minute
to make a Smart Backup (without garbage) depending on the game.
DOLSendUSB.exe is a command line tool that allows remote execution of
DOL files. If you don't know how to use a command line tool, simply
drag and drop the DOL file on the DOLSendUSB.exe icon
-[FEATURES]-----------------------------------------------------------
- Direct boot of all media, without swapping!
- Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play!
- Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP
- Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in
region-free feature
- Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config
Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups.
- Fully compatible with multi-disc games
- Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc!
- Cobra Plug-in System: put your GC program (Game Ripper, MP3 Player,
Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory!
- Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and
that allows you:
- To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD
- To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many
already-released homebrew productions!
- To play music (ADPCM files aligned on a 32kb boundary)
- To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation
- To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory
- To load a cobra plug-in from disc into Viper GC Memory
- Backup Tool that allows you to make backups of original GC discs
using the USB connection
- Remote Execution of DOL files using the USB connection
- Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes,
codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed!
- Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from
a file using the Disc Explorer
- BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash
- Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS,
Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held)
- Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility
- Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 and Panasonic Q)
- Idle-bug free
- User-Friendly GUI
A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also
replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward compatible.│
So what do you need exactly ?
- A Viper GC chip
- This very flash file
- Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner
-[USER MANUAL]--------------------------------------------------------
- If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are
OFF. (see Viper manual for more details)
- If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the
console. This week team Xtender should be releasing their officially │
Viper GC branded replacement case that works with full-size DVD-R!
- Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port
connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this
BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip.
We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip
soon if you prefear USB.
- Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an
original or a backup. While turning on your GC :
- Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode)
- Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu)
- Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action
- If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are
not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot)
boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc"
option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you
can select Direct Disc Boot option again.
- Read more about the different menu options below.
-[THE MEDIA]----------------------------------------------------------
The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and
a few MINI-DVD-R. By tweaking your laser it's possible to have your GC
read almost any media including DVD+R. For more info use google with
GC laser tweak keywords.
-[MAIN MENU]----------------------------------------------------------
DIRECT DISC BOOT : Play a backup or an original GC game from any
region.
ORIGINAL BIOS : Play an original game compatible with your GC
region or enter GC BIOS menus.
CONFIGURATION MENU: Change Cobra settings and view GC version info.
DISC EXPLORER : Browse the content of the disc and load files.
CHEAT CODES : Manage cheat codes
CHANGE DISC : Change the disc without having to reset the GC.
PLUG-IN : Execute the embedded Cobra Plug-in. Only available │
if a plug-in is loaded.
-[DISC EXPLORER]------------------------------------------------------
The Disc Explorer lets you browse the content of the inserted disc.
The following file systems are supported: ISO9660 (Level2 compatible,
no joliet) and FST (GC native file system).
The files with following extensions can be selected, loaded or
executed by pressing the A button:
.VGC : Viper GC flash file. Select this file to reprogram your Viper GC │
without the need of the Viper GC parallel port programmer.
.DOL : Homebrew application. Select this file to execute it. Examples
of homebrew applications are emulators, games, loaders, etc.
.COD : Cobra cheat code file. Select this file to add cheat codes for
a game without the need to enter it using the pad!
.CBP : Cobra plug-in. Select this file to load a plug-in into Viper GC
Memory. You can then execute it from the Cobra main menu.
Examples of plug-in are disc rippers, MP3 players, loaders, etc. │
.PCM : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary).
.ADP : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary).
The disc explorer can also play any audio file encodded with GC native
ADPCM format, regardless of its file extension. If you suspect a file
is an ADPCM audio file, simply select it and see if it plays!
-[CHEAT CODES]--------------------------------------------------------
If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game,
check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable
cheats.
To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are
compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using
the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given
cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and
load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game.
Cheat codes are working for backups and original games.
-[MULTIBOOT DISCS]----------------------------------------------------
The MultiBoot features let you put several games on one disc.
You can use Viper_Multi_Boot_ISO_Creator by LoonyCube to create
MultiBoot discs easily. Technical info can be found in Cobra 1.1 NFO.
-[COBRA PLUG-IN SYSTEM]-----------------------------------------------
A plug-in is a small application that stays into Viper GC memory and
can be executed from Cobra main menu.
You can load plug-in (.CBP) from DVD Explorer.
Another possibility is to embed the plug-in into the Cobra .VGC file.
To do so you must append the plug-in to the Cobra .VGC file. Use the
following DOS command line: "copy /b cobra.vgc+plugin.cbp out.vgc"
You can then reprogram your Viper GC with the file "out.vgc" using the
Viper GC Programmer or Cobra Disc Explorer.
To create your own plug-in from a .DOL file, use the supplied program.
Plug-in files (.CBP) can't be bigger than 45056 bytes but their
corresponding executables (.DOL) can be a lot bigger, as plug-in are
compressed. You can distribute your plug-in by sharing the .CBP file,
but you're also free to distribute the Cobra .VGC file with your
plug-in embedded!
-[TECHNICAL INFO FOR DEVELOPERS]--------------------------------------
It is now possible to let the user change discs in your homebrew
program. To do so, stop the disc using the usual E3 immediate command.
Don't reinit the drive as usual to load the new disc. Instead call E5
command in DMA-read mode (read 0x20 bytes and discard them), followed
by an immediate E0 immediate read command (discard the result). It
works just as the reinit command would, so you must read the new Disc
ID before reading anything else.
Technical info about MultiBoot disc format can be found in Cobra 1.1
NFO File. Official .COD file sample can be found in Cobra 1.0 ZIP file.
-[THE FUTURE]---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to the people that reported bugs. If you do so please always
include the GC version and Drive version as shown in the Version Info
menu.
Expect new releases soon with full support of the Viper GC Extreme
2 Megabytes of memory and more...
-[CLOSING WORDS]------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units,
Melan for the /48 GC, ATH for the Panasonic Q and to everybody that
tried Cobra V1.2 and posted constructive feedback.
You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed,
patched, ported, or whatever.
Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party.
It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for
other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect
toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right"
side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you.
Enjoy!
- Added support for new PAL GC (DOL-101)
- Fixed cheat slowdown bug
- Various other bugfixes
If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are OFF
before running this Cobra BIOS.
CobraBackup.exe allows to you make disc backups. Run this program on
your PC while you're in Cobra main menu. It takes 25 minutes to make
a Full Backup (including garbage). It takes from 1 minute to 25 minute
to make a Smart Backup (without garbage) depending on the game.
DOLSendUSB.exe is a command line tool that allows remote execution of
DOL files. If you don't know how to use a command line tool, simply
drag and drop the DOL file on the DOLSendUSB.exe icon
-[FEATURES]-----------------------------------------------------------
- Direct boot of all media, without swapping!
- Automatic Media Detection: Insert disc, turn on GC and play!
- Supports all regions PAL / USA / JAP
- Play originals or backups from any region, thanks to the built-in
region-free feature
- Built-in Audio Fix, that could be Enabled/Disabled in the Config
Menu for full backward compatibility with your old backups.
- Fully compatible with multi-disc games
- Unique MultiBoot feature: put several games on one single disc!
- Cobra Plug-in System: put your GC program (Game Ripper, MP3 Player,
Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory!
- Disc Explorer to browse the content of original GC discs or DVDs and
that allows you:
- To flash your Viper GC by burning the flash file on a DVD
- To execute homebrew programs (.DOL) from DVD, and enjoy many
already-released homebrew productions!
- To play music (ADPCM files aligned on a 32kb boundary)
- To run the game you want from a MultiBoot compilation
- To load cheat codes from disc into Viper GC Memory
- To load a cobra plug-in from disc into Viper GC Memory
- Backup Tool that allows you to make backups of original GC discs
using the USB connection
- Remote Execution of DOL files using the USB connection
- Powerful Cheat Code System compatible with Action Replay codes,
codes are stored in the Viper GC Flash so no memory card is needed!
- Cheat codes can be either entered using Cobra Menus or loaded from
a file using the Disc Explorer
- BIOS Configuration stored into the Viper GC Flash
- Selectable default boot action (Main menu, Boot disc, Original BIOS,
Disc Explorer) and special boot action (when the X key is held)
- Calls Original BIOS Game Loader for 100% compatibility
- Supports all hardware revisions (including DOL-101 and Panasonic Q)
- Idle-bug free
- User-Friendly GUI
A Swap disc option was left in (called "Change Disc" as you could also
replace a backup with another backup) to be totally backward compatible.│
So what do you need exactly ?
- A Viper GC chip
- This very flash file
- Some Compatible Media and a DVD-burner
-[USER MANUAL]--------------------------------------------------------
- If you have a Viper USB Adapter, make sure both DIP switches are
OFF. (see Viper manual for more details)
- If you want to use full-size DVD-R you can remove the top of the
console. This week team Xtender should be releasing their officially │
Viper GC branded replacement case that works with full-size DVD-R!
- Flash the Viper GC with this BIOS then remove the parallel port
connector from the programmer. If you prefear you can flash this
BIOS from DVD if you have Cobra 0.3+ already running on your chip.
We've heard Viper Team will release an USB programmer for the chip
soon if you prefear USB.
- Turn on your GC with the disc you want to run. It can be an
original or a backup. While turning on your GC :
- Hold Y to go to Main Menu (if it's not your Default Boot mode)
- Hold X for the other boot mode (can be set in Config Menu)
- Don't hold anything for Default Boot Action
- If you want to use the old Swap Trick Method (for discs that are
not full or that have problems to sync with the Direct Disc Boot)
boot your GC with an original disc. Then choose the "Change Disc"
option and follow the instructions. After the swap is done, you
can select Direct Disc Boot option again.
- Read more about the different menu options below.
-[THE MEDIA]----------------------------------------------------------
The GC drive in its default state only eats high-quality DVD-R and
a few MINI-DVD-R. By tweaking your laser it's possible to have your GC
read almost any media including DVD+R. For more info use google with
GC laser tweak keywords.
-[MAIN MENU]----------------------------------------------------------
DIRECT DISC BOOT : Play a backup or an original GC game from any
region.
ORIGINAL BIOS : Play an original game compatible with your GC
region or enter GC BIOS menus.
CONFIGURATION MENU: Change Cobra settings and view GC version info.
DISC EXPLORER : Browse the content of the disc and load files.
CHEAT CODES : Manage cheat codes
CHANGE DISC : Change the disc without having to reset the GC.
PLUG-IN : Execute the embedded Cobra Plug-in. Only available │
if a plug-in is loaded.
-[DISC EXPLORER]------------------------------------------------------
The Disc Explorer lets you browse the content of the inserted disc.
The following file systems are supported: ISO9660 (Level2 compatible,
no joliet) and FST (GC native file system).
The files with following extensions can be selected, loaded or
executed by pressing the A button:
.VGC : Viper GC flash file. Select this file to reprogram your Viper GC │
without the need of the Viper GC parallel port programmer.
.DOL : Homebrew application. Select this file to execute it. Examples
of homebrew applications are emulators, games, loaders, etc.
.COD : Cobra cheat code file. Select this file to add cheat codes for
a game without the need to enter it using the pad!
.CBP : Cobra plug-in. Select this file to load a plug-in into Viper GC
Memory. You can then execute it from the Cobra main menu.
Examples of plug-in are disc rippers, MP3 players, loaders, etc. │
.PCM : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary).
.ADP : ADPCM stream file (must be aligned on a 32kb boundary).
The disc explorer can also play any audio file encodded with GC native
ADPCM format, regardless of its file extension. If you suspect a file
is an ADPCM audio file, simply select it and see if it plays!
-[CHEAT CODES]--------------------------------------------------------
If you want to use cheat codes, enter Cheat Codes menu,select a game,
check the codes you want to use, exit the cheat selector and enable
cheats.
To add new codes follow on-screen instructions. The codes are
compatible with decrypted AR codes. You can decrypt AR codes using
the great GCNCrypt by Parayste. Never enter the first code of a given
cheat code (validator code). You can also put .COD files on a DVD and
load cheat codes from there, each file corresponds to one game.
Cheat codes are working for backups and original games.
-[MULTIBOOT DISCS]----------------------------------------------------
The MultiBoot features let you put several games on one disc.
You can use Viper_Multi_Boot_ISO_Creator by LoonyCube to create
MultiBoot discs easily. Technical info can be found in Cobra 1.1 NFO.
-[COBRA PLUG-IN SYSTEM]-----------------------------------------------
A plug-in is a small application that stays into Viper GC memory and
can be executed from Cobra main menu.
You can load plug-in (.CBP) from DVD Explorer.
Another possibility is to embed the plug-in into the Cobra .VGC file.
To do so you must append the plug-in to the Cobra .VGC file. Use the
following DOS command line: "copy /b cobra.vgc+plugin.cbp out.vgc"
You can then reprogram your Viper GC with the file "out.vgc" using the
Viper GC Programmer or Cobra Disc Explorer.
To create your own plug-in from a .DOL file, use the supplied program.
Plug-in files (.CBP) can't be bigger than 45056 bytes but their
corresponding executables (.DOL) can be a lot bigger, as plug-in are
compressed. You can distribute your plug-in by sharing the .CBP file,
but you're also free to distribute the Cobra .VGC file with your
plug-in embedded!
-[TECHNICAL INFO FOR DEVELOPERS]--------------------------------------
It is now possible to let the user change discs in your homebrew
program. To do so, stop the disc using the usual E3 immediate command.
Don't reinit the drive as usual to load the new disc. Instead call E5
command in DMA-read mode (read 0x20 bytes and discard them), followed
by an immediate E0 immediate read command (discard the result). It
works just as the reinit command would, so you must read the new Disc
ID before reading anything else.
Technical info about MultiBoot disc format can be found in Cobra 1.1
NFO File. Official .COD file sample can be found in Cobra 1.0 ZIP file.
-[THE FUTURE]---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to the people that reported bugs. If you do so please always
include the GC version and Drive version as shown in the Version Info
menu.
Expect new releases soon with full support of the Viper GC Extreme
2 Megabytes of memory and more...
-[CLOSING WORDS]------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to E*Flash for his help, RoM for the early units,
Melan for the /48 GC, ATH for the Panasonic Q and to everybody that
tried Cobra V1.2 and posted constructive feedback.
You are free to redistribute this package as long as it's not changed,
patched, ported, or whatever.
Our code is free of any copyrighted code from third party.
It is also free of any GPL licensed code, we have strong respect for
other people's hard work. We only ask you to show similar respect
toward our work. To put it in other words, if you are in the "right"
side, draw the line between learning and stealing. Thank you.
Enjoy!
