8BitMods MemCard PRO2

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Summary

Initial Setup Guide

MicroSD Card Preparation and Formatting

Instructions for formatting a microSD card using the official SD Card Formatter software.

Firmware and OS File Extraction

Downloading firmware/OS and extracting files to the prepared microSD card or USB drive.

Basic Usage and Operation

Console Connection and Power-Up Procedure

Steps for connecting the MemCard PRO2 to your PS1/PS2 and powering on the console.

In-Game Memory Card Operations

How the MemCard PRO2 behaves like a normal memory card during gameplay.

Virtual Memory Card Channels and Switching

Overview of the 8 channels per VMC and how to switch between them.

OLED Display Status Icon Guide

Description of status icons on the MemCard PRO2's OLED display.

Understanding Display Icons

Wireless Network Status Indicators

Icons indicating WiFi status: off, Access Point mode, and connection strength.

VMC File Size Indicators

Icons showing the size of the mounted Virtual Memory Card (VMC) file.

Homebrew Launcher and GameID Features

Automatic VMC Creation via GameID

How home-brew launchers send GameIDs to auto-create VMCs for specific games.

GameID Compatibility and Limitations

Details on GameID limitations and compatibility with home-brew launchers like OPL.

OPL Download and Usage Guidance

Information on downloading and using specific OPL versions for GameID functionality.

WiFi and Remote Access Features

Connecting MemCard PRO2 to Your WiFi Network

Step-by-step guide to connect the MemCard PRO2 to your local wireless network.

Accessing the Web User Interface (WebUI)

Instructions to find the device's IP address and access the WebUI for management.

WebUI Capabilities Overview

WebUI Remote Management Features

Overview of WebUI features: VMC management, file transfer, and firmware updates.

WebUI Home Page Interface

WebUI Home Page Interface Overview

Description of the WebUI home page, including current VMC, channel controls, and navigation buttons.

WebUI Settings and Configuration

Network and GameID Feature Settings

Configuration options for Wi-Fi, FTP Server, and GameID features.

Console Mode and Power-On Configuration

Settings for loading last card on power up and choosing default GameID or Folder.

Display and Firmware Update Options

Options for display saver mode, brightness, and checking for firmware updates.

Card Browser Functionality

Viewing and Managing Virtual Memory Cards

How to view, manage, and load VMCs using the WebUI Card Browser.

System Switching and VMC Operations

Switching between PS1/PS2 modes and performing VMC operations like create, rename, mount.

Card Browser VMC Management

Creating and Renaming VMCs

Process for creating new generic VMCs and renaming existing ones via the WebUI.

FTP Server Setup and Security

Enabling and Securing the FTP Server

Steps to enable the FTP server via WebUI and set a mandatory username and password.

FTP Server Connection and Settings

Connecting to the FTP Server with a Client

Instructions for connecting to the MemCard PRO2 FTP server using an FTP client like FileZilla.

Optimizing FTP Transfer Settings

Configuring transfer mode (Passive) and connection limits for FTP for optimal performance.

Mass Storage Mode Operation

Activating Mass Storage Mode via USB

How to activate and use the MemCard PRO2 as a microSD card reader via USB.

FAQs and Troubleshooting

File System, Console Support, and VMC Formats

Information on supported file systems, consoles, and raw .mc2 VMC formats.

Network Connectivity and WebUI Access Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting guide for common network connectivity and WebUI access problems.

Troubleshooting WiFi and Features

WiFi Management and SSID Reset Procedures

How to disconnect from WiFi, reset to Access Point mode, and re-enable WiFi.

Future Features and Firmware Update Information

Information on planned features and status of firmware updates.

The MemCard PRO2 is a modern re-implementation of original Memory Cards for PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 consoles, designed to provide mass storage and enhanced features.

Function Description:

The MemCard PRO2 utilizes a powerful dual-core 240MHz microcontroller to offer mass storage via a microSD card or USB interface, allowing for an extraordinary number of Virtual Memory Cards (VMCs) for games. It connects to a local wireless network, providing additional features through an intuitive Web User Interface (WebUI). The device also implements a proprietary set of commands, enabling communication with other devices and peripherals, such as optical drive emulators or home-brew software, for automated card switching and game detection. This eliminates the need for multiple physical memory cards and prevents storage space issues during gaming.

Important Technical Specifications:

Microcontroller: Dual-core 240MHz
Storage: Supports microSD cards (Class 4 and above, 1GB to 2TB) or USB storage devices (flash drives, external SSD/HDD).
File System: Requires MBR partition scheme with FAT32 or exFat file system for storage devices.
VMC Capacity: Approximately 128 8MB VMCs per gigabyte for PS2, or 8192 VMCs per gigabyte for PS1. PS2 VMC sizes are configurable up to 128MB.
VMC Format: Creates and uses raw Memory Card images with a ".mc2" extension, without extra headers.
Connectivity: WiFi for network access and WebUI. USB for Mass Storage Mode (does not supply power).
Display: OLED display for status icons, VMC name, GameID, and selected channel.
Firmware: Updatable via WebUI.
Compliance:
- European Directives: 2014/30/EU (EMC), 2014/45/EU (LVD), 2015/863/EU (RoHS3).
- Standards: EN 301489-1 V2.2.3 (2019-11), EN 301489-17 V3.2.4 (2020-09) (EMC); EN 62368-1:2014+A11:2017 (LVD); EN 63000:2018 (RoHS).

Usage Features:

Initial Setup: Requires formatting a microSD card with "SD Card Formatter" software and extracting mcp2.bin and the os folder to the root. USB storage devices need similar preparation.
Console Compatibility: Plugs into Slot 1 or Slot 2 of PlayStation 1 or PlayStation 2 consoles.
Basic Operation:
- Upon powering up, displays "8BITMODS.COM" and "MemCard PRO2" logos, then loads and displays the VMC name (e.g., "MemoryCard1").
- Detects Memory Card in-game, allowing normal save/load operations.
- Each VMC provides 8 channels, acting as extra memory cards.
- Channels can be switched using physical buttons (right for next, left for previous) or via the WebUI.
- VMCs can be cycled by pressing and holding the right physical button.
Display Icons:
- Console Activity: Animates when data is exchanged with the system.
- Storage Device Activity: Displays "SD" or "USB" icon, flashes when writing data (do not power off during this time).
- Wireless Network:
  - No icon: WiFi Radio off.
  - Access Point icon: WiFi on, transmitting Access Point (for setup).
  - Bars icon: WiFi connected to local network, bars indicate strength.
- VMC Size: Displays size (128KB for PS1, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB for PS2).
Home-brew Launcher (GameID) Integration:
- Automatically creates/mounts VMCs for specific games when launched via compatible home-brew launchers (e.g., OPL with GameID module).
- Displays full game name from internal database.
- If GameID is not detected, reverts to "MemoryCard1".
- Users can download specific OPL versions with GameID support (at their own risk).
WiFi & Remote Features (WebUI):
- Setup: Activate Access Point mode by holding both buttons on boot, connect a computer/mobile device to "MemCardPRO2-(serial number)" WiFi (password: mcpadmin), then navigate to http://192.168.4.1 in a browser to use the WiFi Setup Wizard.
- Access: After setup, the MemCard PRO2 connects to the local network. Its IP address is displayed on boot, which can be used to access the WebUI (e.g., http://192.168.1.230/).
- WebUI Home Page: Shows current VMC, channel, and GameID (if applicable). Allows changing channels, and navigating to Card Browser or Settings.
- WebUI Settings Page:
  - Wi-Fi Switch: Turns WiFi transceiver on/off.
  - FTP Server: Enables a lightweight FTP server for remote file management (requires username/password, anonymous FTP not supported).
  - Enable GameID Feature: Toggles automatic VMC switching with home-brew launchers.
  - Load last card on power Up: Enables/disables loading the last used VMC on boot (configurable per console mode).
  - GameID or Folder: Selects the default memory card to load on boot (configurable per system).
  - Display Saver Mode: Configures OLED display behavior (Dim or Turn Off) after 30 seconds of inactivity to prevent burn-in.
  - Display Brightness: Adjusts display brightness (10 steps).
  - Firmware Version & Update: Displays current version and allows remote updates.
- WebUI Card Browser:
  - Views, manages, and loads VMCs remotely.
  - "Scan" button refreshes VMC list from storage device.
  - Allows switching between PS1/PS2 VMC lists.
  - Enables creating new VMCs (with custom names and sizes for PS2).
  - Renames VMCs (overrides default names, but GameID remains associated).
  - Mounts VMCs remotely, automatically switching console mode.
  - Deletes VMCs.
FTP Server Usage:
- Requires an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) on a computer.
- Connect to MemCard PRO2's IP address using "Only use plain FTP (insecure)" encryption.
- Use the username and password set in WebUI Settings.
- Set transfer mode to "Passive" and limit simultaneous connections to "1".
Mass Storage Mode:
- Hold the right button while connecting a USB cable to a computer/device.
- Displays "Mass Storage Mode" on the OLED.
- Allows the computer/device to recognize MemCard PRO2 as a USB Mass Storage device for file transfer (speed is limited).

Maintenance Features:

Firmware Updates: Can be performed remotely via the WebUI, which checks for the latest version.
Troubleshooting:
- WebUI Connection Issues: Ensure the remote device is on the same subnet, check WiFi connection strength, verify IP address on MemCard PRO2 display, and ensure microSD card is properly prepared.
- WiFi Reset: Press and hold both physical buttons during boot-up to reset to Access Point mode and factory defaults (save data is not erased).
- Re-enable WiFi: Press and hold the left button on the device to attempt re-connection to the associated WiFi.
VMC Compatibility: Supports raw Memory Card images with a ".mc2" extension, allowing interchangeability with emulators as long as files have no extra headers.