Not much is new in this version, but what is packs a serious punch and catches up to the Qoob as this was released around the same time Qoob v1.2 was. Here is a list of what is new in this version of the BIOS straight from the NFO file included with it’s release.
Multi-disc games support
For the most part this feature works, but is limited to patching the games from a database so if you alter your game in any way and/or get a bad dump it might not let you change to the second disc after finishing disc 1.
Introducing Cobra Plug-in System: put a GC program (Game Ripper, MP3 Player, Network loader, etc.) directly in Viper GC Memory!
Damn nice feature, but due to the Viper GC's limited BIOS size I doubt it will be made use of like the Qoob can. Maybe a good idea would be to allow you to install/run Plug-Ins from a memorycard?
Full Panasonic Q support
Just install it like a normal DOL-101 and then leave the lid sensor unhooked. Wait a little bit and your backup will boot!
Supports disc changing from homebrew applications
Will be nice when emulators support this feature so you can change rom collection discs on the fly!
A lot of backend changes (the VGC is smaller now!) and some bugfixes.
Nothing really noticable!
The Menu Options for v1.2 are explained below!
DIRECT DISC BOOT – This will boot the backup of your choice. Simply put in an backup. Note – Currently you cannot Direct Boot DVD+R media. Please use the “Change Disc” function.
ORIGINAL BIOS – Boot your original BIOS with region free enabled (play games from any country)
CONFIGURATION MENU – (has the following sub-options)
COBRA DISPLAY MODE – (has the following sub-options, note that these options only apply to the BIOS display, not the original/backup game you are going to by booting)
AutoDetect – AutoDetect TV display mode
NTSC – NTSC display mode
PAL 50 Hz – PAL 50Hz display mode
PAL 60 Hz – PAL 60Hz display mode
DEFAULT BOOT ACTION – (BIOS boot action)
Display Main Menu – Displays Main Menu
Boot DVD – Goes directly to backup booting mode
Run Original BIOS – Like it says
Run Original BIOS (Region Free) – Like it says
(X) KEY BOOT ACTION – ( 'X' key is pressed at boot)
Display Main Menu – Displays Main Menu
Boot DVD – Goes directly to backup booting mode
Run Original BIOS – Like it says
Run Original BIOS (Region Free)– Like it says
LID SENSOR BEHAVIOR IN ORIGINAL BIOS –
Passthru (if your GC is assembled) – Uses the pass-through cable to determine if the lid is closed or not
Closed (if your GC is disassembled) – Doesn’t use the pass-through cable to determine is the lid is closed, tells the GC it is closed at all times
VERSION INFO – (displays various information about your cube)
Original BIOS Copyrights
Original BIOS Region/Revision
Drive Version & Date
Cobra Version and GC Version Codes
DISC EXPLORER – This will let you browse the contents of your DVD disc
Explore DVD – Browse the contents on an original or burnt DVD Disc
CHEAT CODES – This will let you manage and use your cheat codes.
Enable Cheat Codes – This will either enable or disable the cheat codes. When enabled the string “Cheat Codes Enabled” will appear under the Version 1.0 text
Select/Edit Cheat Codes – Select, Add, Delete, Alter cheat codes
CHANGE DISCS – Changing Discs will let you change to another DVD, backup or original game without restarting the Cube. To boot DVD+R you will need to start the Cube with an original game in the system then use this option and swap with the backup.
Plug-in: GCoS-Ripper - I included this as it's a major plug-in that should be covered as part of the main BIOS as it will allow you to stream DOLS and/or Backup Images using your Viper GC chip. Please see our backup section on instructions on how to backup images.
Detailed Information on certain BIOS options
DISC EXPLORER
Using the DISC EXPLORER option to EXPLORE DVD you can run custom made GameCube executables (.DOL files), view images (JPEG), load cheats (.COD files) and/or update the BIOS (.VGC files). See (Preparing a DVDr readable by the GameCube) for more information.
NOTE: Due to the BIOS register issues (See Appendix B) loading DOL’s using various methods may or may not work for you.
CHEAT CODES
The first menu you come to in the Select/Edit Cheat codes option is the “Game Selection” menu. From here you can (Y)=Add, (A)=Select, (Z)=Remove or (B)=Quit. When quitting the codes are automatically saved; this is a nice feature.
If you pick ‘Y’ to add a game you will get a menu where you can input the name of the game. After adding the name or pressing ‘A’ to select a game you will come to a sub-menu where you can either (A)=Select, (Y)=Add, (X)=Edit, (Z)=Remove or (B)=Back.
Picking ‘A’ to select a code will either enable/disable it (look at the checkbox to confirm.) Picking ‘Y’ to add a code will let you put in the codes name then bring to the same screen you’ll get from picking ‘X’. From this screen you can (Y)=Add, (Z)=Remove, (L/R)=Move Up/Down or (B)=Back.
Selecting ‘Y’ will let you add a code. I guess they decided to not let you edit the code so make sure you add the right one!
To load pre-made cheat code files simply use the DVD browser and select and run the COD file you wish to merge with your database.
See Appendix D for converting Action Replay codes to Cobra readable codes and on how to make your own .COD (cheat code files).
FLASHING THE BIOS USING DVDR MEDIA
Using the DISC EXPLOER to update your BIOS is pretty easy. Just select the BIOS file (filename.vgc) and press (A) on it. It’ll ask you if you want to flash the BIOS. When flashing do not power off the system or you will have no choice but to flash it using the Parallel Port Flasher.
MAKING AND BOOTING A MULTI-IMAGE DISC
This option will allow you to burn a few images onto a DVD and then select which one you would like to boot. This is handy for booting multiple emulator .ISO/.GCM images!
FILE:
\files\viper_multi_boot_iso_creator_v1.0b-loonycube.rarUsing the file above you can create a multi-image disc. This will not allow you to play two disc games, but will allow you to put more then one game/iso on a disc. Most images need to be size swiped before adding. Please see the file “GCMUtility.zip” which will size swipe any GameCube game.
SETTING UP COBRA FOR RECIEVING FILES VIA THE BBA
Cobra can be a pain in the ass when it comes to being able to stream files to it. The simply way is to use Cobra with the GCOS Ripper Plug-In; simply select the Plug-In. Another way is to either load 'Viper Riper Multi' from a DVD or make a Plug-In out of it. Once you have 'Viper Rip Multi' booted change the IP addresses. The last way is to simply boot an older version of GCOS from a DVD. Once you have your streaming solution setup refer to our 'Streaming Guide' to learn the different ways to stream files to your Viper GC/Cobra!
CREATING A COBRA PLUG-IN
Using the 'Cobra Plugin Creator 1.0' filename 'CobraPlugin.exe' (included in the Cobra v1.2 BIOS release) you can convert any DOL file that is less then 45,057kb into a Cobra Plug-In (.CBP) file. To do this run the CobraPlugin.exe file from DOS with either of these commands
encoding: CobraPlugin
example: cobraplugin nes_emu.dol nes_emu.cbp "Nintendo EMU"
decoding: CobraPlugin
example: cobraplugin nes_emu.cbp nes_emu.dol --decode
To add the plug-in into the Cobra v1.2 BIOS simply do a binary copy command
example: copy /b cobrav12.vgc + nes_emu.cbp cobrav12_nes_emu.vgc
Now you can flash the VGC file from DVD or using the PPORT flasher!