Memory Card Problem!

[vaynardx]

I have this memory card problem! When I try to save on my Dragon Warrior 7 file, it saves normally. But when I restart the program(emulator), the file isnt there! Then I configured the memcard to have another one. After that, I started my game again and when I want to save my game, there is this message in the MS-DOSlike window: "cannot read from c:\memcard1.mcr", and this "cannot write to c:\memcard1.mcr".

What is the probable reason why this occurs? I have formatted my memcards, I even tried saving final fantasy 8, but the game save always get lost.

I am using psx1.11 btw. Please help me with his problem, I really want to play dragon warrior 7.

[Gamesoul Master]

Hmm... until you specify your operating system, I'm going to assume it's Windows-based. Sounds like the folder is set to read-only. Right-click the folder that pSX is in, click Properties, uncheck the Read Only" box near the bottom, and hit Apply. When it asks, make sure you select the option that says "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files".

To add to that, make sure pSX is actually *in* a folder, and not just on your desktop. While that wouldn't necessarily be a problem, it's too much trouble to try and explain where the Desktop folder is. And when you create/name the memory cards, it may be best to have that folder in the name. For instance, "memcards/memcard1.mcr" would be a good example of what exactly should be in the text box for the first memory card. Though you can name the memory card itself whatever you want. Just keep in mind that if you intend to use Ultima's pSX Frontend, you will want to keep the filename short and not include spaces, as it had problems with that the last time I checked (a limitation of the commandline itself, not the frontend).

[patrickp]

GM pointed out that you don't want to have the emulator running on your desktop, vaynardx, but nor do you want it running on the root of your C: drive, as you appear to be doing - you don't even have default folders set for your memory cards. Things are going to get _very_ messy... Did you perhaps download a WIP rather than a full version? When you decompress a full version, it should at least create/include the folders for memory cards, images etc. BTW he is using Windows, GM: Linux uses forward slashes in paths rather than backslashes - as you did in your example! It also wouldn't show a drive designation in a path like that.

At any rate, you should have decompressed the emulator into a dedicated folder, as GM said, and if it wasn't a full version, you should have created at least folders for memory cards, images and screenshots. Then you should have made sure the folders for memory cards and images - and screenshots - were specified on the Paths tab, especially if they're not in the default locations or with the default names. If you don't do this, you're going to get into one almighty mess - well, you already have!

I suggest you delete everything you've done so far, and start over - but be very, very careful you don't delete anything important. That's only one of the reasons why it's not a good idea to install and use software on the root of your system drive. If this is your usual practice, think seriously about changing it.

Download a full version of pSX v1.11 and decompress it to a dedicated folder - then the required subfolders will also be created. Doing it this way ensures that pSX configuration will point to the correct folders, as well. If you're going to use non-default folders, specify them as soon as you've run the emulator and selected your language. Configure your controller as well, because you'll need it soon, even before you start playing games.

This is because you should format your memory cards once you've created them - some games will do this automatically, some won't, and if they don't the card won't work. To do this, start the emulator without a game, go to the controllers tab and set yours to Normal mode. Then just let the emulator run until it reaches the BIOS pages - it only takes a few seconds. Open the Memory Card editor with the pad controls. After several seconds, it will format your card(s - might as well do two at a time) and that's it - your cards are ready. Exit and start playing.

[vaynardx]

Mine was a full version one. I extracted all the files that are need to be extracted. I tried GM's advice by unticking the read-only tab under the folder's properties, but when I do, and returned to looking it, the folder keeps on ticking itself. In other words, I unticked the read-only sign, but when I visited it again, it doesnt seem to change.

Hmmm, how about this? What if I transfer the entire folder to drive D? Will it solve the problem?

[vaynardx]

To answer GM's query, my operating system is Windows Vista. And my free available space in Drive C is only 1.58 Gigs.

[patrickp]

vaynardx, if you've extracted full version of pSX into a folder, it should have also created the required subfolders within that folder, and one of those, (memcards) is where you should be creating and using your memory cards. Unless you've changed it, that's also where pSX should default to for creating/using memory cards. However, the error messages you quote in your first post are

"cannot read from c:\memcard1.mcr", and this "cannot write to c:\memcard1.mcr"

That's not where your memory cards should be. They should be in at least "C:\pSX_folder\memcards\memcard1.mcr"

Where have you put your pSX folder, then? Is it possible it's in a location that Vista doesn't allow you to write to? Did you perhaps unrar your pSX download in an administrative account and are trying to access it in a user account? If so, you'll have to go back into your administrator account, set the pSX folder and contents to read/write _and_ make sure other accounts can access it.

Yes, transferring the pSX folder to your D: drive might well be a good idea, but you'll probably still have to go into your administrator account to do it and sort the access rights out.

[vaynardx]

You are right patrickp, when I configured the path to the memcard folder itself, the message cannot read and cannot write to memcard is gone. Does that mean that I can save and my save file wont be erased?

[Gamesoul Master]

Well... why don't you simply try and see? If that problem is solved, it sounds like you'll probably be successful with saving too. If you try and it doesn't work, we'll work from there.

[vaynardx]

@gm and patrickp

Ok, I will try first. If problems persist, I will consult you guys. Thanks masters!^__^

[remoline05]

i am haveing an issue like this, but not yet the same. I have created the memory cards and all of that and have formated by going to the BIOS page and clicking memory card and waiting a min. When i go to save my Xenogears game it reads the memory card says saveing in the box then says save failed try again. The small DOS window show's no error or anything. I have a full version i run window's XP home edition i am system adm, when i click off read only it re click's it self when i open its properties again. The memory cards are in my PSX memory card file one is a .BIN file the other is a . MCR file and the PSX is saved in my documents in its own folder. Please help me for i have tried like a hundred difffent things saveing in EPSXE and transfering the card i have used a card utillity thing. I just dont know what to do, please help thank you.

[patrickp]

I've replied to you in the thread you've already started about this, remoline05. Since you have started the thread, I think this should stay there for you.