The imbNES Linux Tutorial v1.0
Bruno Freitas - aka Sparrow
bootsector@ig.com.br
23/03/2004
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   This tutorial aims to help people that uses Linux to build a working imbNES 
   CD using only free tools (just like Linux is! :-).

   It's not our objective to guide people on installing and configuring a CD 
   recorder on Linux and installing softwares like 'mkisofs' and 'cdrdao'. For 
   this purpose, there is an excellent how-to in 
   http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/CD-Writing-HOWTO.html
   

   What you will need:

   - A working Linux box (console mode, at least!!)
   - Sun's Java 2 Runtime Environment available from: http://java.sun.com/
   - A CD recorder (SCSI or IDE with ide-scsi modules loaded!)
   - Linux softwares for ISO creation and CD burning: mkisofs and cdrdao
   - imbNES last version zip package. Available from http://imbnes.gamebase.ca/
   - Sparrow's rombank Java Edition available from: 
     http://nic-nac-project.de/~sparrow/rombank.jar
   - Sparrow's mkpsxiso Java Edition available from: 
     http://nic-nac-project.de/~sparrow/mkpsxiso.jar
   - A set of licenses files available from: 
     http://nic-nac-project.de/~sparrow/psx-licenses.zip
   - A couple of .NES roms. Please, don't ask for them!!!

   Let's go, then! First, we'll create some directories, just for using as 
   example and make our job easier:

   #mkdir /imbnes
   #mkdir /imbnes/roms
   #mkdir /imbnes/cdrom

   After that, we're going to unzip the following files from the imbNES zip 
   package to the /imbnes/cdrom directory:

   - nes.exe
   - saveicon.bmp
   - system.cnf

   CAUTION: ONLY these files should be extracted to the /imbnes/cdrom 
   directory. If there is other files like rombank.exe or anyone else, just 
   delete it with the 'rm' command, just like 'rm rombank.exe'.

   The next step is to put a couple of ROMs (files with .NES extension) in 
   the /imbnes/roms directory.

   Copy the files rombank.jar and mkpsxiso.jar to /imbnes directory. Unzip 
   the psx-licenses.zip file in this directory too.

   Now, we are going to generate a rombank.bin file from the /imbnes/roms 
   directory by using the rombank.jar tool. Make sure you are in the /imbnes 
   directory and type the following:

   #java -jar rombank.jar roms/

   After the utility finishes, type the 'ls' commando and there will be the 
   rombank.bin file in the /imbnes directory. Let's move it to the cdrom 
   directory by typing the following command:

   #mv rombank.bin cdrom

   Ok. Now the cdrom directory is complete and it represents the files that 
   will be recorded in the CD. Now we have to generate a ISO file which 
   contents the files in this directory. Make sure you are in the /imbnes 
   directory and type the following command:

   #mkisofs -o imbnes.iso -V IMBNES -sysid PLAYSTATION cdrom/

   After that, a file named imbnes.iso should be created. Just type the 'ls' 
   command and check it out.

   This .iso file is ready to burn on a CD, but if we do that now, the PSX 
   will not run it because it is on a format the playstation doesn't recognize. 
   So we have to convert it to a .bin/.cue file pair. Just type (still in the 
   /imbnes directory!!):

   #java -jar mkpsxiso.jar imbnes.iso imbnes.bin infousa.dat

   After that, two new files will be created:

   - imbnes.bin
   - imbnes.cue

   These files are ready to burn to a CD and the PSX will be happy because the 
   CD will be in a format which it recognizes!!!

   Before burn the CD, you must discover what device is representing your CD 
   burner on Linux. To discover this, you must type:

   #cdrdao scanbus

   Take note of the three numbers separated by commas. Mine is 1,0,0!!!

   Now... THE FINAL STEP!!! :-) Burn the CD!!! Put and empty CD-R in your CD 
   recorder tray. Close it!

   Make sure you are still in the /imbnes directory (where files imbnes.bin 
   and imbnes.cue are) and type the following:

   #cdrdao write --device 1,0,0 imbnes.cue

   Just wait a few minutes and, voila!!! There is a brand new imbNES CD that 
   was created using just freeware tools! Isn't that cool?? :-P

   Hope this tutorial helped you! If you have sugestions, problems, comments, 
   you can reach me by email: bootsector@ig.com.br or enter the imbNES home 
   page (http://imbnes.gamebase.ca/) and access our forum. People will be 
   pleased to help you!

   Good imbNES Playing! Enjoy!

   Sparrow

rombank Java Edition Sources: 
   http://nic-nac-project.de/~sparrow/rombank-java-src-docs.zip
mkpsxiso Java Edition Sources: 
   http://nic-nac-project.de/~sparrow/mkpsxiso-java-src-docs.zip