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2006-02-15 21:42

Wanderer
Account closed

Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 478

IFFL

Before I begin, let me say that I *have* tried without asking for help. I've downloaded a variety of IFFL programs and all have failed. I have read up on IFFL and understand it, I just can't do it :)

*ahem* Okay, now then...

I am in the midst of writing a game with multiple levels. It features an intro, levels, end page and high score page. Each page loads the next page through KERNAL load routines, so it consists of standalone files for now.

What I would like to do is to one-file them into an IFFL version. I don't mind if it features a loader file, I'd just like to pack the various files into one.

First, each file is not just level data... that is to say, they begin at $0801 and execute, so it isn't just loading data into upper memory. Each file needs to be executed as a standalone program. Due to wanting to use all available RAM, linking them together is not feasable because this reduces the amount of free memory available to me.

Now then.. I have tried to download Burglar's IFFL program as well as many others. The process seems quite simple enough. Link them through a "linker" which makes it one file. However in the case of Burglar's program, there is no depacker in the linker. The standalone depacker doesn't advise you what filename to use, but it DOES begin with a STA $xxxx which means you just load the Accumulator with the file # and run his depacker.

I have tried at least 6 other IFFL linkers and while some of them do create a single file, the depacking portion (normally written to disk after it links) results in just filling the RAM with garbage every time.

Keep in mind IFFL is new to me, it had only just begun to come out when I left the scene so I don't know how to use it. I understand the linking concept (make a single IFFL file), I understand the depack concept (you load the accumulator with the file, JSR, it unpacks from the IFFL file according to the track and sector). I have seen IFFL packers as well which I *think* crunches the IFFL one file even more.

To say the least I am confused and I'm asking for help. I'm not keen on asking for help but I need it...

So essentially what I require is:

- a way to link approximately 6 files that begin at $0801 into one file and that can be called one by one as I need them. I understand each file will need a copy of the unpacker code and the proper LDA #$xx before calling the routine.

- it must work on NTSC

- not only a way to link the files into one, but a proper depacker as well. The best program I could find would pack them but then gave you a Turbo Assembler code for a depacker which gave errors when trying to compile it.

- I know this can be done because my game Jailbreak consisted of 4 files that were done with ECA Linker, and made into a single file. As it needed to, it would unpack the next file necessary.

Any help, suggestions of a POSITIVE nature would be appreciated. I have tried everything under the sun and I really would prefer it to be a single file.

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2006-02-17 10:44

Burglar

Registered: Dec 2004
Posts: 1101

Quote: I'm going to give it one last shot with Burglar's IFFL packer/loader and linker.

Ironically I did write a similar program on the PC. It was a one-file demo that consisted of files linked together and the loader would depack the files it needed, run them, then delete them from the drive afterwards, while leaving the one-file untouched. It worked by using a routine similar to the track/sector scanning method. It was quite crude but worked similar to IFFL, and was done in C++.

Re-edit: I level crunched two music files, ran the IFFL linker (seems to me you shouldn't need to level pack what you intend to IFFL link). Loaded the scanner, executed it and then executed the loader with a LDA #$00. The scanner gave me a BASIC error message, and then proceeded to fill the screen up with carriage returns. Tried IFFL linking two files that were in raw format (not crunched). Again the scanner barfed.

Fuck the fucking concept! I'm sticking with Kernal loads.

heh, well, I dunno which version you have, but I only used the loader present in my iffl package a few times, decades ago. the newer loaders were just done in tasm, and never made it to the public.

2006-02-17 11:07

cadaver

Registered: Feb 2002
Posts: 1160

Quote: Nostalgia has a really nice IFFL system coded by GRG, which supports 1541, 1570, 1571, 1581, CMD FD-2000, CMD FD-4000, CMD-HD and IDE64 (IDEDOS v0.90+). But I think it's for their high quality cracks only. It can even save highscores and gamestates right into the file.

I've done an IDE64 compatible loader for Cadaver's IFFL system in last August, but now I cannot find this on the site. (maybe it's updated meanwhile, but I could not directly check the *.c64.org one because this domain is filtered here...)

Hmm sorry, it most likely has been lost or was never added to the site.

2006-02-17 11:38

soci

Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 480

No problem, also happens with me sometimes ;) I've resent it to you.

2006-02-17 14:55

MagerValp

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1078

Hrm, saving into the IFFL file - why didn't I think of that? :)

2006-02-17 16:13

Wanderer
Account closed

Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 478

Yes, I would not expect that Nostalgia or any other group would release their newer utilities. Looking back at the old IFFL and crunchers, some of the text actually threatens you if you release the stuff :)

I'll come back in 5 years and see if I can't grab the Nostalgia one :)

Actually if I spent enough time, and asked enough questions, I could probably get it to work. It isn't rocket science, but the frustration level is too much.

2006-02-17 18:47

Fungus

Registered: Sep 2002
Posts: 686

Dishy: Yes, Zagon's system was the best! it rocked all other iffl's. And was a true iffl byte linked file, and not crappy sector linked like most.

In fact, Nostalgia's N0SD0S is based on this iffl system. Although it has been been completely rewritten many times now. It retains some basic elements of the original.

Wanderer: N0SD0S will never be released to the public.

But, I have been working on the old system (post zagon, pre n0sd0s) which I was working on for many years and release it to the public soon.

It is a real iffl, supports many level crunchers, and has fastloading, with the ability to save a high score file.

I may or may not code an irq loader. Most likely not.

If you want another alternative, you can get the beta skip package complete with source from the radwar site, and mod it to your needs.

2006-02-17 19:40

Wanderer
Account closed

Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 478

Must you level crunch first? Can you not just link together files of normal size that begin at $0801

With so many versions of level packers, it would be hit and miss I'd think trying to find the proper one.

In any event, I have given up even trying.

2006-02-17 22:37

MagerValp

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1078

Sounds like I should clean up my IFFL system and release it...

I just noticed that the IFFL scanner doesn't work on my C128DCR in 1571 mode though (it works fine in 1541 mode). Of course it works just dandy in VICE...

2006-02-17 22:45

Wanderer
Account closed

Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 478

^ It's somewhat humbling not to be able to get it to work.

The concept of linking files and calling a loader is not a hard one, I've done it before. However this time I must admit defeat. *sigh*

2006-02-18 03:24

Slartibartfast
Account closed

Registered: Jul 2002
Posts: 230

Quote: ^ It's somewhat humbling not to be able to get it to work.

The concept of linking files and calling a loader is not a hard one, I've done it before. However this time I must admit defeat. *sigh*

That must be a first.

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