P1POPStarter DocsRecovered preservation manual
Setup Storage Reference Archive

docs/MASTER KNOWLEDGE DRAFT.md

Rendered local archive file: docs/MASTER_KNOWLEDGE_DRAFT.md

Source file#

docs/MASTER_KNOWLEDGE_DRAFT.md

POPStarter Master Knowledge Draft#

Definition#

POPStarter is a launcher that allows PS1 games to be played on a PS2 in combination with Sony's PS2 POPS emulator, known as POPS or SLBB-00001.

Important legal boundary:

  • POPStarter rev13 does not include the Sony emulator or Sony libraries.
  • Documentation and site must not redistribute or link directly to Sony binaries such as POPS.ELF, POPS.PAK, POPS_IOX.PAK, or IOPRP252.IMG.
  • It is acceptable to document where the user must place legally obtained files.

Final known version#

Final public beta:

  • r13 Beta 2019/06/05
  • Compiled with USB drivers dated 2019-01-14.
  • One or more broken commands were fixed; sources mention $IGR5 may have been fixed in this last beta.

Feature set to document#

  • Internal HDD support
  • USB support
  • SMB support
  • CDDA support
  • Virtual Memory Cards / VMC
  • In-Game Reset / IGR
  • Hotkeys
  • Cheat engine
  • Special commands via CHEATS.TXT
  • Automatic PAL/NTSC fixes
  • 480p mode, with compatibility warning
  • HDTV/component display workaround via $HDTVFIX
  • Widescreen / ultra-widescreen / eyefinity hacks
  • Multi-disc support via DISCS.TXT
  • Shared VMC across discs via VMCDIR.TXT
  • IRX loading
  • BIOS/OSD handlers
  • Debug mode
  • uLE_kHn / wLE_kHn launcher
  • POPSLoader modern launcher
  • BDM Assault exFAT USB driver substitution
  • Hugopocked game fixes

Documentation principle#

The rebuilt site must not just copy old docs. It should be:

1. Source-preserving

  • Store original excerpts and URLs.
  • Keep original-language snippets where useful.
  • Add English explanation.

2. Workflow-oriented

  • A user should choose:
  • storage backend
  • launcher frontend
  • whether they need BDM/exFAT
  • whether they need multi-disc/shared VMC
  • whether they need IGR/exit behavior
  • Then receive a precise layout.

3. Reference-grade

  • Separate command table.
  • Separate patch table.
  • Separate source inventory.
  • Separate troubleshooting matrix.

4. Confidence-tagged

  • High = multiple sources or primary author/source confirms.
  • Medium = one strong source or user-tested but not independently confirmed.
  • Low = scattered forum memory, dead-link reference, or single anecdotal report.

High-priority research gaps#

  • Exact "disable ELF loader" patch/command/file name.
  • Exact contents of POPSTARTER_MC-Network.zip.
  • Exact contents of POPSTARTER_MC-Network_BDM.7z.
  • Whether poweroff.irc in user notes is typo for poweroff.irx.
  • Full PATCH_X.BIN mapping.
  • Full TROJAN_X.BIN mapping.
  • Full compatibility mode mapping.
  • Full hotkey list.
  • Full debug mode behavior and how to create reproducible reports.
  • Old ASSEMblergames posts around page 118, page 123, and post IDs referenced from PSX-Place.
  • Whether Retro-Jogos has mirrored individual pages under predictable slugs.
  • Whether Archive.org item contains markdown/html for 2017 and 2020 snapshots.