How to use existing SRA and FLA save files?

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Gadget
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Joined: Tue May 24, 2022 8:14 pm
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How to use existing SRA and FLA save files?

Unread post by Gadget »

Hello dear MiSTer community!

First of all a big THANK YOU to Robert Peip for creating the incredible N64 core!

I have a question regarding save files.

I have backups of my original hardware N64 save files which I dumped using the Retrode2 cartridge adaptor.
All EEP saves work within the N64 core after renaming them to the corresponding rom file name :D

However I can not get my SRA save files (i.e. F-Zero X) and FLA save files (i.e. Paper Mario) to work :?: I don't have any clue. Is there something to replace in the save file using a hex editor in example?

BTW, I managed to get my original controller pak save files to work too in case someone wants to know or needs some advice. I dumped my original controller pak by using the Hyperkin Admiral controller dongle. It creates a MPK save file by the press of a button. The MPK file contains everything stored on the dumped controller pak. You then have to rename that file to the corresponding game rom name, add 'underscore 1' and change the file extension from mpk to cpk (Example: Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (Europe)_1.cpk). That's it 8-)

Best regards
Gadget

Azuris
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:07 pm

Re: How to use existing SRA and FLA save files?

Unread post by Azuris »

Gadget wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:32 pm

Hello dear MiSTer community!

First of all a big THANK YOU to Robert Peip for creating the incredible N64 core!

I have a question regarding save files.

I have backups of my original hardware N64 save files which I dumped using the Retrode2 cartridge adaptor.
All EEP saves work within the N64 core after renaming them to the corresponding rom file name :D

However I can not get my SRA save files (i.e. F-Zero X) and FLA save files (i.e. Paper Mario) to work :?: I don't have any clue. Is there something to replace in the save file using a hex editor in example?

BTW, I managed to get my original controller pak save files to work too in case someone wants to know or needs some advice. I dumped my original controller pak by using the Hyperkin Admiral controller dongle. It creates a MPK save file by the press of a button. The MPK file contains everything stored on the dumped controller pak. You then have to rename that file to the corresponding game rom name, add 'underscore 1' and change the file extension from mpk to cpk (Example: Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (Europe)_1.cpk). That's it 8-)

Best regards
Gadget

Ha, had the same Question.

I can confirm that you can just rename those Files to .sav and they work instantly.

I would really like to get Pokemon Stadium 1 & 2 working.

Edit:
Ok i did it! You need a Program called ED64-Saveswap , i used it back then to get the Save Files i ripped with the Retrode2 working with Project 64 and it seems that Mister also needs a Swap ;)

https://krikzz.com/forum/index.php?topic=1396.0

Thank you very much with the Advice of the MPK Files, does this also work if you generate MPK Files on the Everdrive and export them in that Way?

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Gadget
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue May 24, 2022 8:14 pm
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Re: How to use existing SRA and FLA save files?

Unread post by Gadget »

Azuris wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:03 pm

I can confirm that you can just rename those Files to .sav and they work instantly.

Renaming original sra-files and fla-files so '.sav' did not work for the N64 core unfortunately. It seems to expect the .sra and -fla file extensions.

Azuris wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:03 pm

Ok i did it! You need a Program called ED64-Saveswap , i used it back then to get the Save Files i ripped with the Retrode2 working with Project 64 and it seems that Mister also needs a Swap ;)

I downloaded ED64-Saveswap but that did't work either. It would always state an error massage that 'there was a problem reading my save files'.

However, I found a different solution how to convert Retrode2 sram-dumps and flash-dumps for MiSTer :)
I used the save file converter by Euan Forrester (https://savefileconverter.com). There I converted my files as "Emulator/RAW" saves files to use as "Flash cartridge" save files. The resulting sra-files and fla-files were recognized by the N64 core :D

PROBLEM SOLVED !

Azuris wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:03 pm

Thank you very much with the Advice of the MPK Files, does this also work if you generate MPK Files on the Everdrive and export them in that Way?

You're welcome. Honestly I don't know since I don't own a N64 Everdrive. I would say give it a try.

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