Memory Base 128 + Private Eye Doll = massive TenNoKoe Bank

[grahf]

I picked up a copy of Private Eye Doll recently, and noticed that it has a pretty cool "Backup Utility" built in. Part of the fuctionality is the ability to copy the complete PCE save memory into one of 63 banks in the Memory Base 128. Essentially it lets you use the thing like a giant TenNoKoe Bank, which is pretty damn awesome!

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere, so I thought I'd pass on the info. For those that already own a Memory Base, it might give you a reason to pick up a copy of Private Eye Doll. The game itself isn't bad either, but won't appear to everyone. It's essentially a combat free RPG.


The Backup Utility option at the main menu:


ALL COPY:


Choose your source and destination:



Thats all there is to it. Besides the Copy All function, it also has one of the nicer memory management utilities. It's one of the few games that actually shows you how much space your saves are using. Notice that damn Shin Megami Tensei save that would take up the entire 2k save memory on a PCE!  At the bottom is BANK01, which is a copy I did.

[Necromancer]

Neat stuff - thanks for sharing.  Does the memory utility let you see each individual save file in the bank slot (or on the Duo), or is it just the total being used?

[grahf]

Well, you can browse the individual save files on both the PCE/Duo and the MB128, but you cannot browse the BANKxx files.
What you see above is save file deletion screen. It's current showing the contents of the MB128. When you do an "ALL COPY", it just creates a save file named BANKxx (as shown above) which is the entire contents of the PCE/Duo memory. In order to browse the banks, you have to copy them back to the PCE/Duo first.

As far as I know, any BANKxx files that are created with Private Eye Doll can only be copied back using the same game. I don't know of any other games that can recognize them. Essentially they just look like normal save files if you were to browse the MB128 memory with another MB128 compatible game.

[SignOfZeta]

That's pretty great!

[cabbage]

I use the utility in Emerald Dragon:
Hold UP when you press RUN on the CD BIOS screen. You can copy and swap full banks between the internal BRAM and the MB128 storage.
-- not a pure screenshot... just an English guide

I haven't tried many of the MB128-compatible games. Surely there are several nice memory management utilities on other discs as well. The Memory Base is definitely a nice alternative to the Tennokoe Card--64 banks of storage are much better than 4, hehe!

[td741]

Vasteel 2 also has this capability.  (Doesn't any of the MB128 supported games all work the same essentially.)

[grahf]

Wow nice. I didn't know Emerald Dragon had that as well. I'll have to pick that one up too.  I've got a handful of games that support the MB, but most of them just let you work with save files.

It might be cool to compile a feature list.

[vestcoat]

Thanks a lot guys. This is incredible news. I have a few MB128 games (including Emerald Dragon and Vasteel 2), but they haven't been enough to make my MB worthwhile until now. Replacing AA batteries will be much easier than tracking files on three different Tennokoe Banks, a SCD, and a Duo.  

[Bernie]

How long do the AA batteries keep this thing charged? I have Vasteel 2 and a couple other games that make use of the Memory Base. 

[Black Tiger]

I think that I am finally going to open my MIB Memory Base 128. I still don't like relying on batteries, but it will be a good place to store my less important saves.

[Bardoly]

I think that I am finally going to open my MIB Memory Base 128. I still don't like relying on batteries, but it will be a good place to store my less important saves.

Well, if this increased save capacity mod works out, then maybe you could do that instead.

[vestcoat]

I still don't like relying on batteries, but it will be a good place to store my less important saves.

It has a "low battery" light and I've swapped batteries while my Duo is powered on without loss of data, so it's pretty safe. Just leave it out so you can see the warning light.

[Black Tiger]

I still don't like relying on batteries, but it will be a good place to store my less important saves.

It has a "low battery" light and I've swapped batteries while my Duo is powered on without loss of data, so it's pretty safe. Just leave it out so you can see the warning light.

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to know.

[Bernie]

Does this one operate the same way?



It appears to be slightly cheaper than this one.


If they both operate in the same manner, I may go ahead and get it.

[Black Tiger]

I believe that internally they're identical.