ePSXe configuration guide (Ubuntu Linux)

[ShendoXT]

Note: This guide was made for Ubuntu 13.04, x64 although it may work on other distributions there is no guarantee.

Required files:

• ePSXe package, which you can download from the official page.
• Various dependencies. Installation will be explained later in the guide.
• Video, Sound and Input plugins. Note: 3rd party input plugins are optional since ePSXe has an internal one.
  • New archives are missing some GPU-related plugin files so you will need to download this alternate archive.
• PlayStation BIOS. You need to dump the BIOS from your console.
  You can also check out this thread for the other dumping method.

Getting started:

Unpack ePSXe to some directory on your computer.
You should get these files:

• bios directory
• cfg directory
• cheats directory
• docs directory
• memcard directory
• patches directory
• plugins directory
• snap directory
• sstates directory
• keycodes.lst
• ePSXe executable

Download Plugins and unpack them to plugins directory.

Video:

• P.E.Op.S soft for 2D games
• Pete's XGL2 GPU for Geforce FX and higher, Radeon 9500 and higher
• Pete's MesaGL Plugin for Nvidia Geforce cards (any type) and ATi Radeon (any type)

Important: Put all cfg files into the cfg directory.

Sound:

• P.E.Op.S Linux OSS SPU plugin.

Pad:

• Omnijoy.
• PadJoy.

Un-UPX ePSXe executable:
Since ePSXe is UPX compressed there was some trouble running it in the past.
Since there is no reason to have ePSXe UPS compressed I recommend that users simply uncompress it.

sudo apt-get install upx-ucl
cd /your_epsxe_dir
upx -d epsxe

Install dependencies:
Make sure that you have the latest updates for your linux distribution, as many required dependencies will already be installed.

Open terminal and write the following:

wget http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/g/gtk+1.2/libgtk1.2_1.2.10-18.1build2_i386.deb
wget http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/g/glib1.2/libglib1.2ldbl_1.2.10-19build1_i386.deb
wget http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/g/gtk+1.2/libgtk1.2-common_1.2.10-18.1build2_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Start the ePSXe:
When you start ePSXe a main GUI will be displayed.



Hint: You can also start ePSXe from the terminal to see the log which makes troubleshooting a lot easier.

Configure the plugins:
Video plugin - Go to Config -> Video, select a plugin you want to use and press Configure.



Sound plugin - Go to Config -> Sound.
Cdrom plugin - Go to Config -> Cdrom.
Pad plugin - Go to Config -> Game Pad or Ext. Game Pad.

Select the BIOS:
When you get the BIOS put it in the bios directory.
Go to Config -> Bios, press select and browse for the BIOS file.


Configure memorycard:
Go to Config -> Memory Cards.
Enter the memorycard's name and the next time you start ePSXe the card will be created.
If you want to use some existing memorycard just press Select and browse for it.


Configure Gamepads:
Go to Config -> Game Pad and select a pad number you want to configure.
If you want to use external pad plugin then go to Config -> Ext. Game Pad.

Note: If you want to play 1-2 player games make sure that Multitap option is turned off.


Test run:
After you have configured everything you need to check if ePSXe is working properly.
Go to File -> Run BIOS.
If everything is ok press ESC and proceed further if not take a look at the FAQ.


Run a game:
There are two basic ways to play the game, off the original disc or from the ISO.
It is recommended that you make an ISO of the game because the game will perform smoother.
If you get any problems refer to the Troubleshooting FAQ.

Game disc: Go to File -> Run CDROM.
ISO: Go to File -> Run ISO.

Change a disc:
If you are playing a game that has more than one disc you will have to switch discs during the gameplay.
When the game asks you to change the disc press ESC and go to File -> Change Disc, if you plan to play the other disc
from Cdrom then choose CDROM and if you plan to play from the ISO choose ISO.


Close the emulator:
After you are done playing press ESC and close the emulator from the GUI.
The most common mistake that users do when playing in widowed mode is to press the "X" button, that way is not good because ePSXe is still running and the memorycards are not updated.


Additional:

Savestates:
F1 - save a state.
F2 - change slot (5 slots are available).
F3 - load a state.

It is recommended to have a memorycard save also because savestates tend to get corrupted.

Games are running too fast:

Command lines:
Start a Terminal, cd to ePSXe's dir and add the command line at the end.

 /home/username/epsxe160lin$ ./epsxe -noauto

Saves from the GameFAQs:
The saves from GameFAQs are in the dexdrive format (.gme), ePSXe can read those files, just select it as a memorycard.

Copyprotected games:
Some PAL games have copy protection so you will have to patch them.
You can find a ppf patch for your game here.

Final Fantasy IX and Chrono Cross:
These games aren't working properly on ePSXe 1.6.0, use 1.5.2 version instead or some other emulator (pSX, PCSX).

Note: You can still run Chrono Cross on ePSXe 1.6.0 but you must start it with "-noauto" command.

Easier ePSXe installation:
Franky06 made a installation script which you can download here.

Problems with ePSXe on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (and other Linux distributions using the 2.6.22 kernel):
If you are unable to launch ePSXe read this thread and especially this post for the solution.

For any additional help refer to the Troubleshooting FAQ.
If you still can't find a solution to your problem then make a new thread in the appropriate section.

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Last edited by ShendoXT; May 11th, 2013 at 13:37.. Reason: Updated for the newly released Ubuntu 13.04