The new proposed "VM2" from Chris at DreamMods.net

[MGB]

Hi.

I just got my VM2 yesterday and was having lots of weird problems until I switched SD cards. Originally I had used a 2GB card, I got a faster class 1 32GB card to work, using another 2GB the problems returned.

So I wanted to ask if there are specific requirements, like speed / class for the VM2. Using a 32GB card is wasteful but the 2GB ones seem to make switching modes (sleep) so slow it feels broken.

[chrisvcpp]

Hi,

There are no specific requirements for the SD card - except for up to 32GB and FAT32.

But, based in my tests (and other users feedback), using a Class 1 card gives the best results, as they perform better with the VM2 high=speed bus.

[RazorX]

VM2 & USB4Maple Organiser v0.11 Update (01/04/2025)

• Did some optimisation of the database and added more entries.

• Hid various categories from the 'Create VMU' and 'Add VMU' menu.

• Added more indie games and indie game covers.

• Did more tweaks to make sure the game id is the correct length for the right device.

[MGB]

A couple of other things.

First, is there (or could there be) a simple 1 click Backup/Restore function that would cover the entire VM2's SD Card? One of the main reasons I wanted one was to finally be able to backup my save files more easily. Of course you could copy the contents of the SD Card directly in Windows, but that messes with the GID folders it seems. I get you can do this on a piecemeal basis, but I just want to keep a backup that i know I can restore if something happens. Having to do that for 130+ VMU files is not ideal.

Thanks for your efforts on the GID functionality, life would suck without it. I am noticing a few games not doing what they are supposed too. For example these titles are listed as working, but the detection fails for me:

- NHL 2K2 (US)
- Sega Rally 2 (Jap)
- Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (Jap)

Is this just a limitation or is there some troubleshooting to try and fix this?

I seem to recall you mentioning this in the comments of the campain, but it would really, really help if the ordering of folders on the VM2 could be sorted or re-organised somehow into numerical order, it would make locating things much more predictable.

I also feel it would help if the F-Key would switch to scroll Up when at the bottom of a list or Down when at the top. Many times I've had to scroll in a direction that isn't possible, in order to switch to the direction I needed. Perhaps the logic here could be tweaked to reduce it's usage to the bear minimum it would make life easier.

[ateam]

First, is there (or could there be) a simple 1 click Backup/Restore function that would cover the entire VM2's SD Card? One of the main reasons I wanted one was to finally be able to backup my save files more easily. Of course you could copy the contents of the SD Card directly in Windows, but that messes with the GID folders it seems. I get you can do this on a piecemeal basis, but I just want to keep a backup that i know I can restore if something happens. Having to do that for 130+ VMU files is not ideal.

Directly copying the entire contents of the microSD to a folder on your computer should 100% work. Likewise, so should restoring said folders by copying them back. Any issues you're seeing are likely to be related to problems with either your computer, your microSD, or the way you're performing these actions. There is nothing special about the files/folders on a VM2 microSD. It's exactly the same as copying/pasting files/folders from any other storage device in Windows.

I have done these backup/restores numerous times. What specific problem are you seeing?

That being said, you can use RazorX's new "VM2 Organiser" to perform backup/restore, as well as other tasks.

viewtopic.php?t=18315

I seem to recall you mentioning this in the comments of the campain, but it would really, really help if the ordering of folders on the VM2 could be sorted or re-organised somehow into numerical order, it would make locating things much more predictable.

Before ejecting your microSD from computer, run it through SD Sorter to perform what's called a "FAT sort". After this, folders will be in alphanumeric order when displayed on the VM2 menu.

https://www.trustfm.net/software/utilit ... e=Download

[MGB]

I did it once, copying the folders back to the SD Card in numerical order, so the folder timestamps would put them in order. It did this, but when I checked the uSD page in the GUI Tool, the folders had changed from Blue (GID Mod) to Greenish-Yellow (GDEMU/OpenMenu).

I'll try it again, since that was when I was having problems elsewhere. Although taking the mSD card out of the VM2 to perform such operations is not ideal, because it's a bugger to get the cards in and out, I am having to use a tool to get in there. Since it's got a USB-C port, wouldn't be all that terrible if it could be mounted as a Mass Storage device when plugged in to save that niggle.

I'll take a look at the two apps you suggested, sounds like they will be useful.

[ateam]

Since it's got a USB-C port, wouldn't be all that terrible if it could be mounted as a Mass Storage device when plugged in to save that niggle.

Yeah, would be nice for sure.

I have one of these handy on my desk to eject the microSD: https://arcadeshock.com/cdn/shop/produc ... 1491816977

[chrisvcpp]

I'm already looking into this and probably next FW update, along with other QOL features, will also include automatic alphanumeric sort of the SD root.

[RazorX]

A couple of other things.

First, is there (or could there be) a simple 1 click Backup/Restore function that would cover the entire VM2's SD Card? One of the main reasons I wanted one was to finally be able to backup my save files more easily. Of course you could copy the contents of the SD Card directly in Windows, but that messes with the GID folders it seems. I get you can do this on a piecemeal basis, but I just want to keep a backup that i know I can restore if something happens. Having to do that for 130+ VMU files is not ideal.

Thanks for your efforts on the GID functionality, life would suck without it. I am noticing a few games not doing what they are supposed too. For example these titles are listed as working, but the detection fails for me:

- NHL 2K2 (US)
- Sega Rally 2 (Jap)
- Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (Jap)

Is this just a limitation or is there some troubleshooting to try and fix this?

I seem to recall you mentioning this in the comments of the campain, but it would really, really help if the ordering of folders on the VM2 could be sorted or re-organised somehow into numerical order, it would make locating things much more predictable.

I also feel it would help if the F-Key would switch to scroll Up when at the bottom of a list or Down when at the top. Many times I've had to scroll in a direction that isn't possible, in order to switch to the direction I needed. Perhaps the logic here could be tweaked to reduce it's usage to the bear minimum it would make life easier.

my software for the vm2 has a one click backup and restore for the full sd card as ateam suggested, it will also show you cover art and the names for each vmu you have on there etc

[MGB]

I'm already looking into this and probably next FW update, along with other QOL features, will also include automatic alphanumeric sort of the SD root.

Cool.

Thanks so much for all your work on this project. Ditching 12 VMUs for one has really made life easier after 25 years with Dreamcast. It's probably one of the most annoying aspects of having a large library of games. So I'm really glad to finally have my VM2.