› ›

Wrong TAPs in some games

JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
edited August 2008 in Infoseek database
KING ARTHUR'S QUEST: The TAP file don't include the aditional levels that TZXs do.

MAX HEADROOM: TAP file don't have the aditional level of side B. TZX, yes.

CALIFORNIA GAMES: TAP don't work in 'Flying Disk' level.

INFILTRATOR: The TZX file has a level (38512 bytes) and the TAP file don't have this level.
Post edited by JuanF. Ramirez on

Comments

  • Philip KendallPhilip Kendall
    edited August 2008
    In the same vein, the Head over Heels TAP file is corrupt (in Book World). However... I'm not sure what you're proposing we should do about these; unless the current TAP files just don't run at all, they're better than nothing.
  • JuanF. RamirezJuanF. Ramirez
    edited August 2008
    Philip Kendall wrote: »
    In the same vein, the Head over Heels TAP file is corrupt (in Book World). However... I'm not sure what you're proposing we should do about these; unless the current TAP files just don't run at all, they're better than nothing.

    The only propose is warn you about these TAPs and, if possible, replace them in the next WOS archive update.
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2008
    The incomplete and broken images can (and have been) tagged as such in the database, so it shows up in the "origin" field next to the download.
    This tag doesn't "do" anything project wise, unless we only have a TAP file (in which case they turn up on the MIA list), so we can only hope someone sees it and provides a better or more complete image.
    JuanF. Ramirez wrote: »
    The only propose is warn you about these TAPs and, if possible, replace them in the next WOS archive update.

    Sadly we don't have anything to replace them with. Someone will need to create those improves TAP files, after all. ;)
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2008
    Philip Kendall wrote: »
    In the same vein, the Head over Heels TAP file is corrupt (in Book World). However... I'm not sure what you're proposing we should do about these; unless the current TAP files just don't run at all, they're better than nothing.

    I can tag this one too, but am currently unsure which of the 2 TAP files you refer to (the 48K or 128K version of the game). Could you please let me know which one?
  • FrankTFrankT
    edited August 2008
    Is there a way of listing all these tagged bad TAP files, with an advanced search?

    Its the sort of thing I like doing when I have some spare time. Making my own unprotected TAP's that is.
    WIP Tritone Demo
    My ZX Art Music Page
    Carlos Michelis Theme
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited August 2008
    Dumbe questione (because I don't know enough about converting) ... if the TZXs are complete versions, can't they just be converted over to TAPs?

    And if so, is it just a question of getting the assistance with converting them?
    And if so2, please list some quick instructions here or point to instructions elsewhere (on how to properly convert them to however WoS wants them as).
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2008
    FrankT wrote: »
    Is there a way of listing all these tagged bad TAP files, with an advanced search?

    There's no way to retrieve a list of these TAP (or Z80) files with any query, but perhaps I could manually search for these.
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2008
    ZnorXman wrote: »
    Dumbe questione (because I don't know enough about converting) ... if the TZXs are complete versions, can't they just be converted over to TAPs?

    This is possible, but only if it's a ROM-based loader (i.e. unprotected, standard loading). Such information is reported at the entry where identified: if it's the same loading scheme for all versions, it's reported in the regular details, if it's release specific, it's reported at each download.
  • LCDLCD
    edited August 2008
    A gifted cracker can surely change the code to mane a TAP Version of TZX. In fact it is very simple. Just find the code to load the levels/game, use is to load this data, then save using ROM routines (CALL 1216 decimal, if I remember correctly), then change the original loader to CALL 1366, and that's all I think. A bit problematic are the more advanced and scrambled loaders like Speedlock and Alcatraz. I never managed to crack these.
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2008
    These are all titles currently flagged with at least 1 broken or incomplete file:

    - Archers, The (Mosaic Publishing Ltd, 1987)
    - Arnhem (CCS, 1985)
    - Astro Blaster (Quicksilva Ltd, 1983)
    - Battle Ships (Encore, 1988)
    - Batty (Hit-Pak, 1987)
    - Black Magic (US Gold Ltd, 1987)
    - Bomb Jack II (Elite Systems Ltd, 1987)
    - California Games (US Gold Ltd, 1987)
    - Curro Jimenez (Zigurat Software, 1989)
    - Dead Ringer (Reaktor, 1987)
    - Defender (Blaby Computer Games, 1982)
    - How to be a Hero (Mastertronic Added Dimension, 1987)
    - Ikari Warriors (Elite Systems Ltd, 1988)
    - Infiltrator (US Gold Ltd, 1986)
    - King Arthur's Quest (Hill MacGibbon, 1984)
    - Kopierprogramm (D. Kraus, 1983)
    - Lancelot (Mandarin Software, 1988)
    - Lazarus (Claw, 1998)
    - Loco (Alligata Software Ltd, 1986)
    - Lodicky (Handsoft, 1987)
    - Mozg Procesor (Computer Adventure Studio, 1989)
    - North & South (Infogrames, 1991)
    - Nu, Pagadi (Spectrum Omega Software, ?)
    - Out of This World (Reaktor, 1987)
    - Peperami (Rasputin PD, 1992)
    - Peter Novak (Flash Inc, ?)
    - Pluggit (Blaby Computer Games, 1984)
    - Pneumatic Hammers (Firebird Software Ltd, 1987)
    - Pub Games (Alligata Software Ltd, 1986)
    - Randex (R.A. Soft, 1996)
    - Sootland (Zafiro Software Division, 1988)
    - Space Racer (Loriciels, 1988)
    - Special Corpus (Ivan Gudkov, 1996)
    - Spooky Castle (Atlantis Software Ltd, 1991)
    - S.T.I. (Bug-Byte Software Ltd, 1988)
    - Through the Trap Door (Piranha, 1987)
    - Tootie Fruity (Dream Software Ltd, 1983)
    - Total War (Thomas' Software, 1992)
    - Turrican II (Rainbow Arts, 1991)
    - Uridium (Hewson Consultants Ltd, 1986)
    - Worms (Silicon Brains Software Ltd, 1997)
    - Zipi y Zape (Dro Soft, 1989)

    Note that some are snapshots. We would prefer TAP images where possible.
    Many thanks in advance if you are able to help reduce the list!
  • Philip KendallPhilip Kendall
    edited August 2008
    aowen wrote: »
    Back before ZXSP added TZX support I was interested in doing something about the .TAPs, but are there really any platforms that can't handle TZXs now?

    The Spectrum (via DivIDE or similar) :-)

    Also, TAPs may be better for some mobile platforms - while on a PC, the typical emulator behaviour of "run at full speed" means that TZXs load in a "short" time, that doesn't happen nearly so well on a much less powerful mobile platform.
Sign In or Register to comment.