Setting up Windows version (0.9.8): Difference between revisions

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<small>
Please correct this articles in case of some errors or omissions. Please add some info here if you have something to say.<br>
Things are missed here: the new GUI part of the article is not started<br>
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'''[[PCSX2]]''' is a complex system and it's not so user-friendly in some of its parts. You must have some basic computer knowledge to be able to set it up correctly. If you are an advanced user please skip the following paragraph. As of now there are two versions of the emulator: the '''old GUI''' version and the '''new GUI''' version. Each version is ultimately the same PCSX2 but in a different envelope. The programs with the '''new GUI''' are newer and ''might'' be more compatible. Before you continue further you must determine your version of PCSX2. The easiest way to do it is to run PCSX2 and go to the '''config'''-'''configure''' or '''config'''-'''general settings''' menu. If you will see some pretty icons like this [[Image:GuideRel_1.png]] or [[Image:GuideRel_2.png]] in the upper panel you're definitely using the new GUI version. In the old GUI on the other hand there won't be either icons or upper panel (only the plugin selection).
'''[[PCSX2]]''' is a complex system and it's not so user-friendly in some of its parts. You must have some basic computer knowledge to be able to set it up correctly. If you are an advanced user please skip the following paragraph. As of now there are two versions of the emulator: the '''old GUI''' version and the '''new GUI''' version. Each version is ultimately the same PCSX2 but in a different envelope. The programs with the '''new GUI''' are newer and ''might'' be more compatible. Before you continue further you must determine your version of PCSX2. The easiest way to do it is to run PCSX2 and go to the '''config'''-'''configure''' or '''config'''-'''general settings''' menu. If you will see some pretty icons like this [[Image:GuideRel_1.png]] or [[Image:GuideRel_2.png]] in the upper panel you're definitely using the new GUI version. In the old GUI on the other hand there won't be either icons or upper panel (only the plugin selection).


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'''Be warned''' not to erase you emulator's folder when you're trying to install the newer version. This folder contains all your '''ini''' files (your settings), your quick saves and your memcards. If you will accidentally erase the whole folder you may need to play some of your games anew! Thus to update the emulator with the new version of executable it's better just to download the archive and extract the executable (and maybe plugins) into your main program folder (some executables may be named like '''pcsx2-r1736.exe''' so you'll need to rename them into '''pcsx2.exe''' or update your desktop link accordingly).
'''Be warned''' not to erase you emulator's folder when you're trying to install the newer version. This folder contains all your '''ini''' files (your settings), your quick saves and your memcards. If you will accidentally erase the whole folder you may need to play some of your games anew! Thus to update the emulator with the new version of executable it's better just to download the archive and extract the executable (and maybe plugins) into your main program folder (some executables may be named like '''pcsx2-r1736.exe''' so you'll need to rename them into '''pcsx2.exe''' or update your desktop link accordingly).


'''PCSX2''' is a plugin oriented program. Your '''pcsx2.exe''' is the main processor that can emulate the real PS2 on the PC but it does not work alone. It needs a graphics plugin to display the game graphics and a sound plugin to play game sounds and music, and it also needs a pad plugin to allow you to play using your keyboard, mouse or gamepad. Moreover there may be more than one plugin of each type so you may choose which is better suited for a particular game. All plugins are stored (by default) in the '''plugins''' folder of your main PCSX2 folder. Some plugins like [[GSDX]] for example can be updated quite often so you may want to renew only this plugin (out of all plugins). In order to do it you'll need to download the updated version and extract it by using the archiver into your '''plugins''' folder. The changing of some settings (choosing your new plugin) may also be required (see the section about how to set up plugins).
'''PCSX2''' is a plugin oriented program. Your '''pcsx2.exe''' is the main processor that can emulate the real PS2 on the PC but it does not work alone. It needs a graphics plugin to display the game graphics and a sound plugin to play game sounds and music, and it also needs a pad plugin to allow you to play using your keyboard, mouse or gamepad. Moreover there may be more than one plugin of each type so you may choose which is better suited for a particular game. All plugins are stored (by default) in the '''plugins''' folder of your main PCSX2 folder. Some plugins like [[GSdx]] for example can be updated quite often so you may want to renew only this plugin (out of all plugins). In order to do it you'll need to download the updated version and extract it by using the archiver into your '''plugins''' folder. The changing of some settings (choosing your new plugin) may also be required (see the section about how to set up plugins).


PCSX2 also needs the BIOS from your real PS2 in order for you to play. The PS2 BIOS is a binary file can be obtained from your console. It contains some special routines used by games (like memcard handling support) which are not emulated by PCSX2 internally. The dumping of BIOS is one the more complicated stages of your PCSX2 experience. You can refer to the instructions [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Official-English-PCSX2-configuration-guide-v0-9-8#Bios here] and start dumping by downloading the tool from [http://pcsx2.net/download/releases/tools.html this place] or use the official guide [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Guide-to-Dumping-Your-PS2-Bios-over-LAN here]. After your BIOS file is successfully dumped from your PS2 you should copy it into the '''bios''' folder (by default) of your PCSX2.
PCSX2 also needs the BIOS from your real PS2 in order for you to play. The PS2 BIOS is a binary file can be obtained from your console. It contains some special routines used by games (like memcard handling support) which are not emulated by PCSX2 internally. The dumping of BIOS is one the more complicated stages of your PCSX2 experience. You can refer to the instructions [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Official-English-PCSX2-configuration-guide-v0-9-8#Bios here] and start dumping by downloading the tool from [http://pcsx2.net/download/releases/tools.html this place] or use the official guide [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Guide-to-Dumping-Your-PS2-Bios-over-LAN here]. After your BIOS file is successfully dumped from your PS2 you should copy it into the '''bios''' folder (by default) of your PCSX2.


Please do not forget to update your DirectX before starting PCSX2 - old versions of DirectX will cause issues for [[GSDX]]. See the  [[GSDX#Hardware requirements|GSDX]] page for more information.
Please do not forget to update your DirectX before starting PCSX2 - old versions of DirectX will cause issues for [[GSdx]]. See the  [[GSdx#Hardware requirements|GSdx]] page for more information.


==Setting up the new GUI version==
==Setting up the new GUI version==
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This is the main dialog to configure plugins. Each plugin can be chosen from a respective combo box and then configured by a respective '''configure''' button. There are also '''Test''' and '''About''' buttons for each chosen plugin but they will make a little sense for configuration. Note that to install a plugin so that it will appear here you'll need to extract its '''dll''' file into your '''plugins''' folder. All default plugins will already be present after the first installation so you will only need to add them whenever you want to update of replace them. All plugins have versions in their names and it's easy to distinguish between the older and the newer ones. If you do not see any choices for BIOS (like on this picture) this means you haven't installed your BIOS properly or maybe it had been dumped with errors (or missing some files). PCSX2 will not work without the correct BIOS (it doesn't matter though whether it will be USA/Europe or Japan BIOS, whichever is installed in your console will do). Please check the section '''Basic PCSX2 knowledge''' to gain some links on the BIOS matter.
This is the main dialog to configure plugins. Each plugin can be chosen from a respective combo box and then configured by a respective '''configure''' button. There are also '''Test''' and '''About''' buttons for each chosen plugin but they will make a little sense for configuration. Note that to install a plugin so that it will appear here you'll need to extract its '''dll''' file into your '''plugins''' folder. All default plugins will already be present after the first installation so you will only need to add them whenever you want to update of replace them. All plugins have versions in their names and it's easy to distinguish between the older and the newer ones. If you do not see any choices for BIOS (like on this picture) this means you haven't installed your BIOS properly or maybe it had been dumped with errors (or missing some files). PCSX2 will not work without the correct BIOS (it doesn't matter though whether it will be USA/Europe or Japan BIOS, whichever is installed in your console will do). Please check the section '''Basic PCSX2 knowledge''' to gain some links on the BIOS matter.


On the first start you may want to configure '''GSDX''' and '''LilyPad''' (or your other PAD plugin), select your BIOS, and then set your CDVD plugin to the ISO you'd like to play. Here's the overview of each plugin configuration on your first start:
On the first start you may want to configure '''GSdx''' and '''LilyPad''' (or your other PAD plugin), select your BIOS, and then set your CDVD plugin to the ISO you'd like to play. Here's the overview of each plugin configuration on your first start:


* '''Graphics''' -- GSDX: You may leave most switches by default. Do not check '''Wait vsync''' if it's present. Windowed mode tends to be more stable in comparison to full screen. Check also '''Logarithmic Z''' if it's unchecked. For more info please refer to [[GSDX]] page.
* '''Graphics''' -- GSdx: You may leave most switches by default. Do not check '''Wait vsync''' if it's present. Windowed mode tends to be more stable in comparison to full screen. Check also '''Logarithmic Z''' if it's unchecked. For more info please refer to [[GSdx]] page.
* '''Sound''' -- SPU2-X: You may want to leave the plugin alone for a start. It does not need extensive care to work properly. For more info please check [[SPU2-X]] page.
* '''Sound''' -- SPU2-X: You may want to leave the plugin alone for a start. It does not need extensive care to work properly. For more info please check [[SPU2-X]] page.
* '''First controller''', '''Second controller''' -- set them both to LilyPad. This will be the most time consuming configuration (if you do it from the scratch). In most cases it's easier to look at your Dual Shock PS2 controller when assigning the keys. The main buttons are usually assigned in the following manner: Circle to S, Triangle to W, Square to A, Cross to Z and Select to X but of course it's up to you to decide. For more info please check [[LilyPad]] page.
* '''First controller''', '''Second controller''' -- set them both to LilyPad. This will be the most time consuming configuration (if you do it from the scratch). In most cases it's easier to look at your Dual Shock PS2 controller when assigning the keys. The main buttons are usually assigned in the following manner: Circle to S, Triangle to W, Square to A, Cross to Z and Select to X but of course it's up to you to decide. For more info please check [[LilyPad]] page.
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* '''VU0Rec'''/'''VU1Rec''' -- Should be both ON. This will allow the emulator to use recompiler on VU0/VU1 (Vector Units) processors. These two options will enable so-called SuperVU recompiler. The compatibility of such a recompilation is lower compared to EE/IOP but still is fairly high. There are games that may suffer from this recompilation having some weird graphical bugs. However you'll not be able to play without this options because of the lack of CPU power.
* '''VU0Rec'''/'''VU1Rec''' -- Should be both ON. This will allow the emulator to use recompiler on VU0/VU1 (Vector Units) processors. These two options will enable so-called SuperVU recompiler. The compatibility of such a recompilation is lower compared to EE/IOP but still is fairly high. There are games that may suffer from this recompilation having some weird graphical bugs. However you'll not be able to play without this options because of the lack of CPU power.
** '''microVU0'''/'''microVU1''' -- It's recommended to have them ON. These two options will tell the emulator to use '''cottonvibe's''' microVU recompiler instead of SuperVU. microVU is more compatible  although a bit slower and some games that were broken with SuperVU will be playable with microVU. Use this [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-SuperVU-vs-MicroVU link] to get more info.
** '''microVU0'''/'''microVU1''' -- It's recommended to have them ON. These two options will tell the emulator to use '''cottonvibe's''' microVU recompiler instead of SuperVU. microVU is more compatible  although a bit slower and some games that were broken with SuperVU will be playable with microVU. Use this [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-SuperVU-vs-MicroVU link] to get more info.
* '''Multi threaded GS mode (MTGS)''' -- Should be ON for double cores or hyper-threading CPUs. This option will spawn a separate thread for GS processing (i.e. for GSDX plugin). So if your CPU has at least two cores the main PCSX2 thread will run using the first core and GSDX will use the second. Without this option PCSX2 only uses one core and is much slower.
* '''Multi threaded GS mode (MTGS)''' -- Should be ON for double cores or hyper-threading CPUs. This option will spawn a separate thread for GS processing (i.e. for GSdx plugin). So if your CPU has at least two cores the main PCSX2 thread will run using the first core and GSdx will use the second. Without this option PCSX2 only uses one core and is much slower.
* '''Frame Limiting''' option. This will allow you to limit the speed of emulation to the default PS2 speed if your CPU is fast enough to emulate the game faster than this default speed. PCSX2 is limiting speed by adjusting the number of frames (screen updates) per second. This number is 60fps for NTSC games and 50fps for PAL games. Thus it's easier to archive the playable speeds with PAL games (and they often do not have interlace problems) but NTSC games may look a little smoother. It is best to set this option to Limit allowing PCSX2 to slow down to the real PS2 speed or else your game will run too fast. On the other hand if your game is too slow and nothing else can help (see the section '''Speed Hacks''') you can try to ''skip'' some frames (do not compute them at all). Skipping frames is not a precise process because every game uses its own method to compute and generate visuals so for some of them this will not work and may make others run too "choppy" or cause some artifacts. Try to tune it only if your game is too slow to play without frame skipping. Some values advises:  
* '''Frame Limiting''' option. This will allow you to limit the speed of emulation to the default PS2 speed if your CPU is fast enough to emulate the game faster than this default speed. PCSX2 is limiting speed by adjusting the number of frames (screen updates) per second. This number is 60fps for NTSC games and 50fps for PAL games. Thus it's easier to archive the playable speeds with PAL games (and they often do not have interlace problems) but NTSC games may look a little smoother. It is best to set this option to Limit allowing PCSX2 to slow down to the real PS2 speed or else your game will run too fast. On the other hand if your game is too slow and nothing else can help (see the section '''Speed Hacks''') you can try to ''skip'' some frames (do not compute them at all). Skipping frames is not a precise process because every game uses its own method to compute and generate visuals so for some of them this will not work and may make others run too "choppy" or cause some artifacts. Try to tune it only if your game is too slow to play without frame skipping. Some values advises:  
# Set '''Custom FPS Limit''' to 0 (it can change default 50 or 60 fps for a game, though you will not need this option now).  
# Set '''Custom FPS Limit''' to 0 (it can change default 50 or 60 fps for a game, though you will not need this option now).  
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* '''F3''' -- Loads the currently selected game slot. You may have problems with graphics/sound if your configuration differs from the configuration the slot has been saved under (for example you have changed GDSX to ZeroGS). Some rare (or early) PCSX2 versions can also be unstable after loading. You may or may not be able to use the quick slots from the different PCSX2 version (when you change the main PCSX2 executable) so do not forget to save to memcard through the game interface periodically.
* '''F3''' -- Loads the currently selected game slot. You may have problems with graphics/sound if your configuration differs from the configuration the slot has been saved under (for example you have changed GDSX to ZeroGS). Some rare (or early) PCSX2 versions can also be unstable after loading. You may or may not be able to use the quick slots from the different PCSX2 version (when you change the main PCSX2 executable) so do not forget to save to memcard through the game interface periodically.
* '''F4''' -- Toggles framerate limiter
* '''F4''' -- Toggles framerate limiter
* '''F5-F9''' -- GSDX (or another Graphics plugin) specific hotkeys (see [[GSDX#List_of_ingame_keys|GSDX]])
* '''F5-F9''' -- GSdx (or another Graphics plugin) specific hotkeys (see [[GSdx#List_of_ingame_keys|GSdx]])
* '''F10''' -- Enables/disables logging (not tested)
* '''F10''' -- Enables/disables logging (not tested)
* '''F12''' -- Starts/stops a video recording (see [[GSDX#List_of_ingame_keys|GSDX]])
* '''F12''' -- Starts/stops a video recording (see [[GSdx#List_of_ingame_keys|GSdx]])


=='''References'''==
=='''References'''==
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