Half Byte Loader R79

May 13, 2010 in HBL, release by wololo | 64 comments

I’m excited to announce a new revision of Half Byte Loader that brings more compatibility, and some features that people have been expecting for a while. Let’s skip the details, but this revision improves compatibility for picodrive, gpsp (kai 3.2 is the one I used for my tests), and scummVM.

A major change of this revision is a system of config files and override config files. A basic config file hbl_config.txt goes in the hbl folder, and override config files can go in each homebrew’s folder.

Picodrive is a good example because it is the reason I added this functionality. Picodrive uses the function sceIoMkdir to create folders on your memory stick, when it runs. Unfortunately, Patapon does not have that function, which means HBL needs to “estimate” it. If you’ve been using HBL for a while, you now know that estimations sometimes fail. Estimations lead to crashes, crashes lead to anger, anger leads to…errr, nevermind.

But the good thing is: you can manually create these folders, and bypass this function call in Picodrive. This is done with a simple configuration file. You can find this file in hbl_config_samples/picodrive/hbl_config.txt. Just copy it in your picodrive folder, and voilà, picodrive will not crash at that specific point. HOWEVER, there is an important drawback: if you set that specific parameter in the config file, it means the function to create folders will not work anymore. For Picodrive it is not a big deal since you can create them manually, but for other games it might be a problem, which is why I set the system up so that you can tweak the config on a per game basis. For the time being, the config file only allows to play with sceIoMkdir, and also to set your Homebrew path (check hbl/hbl_config.txt), but in the future we might expand this configuration system to improve homebrew compatibility. Of course, feel free to help us with the code on that part!

Hmmm, I guess that’s it, improved compatibility for 3 major homebrews (and probably for others that I haven’t tested), possibility to choose where you put your homebrews, and advanced configuration system.

Enjoy

download here

64 comments

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Cheeze6661 on May 20, 2010 at 8:29 pm

@conkertheking: The HBL does not have kernel access so therefor that is impossible to do. HBL is and will always be just for homebrew apps and emulators. Maybe one day there will be a kernel exploit for 6.XX firmware.

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wololo on May 21, 2010 at 2:29 am

@lethal: sed requires kernel access for encryption/decryption I believe, so no.

@conkertheking: please choose your words carefully, I’ve spent the last 3 years of my life developing a homebrew game…
Also as said many times, HBL does not have kernel access.

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MuffinHead Smth on May 21, 2010 at 10:33 am

*grabs conkertheking by the top of his face*

…….*now hurls him into the back of the forum wall. HARD.*

…………………….*now kicks him. He’s not moving…good.*

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE. THESE PEOPLE DO NOT WORK FOR YOU.
THIS IS A COURTESY. AND, UNLIKE OTHERS, THE TEAM HERE COULD HAVE SIMPLY MADE THIS FOR THEMSELVES AND BRAGGED ABOUT IT ON YOUTUBE.

Have a great day!

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crisishell on May 21, 2010 at 10:54 am

where is Half Byte Loader R80 ?

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crisishell on May 21, 2010 at 10:54 am

where is Half Byte Loader R80 ? please upload it wololo

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wololo on May 21, 2010 at 11:11 am

crisishell: Generally I only upload my own changes, Or revisions that I have tested long enough to be confident with them. revision 80 was uploaded yesterday by m0skito, so I didn’t have the time to test it completely yet.

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lethal on May 21, 2010 at 11:54 am

wololo is there any thing like sed for pc for psp games

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wololo on May 21, 2010 at 12:37 pm

lethal : no. the Encryption process hasn’t been figured out yet, so a psp is required to do an encryption/decryption of a game

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Cheeze6661 on May 21, 2010 at 2:59 pm

With the noob questions aside, I would like to just give you thanks. To have the homebrew scene coming back to life on the 3K OFW/pspGO is truly amazing. Keep up the hard work.

P.S.- Hope to be able to play Wagic on the HBL eventually. I no longer have a CFW psp since decided to go legit but loved Wagic when I did have one. It’s most definitely the best homebrew game to date.

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WalangAlam on May 22, 2010 at 8:54 am

Keep up the good work guys. I’m addicted again to Mario and Castlevania. GBA emulator works great! Hope the sound for the Picodrive will be fix.

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hi on May 23, 2010 at 10:45 am

i have a psp 3000 slim and lite and i dont know which hbl i need on i tryed 79 but it didnt work
help me plz!!!!!!!

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hi on May 23, 2010 at 10:48 am

Can any1 tell me which hbl i need i have v6.20 psp

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msp0800 on May 23, 2010 at 2:01 pm

you need r79. thats the one i have . can anyone tell me if any gba emulator works on a psp 3k running r79. i have tried the ones suggested but they don’t work
keep up good work

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crisishell on May 23, 2010 at 3:46 pm

UO gpsp kai 3.4 test 1 build 2 GBA EMULATOR

http://pspslimhacks.com/psp-emulators/game-boy-advance/

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