How to: Put ROMs to play with gpSPhone
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62 Comments
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Cheers from Singapore!
d.e.r.m.a.p.t.h.e.r.a 
Thomas said,
January 17, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Can’t you just transfer BIOS and Roms through windows file manager?
I don’t have my Ipod Touch, right now – but i get it tommorow! But can’t you do that?
dermapthera said,
January 17, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Windows file manager?
You mean the normal explorer? iPhone and iPod Touch doesn’t have a windows explorer, it doesn’t work that way. If it does, I wouldn’t be using a software like iphonebrowser to traverse my files.
I’m not sure if the browser will work in version 1.1.3, so if you’re getting your touch tomorrow, check it’s firmware first. You’ll need to jailbreak the touch before you can do all the magical things.
Cheers.
Harry said,
January 19, 2008 at 3:21 am
Hi,
I have downloaded everything now and I was wondering if I only need to put the .gba file into the iphone or the .sav etc as well in a folder?
Would be grateful for a reply,
Thanks:)
dermapthera said,
January 19, 2008 at 3:35 am
Hi!
You need the .gba file, that’s the game ROM. As for the .sav, that’s not necessary, unless you got it from another saved game(?), which if you put it together under the same folder (the var/root/Media/ROMs/GBA), and you’ll be able to load that saved game. Do not create another folder within the GBA folder, and the game would not show up.
So essentially, if you just want to run the game, the .gba file is enough. The .sav will be created on it’s own, when you start saving your game.
I hope this clears up everything.
Good luck! =)
Harry said,
January 19, 2008 at 3:48 am
Thanks a lot man, i’ve tried it and it works a treat, thanks again made my day:D and you were quick to reply!
Harry said,
January 19, 2008 at 3:53 am
Hi,
Sorry to bother you again I tried putting the .sav file under the GBA folder and it did not work:( do you have any suggestions sorry if this sounds cheeky as you have already helped me.
Thanks
Harry said,
January 19, 2008 at 3:56 am
Hi,
Sorry again i’ve sorted it haha thanks anyway.
Cheers I won’t bother you:)
dermapthera said,
January 19, 2008 at 4:11 am
Hmmm sorry I took a while to notice you had relied 3 times.
Well good to know that you managed to sort it out. If there is anything I can edit on my post to make it clearer to other readers, do let me know alright?
And enjoy your new game!
Cheers
Dylan said,
January 20, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi, I’m having a bit of trouble with this. I’ve but the gba-bios.bin in gbsphone.app, put a game in /Root/Media/ROMs/GBA and altered the permissions to 755 but still no luck, it keeps coming up with the incorrect bios message when I play a game. I have a 8GB iPod Touch. My suspicion is I have a dodgy bios file (even though I’ve downloaded a few different versions), But any help would be greatly appreciated.
dermapthera said,
January 20, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Hi Dylan!
Is it “gba-bios.bin”? If it is, you’ll need to rename it to “gba_bios.bin” (it’s an underscore, and it must be all in small caps)
Do try this again. I know to our eyes it looks the same, but hopefully this should sort it out.
Also, you may want to try out the gpSPhone version 1.2.0. It should has major performance issues and bug fixes. You can go to zodttd.com for instructions how to add their source to your installer.
Good luck man.
=)
Dylan said,
January 21, 2008 at 4:37 am
Sorry, that was just a typo on my part, it is gbs_bios.bin, but thanks for the advice, i’ll try installing 1.2.0
dermapthera said,
January 21, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Hi Dylan.
Ok sure no problem. I’m using 1.2.0 and it works great!
Cheers.
Elias said,
January 25, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for the time you put into it,well worth it,
Cheers
dermapthera said,
January 25, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Gee… thanks for that comment Elias.
Very enlightening.
Cheers!
MatOu said,
January 25, 2008 at 6:52 pm
thx !
works perfectly !
nil said,
January 27, 2008 at 9:11 am
hey
well i got a question cause i cant find the /Root/Media/ROMs/GBA folder using iphone browser i just gets as far as root/media
what do i nead to do??? 😦
dermapthera said,
January 27, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hi nil
As expected, you probably won’t be able to find the ROMs/GBA folder. It’s probably not created.
So you’ll need to manually create them.
You can use iphonebrowser to create the folder. iphonebrowser is a little buggy, so if you don’t see it after you create it, just close it, and relaunch iphonebrowser. It should show up.
Another way is to use MobileFinder. If you have installed them, just navigate to /Media folder, then create ROMs folder, then open ROMs folder and create GBA folder.
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
lljmc89ll said,
January 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Wow. I know you get a lot of thanks messages, but really — you are the best. I searched all over the internet and not a single site (not even the original publishers/developers) made it as clear as you did. Starting from the original jailbreaking of the iPod Touch to this final part — you are the greatest 🙂 Keep up the great work.
Kada said,
January 28, 2008 at 1:56 pm
So i did everything so far.
I Downloaded and placed the gba_bios.bin
file in the gpSPhone.app folder.
And have a ROM in the ROMs/GBA folder.
The problem i’m having is that whenever
I load up the ROM in the gpSPhone app,
it shows the GBA keyboard and then it exits out to the springboard. There isn’t any error message either.
dermapthera said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Hi Kada
My guess is that you are suffering the same problem as I do. Although it looks like you have uploaded the BIOS into your iPod, the BIOS is corrupted no matter how many times you uploaded it. This is just my guess though.
Also, do check the filesize of the BIOS file using applications like MobileFinder or Squid. If it shows 0 kb, then most likely you are facing the same problem as me.
If it’s a valid file, then you probably didn’t change the permissions. If you had followed my instructions, you would probably not missed that.
Also try to reboot the device. Sometimes it takes a reboot for effect to take place.
If all fails, I’m sorry to say but I think it needs a restore. I’m still trying to find out why I can’t upload files into the Applications folder. There must be some kind of error somewhere. I’m still looking for a workaround for it. Not sure if there is, but for now, the only solution I found is to do a restore and re-jailbreak again (yes irritating I know).
Sorry if I can’t be of much help to you.
Cheers.
EDIT: Please check my post, (towards the very bottom) for the fix to your problem. Cheers!
dnice said,
February 7, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Uhh Its not automatically saving? I have to start a new Game everytime?
I get the Please Consider Donating Everytime I open it
dermapthera said,
February 7, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Hi dnice
Have you updated to the latest version (gpSPhone v1.5.0)?
Anyway, if you turn on the option for “automatic save”, I doubt it’s working. I suggest you try to manually “save” the state. If you haven’t played any emulators before, saving a state is like pausing, enabling you to continue to where you left off.
Also, please try to change the permission of the gpSPhone.app folder (and files). I suspect it does not have any write permission, that’s why it can’t save properly.
To do that, launch Term-vt100 (install it if you don’t have), then type:
chmod -R 755 /Applications/gpSPhone.app
Then try again.
I hope that helps.
Cheers!
Tim said,
February 15, 2008 at 2:15 pm
dude i uploaded everything changed the permissions and when i open the gba app it says sorry but ipsp requires a gameboy advance and that i have an incorrect iosp image help please
dermapthera said,
February 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Hi Tim
ipsp???? *confused*
Please describe the nature of the problem. Is it a ROM problem? Is it a BIOS problem? Or is it the application problem?
Also, that error message was somewhat new. Please let me know what firmware version you’re using, and I might be able to help.
Cheers.
Ethan said,
February 21, 2008 at 4:42 am
I’m having the same problem as tim. It says ipsP the letters are all jumbled so it might not exactly say that but its what it looks like.
dermapthera said,
February 21, 2008 at 6:04 am
Hi Ethan
To assist in my research, I’ll be needing a complete report.
Please let me know what iPod you’re using (which capacity) and what firmware (if 1.1.3, whose method).
I’ll get back to you once I get the info.
Cheers.
hisham said,
February 21, 2008 at 4:35 pm
hey dude!
ive been having prob with my iphone. i downloaded the gpsphone on it and iphone browser but when i try to put games into the (var/root/media/roms/gba) icant really do that cuz i can only get up to roms… can u help me out plz..
reply asap 🙂
Andrew said,
February 23, 2008 at 8:44 am
hey
i followed all the steps and when i open gpsPhone on touch it comes up like their is no games, their is no message sayin to put it in the folder just nothin
help please
thanks
dermapthera said,
February 23, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Hi Andrew
For 1.1.2 and below, ROMs are placed in:
private/var/root/media/ROMs/GBA
For 1.1.3 (and maybe in the future), ROMs are placed in:
private/var/mobile/media/ROMs/GBA
If your gpSPhone crashes, it’s probably because permissions are not set. To do that, run Term-vt100, then type in:
chmod -R a+x /Applications/*
I hope that answers your question.
Cheers.
Andrew said,
February 24, 2008 at 4:49 pm
hey
thanks heeps that helped alot
cheers
shayeb said,
February 25, 2008 at 7:17 am
i have downloaded everyting and everyting is working fine. just one problemi cant save the game… an you please help. am using gpsphone 1.5.0 and firmware 1.1.3 if it helps
Hideki said,
February 25, 2008 at 7:41 am
I using gpsphone 1.5.0 and 1.1.3 iPhone and I can’t save the games!!, Why???
dermapthera said,
February 25, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Hey guys
If you can’t save the game, it’s probably THE GAME. I had one game I love very much (it’s called Yggdra Union) but I can’t save it. Any other games seemed fine though.
Why don’t you tell me the game you’re playing, and I’ll try on my side to see if I had the same problem.
And probably, it could be that there’s no permission set to the ROMs/GBA folder. Use mobile finder to this folder, then hit “Modify”, then hit enable the buttons to change the permissions to 777. Then let me know if this helps.
Cheers.
momott said,
February 25, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Hey its me. I have 1.1.3 and gpsphone 1.5.0 and whenever I upload Roms to mobile/media/ROMs/GBA they don’t show up on gpsphone when I open it. It just says you have no roms and closes. Please help if possible.
dermapthera said,
February 25, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hey momott
If it says there’s no ROMs, it will definitely tell you where to put the ROMs right?
If you can’t place it in mobile/media/ROMs/GBA, try root/media/ROMs/GBA. If you placed in root and it’s working, chances are, your device is not 1.1.3 true jailbroken (you must have used Nate’s version, or ipodtouchmaster’s or AriX’s method).
Well let me know what’s the full message, and I’ll guide you as much as possible.
Cheers.
rob said,
February 26, 2008 at 7:15 am
apreciate the guide mate, helped no end
Hideki said,
February 28, 2008 at 6:21 am
hi, it’s me, again, i think the games aren’t the problem, When I was using my iphone with fw 111/112 i can save the games, but i upgrade to 113 and now i can’t save the games, i have a NES emulator and it can’t save the games neither, i don’t know why. Someone know why??(Sorry, but my english is not very good xD)
Hideki said,
February 28, 2008 at 6:30 am
hi, i try to change the permissions of ROMs/GBA and ROMs/NES to 777 and now i can save the games, thanks for the help dermapthera. 🙂
dermapthera said,
February 28, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hi Hideki
I’m glad that helped. I will update my post reflecting your confirmation though.
Honestly, my folder didn’t even have to set any permissions, so I was really wondering why this problem occurs.
Well, I’m glad it helped you.
Cheers.
anhyeugame said,
February 29, 2008 at 9:13 am
i cannot access any files in iphone browser app. it tells me that my phone isn’t jailbroken. however, i’ve jailbreak it with ziphone 2.4 and i have a 1.1.3 with installer.app and many other programs. is my iphone fully jailbroken? do you know whats wrong?
justin said,
February 29, 2008 at 2:08 pm
hi i did the following and still dont see any of the roms that i downloaded on my 1.1.3 iphone.. i put the bin file in the app folder, changed all the permissions like you said and made the folders but.. nothing.. 😐 any advice?
anhyeugame said,
February 29, 2008 at 10:19 pm
if you have problems saving your games on a 1.1.3 jailbroken phone use this, just change /private/var/mobile/media/ROMs/GBA to permission 777 as hideki said.
chmod -R 755 /private/var/mobile/media/ROMs/GBA
worked for me, so it’ll work for you.
anhyeugame said,
February 29, 2008 at 10:34 pm
final fantasy tactics gba rom is running kind of slow though, is there a way around this?
dermapthera said,
March 1, 2008 at 4:31 am
Hi anhyeugame
There is no user changable settings, hence there’s nothing you can do for a slow running game.
What we can hope for is performance tweaks in the future release of gpSPhone. But in order to do that, it will take time and support, so we’ll need to stay as patient as possible.
I’ve played other great strategy games like Fire Emblem. You should try them.
Cheers.
themondude said,
March 1, 2008 at 5:37 am
Had problems copying the bios file. Fixed by reinstalling BSD SubSystem. I could copy to the applications directory/
dermapthera said,
March 1, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hi themondude
You had problems as in the BIOS can’t be copied over?
What firmware are you using?
Use iphonebrowser to traverse your files in your iPod. Transfer the BIOS into gpSPhone.app (as described in this post) and everything will be just fine.
If you can upload into the folder, change it’s permission. Everything is outlined in my post.
If all fails, I suggest installing BossTool, then move applications files, then try again.
Cheers.
themondude said,
March 1, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hi dermapthera
I’m using firmware Jailbroken 1.1.3? I followed your post and changed the file permissions and also restarted the unit. I ended up re-installing BSD Subsystem and again tried to copy the bios file. It worked then. Strange !
Thanks for the info though. Your Post was very helpful. Mario Kart here I come !!!
dermapthera said,
March 1, 2008 at 6:11 am
Hi themondude
So in short, you DID miss a step. Haiz… At least read my post or something…
Anyway, glad it worked for you.
Good luck in your new game!
Ferlandy said,
March 2, 2008 at 7:38 am
yea my iPod isnt showing any of the roms when I try to find them on installer btw I have 1.1.3 also does any1 know how to get the guitar hero mid to wrk 4 Tyr when having my iPod on version 1.1.3
dermapthera said,
March 2, 2008 at 9:06 am
Hi Ferlandy
What do you mean when you try to find the ROMs via installer?
For Guitar Hero mod, you’ll need to download and install TTR (Tap Tap Revolution), then look for a Guitar Hero mod. Until today, I can’t get my TTR to work flawlessly though.
Well, if you got anything to ask, feel free to ask me. Try to give full description cause I tend to misunderstood easily.
Cheers.
ferlandy said,
March 2, 2008 at 1:54 pm
what I mean is because one of by friends told me a source where you can get roms and when i try to find the roms on installer it won’t wrk on my iPod but I can find it on my friends iPod it does
Also about TTR I have the game but everytime I get the mid it always changes the Icon that looks like 3 pencils to make the letter A and when I click it The screen turns black and all you can really do is press the home button to get out
dermapthera said,
March 2, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi Ferlandy
Most of the sources with ROMs don’t live up to their name, and eventually the server gets overloaded and you won’t be able to find it.
I strongly suggest you download the ROMs from websites, then manually transfer it to your iPod via SSH or iphonebrowser, which I have clearly explained in this post.
For TTR, I don’t know how to get it running, because mine failed miserably. I wanted to try the game but I can’t. Sorry can’t help you on that.
Anyway, if you wanted to figure out how to put ROMs, read this post (from the top). Really, I myself never use sources to download ROMs, they don’t really live up to their name.
I hope this helps you.
Cheers.
Jared said,
March 11, 2008 at 4:34 am
Hi, i’m getting the same thing as some of the people above I put in the game and opened the file, and it says sorry but ipsp requires a gameboy advance, you have an incorrect iosp image, i am running the 1.5 version, and i have 1.1.4 jailbroken, please help, cause i have tried different roms so its not the roms
Eggo said,
March 13, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi Dermapthera.
I’m having an error where when I try to load a saved game, all i get is a black screen with the controls. I have edited and altered the permissions with mobile finder, and they are set to 755. help T_T
dermapthera said,
March 13, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Saved game, as in a “saved state” or the in-game “save”?
Either way, I’m not sure what kind of error are you expecting. You could give me more details like what FW, where you put the ROMs, and what is the title of the game.
I realised some games can’t save (like I played Yggdra Union). So it could be the games itself.
Cheers.
guitarist9189 said,
March 14, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hey Dermapthera,
guitarist9189 said,
March 14, 2008 at 9:08 am
Sorry about double post, i hit enter by accident… anyways. I’m getting the same problem as people above me. I have done everything you said. I have entered the codes in terminal for permissions, copied gba_bios.bin, added roms, etc. As Jared said, I have the same problem. I open Gpsphone, and my roms appear. I load a rom, and get the controls, with a black screen. At the top of that screen, it says in jumbled white letters, You have anWincorrect iIOSp image.c What i think it says realy is, You have an incorrect IOS image. Pease help me!! Many people I have talked to are having this same problem. I am running a jailbroken iPhone, 1.1.4, and gpsPhone v1.5. Thanks
guitarist9189 said,
March 14, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hey Dermapthera, I just got gsphone working!!! Ok, for all of the people wo have had the same problem as me, here’s what I did to fix it. First, I uninstalled GpsPhone v1.5 (just the app, not roms). Then, I went on the internet and downloaded gpsPhone v0.5. The gba_bios.bin file came with v0.5, so I installed the program into my apps with Winscp (SSH). Then, I copied the gba_bios.bin from v0.5 to my desktop, and uninstalled gpsphone again. I went to installer, reinstalled v1.5, and loaded the bios from v0.5 onto it like you’re supposed to. I opened up gpsPhone on my iPhone, and IT WORKED!!!! Thanks anyways guys.
dermapthera said,
March 14, 2008 at 2:59 pm
hmmm
so it was a bios problem? how come i never get this message?
nvm i’ll try to see what’s wrong with the bios i posted. thanks for the heads up.
dermapthera said,
March 14, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I have updated a fix for it. I did some homework though.
Here’s the page.
Cheers.
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