ePSXe configuration guide (Linux)

[Shendo]

System Requirements: (this will barely get you running the emulator)

Pentium II 500 Mhz or faster
256 MB of RAM
Opengl compatible graphic card
Fast CD-ROM with good access times


System Recommendations: (this will get you running it at good speeds easily)

Pentium III 800mhz
512mb RAM
GeForce2


Required files:

• ePSXe package, you can downloand it either from the official page or from ngemu.
• Various libraries. Installation will be explained later in the guide.
• Video, Sound, Cdrom and Input plugins. You can download them here.
  • If for some reason you seem to be missing any GPU-related plugin files then try downloading this alternate archive.
• PlayStation BIOS. You need to dump the BIOS from your console.
  You can also check out this thread for the other dumping method.

Getting started:

Unpack ePSXe to some directory on your computer.
You should get these files:

• bios directory
• cfg directory
• cheats directory
• docs directory
• memcard directory
• patches directory
• plugins directory
• snap directory
• sstates directory
• keycodes.lst
• ePSXe executable

Download Plugins and unpack them to plugins directory.
Important: Put all cfg files into the cfg directory.

Video:

• P.E.Op.S soft for 2D games
• Pete's XGL2 GPU for Geforce FX and higher, Radeon 9500 and higher
• Pete's MesaGL Plugin for Nvidia Geforce cards (any type) and ATi Radeon (any type)

Sound:

• Eternal SPU plugin 1.41.
• P.E.Op.S Linux OSS SPU plugin.

Pad:

• Omnijoy.
• PadJoy.

Note: Because of internal plugins only video plugin is required to get the ePSXe running,
however it is recommended to download other plugins too for better compatibility.

Install the libraries:
Make sure that you have the latest updates for your linux distribution, as many required libraries will already be installed.
Open terminal and input the following commands:

sudo apt-get install unzip libgtk1.2-common libgtk1.2 libsdl-net1.2-dev libsdl-image1.2-dev libsdl1.2-dev
sudo apt-get install libstdc++2.10-glibc2.2

If you are getting errors with libstdc++2.10-glibc2.2 you can download the package here.

Start the ePSXe:
When you start ePSXe a main GUI will be displayed.

*image temporary removed*
Hint: You can also start ePSXe from the terminal to see the log which makes troubleshooting a lot easier.

Configure the plugins:
Video plugin - Go to Config -> Video, select a plugin you want to use and press Configure.


Sound plugin - Go to Config -> Sound.
Cdrom plugin - Go to Config -> Cdrom.
Pad plugin - Go to Config -> Game Pad or Ext. Game Pad.

Select the BIOS:
When you get the BIOS put it in the bios directory.
Go to Config -> Bios, press select and browse for the BIOS file.


Configure memorycard:
Go to Config -> Memory Cards.
By default ePSXe creates two blank memorycards, if you want to make your own memorycards just enter the
memorycard's name and the next time you start ePSXe the card will be created.
If you want to use some existing memorycard just press Select and browse for it.


Configure Gamepads:
Go to Config -> Game Pad and select a pad number you want to configure.
If you want to use external pad plugin then go to Config -> Ext. Game Pad.

Note: If you want to play 1-2 player games make sure that Multitap option is turned off.


Test run:
After you have configured everything you need to check if ePSXe is working properly.
Go to File -> Run BIOS.
If everything is ok press ESC and proceed further if not take a look at the FAQ.


Run a game:
There are two basic ways to play the game, off the original disc or from the ISO.
It is recommended that you make an ISO of the game because the game will perform smoother.
If you get any problems refer to the Troubleshooting FAQ.

Game disc: Go to File -> Run CDROM.
ISO: Go to File -> Run ISO.




Change a disc:
If you are playing a game that has more than one disc you will have to switch discs during the gameplay.
When the game asks you to change the disc press ESC and go to File -> Change Disc, if you plan to play the other disc
from Cdrom then choose CDROM and if you plan to play from the ISO choose ISO.


Close the emulator:
After you are done playing press ESC and close the emulator from the GUI.
The most common mistake that users do when playing in widowed mode is to press the "X" button, that way is not good because ePSXe is still running and the memorycards are not updated.


Additional:

Savestates:
F1 - save a state.
F2 - change slot (5 slots are available).
F3 - load a state.

It is recommended to have a memorycard save also because savestates tend to get corrupted.

Games are running too fast:
You have to limit the FPS in the video plugin.


Command lines:
Start a Terminal, cd to ePSXe's dir and add the command line at the end.

 /home/username/epsxe160lin$ ./epsxe -noauto

Saves from the GameFAQs:
The saves from GameFAQs are in the dexdrive format (.gme), ePSXe can read those files, just select it as a memorycard.

Copyprotected games:
Some PAL games have copy protection so you will have to patch them.
You can find a ppf patch for your game here.

Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Cross:
These games aren't working properly on ePSXe 1.6.0, use 1.5.2 version instead or some other emulator (pSX, PCSX).

Note: You can still run Chrono Cross on ePSXe 1.6.0 but you must start it with "-noauto" command.

Easier ePSXe installation:
Franky06 made a installation script which you can download here.

Problems with ePSXe on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (and other Linux distributions using the 2.6.22 kernel):
If you are unable to launch ePSXe read this thread and especially this post for the solution.

For any additional help refer to the Troubleshooting FAQ.
If you still can't find a solution to your problem then make a new thread in the appropriate section.

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Last edited by Shendo; April 5th, 2009 at 09:29. Reason: fixed a typo and changed a few things