Project Lunar 1.0.5

Project Lunar is a fully fledged modification tool for the SEGA Mega Drive / GENESIS Mini. It allows users to add games, mods and ports whilst also including a large array of extra features and quality of life improvements. It consists of an on console payload and bespoke desktop application for the PC and is extremely easy to use.

Project Lunar feature list

• Add your own selection of SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis roms to your console with use on the stock UI
• Manage your games, mods and configs via purpose built desktop PC application
• Full NAND backups before any customisation
• RetroArch bundled with Genesis GX Plus & PicoDrive. (MS,GG,MD,32X, MEGA CD support) (Also capable of playing other consoles by adding additional RetroArch cores)
• Performance tweaks and boosts (fix lag issues) (1.0ghz > 1.344ghz, ZRAM compression, DRAM SWAP)
• NAND (console only) and USB support
• OTG support
• exFat, NTFS, FAT32 filesystem support
• Extended gamepad compatibility
• USB2 and USB3 device support
• Customisable boot menu with built-in additional option menu & network manager.
• Ability to autoboot to selected boot items. (i.e. boot directly to stock UI)
• Additional third-party controller support
• Automatic Error recovery system (automatically reload to bootmenu if Stock E error occurs)
• Launch boot menu or RetroArch from the Stock UI
• EmulationStation support (optional mod package, USB only)
• ‘Fix’ stock scanlines by toggling smoothing off within stock emulator
• Bundled Wi-Fi support (Realtek 8188eu + 8187)
• RA MD mini cores downablable via RA using network adapter
• RA scraper and EmulationStation scrapers work using network adapter
• SSH/SFTP via RDNIS support
• Boot menu, splashscreen and music are all customisable
• Additional mod package support

Project Lunar Desktop App features

• Easy to use interface to allow installation/removal of PL on console, and console management.
• Bulk addition of ROMS
• Zipped ROM support (.zip)
• New MegaDrive/Genesis games integration is totally seamless in stock UI, with a scraping function providing description, cover art, spine, release year, developer, players, icons, etc. for (almost) every game.
• Automatic IPS patching within desktop app
• ScreenScraper, TheGameDB scraper support. (Scrape all the details, cover art, and metadata for your games online when adding them)
• Automatic spine art generator. If spine art doesn’t exist, PL will generate it for you
• Mod management. List, add and remove consoles mod via the mod management tool
• Customise stock UI/Emulator features
• Interactive assistant to assist users with the install of Project Lunar
• Easy sync to either NAND or USB
• Recovery mode (for console repair situations)
• Automatic update checks. Every time game manager is opened, it will check for console updates online.

Project Lunar 1.0 caveats

• Bluetooth support is 80% done, however we want to improve support with broadcom bluetooth devices to extend compatibility. Due to this we have delayed releasing it until 1.1
• Xinput and SONY HID drivers are bugged. This means xbox based input devices are not properly working and PS4 controllers (when connected with usb) produce lag in the default emulator. This is something that is being worked on and an update will be pushed out when it’s available.
• Individual game selection for sync within desktop is not supported within 1.0. It will be added ASAP

Features to come in 1.1 (or) future rolling update

• Folder support. Technically we can implement folders as of 1.0, however we want to do it right and integrate it as seamless as possible.
• Launch different console games from stock UI
• Custom command “executors” per game. Again, executors are available within 1.0 meaning that you can run any emulator, app or command from the stock UI. This can be done via scripts on the command line however desktop integration will be available in 1.1
• Bluetooth support
• Desktop app sync via Wi-Fi/Ethernet. This is also available as of 1.0 but we want to improve it. It is also capable of handling multiple consoles on the same network.

Requirements to use Project Lunar

• A micro USB cable capable of data transfer
• Windows 7/10
• MacOS/Linux *

Credits

• CompCom – Developer
• Cyanic – Developer
• Defkorns – Developer & Chief UAT Tester
• Enderling – Graphics & UI Design
• Fred_PJ – Graphics & ES Sound Artist
• Swingflip – Developer
• TulioAdriano – Developer
• Wraith – Developer
• Z-10 – Boot Menu Sound Artist
• ScreenScraper – Website
• TheGameDB – Website
• Team Shinkansen – FEL lib
• Special thanks to HoneyLab, XorLoser and the Project Lunar testers: DefKorns, Darkdev1, Advokaten, Milenko, AyanamiRei0, defenceplox, FaithLes, Fred_PJ, Gorez, harland_mct, Hidalgator, Iain_YX, Kaliezel, MeteK, Restalgia, Ropen, shintoz, spannernick, UNBREAKABLE, Lodmot

Troubleshooting

Q. I keep getting install errors/cannot back up console

A. Try a different USB cable and/or USB port, we have had reports in the past of weird behavior which turned out to be down to bad USB cables. Also try with nothing connected to the console and only the USB cable.

Q. The install was successful but after install, my pc won’t detect my console!?

A. This is likely because you are trying to connect your console via FEL mode (holding RESET on boot). You only need to boot into FEL for the initial install or for recovery. For normal operation, you just need to connect your console to the pc and turn it on normally without holding RESET.

Q. I pressed SYNC on the desktop app and now when I select PL from the boot menu I get a black screen! (Music will sometimes still play)

A. This is usually because of a bad sync. Before you disconnect your console from the PC after syncing make sure to turn the console off properly. Usually re-syncing the console via the desktop app will resolve the issue. If issue persists remove the last added games and try syncing again.

Q. I don’t know what I have done, every time I try to load stock UI I get a black screen!

A. This is likely due to a bug or some scenario we haven’t programmed for.Please note that your console is safe. We effectively rebuild and patch the stock UI files dynamically on the fly and load them on top of your stock files. When the black screen appears its because of an issue with the newly generated files. (Not your stock files!) If you are stuck with a black screen and you tried troubleshooting as much as possible. Load and produce the black screen, connect to the console via SFTP/SCP and grab the project_lunar.log file from /tmp and send it over for further analysis.

Q. When I try to run <insert name here> Mega Drive rom from the stock UI, I get an “E<X> Please shutdown error”

A. This is due to the fact the rom is not supported by the stock emulator. Please refer to the compatibility list here

Q. I plugged in my USB and it won’t work!? (Sometimes the console may just freeze when using USB)

A. You need to make sure that your USB is formatted NON MBR. Also you need to make sure you have an active partition on the usb otherwise you will get weird issues. To set an active partition on your USB if you are having issues:

• Press WIN+R to open RUN box, type diskpart
• Type list disk (diskpart will list all the disks you have installed)
• Type select disk X with X being the right number.
• Type list partition
• Type select partition Xwith X being the right number.
• Type active
• Type exit

Q. I synced with Project Lunar and everytime the stock UI opens (even after playing a game) I get the language select menu

A. This is because you have a badly formated main menu save. We have to rewrite a chunk of the Stock UI code to fix some bugs with the stock code which only allows X amount of games (differs between region console) Becuase of this fix to the stock code, the old main menu save is NOT compatible with the patched stock UI. On Uninstall and install we remove that save which forces the stock UI to recreate the main menu save file in the new format. Sometime though (especially when using USB) this might go wonky. If so, follow the following instrcutions. (If you use USB storage make sure the USB is plugged in port 1 or 2 in the console directly)

Make sure you have the latest desktop app version
SYNC with Project Lunar
Open up puTTY (download if need) and SSH to console. Details in FAQ
copy and paste each line one by one with the console plugged in and on and run them (make sure usb is connected)

project_lunar toggle_usb_mounts 0 
rm -f /rootfs_data/data_008_0000.bin
rm -f /rootfs_data/meta_008_0000.bin
rm -f /media/mega_drive_saves/data_008_0000.bin
rm -f /media/mega_drive_saves/meta_008_0000.bin
sync && restart

Q. Help I think I have bricked my console!

A. This is technically not possible, so don’t panic! One of our main concerns during development was safety. Because of this, we ensure that a full NAND partition backup is carried out before any modifications take place. On top of this we included a recovery/staging image which will boot your console even if your NAND partitions are completely empty and also a fail safe recovery system, which will directly flash raw backup images to your NAND partitions. (For extreme emergencies only!)

Because we don’t adjust any of the partition table on the NAND or OOB data and make minimal adjustments to the rootfs, the mod is as safe as we could make it whilst giving as much flexibility and functionality as possible. Because we only write to areas of the NAND that are partitioned, the ultimate fail safe will allow you to flash the raw partition images back to the NAND partitions.

This being said, the stock UI is very complicated so if there is a single error due to a bug you might get issues. Please contact us on the #sega-support channel here and one of the team or devs will try and help you resolve your issue.

FAQ

Q. My console won’t respond on the PC when I have it plugged in via an OTG adapter

A. This is expected. The OTG redirects the DATA lines from the passthrough, make sure when syncing with the pc, you connect the console directly into the pc without any adapters inline.

Q. My PC won’t recognise my console? (Even if you have used hakchi in the past with another console)

A. Originally the driver for Allwinner FEL was hardcoded to Nintendo NES/SNESC. This has since changed from Hakchi and to minimise issues with users and using multi consoles/solutions, we also use the updated version of the “classic” driver. You will need to install the driver bundled with the Project Lunar Desktop App and then your console should work fine. Default location: C:\<USR>\AppData\Local\ModMyClassic\Project Lunar Desktop UI\lunar_data\driver\classic_driver.exe (replace <USR> with your desktop username)

Q. My PC won’t detect my console even after installing the driver!?

A. Make sure you are not using the Micro USB cable supplied with the SEGA Mega Drive. It doesn’t contain data lines and is only capable of power! Try a Micro USB from a different device

Q. I just want to boot straight to stock UI/RA/something else, I don’t to boot to the boot menu?

A. This is easily done. When first installed the console will boot automatically to the boot menu. All you need to do from here is to hover over your selected boot choice, (Project Lunar for stock UI) and press start. The next time you boot the console it will auto-boot to your selected element.

Q. I set my console to auto-boot to X and I want to access the boot menu?

A. When the console is starting and before it auto boots your selected boot choice, an auto-boot screen will display for one second. During this auto-boot screen press B (or equivalent) on your controller to interrupt the auto-boot and display the boot menu.

Q. How many games can be on the stock UI screen at one time?

A. At stock speeds, (1.0ghz) approximately 60 extra games will cause the stock UI start to lag however it is subjectively perfectly usable. At 100 extra games the stock UI will lag too much to be usable. Increasing the clock speed to 1.344ghz will alleviate the lag and render times. When we include folder support, this issue should effectively go away.

Q. I don’t want RetroArch on my console, can I remove it so I can add more games?

A. Short answer is no and there is a good reason why. To keep Project Lunar as simple and safe as possible, we don’t interfere with the stock console’s partition table and therefore use a normally unused partition for the on console base modifications including a slimmed down RetroArch client (which is extendable). This partition isn’t available for use by the stock emulator and therefore removing it wouldn’t provide any extra usable space for extra games, save states or additional add ons. The RetroArch client was purposefully made so it’s extremely lightweight with the option of being extended if the end user wishes to do so.

Q. I just installed Project Lunar and without doing anything it says I have 163mb (or less) available of 170mb without USB storage?

A. Project Lunar will install and utilise the same partition as the stock emulator uses for save states. If you have any save states already on the console it will take up space on the partition (approx 850kb per save). With a completely fresh set up, the stock console utilises 7mb of the partition.

Q. I just hit SYNC without any custom games and I just lost 15mb available space on my NAND!

A. As of 1.0, this is an unfortunate requirement. We have to effectively re-upload 120 of the stock artwork resources to rootfs_data along with the extra custom game artwork. This is because the Stock UI (M2engage) is hard coded to only accept one resource stream. However this won’t be the case in future revisions as we plan to remove the need to re-upload the stock 120 artwork images by rewriting more of the stock UI code to allow for multiple resource streams. When we add this feature you should find yourself with ~15mb freed up when you SYNC.

Please note this ~15mb requirement is a one off. So technically it’s (163mb – ~15mb) = available space on NAND. Each game will take up to 2mb on average. The 15mb requirement will disappear in future builds.

Q. I want to use USB storage, how do I do that?

A. You can plug the usb into one of the front USB ports before you power the console or during runtime. The USB will automatically mount, initialise and set up for use with Project Lunar. If you want to use the USB with OTG, once synced, shut down console and plug USB into OTG adapter.

Q. What rom formats are supported?

A. As of 1.0 only Mega Drive games are technically supported with the file formats of (.md, .gen, .bin, .zip)

Q. I am getting slow down/audio desync/input lag, how can I fix that?

A. Make sure you have all the performance tweaks enabled within the options menu. All performance tweaks are enabled by default apart from the 1.00ghz > 1.344ghz clock speed option.

Q. What is the SSH/SFTP details and login?

A. IP address: 169.254.215.100, Port: 22, User: root, Pass: (No password!)

Q. What is the deal about the 1.344ghz clock, is it safe? Is it classed as overclocking?

A. Yes and it’s not overclocking!!! It’s relatively safe however we accept ZERO responsibility for any damage caused to your console. The only reason we don’t enable this option by default is because it’s the end user’s responsibility. That being said. The 1.344ghz is fully stable and the chip is technically rated with an absolute maximum of 1.5ghz at 1.5volts. When clocked at 1.344ghz the voltage is set to 1.46volts, well within the chip’s tolerances for both frequency and voltage. However due to differences during manufacturing between chips, your console might run hotter than others. The safe limit for the chip should not exceed 80c and we have implemented a throttle facility to throttle the CPU back to 1.0ghz if the SoC temperature hits 68c. If the throttle engages, it will be logged and will last the duration that the console remains switched on. Theoretically this should never happen and isn’t something we have encountered during the hours of testing however safety is one of our main priorities.

P.s. Contrary to belief, clocking the CPU to anything below the chip’s absolute maximum frequency or voltage is not overclocking! You can read more about it here: https://linux-sunxi.org/Cpufreq#.22Overclocking.22

Q: I added a game and the image doesn’t fill the screen (downscaled).

A: Try to change the Rom Region on Project Lunar to Force USA (NTSC)

Q. What USB Ethernet/Wi-fi adapters are supported?

A. We bundle a limited number of drivers due to size restrictions, however we have always targeted any adapter running the Realtek 8187/8188EU chipset. We have a limited number of extra chipsets supported within an “extended network driver pack” available here: (coming soon) It should be noted that any generic USB2.0 Ethernet adapter should work without issue too.

Q. How do I change my options and configuration?

A. You are able to access and change console options like performance tweaks on the boot menu by pressing B (Or equivalent). You can also access the on console network management tool by pressing C (Or equivalent).

Q. I run MacOS/Linux, How can I use this?

A. There is currently a big ongoing project which is 100% compatible with MacOS/Linux/Windows however in the meantime you will be required to run it in a virtual environment using Virtualbox until the PL module is completed in the separate project.