SGD V1.36 Documentation - World Of Spectrum Classic

Please note this content is from the original WoS site, and may no longer be relevant. If you have any queries, please contact us.

This program may be used for maintenance purposes of your ZX Spectrum programs.

It can be used in conjunction with the eight leading PC Spectrum emulator programs: `Z80′, `JPP’, `Warajevo’, `X128′, `WSpecEm’, `ZX’, ‘Spanish Spectrum emulator’ and `ZX-32′ and knows all about .Z80, .TAP, .MDR, .VOC, .SNA, .SLT, .LTP, .SNP, .SEM, .SP, .TZX and .SCR files.

STANDARD DISCLAIMER

This program is provided “as is”, without any warranties, nor an indication that it will fit the purpose.
S.G.D. has been tested on a lot of systems, including ‘286, ‘386, ‘486, ‘486DLC and Pentium machines (even emulators), with ISA, VLB and PCI causing no problems. If you want to use this program, though, you do so at your own risk. This means that it is extremely unlikely to damage your system, but if the unthoughtful event DOES happen, you will be on your own. ThunderWare Research Center can and will accept no claims whatsoever.

This program is neither public domain nor shareware: it’s freeware.
This means that anyone is allowed to distribute and use the program, but all copyrights are still owned by ThunderWare Research Center.
You can therefor not request any money from anyone for copying this program, apart from the expenses made for the media onto which it has been copied. You are granted explicit permission to put SGD on a CD-ROM.

Remember you can always freely obtain the latest version from The World of Spectrum, at:

https://worldofspectrum.net/

Or you can try:

https://worldofspectrum.net/pub/sinclair/tools/pc
ftp://ftp.nvg.unit.no/pub/sinclair/utils/pc

If you want Spectrum software, have a look at the largest official Spectrum archive on the internet, The World of Spectrum:

https://worldofspectrum.net/
https://worldofspectrum.net/pub/sinclair

INDEX

1. REQUIREMENTS

In order to be able to use this program you will need the following resources:

For the 16-bit real mode version:

HARDWARE:
- A 80286 or better processor,
- A (Super)VGA card with at least 256Kb,
- A mouse with a fully Microsoft compatible driver (Microsoft compatibility version 6.26 or up),
- At least 2Mb of memory,
- At least 610Kb of free conventional memory, or 550Kb if (enough) upper memory is available.
SOFTWARE:
- (MS)DOS 5.0 or better,
- An XMS driver (e.g. HIMEM or QEMM) with XMS version 2.0 or higher,

For the 32-bit protected mode version:

HARDWARE:
- A 80386 or better processor,
- A (Super)VGA card with at least 256Kb,
- A mouse with a fully Microsoft compatible driver (Microsoft compatibility version 6.26 or up),
- At least 4Mb of memory,
SOFTWARE:
- (MS)DOS 5.0 or better,
- A copy of the free DOS/4GW runtime.

Additionally, you will need:

Loads of Spectrum games 🙂
One of the supported emulators if you want to play the games.

2. IMPORTANT NOTES

If you want to use options that are not yet in your configuration file, simply start SGD, choose `Config’ and `Save’. This writes the configuration file back, but with the new options added (at their default values).

If you use the emulator `Z80′ and the 32-bit version of SGD, please read the section `Notes on Using the Z80 Spectrum Emulator‘.
If a fatal error occurs, you will be asked if an attempt should be made to rescue the database (if it had been changed). If a successful attempt was made, the database will be in the file `GAMES.SAV’.
You must rename this file to `GAMES.DAT’ yourself before restarting.
If the following fatal error occurs after writing back a changed database: `Could not install new database’, or `Could not remove old database’, the version just written will have an extension `.TMP’ (in the same directory as the old database).
You must rename this file yourself before restarting.
Since v1.35, SGD runs perfectly well in a Windows DOS box. Special considerations are:
- Set variable `NoLocalMouseHiding’ in TAPER.INI to `On’ (if running NT);
Although this program runs fine in a DOS-box from Windows, this is not the recommended setup, as the Spectrum emulator doesn’t like Windows that much (and neither should you)! Also see the Troubleshooting section on Windows.
Make sure you allow use of the upper memory area, as this frees a large amount of precious conventional memory.
When you choose to validate the database, remember that using a diskcaching program (such as SMARTDRV) will do miracles.
The maximum filesize for a game is currently 7 digits. Please let me know if you have larger (`.VOC’) files and you want to include them too.
Unlike a certain well-known Microsoft product, this GUI allows dragging and resizing while the window is being updated at the same time (try dragging the percentage requester). And no, it wasn’t hard to implement…

Some options (eg. poking a game) need a temporary directory to be defined.
In DOS, you define this with the command (in your AUTOEXEC.BAT)
```
  SET TMP=[path]
```
Windows users will probably have a `TEMP’ setting instead.
SGD will look for `TMP’ first. If this is not set it will look for `TEMP’. If neither one is set, it will use the SGD directory.
If you start SGD from a floppy or CD-ROM, you MUST have one of `TMP’ or `TEMP’!
If you want some real speed, create a RAM disk and make `TMP’ point to it.
The 16-bit version has a limit of 32767 entries per database, the 32-bit version can have as many entries as memory permits (up to 2 million…)

3. GETTING STARTED

You are encouraged to read this entire document before starting on your first database, so you will understand the steps.

Start SGD without a [databasename]. This will start using the default name ‘GAMES.DAT’.
Click on the `Config’ button. In the upper right corner of the configuration window, you will see a block `Emulator’.
1. The topmost option is `Emulator Type’. Select the type of emulator you will be using.
2. The option right below it is `Emulator Path’. Use the browse button to the right of this field to select the starting command of your emulator.
Now select button `Save’ to save this setup, and select `Use’.
The configuration window will be closed.
For more information about the configuration window, refer to `The Configuration’ further in this document.

Press the right mouse button and keep it pressed. You will see the menu strip at the top of the screen.
While keeping the right mouse button pressed, move you mouse over the left menu option `Database’. The menu will expand. While still keeping the right mouse button pressed, move to the submenu option `Search For Games’.
When your mouse pointer is over this option, release the right mouse button. (For more information about the menu strip, refer to `The Menu Strip‘ further in this document).
You will now have a filerequester on your screen.
Use this filerequester to browse to the (first) directory where you put your Spectrum games, then select `Ok’.
SGD will now search this directory and all subdirectories for Spectrum games and ask you which ones should be included into your database.
If you have more directories with games, repeat this step.
Click on the `Save’ button on your screen.

Congratulations! You have your very first ready-to-run database now!

As you will see, the left window has a list of all games you included. All games that cannot be played with the emulator you set up in the first step are printed in red.
You can now either double-click on a name in the left window, or click once and click on the `Play’ button to start playing each game.

The game list is composed of the game filenames, without extensions. This works perfectly well, although you will probably want some more descriptive names (say, the full game’s name).
This has to be changed manually (of course).
To change a name, click on the game entry you wish to rename (left window).
The right window is used to show/edit information about this particular game. The topmost field, `Name’, is what you are looking for. Click on this field to get a cursor and type the name you want. When you’re done, either use the [TAB] or [ENTER] key. The name in the left window will have changed as well, and will automatically be sorted into place.

4. SYNTAX

To see what syntax is available, use SGD -?

To start the Spectrum Games Database, use the syntax

  SGD [-cX] [-p] [-w] [-s] [-m ] [-u] [databasename]

Option `-cX’ (or `/cX’, `-CX’ or `/CX’) is used if you are upgrading your database.
Use -c1 to convert from version 1.07 or below
Use -c2 to convert from version 1.09 or below
Use -c3 to convert from version 1.17 or below
Use -c4 to convert from version 1.21 or below
Use -c5 to convert from version 1.29 or below
Use -c6 to convert from version 1.30 or below
Use -c7 to convert from version 1.35 or below
All databases 1.10 and up will be auto-converted, so options `-c3′, `-c4′, `-c5′, `-c6′ and `-c7′ are not required.

Option `-p’ is used to disable the load/save percentage bar, which is useful if you have a slower computer or a really slow video card.

Option `-w’ is used to disable MS Windows `multitasking’ if it is detected. It will be enabled again once you leave SGD. This should be used with caution. This option works on Windows 3.x in enhanced mode and on Windows95.
Of course, programs run from the shell (such as a ZX Spectrum emulator) will still detect that Windows is running and act accordingly, but emulation will be a lot faster and more accurate.
This option should not be used when using the `WSpecEm’ or `ZX-32′ Spectrum emulator!

Option `-s’ disables use of a Soundcard. Use this if your machine crashes on soundcard detection, or if you don’t want SGD to lock your soundcard under Windows.

Option `-m’ disables handling of a software Mixer on the detected soundcard. Use this option only if your machine cannot handle this.

Note: the 16-bit version does not have soundcard support at all!

Option `-u’ disables use of upper memory.
It is not used in the 32-bit version.

The [databasename] may be omitted, which is defaulted to `GAMES.DAT’. If you want to use a different database, remember that any rescued database is ALWAYS named `GAMES.SAV’ in the SGD directory!
Any database printed to a file will get extension `.OUT’ and will be in the same directory as the database itself.

5. THE SCREEN

The screen is set up in a 640x480x16 resolution and contains two windows. The left window holds the Spectrum games stored in the current database file, the right window is the description window that contains information on the game that is currently being selected.

The game information window (the right window) contains the following fields:

Name	Name of the game.
Year	Year of publication.
Publisher	Publisher of the game.
Memory	Possible values are “16”, which means it’s a 16K game, “48”, which means it’s a 48K-only game, “128”, which means it’s a 128K-only game, “48/128”, which means it can be loaded in both 48K and 128K mode. (this value is printed as “4/1”). The selected emulator memory type is 48K for values “16” and “48”, 128K for values “48/128” and “128”;
# Players	Number of players that can participate.
Together	If more than one player, can all players play at the same tinme?
Score	How well do you like the game?
PC-Name	Filename of the game and size of the file.
Type	Descriptive game type.
Joysticks	Supported joysticks.
Language	Message language of the game.
Orig Screen	Does the snapshot (tapefile) have the original loading screen?
Improve	Should you look for a better snapshot?
AY-Sound	Does the game have AY sound?
MultiLoad	Does the game load extra parts (levels)? “yes” means the game is multi-load in either 48K or 128K, “48K” means the game is multi-load only when loaded in 48K mode, “no” means the game is not multi-load at all. Also refer to `MultiLoad Games‘ further in this document.
Override	Use a different emulator for this specific game than the one you defined in your configuration. Use “none” to use the set up one. Some games simply don’t run on your favorite emulator. Using an override will keep you from constantly changing your config.

The lower part of this window is used for the `Screen’, `List’ and `ScrShot’ button output.
At the bottom of this window is the name of the current database printed, together with a checkmark if the database has been changed.

The order of emulator selection for a game is (strongest first):

Override button attached to the entry,
Extension Link as set up in the configuration,
The default emulator as set up in the configuration.

The fields in this window can also be selected with the [TAB]/[ENTER] keys.
[TAB] cycles clockwise, [SHIFT] + [TAB] cycles counter-clockwise.

Between these two windows you will find the following buttons:

Add	Add an entry to the database. After filling in the name of the game, the new entry will be sorted into the database.
Del	Delete the game that is currently selected. Note that the game will only be removed from the database, the game file itself will be left alone. Confirmation is asked if this is set in the configuration.
Write	Write the database back to disk. This is also done if you leave the application.
Reload	Re-read the database from disk.
Print	Print the database to the printer. You will find a `Select’ button in the print requester to configure which fields (and in what order) are to be printed.

Play

Play the selected game in the selected emulator.

If the game is not in a snapshot file, you will have to type LOAD “” first to load the game.
`.MDR’ files are put into microdrive 1.
128K games use the 128K Spectrum.

Poke

Play the selected game, but insert cheat-pokes first.

Config	Configure the application.
Shell	Shell out to DOS. Notice that the application consumes only 2Kb of conventional memory 🙂 WARNING: you must not start TSR programs from within the shell, or the application will not be able to swap back in! If MS Windows multitasking has been disabled, it is still disabled while you’re in a shell.
Quit	Stop.

Screen	Find and display the Spectrum screen contained in the game. If the game is in a tape file, the first screen in the tape is taken.
List	TAP files: creates a catalog of the tape (see below for format); MDR files: creates a catalog of the microdrive cartridge, very much like you type `CAT 1′ on the Spectrum (see below); If the cartridge is write protected, this is reported in blue after the cartridge name (first line). Z80 files: gives some information as found in the header. SNA files: gives nothing, as nothing interesting can be found in the header! SLT files: as Z80 files, but also reports some information about the extension blocks.
ScrShot	View a saved screenshot (.SCR) file. See `Game Screenshot Files‘ for more information. SLT files only show a screenshot if it is included in the snapshot (as extension).

Info	View the game information file (see below).
EdInfo	Edit the game information file in a separate task.
EdPoke	Edit the game pokes file (see below).

Help	View this file.
About	Shows an about box.
SysInfo	Shows some system information.

The buttons can be selected in two ways:

1. By clicking on them,
2. By pressing [ALT] + the underlined character.

You can make a snapshot (GIF image) of the full screen at any time by pressing [CTRL][Print Screen]. In each session, the first screen dump will be called SDUMP001.GIF, the next SDUMP002.GIF etc.

When a Spectrum screen is being displayed, you can press [ALT][G] to convert this image to a GIF file, which will be created in the directory you assign in the configuration file (`GIFPath’ value). The name of the image will have the same PC-name as the game, with extension `.GIF’

6. FILL-IN FIELDS

The fields `Name’, `Publisher’, `Year’, `Players’, `Score’, `PC-Name’ and `Type’ can be edited. Click on it to get a cursor. The keys are:

[CURSOR LEFT]	One char left;
[CURSOR RIGHT]	One char right;
[HOME]	Go to the start of the box;
[END]	Go to the end of the box;
[BACKSPACE]	Delete the character before the cursor;
[DEL]	Delete the character under the cursor;
[INS]	Toggle insert/overstrike mode (the startup mode is set in the configuration window);
[ENTER]	Accept the input and elect next button;
[TAB]	Accept the input and elect next button;
[SHIFT][TAB]	Accept the input and elect previous button;
[ESC]	Restore and stop editing;

[CTRL] and one of:

[CURSOR LEFT]	One word left;
[CURSOR RIGHT]	One word right;
[HOME]	Go to the start of the input field;
[END]	Go to the end of the input field;
[DEL]	Clear the entire input field.
B	Clear start of input field up to the cursor;
E	Clear from the cursor to the end of the input field;
W	Clear from the cursor to the start of the next word;

Any ASCII character inserts the character.
The fields `Year’, `Players’ and `Score’ only accept numerical characters.
If you start editing, overstrike or insert mode is selected depending on the configuration.

You can use `{‘ and `}’ sequences in the `Name’ field (see `The Game Information File’ for a list) to alter the appearance of the name in the select window. For example, you could use `{B’ to make the entry appear in bold.
These sequences are ignored when using the typed-name feature and when printing the database.

I usually use the `Type’ field as follows:

Arc	for arcade games;
Adv	for text adventure games;
Arc/Adv	for arcade adventure games;
Sim	for simulation games;
Str	for strategy games;
Spo	for sports games;
Brd	for board/card games;
Lrn	for learning ‘games’;
Dem	for games demos;
Bld	for `building’ software for games (e.g. The Quill);

7. SELECTING A GAME

Games are selected from the left window. The current game’s name is inverted. To select another game, either move the slider and click on it with the mouse or use the keys:

[CURSOR UP]	Move one game up;
[CURSOR DOWN]	Move one game down;
[PAGE UP]	Move a page up;
[PAGE DOWN]	Move a page down;
[INS]	Play the game;
[CTRL][HOME]	Move to the first game;
[CTRL][END]	Move to the last game;
[CTRL][INS]	Toggle the `selected’ status of the game.

If the configuration option ‘Always select game’ is turned on, the right window (description window) will change accordingly as you move around.

If you have set up a selection criterion, you can use the key [CTRL] with

[CURSOR UP]	Move one selected game up;
[CURSOR DOWN]	Move one selected game down;

To toggle the `selected’ status of a game with the mouse, hold down [CTRL] or the middle mouse button (if you have a 3-button mouse) while clicking on the game name.

You can toggle the `selected’ status of an entire range of games at once (with the mouse only!) by selecting the entry at the beginning of the range and then selecting the last entry in the range while pressing [SHIFT].

`Selected’ games are printed with a cyan background.

The slider can be used as follows:

Pick up the slider and drag it to the position you want;
Hold down [CTRL] or the middle mouse button and click somewhere on the slider bar to set the slider to that position directly;
Click above the slider to go up a page (repeated while pressed);
Click below the slider to go down a page (repeated while pressed);
or use the arrow gadgets to go up/down a line (repeated while pressed);

You may also use the Typed-Name feature: Start typing the name of the game. Each time you add or delete a character, the database will be searched for the closest match to a game name. The selection bar will be on that entry.
Pressing [ESC] or selecting the entry will clear the typed-name box.
Note that you do not have to insert spaces or other typographical characters; these are ignored when matching.

Games that can not be played in the currently used emulator are printed in red.

When you double-click a game name, the game is automatically started.

8. THE SELECTION CRITERION

At the bottom of the left window is a box with an `S’ before it. This is the box where you can enter your selection criterion. Fifteen different criteria are included, which use the following names:

Name	Is	Type
NM	Name	(AlphaNum)
PU	Publisher	(AlphaNum)
YR	Year	(Num)
ME	Memory	(Num)
PL	Players	(Num)
TO	Together	(Bool)
PC	PC-Name	(FileName)
TP	Type	(AlphaNum)
PB	PlayBit	(Bool)
OS	OrigScr	(Bool)
IM	Improve	(Bool)
AY	AY-Sound	(Bool)
ML	MultiLoad	(Bool)
FD	FloppyDisk	(Num)
LN	Language	(AlphaNum)
SC	Score	(Num)

The syntax is simple:

AlphaNum	types are followed by `=’ or `!=’ (or ‘<>’) and a string, in which the wildcard characters `’ and `?’ may be used; If you want to use characters `’ or `?’ or `,’ but not with their special meaning, insert a `\’ before it. (For example `\?’ is no wildcard, but a `real’ question mark)
FileName	types are handled almost the same as AlphaNum types, but follow the (extended) DOS convention for wildcard handling.
Num	types are followed by `>’, `<‘, `=’, `>=’ , `<=’ or `!=’ (or ‘<>’ ) and a number;
Bool	types are followed by a `=’ and a `Y’ or `N’.

Lettercase is not important.

NOTE: ‘not-equal-to’ can be given as both ‘!=’ (C-style) or ‘<>’ (BASIC-style).

The single wildcard `*’ in a string can be used to find empty fields, e.g.

   pu=*  will find all entries with publisher field filled in, whereas
   pu!=* will find all entries with an empty publisher field.

Empty numerical fields are defaulted to 0, so

   yr>0  will find all entries with year field filled in, and
   yr<1990 will find all entries with year field filled in, released before 1990.
   yr=0  will find all entries with an empty year field.

The PlayBit value is not really a database field. It checks the `playable’ bit in the select window (which makes the entry red if not set).

The FloppyDisk value can be used to find out which games are located on a particular floppy disk. Use ‘fd=0’ to find all games NOT on a floppy.

The MultiLoad value returns TRUE if the game value is either “yes” or “48K”.

The Memory value is a bit tricky. The values are defined as follows:

“16”	returns 16
“48”	returns 48
“128”	returns 128
“48/128”	returns 176

So, to find all games that can be loaded in both 48K and 128K, use criterion

   me=176

To find all games that are played in 128K mode, use

   me>=128

To find all games that are played in 48K mode, use

   me<=48

Multiple criteria are joined with a `,’ character (no spaces!). For example:

  yr>=1985,pl=2,to=y,pc=*.tap,os=y

will select all games since 1985 that can be played by two players together, that are in tape files and contain the original loading screen.

– Games that cannot be played with the selected emulator are printed in red.
– Games that match the criterion are printed with a cyan background.

Apart from using the criterion, you can (de)select entries by hand: press [CTRL] or the middle mouse button (if your mouse has 3 buttons) while clicking on a game.

If you pass an empty selection criterion, all files will be deselected.

9. THE CONFIGURATION

The configuration window holds the following items:

Remap Bright Black	Should the ULA bug be matched and should bright black be displayed as dark black?
Emulate Flash	If turned on, flash is emulated when drawing Spectrum screens.
Slow Flash	Normally, flashing is done every 16/50th of a second (as the Spectrum itself does). If you have a slower computer or video card, this may result in loss of responsiveness. In this case, you should turn this option on, in which case flashing is reduced to a third of the time (just under a second). Both these options can be toggled from the menu strip.
Confirm Quit	User must confirm quit?
Confirm Delete	User must confirm delete?
Confirm Overwrite	If turned on, SGD will ask for confirmation when a file is about to be overwritten (except the database itself).
Follow Slider	If turned on, a combo window will be updated while you move the slider bar. If turned off, only the slider bar will be updated while moving; the result will be printed when you release the mouse button. This option should be turned off for slower computers only.
Edit Insert	Sets the initial edit mode for startup of edit buttons. Checked means insert mode, cleared means overstrike mode.
Always Backup	If this option is turned on (the default), SGD will make a backup of the database the first time that a new version is to be written. This file will have extension `.BAK’ This option can be temporarily overridden from the menu.
Always Validate	If turned on, will auto-validate the paths of all games in the database after a (re)load or import. The default is `off’. This option can be temporarily changed from the menu. Be careful: it can take quite some time to validate if you have a large database.
Always Cheat	Will link the `Play’ button to the `Poke’ button if turned on. This option can be temporarily changed from the menu.
Pick Best Screen	If turned on, will link the `Screen’ button to the `ScrShot’ button if a screenshot file was found. (ie. overrides the screen in a snapshot). This option can be temporarily changed from the menu.
Start Button	Can take the following values: 0 : Disable this option (default). You will want this option disabled if your games are on floppies; 1 : Start with the `Screen’ button pressed; 2 : Start with the `List’ button pressed; 3 : Start with the `ScrShot’ button pressed;
Disable Sounds	Disable all sounds from SGD. Be careful: this does NOT turn off the sounds from the emulators (unless `Z80′ or `X128′ is used)!
Emulator Type	Type of emulator: `Z80′, `JPP’, `WARA’, `X128′, `WSPE’, `ZX’, `SPAN’ or `ZX32′. The displayed emulator is the `default’ emulator, which is used unless the `Emulator Override’ field (highest priority) or an `Extension Link’ (lower priority) is set.
Emulator Path	Full path to the emulator of the chosen type. If you use a `.BAT’ file, which will start the emulator in turn, make sure you pass all the parameters “%1” etc too!
Additional Switches	Additional command line switches to be passed to the emulator of the chosen type. `Z80′ seems to have problems with some of them this way.
Game Info Editor	The file name of the editor to be used when the `EdInfo’ button is pressed. The extension (.COM/.EXE/.BAT) must be given too! If this is a batch file, “%1” holds the information file name. If the editor is not in the current directory nor in the search path, the full path must be supplied.
Printer	1 for LPT1, 2 for LPT2, 3 for LPT3. 0 is used to print to a file instead. The name of the file will have the same name as the database, but with an extension `.OUT’
Lines Per Page	The number of lines per page that the printer uses.
Blanker Installed	Use the blanker?
Blanker Time-Out	Number of seconds of non-keyboard/mouse activity before the blanker activates.
Extensions Links	Here you can link a specific file type to a specific emulator. For example, if your normal emulator is `Z80′, it cannot play `.SP’ files. You could use the override button in the main screen for every single entry, or simply link the type to a more suitable emulator (such as the `Spanish Spectrum Emulator’).

Button `Save’ will save the current configuration, `Reload’ will load the configuration back from disk.
You must explicitely press the `Use’ button (or the close gadget or the [ESC] key) to leave the configuration window.

9.1. THE CONFIGURATION FILE

The file SGD.INI holds the above configuration. Other values are:

DragOutlineOnly	If turned on, will update only the window’s outline while a window is being dragged. This should only be turned off if you have an extremely fast processor and video card (as most windows reside in XMS)
ResizeOutlineOnly	If turned on, will update only the window’s outline while a window is being resized. This should only be turned off if you have an extremely fast processor and video card (as most windows reside in XMS)
StableFloppies	Assume that Spectrum software on floppies stays there. When turned on (default), SGD will not ask to insert a floppy when you select a game. It will ask for it when you press a button (Play, Screen, List, ScrShot, Info and EdInfo). When turned off, SGD will ALWAYS want the correct floppy in the drive.
PreLoadResources	Load all font files at startup when set. This will save some floppy swapping when running SGD from floppies and will prevent SGD from getting out of memory a bit.
DirectVideoControl	Do not use the RIL if one has been detected. This will speed up all screen functions, but can cause a messed up screen if your video card cannot handle it.
SwapInTextMode	If set, swapping out sets the video mode to MODE 80, no matter what the startup video mode was (when exiting SGD, the original video mode is restored). At least `Z80′ needs this or will generate an EMM386 exception error…
NextFloppyDiskId	This is the next floppy number to be used. You should NOT edit this field by hand!
UseGeniusMouseHiding	If turned on, will use the old-style Genius mouse hiding function. Turn it on only when you have a Genius mouse driver with version 7.02 or below. This is no longer needed in the 32-bit version.
NoLocalMouseHiding	If turned on, will always fully hide the mouse when a request is made to hide in a specific range. This should only be used when you have a really weird mouse driver (e.g. in Windows NT) that messes up the screen. It will slow down the GUI considerably, unless the 32-bit version is being used.
ForceMouseRelease	To be used only if you have a weird mouse that seems to be lost (doesn’t work in a next application) if you quit.
SwapMouseButtons	If turned on, will swap the left and right mouse buttons.
SnapMouseDefault	Turn it on if you want the mouse to move to the default button if a window/requester is drawn or if an edit button is finished with the [ENTER] key (Default is off).
DoubleClickInterval	The maximum time elapse in milliseconds between two mouse clicks to be recognised as a double-click.
InitialContPushDelay	The initial delay in milliseconds when keeping a continuous push button pressed (e.g. the arrow buttons on sliders).
GIFPath	The directory where the GIF files of the Spectrum screen images (created with [ALT][G]) will be stored. You can put GIF files in a directory relative to your games by inserting a `$’ character before the path name. For example, if you use only `$’, the GIF files will be put in the same directory as the game. If you use `$GIF’, the files will be put in a subdirectory `GIF’ from your game location.
Z80SnapNeedsTape	This string is searched for at the end of the game name if this game is in a `.Z80′ or `.SNA’ file and the chosen emulator is Z80. See `MultiLoad Games‘ further in this document.
Z80SnapNeedsVOC	Does the same as Z80SnapNeedsTape, but when the rest of the program is in a `.VOC’ file. See `MultiLoad Games‘ further in this document.
ForceSnapJoystick	Normally, SGD will pass the (first) selected joystick in the Game Information Area to the game to be played. `.Z80′ and `.SLT’ type games don’t allow this and will always use the joystick as set in the snapshot. Turn this option on to patch the game (into the TMP directory) with your selected joystick when playing.
Z80TapesOnly	Turn this option off if you have both `.TAP’ files created with Z80 and `.TAP’ files created with Warajevo. The default is on (only Z80). (see below)
ValidateAtEmulChange	If turned on, when changing emulator, SGD will also test if the game is actually there as part of the `playable game’ determination.
AlwaysSelectGame	If this option is turned on, SGD will always select the game appointed in the game select window. The default is `On’. You will want to turn it off if you have a slower computer. This option can be temporarily overridden from the menu.
PhonebookSorting	If turned on (default, as it was with all previous versions), the sorting of titles is done with an algorithm known as `phonebook’ or `dictionary’ sorting: only alpha-numerical characters are considered when sorting. Spaces, commas, etc are skipped. If this option is turned off, every character is considered while sorting. The `typed name’ feature uses the same algorithm. If you change this option, you will want to use the `Resort database’ menu option.
Compressor	The compression program to be used when using the `Compress games’ option from the menu strip. (see below)
CompressOptions	Any options needed by the above compression program. If more than one option is needed, the argument must be quoted.
AddLanguage	Add a language to the `Language’ drop-down list; (see below)
UseCustomPalette	See `Using a Custom Palette‘ below.
CustomColorXX	See `Using a Custom Palette‘ below.
GameDir	All the directories where games from the database are found. GameDir entries are automatically inserted if you select files from the file requester.

This file can be edited with any ASCII editor, but is also rewritten if you change the configuration.

10. THE MENU STRIP

SGD has a menu strip a la Amiga. For users unfamiliar with the Amiga, I’ll explain how it works with the mouse:

To use the menu strip, press the right mouse button. You’ll see the strip at the top line of the screen;
While keeping the right button pressed, move it to one of the words in it.
A roll-down menu will appear;
While still keeping the right mouse button pressed, move the mouse over the menu entry you wish to activate. Entries with an `>>’ at the end have a submenu attached;
When the mouse highlights the entry you want, release the right mouse button;
If you don’t want one of the options, move the mouse somewhere in the void and release the right mouse button there.
Some menu entries have key shortcuts. These are shown at the end of a line.

It can also be controlled with the keyboard:

[F9]	start/stop the menu;
[ESC]	stop the menu;

While only a menu is shown, without any option highlighted, use:

[CURSOR LEFT]	One menu section left;
[CURSOR RIGHT]	One menu section right;

Otherwise:

[CURSOR UP]	One option up;
[CURSOR DOWN]	One option down;
[CURSOR LEFT]	Enter submenu (if available);
[CURSOR RIGHT]	Leave submenu;
[PAGE UP]	Go back to the top (menu name);
[PAGE DOWN]	Go to the last option;
[ENTER]	Activate the highlighted option.

The menu strip has the following entries:

1. Database

New

Remove the current database from memory and start with an empty one. You will be asked to save first if you changed anything;
Notice that the database name will be `NONAME.DAT’. When saving a new database, you should use the menu option `Save As…’ to give it a proper name.

Open …

Remove the current database from memory and open a new one. You will be asked to save first if you changed anything;

Save As …

This menu has a submenu:

All	Save the entire database to a new file;
Selected	Save only the selected entries to a new file;

Print

This menu has a submenu:

All	Prints the entire database (the same as the button);
Selected	Prints only the selected entries;

Import database

Join another database in memory. The new database will be simply added, so the result will be unsorted.
Afterward, the selection bar will be on the first imported line.

Resort database

Resort the database. All entries will be sorted by game ame. This option is generally needed when you import a database or if you change the `PhonebookSorting’ configuration option.

Validate database

This menu has a submenu:

All	Validate the entire database;
Selected	Validate only the selected entries of the database;

Compress games

This menu has a submenu (see below):

All	Compress all games in the database;
Selected	Compress only the selected games of the database;

Search for games

After giving a starting directoy, SGD will search the directory and all subdirectories for games.
The raw PC-Name will be used as game name.
`GameDir’ entries are automatically added.

Find new games

You will get a requester to select which `GameDir’ directories are to be searched for game files that are not yet in the database. All found games can be added to the database. If you check the button ‘Use File name as Game name’, the raw PC-Name will be used as game name.
Be careful: it can take quite some time to search if you have a lot of new games and/or a large database.

View screenshot

This allows you to view a `.SCR’ file. A separate window will be opened with a `Make GIF’ button attached. Created GIF files will be put in the same directory as the `.SCR’ file, no matter what value you used in the `GIFPath’ configuration!

Backup database

If checked, will create a backup of the `old’ database before writing a new one (to temporarily override the `Always Backup’ option from the configuration window).

Auto-validate

If turned on, will auto-validate the paths of all games in the database after a (re)load or import. The default is `off’. Be careful: it can take quite some time to validate if you have a large database.

Quit

Guess…

2. Edit

Delete selected

Remove all selected entries at once.

Invert selected

Invert the selected games – selected games are now deselected and vice versa;

Duplicate Entry

Duplicate the currently selected entry;

Create GIF-file

Convert the currently displayed Spectrum screen image to a GIF file, which will be created in the directory you assigned in the configuration file (the `GIFPath’ value). The name of the image will have the same PC-name as the game, with extension `.GIF’

Create SCR-file

Convert the currently displayed Spectrum screen image to a screenshot file, which will be created in a subdirectory `SCRSHOT’. See `Game Screenshot Files‘ for more information.
This option is disabled when the `ScrShot’ button on the screen is active, unless an `.SLT’ file is being handled. An `.SLT’ file creates a `.SCR’ file which will not be viewable from the `ScrShot’ button (as this button takes the screenshot as found in the `.SLT’ file itself).

Fix TAP-file

Remove noise parts (blocks with zero length) from the selected game `.TAP’ file.
Z80 crashes when it encounters such a block and it’s not nice to have noise anyway.
This option is meant for Z80-style `.TAP’ files only!

View BASIC-part

View the BASIC part from the snapshot. The listing is shown in a separate window, together with 2 buttons:
Drop Colors – Remove the colors from the output;
Remap UDGs – Use UDGs as they are in the snapshot.
The 32-bit version has a `Save’ button attached as well.
Look at the subject `Saving BASIC Blocks further in this document.

View SCREEN-part

View the SCREEN part from the snapshot. (see `.TAP Catalogs‘ below about this window)

View memory dump

View the snapshot or selected TAP/MDR block as a memory image dump in both HEX and ASCII.

TZX options

This menu has a submenu:

Insert Hardware Type	Insert and edit a `Hardware Type’ block;
Edit Hardware Type	Edit the appointed `Hardware Type’ block;
Insert Archive Info	Insert and edit a `Archive Info’ block;
Edit Archive Info	Edit the appointed `Archive Info’ block;

Call TAPER

When the current game resides in a tape file, the external program TAPER can be started to edit the tape file or play it to a real Spectrum. (see `Using TAPER in Conjunction with SGD‘ below)

3. System

Disable sounds	Turn all sounds from SGD on/off. Has the same purpose as the command line option `-q’.
Sound volume	Set the volume of the soundcard. This adjust the sound volume of emulators that use a soundcard (e.g. `X128′). This option is only available in the 32-bit version.
Emulate flash	Emulate flashing characters when drawing a Spectrum screen (see `The Configuration File‘ for details).
Slow flash	Slow down the flashing timer to a third. (see `The Configuration File‘ for details).
Always cheat	Link the `Play’ button to the `Pokes’ button. (see `The Configuration File‘ for details).
Best screen	Link the `Screen’ button to the `ScrShot’ button. (see `The Configuration File‘ for details).
Always select	Always select the appointed game when using the keyboard (see `The Configuration File‘ for details).

For those people who might wonder why you could possibly need more than one database, I use six databases:

TEXTADV.DAT	For all text adventures;
GAMES.DAT	For all other games and demos of games;
DEMOS.DAT	For all other demos;
UTILS.DAT	For all utilities;
EDUCATIO.DAT	For all educational software;
MISC.DAT	For all cheats, spoilers and tapezines;

11. .TAP/.LTP CATALOGS

A tape file reports the following information per file:

(Expanded) Spectrum file name;
Type of file: PROG, CODE, A-AR, N-AR, HEAD, ????;

Depending on the type:

PROG (Program)	Auto-start line or —– if none;
CODE (Code)	Startaddress of the code;
A-AR (Alphanumerical Array)	–
N-AR (Numerical Array)	–
HEAD (Headerless block)	The Flag byte;
???? (Unknown block)	The Type byte;

Length of the block.

Tape catalogs are of course printed in the original Spectrum font.
Blocks with zero length are reported as being noise (multiple blocks are reported only once).
You can remove this noise with the menu option `Fix TAP-file’ (under `Edit’).

When a tape index is on the screen, you can double-click on a block if it is of type CODE or HEAD. This opens a window where the selected block is displayed as though it was a screen. This window also contains a `Make GIF’ and `Make SCR’ button. To close it, you must either press [ESC] or use the close gadget. This is useful for tape files that contain multiple screens. A lot of tapes also have a screen with some bytes following it (remember that a Spectrum screen is 6912 bytes), so it cannot be found when you press the `Screen’ button from the main screen. This option allows you to still watch that screen!

The `Make SCR’ button is used to make the shown screen a screenshot file, which can be shown from the main window with the `ScrShot’ button. Notice that you cannot handle the tape combo window from the keyboard, as this would conflict with the Game Select Window.

Sometimes, the startaddress of the block is not exactly the startaddress of the Spectrum display area. I have some `.TAP’ files where some bytes before this address have been saved as well. This results in a `shifted’ picture. You will find a fine-adjust thingy in the window where you can adjust this offset.

If you double-click on a PROG block, a window is opened where you can view the BASIC listing (of course in the original Spectrum font).
The color attributes can be removed, so you can view it all.
UDG characters are in a different font and underlined, so you can see them easily.
The 32-bit version has a `Save’ button attached as well. Look at the subject `Saving BASIC Blocks‘ further in this document.

12. .MDR CATALOGS

A microdrive file reports the following information:

Name of the cartridge, followed by an empty line. If the cartridge is write protected, reports `(Write protected)’ in blue after it;
Per file on the cartridge:
1. (Expanded) Spectrum file name;
2. Type of file: PROG, CODE, A-AR, N-AR, ????;
3. Depending on the type:
  
  PROG (Program) Auto-start line or —– if none;
  
  CODE (Code) Startaddress of the code;
  
  A-AR (Alphanumerical Array) –
  
  N-AR (Numerical Array) –
  
  ???? (Unknown block) The Type byte;
4. Length of the block (Unless type ????).
The files are sorted alphabetically (like the original);
Hidden files are reported in red.
An empty line, followed by the empty space in K, rounded down.

Microdrive catalogs are of course printed in the original Spectrum font.

Just like the .TAP indices, you can select blocks to view (see right above).

13. .TZX CATALOGS

The new tape file format .TZX stores the tape blocks in exactly the same way as the original tape. This makes the format the ultimate storage choise.
All types of blocks are supported, including informational blocks.
SGD doesn’t handle all these types, as that’s what `TAPER’ is for.
Contrary to TAP/LTP/MDR file types, blocks are reported splitted into header and data.

Header blocks are reported (in black) with the following info:
1. (Expanded) Spectrum file name;
2. Type of file: PROG, CODE, A-AR, N-AR, ????;
3. Depending on the type:
  
  PROG (Program) Auto-start line or —– if none;
  
  CODE (Code) Startaddress of the code;
  
  A-AR (Alphanumerical Array) –
  
  N-AR (Numerical Array) –
  
  ???? (Unknown block) The Type byte;
4. Length of the block (Unless type ????).
(Pure) Data blocks are reported (in black) with the length of the block.
All other special types are reported in blue, between brackets.
Where interesting, the length of the block is reported as well.

Just like the .TAP indices, you can select blocks to view (see right above). This is done by clicking on the data block rather than the header block.
If the accompanying header suggests a BASIC block, the data will default to BASIC view. Otherwise the default will be screen image view.
Informational blocks (in blue) cannot be displayed (yet), except blocks `Hardware Type’ and `Archive Info’.

There’s also a special submenu for TZX files under `Edit’.
The `Archive Info’ block editor is special in that it is able to import/export field data from/to SGD’s entry data.

14. THE GAME INFORMATION FILE

You can add information files to your game files. It has the same name as the game file, but with extension `.TXT’ and is to be found in a subdirectory `INFO’.
For example: A game with full path:

    c:\spectrum\game.z80

will have an info file:

    c:\spectrum\INFO\game.TXT

This file can contain any information you like, such as:

Goal of the game;
Playing keys;
Ratings, etc.

The file is shown if you press the `Info’ button and can be edited/created if you press the `EdInfo’ button. The editor to be used must be supplied in the configuration window. Before the editor is started, a test is done if the `INFO’ subdirectory exists. If it does not exist yet, you will be asked if it should be created.
Lots of Spectrum game files from the internet have an information file added. Just check the extension and you can view this file!
An information file uses the following format:

The length of each displayed line is 80 characters (special codes are not counted). If a line is longer, it wraps (at word boundaries) to the next line.

Special codes can be inserted to control color and attributes of the characters in the file:

{B	Start bold printing;
{I	Start inverted printing;
{U	Start underlined printing;
{T	Start italics printing;
{L1	Start ink-blinking (PC-style);
{L2	Start invert-blinking (Spectrum-style);
{+n	Change the foreground color to color n (see below);
{++	Restore the foreground color;
{+-	Change the foreground color to the background color;
{+*	Change the foreground color to the bright color;
{+/	Change the foreground color to the non-bright color;
{-n	Change the background color to color n (see below);
{–	Restore the background color;
{-+	Change the background color to the foreground color;
{-*	Change the background color to the bright color;
{-/	Change the background color to the non-bright color;
}B	End bold printing;
}I	End inverted printing;
}U	End underlined printing;
}T	End italics printing;
}L	Turn blinking off;
}N	Restore all variables, this is the same as }B}I}U}T}L{++{–

All other `{‘ and `}’ sequences loose their sequence character, so you should use:

{{	To get a single `{‘ character (`}{‘ will also do), or
}}	To get a single `}’ character (`{}’ will also do).

If you select both bold and italics, the result will be bold only.
Chosing a blink type automatically ends the other blink type.

Color values may take the values (* def. fore-, # def. background):

	COLOR	VALUE	COLOR	VALUE
*	Black	0	Dark grey	8
	Blue	1	Light blue	9
	Green	2	Light green	A
	Cyan	3	Light cyan	B
	Red	4	Light red	C
	Magenta	5	Light magenta	D
	Brown	6	Yellow	E
#	Light grey	7	White	F

Please note that this is in VGA order, not Spectrum order!

The following key-equivalents are available while viewing this file:

[CURSOR UP]	Go one line up;
[CURSOR DOWN]	Go one line down;
[PAGE UP]	Go one page up;
[PAGE DOWN]	Go one page down;
[ESC]	Stop viewing.

SLT files use an extension to store this information within the snapshot file itself.
It is currently NOT possible to edit this, as the format is still undecided.

I used the format proposed by Damien Burke:

A line is max 64 characters in length;
End-of-line is done with a single CR (as with e.g. Tasword)
Bold is done by surrounding a string with `<B>;’ and `</B>;’ sequences;
Underline is done by surrounding a string with `<U>;’ and `</U>;’ sequences;

As soon as the format to be used is decided on, I’ll adjust to this.

If no information object is present in a .SLT file, you can set up a normal information file (in the usual format) which will be used as usual.

15. THE GAME SCREENSHOT FILE

You can add a screenshot file to your game files. It has the same name as the game file, but with extension `.SCR’ and is to be found in a subdirectory `SCRSHOT’. For example: A game with full path:

    c:\spectrum\game.z80

will have an info file:

    c:\spectrum\SCRSHOT\game.SCR

Screenshot files can be created in different ways:

From within Z80. Press F10, choose `X – Extra options’ and `Save screen or memory block’. Be sure to use the same name as the snapshot. You will have to move the created file into the screenshot directory yourself.
While viewing a game screen (the `Screen’ button pressed): select menu entry `Make SCR-file’ ([ALT][K]);
While viewing a TAP block image: select button `Make SCR’.

Before a screenshot a created, a test is done if the `SCRSHOT’ subdirectory exists. If it does not exist yet, you will be asked if it should be created.

As a lot of snapshots miss their loading screen, the `Screen’ button will not display it for you. This option allows you to still maintain these screens. I found a lot of games on the internet have a screenshot file in the archive, which can be viewed in this manner.

SLT files use an extension to store this information within the snapshot file itself.
If no screenshot object is present in a .SLT file, you can set up a normal screenshot file which will be used as usual.

If you turn the `Best screen’ configuration option on and you created a screenshot file, this file will be displayed as well when you press the `Screen’ button, thus overriding a possibly ugly multifaced screen.

16. THE GAME POKES FILE

You can add a pokes file to your game files. It has the same name as the game file, but with extension `.POK’ and is to be found in a subdirectory `POKES’. For example: A game with full path:

    c:\spectrum\game.z80

will have an info file:

    c:\spectrum\POKES\game.POK

Pokes files are created with the `EdPoke’ button on the main screen and can (only) contain the famous multiface pokes.

A lot of poke types need more than one poke operation to be done, so the pokes window is set up as follows:

On the left side are all poke descriptions,
On the right side are all pokes that are needed to fullfill the currently selected poke description.

The following values are needed for a poke:

The memory bank;
48K machines did not have banks, so this field is ghosted when you create a pokes file for such a game.
128K games need this field to find out into which bank it should go.
Notice that SGD will automatically insert the correct value when you give the address. You only need to change it by hand if explicitely mentioned.
The address (must be >= 16384 of course);
The poke value to activate the poke;
To the right of this button is a cycle button. If you press this button, the value will change to `ASK’. This means that SGD will ask for the value when you start the poked game (`Poke’ button). This is useful for pokes such as startlocations or the number of lives you want.
The original value, which de-activates the poke;
This value can be retrieved from the snapshot by pressing the `Fetch’ button next to this field.
Notice that SGD will automatically fetch the correct value when you give the address.

To update a description or poke, just double-click the entry.

Once you have set up a pokes file, you can start a game in two ways:

The ordinary way, with the `Play’ button or double-clicking, or
With the `Poke’ button (just below the `Play’ button).

When you press the `Poke’ button, you will get a new window, containing all pokes descriptions you entered. You can select the pokes you want to be active in the usual way and then press the `Play’ button in this window.
The game will then be copied to your `TMP’ directory (see the note on the `TMP’ directory) with all selected pokes active, the game is started and when you leave the emulator, the poked game is removed again.
All pokes with the Set field `ASK’ will be asked at this time. Cancelling this input requester will disable the poke.

Notice that all pokes that you did NOT select are poked at their Original value. This is because I have some games that were already poked when put on the internet (so the `Fetch’ key will provide you with the poke value). If you know the original value, this allows you to `remove’ these pokes you don’t want!

When you have the option `Always cheat’ on and start a game through `Play’, cancelling the poke select requester will allow you to play the game without any pokes.

Important notes:

You can only use pokes on snapshot files (`.Z80′, `.SNA’, `.SNP’, `.SEM’, `.SP’ and `.SLT’) and not on any other type (`.TAP’, `.LTP’, `.VOC’, `.MDR’ and `.TZX’), as these cannot be poked beforehand;
Notice that you can create a pokes file for these types. If one is found, the `Poke’ button will be kept ghosted, but the button text will be printed in normal font in stead if bold to indicate this.
It largely depends on the moment in the game when the snapshot was taken whether the pokes will work or crash the game.
I found quite a lot of snapshots that were taken immediately after the game was loaded, but the game auto-unpacks first (protection), so the pokes will not work yet. If you experience this, you should re-snap the game in a later point and use this snapshot instead (although you will usually have a worse looking snapshot…)
`.SLT’ files use an extension to store this information within the snapshot file itself.
It is currently NOT possible to edit this, as the format is still undecided. If no pokes object is present in a .SLT file, you can set up a normal pokes file which will be used as usual.

17. DATABASE VALIDATION

Each time you select a game or change the path to a game, the entry is re-validated. Validation includes finding the length of the file, finding and testing the consistency of the filetype and adjusting the `playbit’ of the game. You can force SGD to automatically re-validate each database as it is loaded or imported by turning on the `Auto-validate’ menu entry (temporarily) or the `ValidateAfterLoad’ option in the configuration file (permanent). You can also validate the current database by hand from the menu strip. (see above)
My guess is that you will not have to validate very often (probably never), and you should avoid it as much as you can, as it is a very timeconsuming operation. The only reason to use it is when you reorganize the locations of your game files.

18. GAME COMPRESSION

If you’re a bit like me and want to maintain an internet Spectrum archive, you will need to have your games compressed. This is done from the menu strip.
First you must define the compressor program to be used, in your configuration file (`Compressor’). If the compressor needs extra options, these can be defined as well (`CompressOptions’). The usual compressor will be PKZIP (copyright by PkWare Inc.), which is normally used on the internet.
A compressed game contains all material related to that game, i.e. if you had a screenshot or a game information file, or the next levels are in a `.VOC’ or `.TAP’ file or (level-loader) `.DAT’ files, these are all included in the archive.
When you select the compress option from the menu strip, you will see a requester where you must confirm the action. Be sure that you want to do it, as there is no way to back out once it has been started!
Each game is written to its own archive file, where the filename will be the game PC-name, with an extension depending on the used compressor.
The usual location for compressed games is in a subdirectory `ZIPPED’ from your games (like the `INFO’ and `SCRSHOT’ subdirectories). In the confirmation requester, you can choose a custom directory if this is not where you want them.

19. SUPPORTED FILE TYPES

Z80	.Z80 .TAP .MDR .VOC .SNA .SLT (.SCR .DAT)
JPP	.SNA
Warajevo	.Z80 .MDR .TAP .TZX (.TAP)
X128	.Z80 .TAP .MDR .VOC .SNA .SLT .TZX (.SCR .DAT)
WSpecEm	.Z80 .TAP .VOC .SNA .SLT .SEM .SP (.SCR .DAT) (also .ACH .PRG .SIT .SNX .RAW .ZX and .ROM !)
ZX	.SNA .SNP .TAP .LTP
Spanish	.SP
ZX-32	.Z80 .SNA .TAP .TZX

Notes

Z80 supports `.SLT’ from version 3.04
Warajevo supports `.MDR’ from version 1.50
Warajevo has its own `.TAP’ format, incompatible with Z80 (see below)
Warajevo can read .Z80 files through V3.00, but writes V2.01 files
X128 cannot save `.TAP’ files
X128 can read .Z80 files through V3.00, but writes V2.01 files
X128 supports `.MDR’ from version 0.5
X128 supports `.TZX’ from version 0.7
WSpecEm requires MS Windows
WSpecEm only supports 48K programs (expect 128K in the near future!)
ZX only supports 48K programs
Spanish Spectrum emulator only supports 48K programs
ZX-32 requires either MS Windows95 or MS Windows NT
ZX-32 supports `.TZX’ from version 1.02

19.1. NOTES ON USING THE `Z80′ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

Z80 is the only shareware emulator, but the emulation is so good that it’s well worth registering.
This emulator has a `-g’ (quiet) switch, which is also supported by SGD. Special considerations:

EMS should be installed as well, as Z80 needs it for better 128K emulation.
Be careful with the `-n’ switch (no Interface I). If you have this switch in your Z80.INI, you will not be able to play `.MDR’ files!
Z80 appears to have problems with switches on the command line (`Additional Switches’), so you should try to keep these in your Z80.INI
The 32-bit version of SGD always keeps about 60Kb in low memory, while I was able to reduce that to 2Kb for the 16-bit version.
As Z80 is a very low-memory-hungry emulator, make sure you enable EMS. You may also need to use the option `-xt’ (low on memory) option, but this only works when inserted into the file Z80.INI
Z80 and Windows95 do not go along very well (or is that just with SGD?), and I experienced some full crashes when starting Z80 if memory is low.
Please be careful.

19.2. NOTES ON USING THE `WARAJEVO’ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

The Warajevo ZX Spectrum Emulator is one of the new emulators. There are some important things to consider when you use this emulator though:

This emulator has 2 separate emulator executables: `SPEC48.EXE’ and `SPEC128.EXE’. When you setup the path to this emulator (From the configuration window or in the configuration file after `EmulatorPathWAR’), you MUST choose either one of these executables. Depending on your choise, SGD does the following:

SPEC128.EXE SGD will ALWAYS start the 128K Spectrum;

SPEC48.EXE SGD will start the 48/128 Spectrum depending on the memory type field of the game.
This emulator has a lot of (command line) options to improve emulation. Like the authors say in their documentation, each game will probably run best with a dedicated set of options passed.
SGD supports only 1 set of options (`Extra Options’). You should choose the best overall combination. You can also setup a configuration file (see the Warajevo documentation) which is used in the same way.
A lot of great features are lost when using SGD in stead of the database program supplied with Warajevo, but a lot of other features are returned. It’s up to you which one you decide to use.
I would like to stress that `.TAP’ files from Warajevo are NOT compatible with the `.TAP’ files from Z80 (as you usually find them on the internet)! SGD supports only the Z80 version, so don’t try to `List’ a `.TAP’ file created with Warajevo.
To reduce possible confusion, I created the configuration option `Z80TapesOnly’. If turned on (default), all `.TAP’ files on the database are considered created with Z80. You can not handle TAP files when you choose the Warajevo emulator. If turned off (must be set by hand), you are responsible for remembering which `.TAP’ files belong to which emulator.
You must turn the option off to be able to play `.TAP’ files with Warajevo.
You need version 1.5 to be able to play microdrive (`.MDR’) files.

19.3. NOTES ON USING THE `X128′ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

This emulator emulates a 128K Spectrum only. It was the first emulator that accepts the `.SLT’ file format, which SGD supports since v1.14
This emulator has a `/quiet’ switch, which is also supported by SGD. X128 doesn’t have options to preset a joystick, so only `.Z80′ and `.SLT’ type games can be forced to use a particular joystick (`ForceSnapJoystick’).
You need version 0.5 to be able to play microdrive (`.MDR’) files.
You need version 0.7 to be able to play `.TZX’ files.

19.4. NOTES ON USING THE `WSPECEM’ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

WSpecEm is the first Spectrum emulator to run under (any version of) Windows. Therefor, you cannot use command line switch ‘-W’ (disable Windows) if you want to use this emulator.
WSpecEm does not need command line options.
At the moment, WSpecEm emulates a 48K Spectrum only, but 128K emulation is to be expected soon. SGD does not disallow 128K games to be passed to WSpecEm. Please note that this emulator comes in two flavors:

For Windows95 and NT (32-bits):
This will pose no problems, as this Windows version will identify the emulator as a Windows program and act accordingly.
When the emulator is started, SGD will return immediately, allowing you to start more than one instance of WSpecEm 🙂
For Windows 3.x (16-bits):
If SGD tries to call this version, you will receive the error message “This program must be run under Microsoft Windows.” (argh!)
I heard of the existence of a (shareware?) VxD that allows to call a Windows program from a DOS box, but never found it.
If someone is able to pass me some info on this matter, please do!

WSpecEm doesn’t have options to preset a joystick, so only `.Z80′ and `.SLT’ type games can be forced to use a particular joystick (`ForceSnapJoystick’).

19.5. NOTES ON USING THE `ZX’ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

At the moment, only 48K Spectrums can be emulated.

19.6. NOTES ON USING THE `SPANISH SPECTRUM EMULATOR’

At the moment, only 48K Spectrums can be emulated.

19.7. NOTES ON USING THE `ZX-32′ SPECTRUM EMULATOR

ZX-32 runs under 32-bit Windows, either Windows95 or Windows NT. Therefor, you cannot use command line switch ‘-W’ (disable Windows) if you want to use this emulator.
ZX-32 does not need command line options.
ZX-32 doesn’t have options to preset a joystick, so only `.Z80′ type games can be forced to use a particular joystick (`ForceSnapJoystick’).
When the emulator is started, SGD will return immediately, allowing you to start more than one instance of ZX-32 🙂
You need v1.02 and up to be able to play .TZX files.

20. CONVERTING YOUR DATABASES

The database format has changed during 4 version updates, v1.30 being the last one at the moment. You must convert your `old’ databases with a command line switch:

Use `-c1′ to convert from version 1.07 or below
Use `-c2′ to convert from version 1.09 or below
(Use `-c3′ to convert from version 1.17 or below)
(Use `-c4′ to convert from version 1.21 or below)
(Use `-c5′ to convert from version 1.29 or below)
(Use `-c6′ to convert from version 1.30 or below)
(Use `-c7′ to convert from version 1.35 or below)

NOTES ON VERSION 1.09 AND BELOW

Converting should be done one database at a time.
Be sure NOT to use the `Load Database’ menu option within SGD to load the next database to be converted, as this doesn’t work!

NOTES ON VERSION 1.10 AND UP

Auto-conversion is provided, even when using `Import’ or `Load’ from the menu strip, so options `-c3′, `-c4′, `-c5′, `-c6′ and `-c7′ are not required.

The converted database will be written back immediately if this is the first database read.
The old, nonconverted version, is backed up first with extension .BAK Notice that this extension is the normal backup extension.

The current database format is:

Field        Start Length  Notes

Name             1     36
Year            38      4  Year-2000 compliant :-)
Publisher       43     36
Memory          80      3  Either one of " 16", " 48", "128" or "4/1"
# Players       84      1
Together        86      1  Only 'Y' if > 1 player, space otherwise
Joysticks       88      5  Shrunk leftward, order is 'K12CR'
PC-Name         94     12  The '.'s are aligned (raw name padded)
Type           107      7
PathIndex      115      3  Index number of the appropriate `GameDir' entry
FileSize       119      7  Is '+' if the size has more than 7 digits
Orig screen    127      1  'Y' if checked, space otherwise
Improve        129      1  'Y' if checked, space otherwise
FloppyId       131      4  Marked floppy number, or 0 for harddisk etc.
Emul override  136      2  -1 = none
                           0  = Z80
                           1  = JPP
                           2  = Warajevo
                           3  = X128
                           4  = WSpecEm
                           5  = ZX
                           6  = Spanish
                           7  = ZX-32
AYSound        139      1  'Y' if checked, space otherwise
MultiLoad      141      1  'Y' if multi-load in both 48K and 128K mode
                           '4' if multi-load only in 48K mode
                           ' ' if not multi-load at all
Language       143      3
Score          147      3  0  = not set

All fields are separated with 1 space, each line is exactly 149 characters. Numerical fields are aligned right, plain text fields are aligned left.

If you want to convert a database created with the `Warajevo ZX Spectrum Emulator’ to an SGD database, use the external program `CONVWARA’. If you want to convert a database created with the `ZX-Rainbow Project’ to an SGD database, use the external program `CONVRAIN’.

21. USING A CUSTOM PALETTE

If you dislike the choises I made for the colors of the Spectrum, or you are unable to see everything due to your (monochrome) monitor, or you just want to see how weird Spectrum screens (and SGD itself for that matter) can look, you can use a custom palette. The colors to be used must be set up in your configuration file and you must turn `UseCustomPalette’ ON.
The values `CustomColorXX’ are in Spectrum order and bright colors have 8 added to their number (eg. bright red has number 10).
The values used must be supplied in hexadecimal, preceeded by the tag `0x’ for clearity. Both upper and lower case characters may be used in the number.

For users unfamiliar with the hexadecimal system, you only need to be aware of the following simple rules:

While the decimal has base 10, hexadecimal uses base 16;
Digits above 9 are represented by letters starting with ‘A’, so `A’ = 10, `B’ = 11, `C’ = 12, `D’ = 13, `E’ = 14 and `F’ is 15.

The numbers themselves have the following format: `BBGGRR’, where
`BB’ holds the Blue color part,
`GG’ holds the Green color part,
`RR’ holds the Red color part.
As the chosen video mode has 6 bits/color, the largest allowed number in each part is 3F. In other words, the color 0x3F3F3F will represent the brightest possible white.

If you don’t like the changes you made and want to try again but forgot the original values, simply remove the `CustomColorXX’ values from your configuration file, start SGD, choose `Config’ and `Save’ to get fresh values.

22. USING LANGUAGES

By default, SGD ‘knows’ of 5 default languages that games were written in: English (Eng), Spanish (Spa), German (Ger), Polish (Pol) and Russian (Rus). If you click on the page gadget right after the `Language’ field, these are the languages presented in the drop-down list.
If a game is in a language different from any of these (for example, in Dutch), you cannot use the drop-down list, and have to edit the `Language’ field manually.
This can be annoying if you have a whole list of games from a specific country that is not included in the list.
For this purpose, there’s an option in the configuration file SGD.INI. The option is named `AddLanguage’ and the syntax is:

    AddLanguage = "xxx"

where ‘xxx’ is the 3-letter country-code you wish to use.
This option must be added manually by editing the file SGD.INI.
Once you added a language, it will appear in the drop-down list!
This option `AddLanguage’ can be used multiple times, to add multiple languages. The maximum is 255. Each language must be entered in its own line, such as

    AddLanguage = "Dut"
    AddLanguage = "Ita"

23. SAVING BASIC BLOCKS

The 32-bit version can save BASIC blocks of a program to ASCII.
The used filename will be the same as the game, but with extension `.BAS’, and the file will be put in the current directory.
The following conversions are used when saving:

Control codes:

Chars	Displayed as
00-05	“{XX}”, where XX is 2-digit hex, holding the value
06	tab
07-0C	“{XX}”, where XX is 2-digit hex, holding the value
0D	end of line
0E	skipped
0F	“{XX}”, where XX is 2-digit hex, holding the value
10-17	PAPER, INK, BRIGHT, FLASH, OVER, INVERSE, AT and TAB control characters are printed at e.g. “{PAPER x}”
18-1F	“{XX}”, where XX is 2-digit hex, holding the value

Normal codes:

20-7E	character it stands for
7F	“{(C}}”

Graphics:

80-87	“{-X}”, where X is 1-8 (the key to press)
88-8F	“{+X}”, where X is 1-8 (the key to press along with shift)
90-A3	“{X}”, where X is ‘A’ – ‘U’

BASIC tokens:

A4-FF

expanded token

The UDGs T and U are printed as token `SPECTRUM’ and `PLAY’ if a 128K listing is being written.

24. MULTILOAD GAMES

Lots of games load extra data while running. For example, several arcade games load next levels.
One of the ways to store these is a tape format such as TZX or TAP, the Super Level-loader Trap format SLT or the normal level-loader trap – a snapshot with a set of DAT files.

Several programs on the net come in the form “snap + TAP/VOC”. This allows for instant start of a game, while retaining the ability to load extra data. This setup is used so often that SGD has special options to support it. The only thing to note is that the snap and TAP/VOC filename MUST be equal. Only the extension may differ.

Note that only the emulator `Z80′ has the ability to select more than one filename, so only this emulator can handle MultiLoad games that reside in more than 1 file.

The following options are available:

Through a special string at the end of the game name field.This option is ‘prepared’ in the configuration file SGD.INI

Z80SnapNeedsTape

This string is searched for at the end of the game name if this game is in a `.Z80′ or `.SNA’ file and the chosen emulator is Z80. If it is found, the PC-file with the same name but extension `.TAP’ is inserted as a tape file as well. This is used for programs of which the first part is in a snapshot while the rest is in a tape. E.g.: `Professional Adventure Writer’ is in a `.Z80′ file while the character sets are in a `.TAP’ file on most internet sites. When this option is used, it will play `PAW128K.Z80′ and also insert the tape file `PAW128K.TAP’ I use the string “+TAP)” myself.

Z80SnapNeedsVOC

Does the same as Z80SnapNeedsTape, but when the rest of the program is in a `.VOC’ file. I use the string “+VOC)” myself.

Through the database field `MultiLoad’.If this flag is set (either `yes’ or `48K’) and the selected filename has extension .Z80 or .SNA, SGD will check if that filename is also available with extension .TAP or .VOC. If so, SGD will pass that file to the emulator as well.

23. USING TAPER IN CONJUCTION WITH SGD

First off, what is TAPER? TAPER is a tool to manipulate Spectrum tape files. It also gives you the possibility to ‘play’ the tape files to an actual ZX Spectrum, through a SoundBlaster compatible soundcard, parallel port interface or serial/parallel port network. It runs in the same GUI environment as SGD, so things will look pretty familiar.
It is being developed by 3 people: Tomaz Kac (who for instance developed the .TZX file format and wrote HypraLoader), Martin Kopanske (the very first registered user of SGD!) and me. You can download it from my site as well. In order to use this combination, the TAPER program files must be in the same directory as SGD.
When the currently selected game is in a tape file, you will see the menu entry `Call TAPER’ unghosted. Now, if you select this menu entry, TAPER is started as a subprogram of SGD, loaded with your tape file.
To use this feature, you MUST have TAPER version 1.02 or up and the 32-bit version of SGD (as TAPER is fully 32-bit as well).
If you selected command line option `-s’ (disable Soundcard) or `-m’ (disable Mixer), TAPER will be disabled accordingly. For more information about TAPER, have a look at its home base at https://worldofspectrum.net/taper.html

24. TROUBLESHOOTING

Q	When I return from SGD to DOS, or when I start a shell from within SGD, the screen does not have a cursor, but I see a cursor-like line somewhere in the void. The font seems to have changed too. What happened?
A	I encountered this problem so far only when using MouseWare from Logitech. If you use Logitech’s MouseWare, ensure that the VCI module `LVESA.OVL’ is loaded and cursor enhancements are off. To do this, edit your `MOUSEDRV.INI’ file. Look for the section `[Display]’ and ensure that a line `VideoModule=C:\MOUSE\LVESA.OVL’ is present (or whereever the `LVESA.OVL’ file resides). Now, if you load your mouse driver (possibly from your `AUTOEXEC.BAT’ file), load it with parameter `NOCENHANCE’.
Q	*The mouse makes a mess of the screen! I don’t like this at all!*
A1	You have a Genius mouse with a driver version 7.02 or below. Genius mouse drivers v7.02 and below have a different approach for mouse hiding. If you use one, weird things can happen. Yet, no harm is done by this to the application nor your computer. Two solutions are available: Get yourself a newer mouse driver, or Turn the option `UseGeniusMouseHiding’ on in the configuration file.
A2	You have a combination of an older (ISA) video card and an older mouse driver, which does not provide the RIL (Register Interface Library). Be sure that you turned the option `DirectVideoControl’ off in `SGD.INI’, as this disables the RIL. You can see if the RIL is present when pressing the `SysInfo’ button. If a RIL is present, you will see a line `RIL version : xxxx’ in the video section. If it is absent (or not used), you get `Control : Direct’ instead. You can solve this problem in the following ways: If you are running SGD in a DOS-box from OS/2, update the box’s parameters, so that compatibility mode is on. Use a newer, fully Microsoft compatible mouse driver, or Add the following line in your `CONFIG.SYS’: DEVICE = EGA.SYS This device driver also provides the RIL.
Q	*When I have SGD running, I can’t see what’s on the screen very well. Is there anything I can do about it?*
A	Yes, you can use a custom palette to create better color contrast. See `Using a Custom Palette‘ for details.
Q	*I print to a print queue (for example a Novell Netware captured LPT port). When I choose to print the database, it doesn’t work!*
A	SGD prints to the parallel port hardware directly. Queueing programs are unable to trap those operations. For this reason, I built LPT0: in the configuration. This will print to a file instead. Use this feature and print the file from DOS (or the shell) instead.
Q1	*I run TAPER from Windows 95/NT. The mouse cursor often stays in the ‘waiting’ cursor shape, until I move the mouse.*
Q2	*I run TAPER from Windows NT. The mouse cursor looks very weird.*
A	Although Windows is from Microsoft, the emulated mouse cursor in a DOS box is absolutely NOT Microsoft compatible! Talk about weirdos, eh! You should turn on the `NoLocalMouseHiding’ in the configuration file. This will solve the screen problems, although the mouse will still look weird in Windows NT. The problems with Windows95 are completely solved in the 32-bit version.
Q	*I run SGD from a Windows (95) DOS-box. When I start it, it complains about a missing mouse driver. I’m using my mouse without problems within Windows though!*
A	This is a common mistake. Windows and DOS each need their own mouse driver. The mouse driver from Windows cannot be used within DOS and vice versa. You should add a line in your `AUTOEXEC.BAT’ to activate a mouse in DOS (or type it on the command line before starting SGD). If you upgraded from Windows 3.x to Windows95, the install program from Windows95 removed this line from your `AUTOEXEC.BAT’ (or put `REM’ in front of the line) for no appearant reason, so you should add it back and write a hate-mail to Bill Gates.
Q	*When I run SGD from DOS, I get XMS version 3.0. But when I run SGD from a DOS-box in Windows 3.x, I get XMS version 2.0, although I didn’t change my XMS driver. How’s that possible?*
A	Windows 3.x uses an internal, enhanced (yeah, right) XMS driver, which overrides the driver you installed already. This driver is actually A LOT slower (that’s why they invented version 3.0!!!), but should work fine with SGD.
Q1	*When I load a database, I get the fatal error `Percentage is [>100%]’!*
Q2	*When I load a database, I get the fatal error `Database found corrupt while reading entry [XXX]’*
A	You have to convert your database to the new format of v1.30 Please read the section `Converting Your Databases‘.
Q	*I adjusted the volume level for the PC-Speaker, but hear no difference.*
A	You didn’t connect the speaker connector on the mainboard to the soundcard. The internal speaker’s volume cannot be altered by software.

25. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 16- AND 32-BIT VERSIONS

As for the capabilities of the program itself, there are not many differences. Both can handle almost the same things and run the same emulators, but most of the new options will appear in the 32-bit version only, as there’s no more available memory in 16-bit. There even is a high probability that maintenance of the 16-bit version will be discontinued for this reason.

In favor of the 32-bit version:

Doesn’t need much low memory,
Is quite a lot faster, especially with file and video I/O,
Is occasionally more stable (better compiler),
Can use all available memory (up to 2Gb virtual memory),
Has no limit on the number of entries in a database,
Can run TAPER from within SGD,
Allows adjusting the volume level of your soundcard,
Can save BASIC blocks to an ASCII file,
Runs perfectly within Windows95.

In favor of the 16-bit version:

Keeps less low memory in use when swapping out (e.g. to run an emulator),
Runs on a ‘286.

The 16-bit version is compiled with Microsoft C
The 32-bit version is compiled with Watcom C
The assembler parts for both versions are compiled with Microsoft MASM

26. THE CREDITS

I would like to thank the following people:

Sir Clive Sinclair for creating such a terrific machine;
Gerton A. Lunter for writing the remarkable Spectrum emulator `Z80′; (also for documenting everything so well, thanks!)
Arnt Gulbrandsen for writing the Spectrum emulator `JPP’;
Zeljko Juric and Samir Ribic for writing the excellent `Warajevo ZX Spectrum Emulator’;
James McKay for porting the Spectrum emulator `X128′ to DOS;
Rui Ribeiro for writing the Spectrum emulator `WSpecEm’;
Radovan Garabik and Lubomir Salanci for writing the Spectrum emulator `ZX’;
Pedro Gimeno for writing the `Spanish Spectrum Emulator’;
Vaggelis Kapartzianis for writing the Spectrum emulator `ZX-32′;
Damien Burke for including SGD in the official `Spectrum FAQ’;
Martin Kopanske for all his ideas and very detailed beta-reports;
Tomaz Kac for developing the excellent tape file format `.TZX’, being a co-developer of TAPER and for the new database fields `MultiLoad’, `AY-Sound’ and the changed `Memory’ field;
Jeroen J. Kwast of ThunderWare Research Center for writing one of the Spectrum emulators on the Amiga and for being such a critical beta-tester;
Gerard Mulder for his enthusiasm and being my second beta-tester;
Frank Vierstra for being my third beta-tester;
Claus Jahn for his excellent Spectrum database program `ZX Rainbow’ and for providing me detailed information about his database file format;
All my external beta-testers;
Lex Klaassen for his idea of a marked floppy system;
Bruno Del Frate for his idea of the joystick pre-selection;
Leigh C Hartley for his suggestions regarding the `Language’ selection;
Ronald Raaijen for several suggestions;
Camille van der Heide for mentioning his ideas for improvement;
Getronics Networks & Services for allowing my Spectrum archive on their net;
The folks at the Netverksgruppa for maintaining this huge Spectrum archive at www/ftp.nvg.unit.no and for having SGD in their archive.
All those people who maintain WWW pages and archive sites for the Spectrum;
All those people who made snapshots of games and gave them away!

27. HOW TO CONTACT ME

Contacting me can be done in only two ways at the moment, by mail and e-mail. If you have suggestions for improvement (bug reports are also welcome… 😉 write an e-mail or an oldfashioned snail-mail letter to:

  ThunderWare Research Center
  to: Martijn van der Heide
  Cederstraat 56
  2565 JR - The Hague
  The Netherlands

Enjoy!

Martijn van der Heide
Software Development Engineer
ThunderWare Research Center

SPEC128.EXE	SGD will ALWAYS start the 128K Spectrum;
SPEC48.EXE	SGD will start the 48/128 Spectrum depending on the memory type field of the game.