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Author Topic: RG99 unofficial opendingux port  (Read 1894 times)

Jutleys (OP)

  • Posts: 1795
RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« on: July 15, 2020, 06:40:09 pm »


CPU-Ingenic JZ4725B 360MHz
RAM-32MB
Storage-256GB
Screen-2.8" 320x480
Slot-MicroSD
Gamepad-DPad, 4 Buttons, M1, M2, Start, Select, L, R
USB-Client
Battery-3.7V 1800mA
Dimension-119mm x 82mm x 25mm
Weight-325g
Others-Vibrator

https://github.com/steward-fu/rg99

Please note you need the correct drivers for windows 10 installed first follow this https://boards.dingoonity.org/retrominirs-90/a-quick-guide-to-flashing-opendingux-on-the-rs-90-using-windows-10-x64/ guide first to get them installed then continue below.

Step1

Linux
1. download flasher.tar.gz from release page here https://github.com/steward-fu/rg99/releases
put RG99 into boot mode (Press START and then power up)
plug USB into PC
command:
$ sudo ./flash.sh

Windows 10
1. download flasher.tar.gz from release page here https://github.com/steward-fu/rg99/releases
2. extract flasher.tar.gx
3. plug USB into PC
4. put RG99 into boot mode (Press START and then power up)
5. run the flash.bat

Step2
2. flash .img into sdcard (this is file system)
download v1.0_sdcard.img.7z from release page here https://github.com/steward-fu/rg99/releases
prepare 4GB or larger MicroSD
flash sdcard.img into MicroSD

Note you need to extend the partition once the SDCard is flashed otherwise you don't get the full space for your files.


How to build Linux OS for RG99
prepare environment

Debian 9 (x64)
all of source code and prebuilt binary can be found from release page
configure toolchain
extract toolchain_rg99.7z into /opt/rg99
command:
export PATH=$PATH:/opt/rg99/usr/bin
build buildroot
download buildroot.tar.gz from release page
command:
$ make rg99_defconfig
$ make
build kernel
download kernel_v1.0.tar.gz from release page
command:
$ ARCH=mips CROSS_COMPILE=mipsel-linux- make rg99_defconfig
$ ARCH=mips CROSS_COMPILE=mipsel-linux- make uzImage.bin dtbs -j8
for kernel (enable UART), copy "arch/mips/boot/dts/ingenic/rg99_dbg.dts" to "arch/mips/boot/dts/ingenic/rg99.dts"
for kernel (disable UART), copy "arch/mips/boot/dts/ingenic/rg99_rel.dts" to "arch/mips/boot/dts/ingenic/rg99.dts"



Thanks goes to the hard work of the devs Pcercuei & Steward


Buy here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001051802202.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.5.77d51dd4l73pCc
« Last Edit: September 27, 2020, 06:19:52 pm by Jutleys »

indask8

  • Posts: 79
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2020, 06:58:00 pm »
Thanks !

Works great considering the limitations of the device.

EDIT : You should add in your tutorial that you need to extend the partition once the SDCard is flashed otherwise you don't get the full space for your files.

EDIT2 : after further testing it's not as good as I thought : Master System runs very well, PCengine/Genesis/GBA is OK, mame is hit or miss, Nes/GB/GBC lags a lot.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2020, 08:34:08 pm by indask8 »

Jutleys (OP)

  • Posts: 1795
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2020, 10:42:29 am »
Yep because the emulators need optimisation if someone takes on the task this was a first initial release.

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2020, 07:33:18 pm »
As I already went through all the RG99s being currently sold on AliExpress, I'll link the two cheapest offerings I managed to find;

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001146540194.html ($29.52 total)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000939724094.html ($30.62 total)

A coupon could bring the price down to about $25, which is an appropriate price for the device.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2020, 10:06:26 am by v47 »

Rhyon0

  • Posts: 11
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2020, 09:49:57 pm »
@Jutleys, Excellent job they did to make this machine work much better.  see could you do the same but for the game g100 console?  That machine has an INGENIC JZ4725B processor, it uses an SD cartridge like the one in the RS97 console and the screen is 320x240, @pcercuei was doing tests on the console for the CFW but he couldn't make the screen work, do you think he could do it?  work, since it is a 1: 1 clone of the gameboy advance sp (only the charging port is different)?  and from what you see in terms of hardware it is very similar to the retromini RS90
« Last Edit: August 15, 2020, 09:54:22 pm by Rhyon0 »

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2020, 10:20:03 pm »
Any recommended tool for flashing the image on the TF card?

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2020, 08:34:34 pm »
Any advice on how to extend the partition? Gparted shows most of the new partitions as locked, and is unable to extend any.

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2020, 06:54:09 pm »
Anyway, my unit is finally here, didn't bother to check the original fw, we know it's not worth the time. The flashing process went fine, though the final screen after the flash is done looks all messed up. Also note the actual linux flash command is sudo ./flash.sh (not sudo flash.sh).


A very quick review;

The good:
-shell format is nice
-buttons are ok
-screen is ok
-large battery

The bad:
-low performance, lower than the RetroMini, forget about fullspeed GBC or GBA
-no SNES emulation
-needs an extra tf card (increases the cost)

Final Verdict - while the custom firmware makes the use bearable, I really cannot recommend the device, unless you can get it for extremely cheap (think less than $25 shipping included), or you absolutely love the shell format (and can't afford a RG300). There is a chance the performance will improve with future fw releases, but still, remember the Powkiddy Q90 has the exact same price (about $30 on AliExpress), similar 2.8" IPS screen, and can do much, much more than the RG99.

But I have to admit the vibration function is hilarious - seeing the device almost jump off the table while getting flashed (vibration is always on during the boot mode) was amusing to behold.


Any chance someone could compile the SNES emu for the RG99? Would like to try Chrono Trigger, if nothing else.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2020, 07:25:48 pm by v47 »

kawabushi

  • Posts: 25
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2020, 01:29:40 pm »
Hello v47! I see that you have launched to make the change, I would like to install OpenDingux on my RG-99 but I have no idea how to do it. Although I have read the tutorial that appears here I still do not understand anything. Could someone make a tutorial for clumsy like me, with a video or something, which indicates how to do this procedure step by step. Thank you very much to everyone.

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2020, 03:34:16 pm »
I would consider this the easiest way:

1) go here, see SETUP, click on Assets and download v1.0_sdcard.img.7z, extract the image, and use Win32 Disk Imager to flash it onto a tf card (4GB capacity is enough), should be as easy as plugging the tf card into your computer, running the tool, selecting the image, and then pointing the tool to flash it onto the card.

2) create a linux usb flash disk (I'm using xubuntu), plug it into the computer, restart and boot into the linux operating system, download flasher.tar.gz from the release page here (again, go SETUP, click on Assets), and extract the Setup folder from the archive to your linux desktop.

3) take the handheld (turned off, no tf card inserted), connect it to the linux pc, press and hold the start button on the console, and turn it on, keep holding the start button for about 1 minute, then release.

4) open the setup folder on your linux desktop, rightmouseclick any empty space, open the console, type sudo ./flash.sh and press enter. The handheld should get flashed (you may have to confirm the flash start on the handheld screen), once the process is done, the console window on the linux desktop will let you know. Once done, turn the handheld off, disconnect it from the pc, insert the tf card, and turn it on.

I find booting into linux easier than messing around windows drivers. Creating a linux boot flash drive is very easy, just google it.


Also, the performance issues interfere with the key input sometimes, making an experience with any game that requires quick and precise controls less than ideal. So currently, the handheld is pretty much RPG/turn based games only.

And I still didn't find a way of expanding any partition on the flashed tf card, so any space above approximately 2.5GB will be unavailable/wasted.
« Last Edit: October 11, 2020, 04:12:00 pm by v47 »

kawabushi

  • Posts: 25
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2020, 02:50:00 am »
Hello to all! I've finally decided to make the switch to Opendingux on my RG-99 and it shows. I've made a couple of videos and uploaded them to my channel in case you want to see the whole process from scratch. I just hope that I can help anyone who, like me, didn't dare to take the step.

Part 1:

<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210118042256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkxQms_VOjU" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkxQms_VOjU</a>

Part 2:

<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210118042256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFEr6T4E860" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFEr6T4E860</a>

@v47 in the video Part 2 explained how you can expand the capacity of the unit to its maximum. There is also a link to the program needed for this ;)

Best regards!

v47

  • Posts: 209
Re: RG99 unofficial opendingux port
« Reply #11 on: Yesterday at 07:05:23 am »
So, the MiniTool PartitionWizard Free, and expand the main partition? Thanks, will try.

Does anyone know whether there is a chance of the firmware being updated, or is the project done? A small speed boost and more responsive controls would be nice.