Pcsx_rearmed controls/file path not persistent between reboots

george_mcknz

Hello
Just a quick question
Started using pcsx recently and was pleasantly surprised by how well it handled some earlier games (Spyro, Rayman, overclocked to 950MHz)
However, every time I exit and re-enter the emulator, it forgets where I've placed my ROMs and brings me back to the default location (something like media, can't remember exactly) meaning I have to click through all my files to get back to where my ROMs are (roms/psx), each and every time. Same goes for controls, which are reset after each exit.

Obviously this isn't ideal, since I am building a bartop system, and I was hoping someone on here could give me some guidance. Guessing it's something to do with pcsx config files?

On a side note i'd like to give massive thanks to Shea and everyone else involved with the PiPlay project. Been building this bartop system for a college project, this is my first post on the forums but I've done a lot of browsing here and it's helped me through a fair few issues. Was relatively new to Linux previously and it's taught me a lot. Will post pictures of the project build when finished since i'm really pleased with it. Thanks again :)

Also, while I'm here, what do you guys think to heat management? I've personally had no problems with overheating, but since the system is now going to be contained in a wooden enclosure I've been concerned it will become an issue? There is a lot of empty space in the enclosure due to the relative small size of the system, and I don't reckon it will be a problem, but there aren't any air vents (could add some). Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this. Can get a set of copper raspberry pi heatsinks for about £5 but is it necessary?

mholgatem

I don't really recommend the heatsinks, as there is no way to clamp them onto the chips. I tried some myself, and they helped a very small amount, but the best thing that you can do for your pi is to just get a small vent fan to expel some of the heat. The overclocking options that they give you in the config are set up to keep your pi running within their heat specifications.

Chad

I had the same concerns with heat dissipation. I might have done overkill but I've actually have had real good luck with heatsinks and overclocking.

I might be incorrect but the way I understand it you can overclock without voiding the warranty IF you do it through the raspi-config setup menu. How it works is once it hits the threshold temp (I'm not sure what that cap is) then the CPU overclock is lowered back down to the default of 700MHz. If you keep it below the threshold via heatsinks, fans or whatever then the overclock should be fine.

The chips are of cell phone ilk and are designed to run just fine in small spaces with no room but once you start overclocking I think the game changes slightly and you should at least consider some form of heatsinks or fan.

With copper heatsinks I was able to keep the temp around 57 to 58C overclocked to 1GHz turbo. I had it pegged gaming for about an hour and was monitoring the CPU and GPU temp and overclock settings using a small script which I was running via putty.

What I am trying now and is probably not necessary but I found a small heatsink/fan combo (15mm very small) that plugs directly into the GPIO header and I think I can get it under 50C. I'll let you know. In addition I did add vents near the top because I think even passive airflow is better than nothing.

Also my experience with thermal tape has been different from mholgatem's. You can purchase thermal conductive tape for a reasonable price off eBay (even though new purchases have them--this is more for removing and reapplying---don't use the same tape once removed).

The heatsinks are so small one purchase should be all you need for several applications. The stuff is quite strong and works very well just make sure it's for CPU/heatsink. It usually states its use in the description. You do NOT want something that permanently bonds/glues the heatsink to the chip and you don't want to substitute tape under a normal PC heatsink where you usually use thermal grease. This stuff is designed for this purpose and it works in my experience.

mholgatem

just for reference, my cpu temp sits at a steady 61C under load (overclocked to turbo) with no heatsinks, no fans.

Chad

Wow, is that in a case? That's really nice! I hit the mid to upper 60's in a PiBow case that's with extra holes drilled in the top cover plate over the 3 main chips. I can keep it in the 50's only open faced with no top cover. I was going to try and get it in the upper 40's with a heatsink/fan combo. I know it doesn't need it that low but it's more for bragging rights than anything practical.

Here's a pic to what I am working on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/58342955@N05/sets/72157644646941275/

The long slot in the back is for a passive vent bracket and the other holes are for Neutrik ports to extend the power, HDMI, USB and RJ45 jack. I have a 10 foot power cable and 10 foot HDMI cable to have some extra room so I don't have to sit right on the TV. The side buttons for ESC, Return, etc.

I will be using an IPAC-2 for the interface. I will post more pics as it I work on it. Hopefully when it's done it will be a self contained arcade joystick. This is the main goal.

Also the USB port on the back to plugin a wireless keyboard/mouse combo where the mouse is a glide pad on the keyboard to play around with the Commodore 64 and SCUMMVM emulators, etc.

mholgatem

That's a nice looking case!

george_mcknz

Fair enough, thanks for the advice. Yeah i've never had any heat-related issues thus far and I doubt I will since there's a lot of room within my enclosure, will probably avoid getting a heatsink unless I desperately end up needing one. PS that case is brilliant, nice work

Does anyone have any advice on how I can make PCSX remember my controls and the location of roms between reboots?

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