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[PharaohAmps]

Q:  Can I save games using the Supercard?  Does it have SRAM, Flash, EEPROM, or some other save type?

A:  The Supercard doesn't have battery-backed SRAM or Flash RAM or an EEPROM for saving.  Instead, it writes the saver data to the Compact Flash Memory (CFM.)

Q:  OK, so how do I save my game?

A:  To do a regular save, like you'd do in a normal game, do the following:

1.  Save your game as normal.  Either get to a save point, select save from a menu, or let the game save automatically.  The game will write its save data to the RAM in the Supercard.
2.  Now write the saver data to the Supercard by pressing L + R + Select + A.  A black screen will appear and reads:  "SC Normal Save - Save Load"
3.  Using the D-pad, highlight "Save" (it will turn red) and press A.  Then a new screen will appear reading "Are you sure? - Yes No."
4.  Highlight "Yes" and press A.  The Supercard will write the stored saver data to the CFM.

You will be able to load your game the next time you want to play.  Since the Supercard will store your saver data in its RAM, you really only need to write the data to the CFM before you exit the game or turn off the menu, but it never hurts to be safe.

Q:  What is a "Real Time Save?"

A:  A Real Time Save is similar to a Savestate in many emulators.  It stores all the contents of the GBA's memory, registers, etc. so that the whole status of the game and console are kept in a kind of "snapshot."  It allows for saving in games that do not offer hardware saves or use passwords, and it also allows the player to save between save points in games that do have saves.


Q:  How do I do a Real Time Save?

A:  To do a Real Time Save, do the following at any time during a game:

1.  Pause your game.  It's not strictly necessary, but it lets you do the button-pressing at your leisure.
2.  Open the Real Time Save screen by pressing L + R + Select + B.  A black screen will appear and reads:  "SC Real Time Save - Save Load"
3.  Using the D-pad, highlight "Save" (it will turn red) and press A.  Then a new screen will appear reading "Are you sure? - Yes No."
4.  Highlight "Yes" and press A.  The Supercard will write the stored saver data to the CFM.

You will be able to reload your game at any time.  If your game is messed up after reloading RTS data, try restarting the game and then reloading.  Not all games will work with Real Time Save - if you find one that doesn't, please let the Supercard community know by posting about it on our Compatibility Forum

Q: Can I use my other .SAV files (from VisualBoy Advance or flashcart / devkits) with the Supercard?

A:  Yes.  The .SAV file that the Supercard uses is basically a 1:1 dump / copy of the SRAM or EEPROM / FLASH contents of the original cart.  You can add your own .SAV files using the Supercard application.

1.  Open up the Supercard software
2.  Select "Add" and pick a ROM
3.  Right-click on the ROM and select "Properties."
4.  Under the "Enable Save" check-box, there is a box labeled: "Import Saver from File:"
5.  Click the "..." next to the saver import box and select the .SAV file you want to associate with your ROM.  Then click "OK" to close the Properties window.
6.  Click "Out" in the main Supercard window to patch your ROM and generate your .SAV and .SCI files.

Q: These .SAV files that the Supercard makes are all pretty small, around 8K.  What if my .SAV file from VBA or a flash cart is bigger than that?  Or, what if I am trying to import an outside .SAV and it doesn't work on the Supercard?

A:  8K is a fairly standard size for GBA save games, though there are many games with 32k or larger savers.  This is enough data to save player position, stats, levels earned, scores, etc.  It also lets the manufacturers of the original carts save money by using small SRAM chips in the carts.  Some carts have bigger savers, to save things like new levels downloaded from e-reader cards, extra Pokemons, or whatever.  If the saver size exceeds 8K, the Supercard software will sometimes fail to rename the saver, and many games with bigger savers refuse to load on the Supercard.  The way around this is to use the "Enable More Saver" box in the Supercard software.

1.  Open up the Supercard software
2.  Select "Add" and pick a ROM
3.  Right-click on the ROM and select "Properties."
4.  Under the "Enable Save" check-box, there is a box labeled: "Import Saver from File:"
5.  Click the "..." next to the saver import box and select the .SAV file you want to associate with your ROM.
6.  Click the "Enable More Saver" box above the saver import box,  then click "OK" to close the Properties window.
6.  Click "Out" in the main Supercard window to patch your ROM and generate your .SAV and .SCI files.

Q: What's this business I've heard about slowdown?  Does it have anything to do with saving?

A: Some games have slowdown or lock up when patched to run on the Supercard.  This is due to the software interrupt routines that are added to the games when they are patched for saving / RTS / cheats / etc.  View the forum post about slowdown and the QPC save method:
Fix For Games With Slowdown

[Vince]

Hello,

Excellent FAQ, thanks ! Something missing IMHO is what functionality needs patching. Suppose for instance I am not using the SC software at all and only put ROMS on my CF using a card reader. When I start a game on my SC will I be able to save/to real-time save?

From what I know, I suppose the answer is no to both as they require patches to work (to interrupt the game and go to the save menu). Such information would be a good addition to the FAQ.

Thanks,

Vince

[NT]

Hello,

Excellent FAQ, thanks ! Something missing IMHO is what functionality needs patching. Suppose for instance I am not using the SC software at all and only put ROMS on my CF using a card reader. When I start a game on my SC will I be able to save/to real-time save?

From what I know, I suppose the answer is no to both as they require patches to work (to interrupt the game and go to the save menu). Such information would be a good addition to the FAQ.

Thanks,

Vince

You're right, you can't save without patching.  Diablo has covered this in his new FAQ.