LittleFM GB

LittleFM
General
Author	nitro2k01
Type	Utilities
Version	0.5.2
License	Mixed
System	CGB
Last Updated	2016/11/21
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LittleFM is an alternative file manager for LSDj, offering 8 project storage spaces in flash memory, and it aims to replace LSDj's file manager, enhancing loading speed and glitch resistance, although it's not fully featured yet. It's compatible with Game Boy and displays a startup menu for ease of use.

User guide

LittleFM comes with its own patcher, it requires Java and asks for a clean LSDj ROM and returns a patched ROM, ready to be written to a flash cartridge.

To back up songs stored in flash using LittleFM, select 2048 kB as the ROM size in the transfer program. Choosing "erase" in the transfer program will delete files saved in flash, so be cautious.

Flashcart compatibility

LittleFM is compatible with flashcarts using AM29F016 and AM29F032b flash chips, such as Bleepbloop, Smartboy, and Fighter Cart.

However, it's not compatible with EMS cartridges due to hardware limitations, and it also works with drag'n'derp.

Multi-ROM compatibility

LittleFM offers compatibility with EMS flash carts' hardware feature for multi-ROM support. The program running on the Game Boy can't access the flash chip on EMS carts directly, but a hardware feature allows for multi-ROM support.

LittleFM 0.5.1 offers this EMS multi ROM capability as a proof of concept. However, this version lacks a special patcher, doesn't ensure proper ROM alignment, and doesn't handle save data.

To utilize the EMS multi ROM feature, you need to prepare a ROM yourself. First patch an LSDj ROM with LittleFM as usual, then concatenate any desired ROMs while maintaining proper alignment.

copy /b lsdj-4_7_0-lfm.gb + rom1.gb + rom2.gb out.gb
cat lsdj-4_7_0-lfm.gb rom1.gb rom2.gb > out.gb

Then burn out.gb as the only ROM onto your EMS cartridge, USB or non-USB. Press start to bring up the EMS multi ROM menu.

While lacking advanced features such as save management, this feature is still relevant, especially for musicians seeking to combine noise maker ROMs with LSDj on a single cartridge.

Link cable support

The link feature, a hardware-based function, is prone to issues when used with emulators, potentially leading to data corruption. However, it functions smoothly between a DMG and a DMG, as well as between a GBC and a DMG. The GBC's data transfer speed is roughly twice that of the DMG, with a "2x mode" found to be safe for transfers.

During data transfers, LittleFM displays a progress bar that synchronizes between both sides of the transfer. If a transfer stalls, the Game Boy can be turned off, provided no active data transmission or reception is ongoing.

The Nanoloop MIDI adapter can be used, albeit with some limitations. Sending data from a PC to the Game Boy usually works reasonably well, but it's crucial to ensure that both sides show "OK" at the transfer's end and that loaded songs function as expected. Receiving data from the Game Boy to the PC can be challenging, as it is prone to byte loss and corruption. Be extremely wary of corruption, and make sure the received file is 131072 bytes big. Not a single byte less or more. Remember, unlike LSDj’s own file manager, LFM will give you an error on almost every kind of corruption, so use it to detect errors early.

Screenshots

Patcher

Changelog

LittleFM 0.5.2

• Fixes a bug where some files would incorrectly fail to load with the message “no blockjump”.

LittleFM 0.5.1

• Provisional support for EMS multi ROM support.

LittleFM 0.5

• First version with ShitStrapOn for patching the ROM. Drag’n'derp support. Sav trading over link cable. SRAM integrity checks to detect first time use and non-working RAM.

LittleFM 0.4

• The first public version. Buggy. Came as an IPS patch that only worked with LSDj 4.0.5.

External links

• Author's website - https://blog.gg8.se/wordpress/gameboy-resources/littlefm-an-alternative-file-manager-for-lsdj/
• Author's website - https://blog.gg8.se/wordpress/2016/11/21/littlefm-052-released/