Dex Drive to USB connection?

[norkusa]

I always wanted to see what the Dex Drive was all about, so I picked a new one up at EB for $5. The thing is though I don't have any COM/Serial Port on my Mac to plug the drive into.

I know there are USB to SCSI adaptors, but I've never seen a USB adaptor for this kind of connection. Anyone know if one exists for Macs? I figgured they would, but couldn't find any online. I really want to use this to get some saves in Castlevania Chronicles because there is no way I can get past that fucking Werewolf boss on Stage 15.

[Tom61]

You can buy serial to USB adapters at radio shack for about $20 if I remember right. Should work with mac.

[BenT]

HOWEVER, and it's a very big however (note the caps) the Dex still needs driver software to make it work with the computer. To the best of my knowledge it was only meant to be a PC-compatible device.

The company that made the DD seemed very bad with driver support, but I recently found a program called PSXGE (http://moberg-dybdal.dk/psxge/) that is supposed to let the serial-based DD work w/o its original driver software. It is, however, a PC program. I haven't bothered trying it yet since I use my DD so rarely.

Btw, there is a USB-based DD, but AFAIK there is still no Mac support. Perhaps a Windows-emulating software package like Virtual PC could let you use the PC stuff?

Btw part 2: For the werewolf, have the boomerang (cross) and double / triple shot prepared, and spam him mercilessly. I had trouble at first, but when you're thus equipped he's not THAT hard.

[Ed Oscuro]

Imagining this typed in a small, still voice...may I suggest getting ahold of a good Sharp x68000 emulator instead?

The werewolf is quite doable, you've just got to have...insane skills, or something. I'm almost back to that spot on the second quest.

As for the Dex Drive...aren't there PlayStation emulators for Mac (I assume you're using one) that allow you to use savestates?

[norkusa]

I have Virtual PC with Win 98 & 2000 for my Mac, so using the Dex won't be a problem. It will be a problem however loading the Dex software because I don't have a 3.5 floppy drive. Guess I'll have to find a site online to download it from or buy a cheap USB floppy drive.

BenT, you say there are USB Dex Drives out there? That sounds like the way to go since it'd probably be alot cheaper getting one of those instead of a USB adaptor. Any idea where I could pick one up? Seems like my local EB only stocks the janky-assed serial port Drives.

(BTW, I'm not using any PSX emulator, just my PS2. I've tried so hard to get past that damn werewolf, but I don't have the skillz. Always get to him on my last life with hardly any hearts or whip power-up's. I just want to get a Dex save so I can finally pass it. I've already busted 2 dual shocks in frustration. Can't afford to break any more.)

[BenT]

You know, I THOUGHT there was a USB DD, but now that I look I can't find solid references to it. It is mentioned on the page I linked above (which bodes well for my sanity) but I can't find any other references to it. :/

I did see the following on what appears to be the official DD FAQ (http://www.gameshark.com/productinfo/articles/304803p1.html), though.

Q: Can I use a USB adpater with the DexDrive?
A:The DexDrive is not a USB compatible device and will not be detected by the DexPlorer software if you are using a USB adapter.

That's not an out and out no, but it doesn't sound good either. Maybe a SharkPort would be the easiest solution?

(Btw, you can apparently still grab the official Dexplorer software from here (http://www.dexdrive.de/pages/service/contact.html))

[Ed Oscuro]

Hmm...dex drive...

Don't mean to be a pain, but that's a she-werewolf.

Anyways, I'll see what I can't find. I take it you're playing Original Mode? Bah...better on a real x68000 or even emulation. The clock tower shows your system's clock, and there's other stuff that doesn't work without having access to the date.

[Achika]

If you're running OSX, I'd almost think it was worth it to try the convertor, seeing as how OSX is loaded with drivers for just about anything and it could very well pop up as just another "untitled" drive (Cameras, etc.) Either that or looking into sites that have developed their own software before and looking for Drivers for it.

EO: The problem with Emulating for Mac, is just that, there aren't many emulators so it's a problem. I haven't found a reliable PSX Emu. There was Virtual Gamestation, but that was pulled off the market and the rest are mostly demos of projects that might never get done. So to ask about a rather obscure (to US fans) emulator of a Sharp x68000 is a longshot.

[Ed Oscuro]

I haven't had any luck with Windows emulation myself...it's a jungle of different plugins and modern CD/DVD-ROM drives are picky. Now I'm not sure about a Mac x68K emulator, but there might be one out there. I doubt it'll be the fastest running thing, especially if your Mac isn't Motorola 68K based (well, those weren't terribly fast to begin with...).

One final question--is this the US or another release of Chronicles (PAL European or Japanese)?