Yet Another Gamecube Documentation

18 Appendix

18.1 GCC Quick How To

18.1.1 compile ASM to object:

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-as -c
-I <DEVKITCUBE>/powerpc-eabi-elf/include -I <additional includes>
testasm.s -o testasm.o

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18.1.2 compile C to object:

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-gcc -c
-I <DEVKITCUBE>/powerpc-eabi-elf/include -I <additional includes>
-nostdlib testc.c -o testc.o

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18.1.3 compile C++ to object:

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-g++ -c
-I <DEVKITCUBE>/powerpc-eabi-elf/include -I <additional includes>
-nostdlib -fno-exceptions testcpp.cpp -o testcpp.o

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18.1.4 link objects

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-ld -T ppc-ngcbin.x -o test.elf crt0.o
<DEVKITCUBE>/lib/gcc-lib/powerpc-eabi-elf/3.3/crtbegin.o
<DEVKITCUBE>/lib/gcc-lib/powerpc-eabi-elf/3.3/crtend.o
testasm.o testc.o testcpp.o -lg -lstdc++ -lm -lc -lnosys

you only need to link against crtbegin.o/crtend.o if you are using c++, and you only need -lg,-lstdc++,-lc,-lm if you are actually using these libraries (of course:)). however if you do so, linking against -lnosys as well is essential.

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18.1.5 remove unneeded sections (debug info etc) from object

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-strip -s test.elf

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18.1.6 convert object to plain binary

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-objcopy -O binary test.elf test.bin

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18.1.7 convert absolute address into filename/line number/function

compile with "-g" flag, then use

<DEVKITCUBE>/bin/powerpc-eabi-elf-addr2line -f -e test.elf 0x80003100

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18.1.8 Building a Crosscompiler

configure options:
--target=powerpc-eabi-elf
--with-cpu=750
--disable-threads
--enable-languages=c
--disable-shared
--disable-nls
--with-newlib

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18.1.9 Linker Script

to do

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18.1.10 Startup Code

to do

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18.2 Boot Process Details

The IPL (Initial Program Loader), or Bootrom, is located inside one Macronix chip (near Flipper, U10) and connected to the EXI bus. When the Gamecube is powered on, bit 25 (IP) in the Machine State Register is set, which means the system exception vector offset is 0xfff00000. Then a small (about 0x0700 bytes) program called 'BS' will be mapped to 0xfff00100 (the hardware reset vector) and control will be returned to the Gamecube like after a normal reset, which means 'BS' will be started.

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18.2.1 BS - Bootstrap 1

copies the Bootstrap 2 code (BS2) from Bootrom to 0x81300000
disables the IPL decryption logic by clearing bit 17 of 0xcc006800
sets IP of Machine State Register so exception vectors are pointing to lower memory
jumps to BS2 code

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18.2.2 BS2 - Bootstrap 2

BS2 is the Program that loads the game or shows the menus when the gamecube has been powered on without a game inserted. It was written in C, using official SDK libraries, probably earlier than 1.0. __start.c seems to be same as usual, except that there is no OSInit() call (old versions must call OSInit() in main, instead of __start).

note: this has been reversed from a PAL gamecube and looks different on a NTSC one.

18.2.2.1 short description of start() routine.

// 81300000
__start:
    __init_registers() // set stack pointer and static bases (r2, r13)
    __init_hardware() // paired-singles and cache init
    __init_data() // clear bss ?
    . // here goes Debug Monitor stuff
    .
    .
    DBInit() // debug monitor init :)
    __init_user() // cpp init
    main() // that's actually, IPL (BS2) code
    jmp exit() // halt CPU

18.2.2.2 IPL main() reversing

// 813006D4
main()
{
    BS2Init();
    OSInit();
    AD16Init();
    AD16WriteReg(0x800);
    DVDInit();
    AD16WriteReg(0x900);
    CARDInit();
    AD16WriteReg(0xa00);
    0x81302104(); // SRAM, real-time clock (check ?)
    __VIInit(0);
    VIInit();
    AD16WriteReg(0xb00);
    0x813004e4(); // setup performance. monitor
    0x8130222c(); // update time-base by SRAM clock
    0x813022c0(); // perform initial DVD actions and fall back into menu
    PADSetSpec(5); // sed PAD type ('spec') to 'production'
    PADInit();
    AD16WriteReg(0xc00);
    BS2Menu(); // here goes intro and main menu... (BIG one!)
    OSPanic(__FILE__, __LINE__, "BS2 ERROR > > > SHOULD NEVER REAC HERE");
}
float NaN;
// 8130045C
void BS2Init()
{
    // clear LoMem and OSMem
    memset(0x80000000, 0, 256);
    memset(0x80003000, 0, 256);
    BATInit();
    // set memory size to 24MB
    *0x80000028 = 0x01800000;
    // set console type to default retail 1
    *0x8000002c = 1;
    // upgrade retail
    *0x8000002c += *0xcc00302c > > 28;
    (u32)NaN = -1;
    FPUInit();
}
// 813003A0
void BATInit()
{
    __asm
    {
        isync
        li r4, 0
        mtspr DBAT2L, r4
        mtspr DBAT2U, r4
        mtspr DBAT3L, r4
        mtspr DBAT3U, r4
        mtspr IBAT1L, r4
        mtspr IBAT1U, r4
        mtspr IBAT2L, r4
        mtspr IBAT2U, r4
        mtspr IBAT3L, r4
        mtspr IBAT3U, r4
        isync
    }
}
// 813003D8
void FPUInit()
{
    // FPU already initialized in __start(),
    // so just invalidate all FPRs.
    __asm
    {
    lfs f0, NaN
    fmr f1, f0
    fmr f2, f0
    fmr f3, f0
    . e
    . t
    . c
    fmr f31, f0
    }
}
// maybe later
0x81302104()
{
    __OSLockSram();
    __OSCheckSram();
    __OSGetRTC();
    OSTickToCalendarTime();
    memset();
    __OSUnlockSram();
    __OSSyncSram();
}
// maybe later
0x813004e4()
{
    OSDisableInterrupts();
    OSGetTick();
    OSGetTick();
    OSGetTick();
    __div2i();
    __div2i();
    PPCMtpmc1();
    PPCMtmmcr0();
    OSGetTick();
    OSGetTick();
    PPCMtmmcr0();
    PPCMfpmc1();
    __div2i();
    __div2i();
    __div2i();
    OSRestoreInterrupts();
}
// maybe later
0x8130222c()
{
    __OSLockSram();
    __OSGetRTC();
    __OSSetTime();
    __OSUnlockSram();
}
static int BS2State = 0;
// just layer..
0x813022c0()
{
    BS2State = BS2Mach();
}
// 81300A70
// located in __FILE__ = "BS2Mach.c"
int BS2Mach()
{
    static int state = 0;
    BOOL level = OSDisableInterrupts();
    switch(state)
    {
        case 0:
            [r13 - 0x7dc8] = 0x800030d4;
            state = 1;
        case 1:
            __OSGetSystemTime();
... some checks
            if(fail) break;
            state = 2;
        // Install DVD cover callback
        case 2:
            if([r13 - 0x7da8] == 0)
            {
                    r3 = [r13 - 0x7dc8]
                    [r3] = 0
                    [r13 - 0x7dc4] = 0
                    [r13 - 0x7dac] = 1
                    DVDLowSetResetCoverCallback(0);
                    DVDReset();
                    [r13 - 0x7da8] = 1
                    (s64)[r13 - 0x7d9c] = __OSGetSystemTime();
                break;
            }
            __OSGetSystemTime();

            if(fail) break;
            DVDLowSetResetCoverCallback(0x813007d8);
            DVDReset();
            state = 3;
        // Read Disk information (ID)
        case 3:
            DVDReadDiskID(0x8145e620 + 64, 0x80000000, 0x813007e4);
            state = 4;
        break;
.
.
.
        // Leave immediately ?
        case 16:
            break;
        default:
            OSPanic(__FILE__, __LINE__, "BS2 ERROR > > UNKNOWN STATE");
    }
    OSRestoreInterrupts(level);
    return (DVDLowGetCoverStatus() == 1) ? 19 : step;
}
// 81301154
void BS2Menu()
{
    BS2InitAlloc();
}
static OSHeapHandler BS2Heap;
// 81307EA8
void BS2InitAlloc()
{
    u8 *arenaLo;
    u8 *arenaHi;
    u8 *arenaNew;
    arenaLo = OSGetArenaLo();
    arenaLo = (void *)OSRoundUp32B(arenaLo);
    arenaHi = OSGetArenaHi();
    arenaHi = (void *)OSRoundDown32B(arenaHi);
    arenaNew = OSInitAlloc(0x80800000, arenaHi, 2);
    OSSetArenaLo(arenaHi);
    BS2Heap = OSCreateHeap(arenaLo, arenaHi);
    OSSetCurrentHeap(BS2Heap);
    OSAddToHeap(BS2Heap, arenaNew, 0x81100000);
    BS2CheckAlloc();
}
// 81307F34
void BS2CheckAlloc()
{
    OSCheckHeap(BS2Heap);
}
// 81307F58
void *OSAlloc(long size)
{
    void *ptr;
    if((ptr = OSAlloc(size)) == 0)
    {
        OSPanic(?);
    }
    return ptr;
}

18.2.2.3 Map of IPL Library code

Address	Name	Libray
`0x813014C8`	DEMOInit (*)	DEMO
`0x81307F58`	OSAlloc (*)	OS
`0x813327BC`	PPCMtmmcr0
`0x813327C4`	PPCMfpmc1
`0x813327CC`	PPCMtpmc1
`0x81332814`	OSInit	OS
`0x81332EF0`	OSInitAlarm	OS
`0x81332F3C`	OSCreateAlarm
`0x81333688`	OSAllocFromHeap
`0x81333784`	OSSetCurrentHeap
`0x81333794`	OSInitAlloc
`0x81333804`	OSCreateHeap
`0x81333870`	OSAddToHeap
`0x813338D0`	OSCheckHeap
`0x813344C0`	OSGetStackPointer
`0x8133491C`	OSReport
`0x8133499C`	OSPanic
`0x81334AA4`	PPCHalt
`0x81334D4C`	EXIImm	EXI
`0x81335134`	EXISync
`0x813353C8`	EXIProbeReset
`0x8133570C`	EXISelect
`0x81335838`	EXIDeselect
`0x81335D6C`	EXILock
`0x81335E60`	EXIUnlock
`0x81335F54`	AD16Init
`0x81336090`	AD16WriteReg
`0x813361B0`	OSDisableInterrupts
`0x813361C4`	OSEnableInterrupts
`0x813361D8`	OSRestoreInterrupts
`0x81336DD8`	__OSGetRTC
`0x813372B0`	__OSLockSram
`0x81337658`	__OSUnlockSram
`0x813376A0`	__OSSyncSram
`0x813376B0`	__OSCheckSram
`0x81338504`	OSInitThreadQueue
`0x8133939C`	OSGetTick
`0x813393B8`	__OSSetTime
`0x8133943C`	__OSGetSystemTime
`0x8133963C`	OSTicksToCalendarTime
`0x8133AC50`	DVDLowGetCoverStatus	DVD
`0x8133AB18`	DVDLowReset
`0x8133ABD4`	DVDLowSetResetCoverCallback
`0x8133B5F0`	DVDInit
`0x8133CD18`	DVDReadDiskID
`0x8133D0EC`	DVDReset
`0x8133DBE0`	__VIInit	VI
`0x8133DDC8`	VIInit
`0x8133E6C0`	VIConfigure
`0x8133F0B4`	VIGetTvFormat

Address	Name	Libray
`0x8134052c`	PADInit	PAD
`0x8134092c`	PADSetSpec
`0x81343114`	CARDInit
`0x813480D4`	GXInit
`0x81349148`	GXInitFifoBase
`0x81349230`	GXSetCPUFifo
`0x81349340`	GXSetGPFifo
`0x813494B8`	__GXFifoInit
`0x8134B0AC`	__GXPEInit
`0x8135A178`	__div2i	gcc
`0x8135A394`	__mod2i	gcc
`0x8135B494`	vprintf	stdlib

(*) these functions were slightly modified for the IPL.

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18.2.3 Apploader

The Apploader provides functions to the bootrom that load the game (using bootrom read DVD functions). The bootrom calls the Init function, then the Main function in a loop, then the Closing function. At first, the BIOS calls the Apploader entrypoint with r3, r4, and r5 pointing to a free space for a 32 bit value.

// info based on Luigi Mansion appldr.bin file
// (built date is 17 Dec 2001).
// Apploader Entrypoint
// Input values :
// r3 = Address where to put the address of the Init function
// r4 = Address where to put the address of the Main Loading function
// r5 = Address where to put the address of the Closing function
// Return values :
// none
//
// file:[0010-0013] = 0x81200288 (apploader entrypoint)
void Entrypoint(r3, r4, r5)
{
    [r3] = 0x81200290 // Init
    [r4] = 0x81200580 // Main
    [r5] = 0x81200D50 // Close
}
// Init function
// Input values :
// ?
// Return values :
// none
void Init(void (*OSReport)(char *fmt, ...))
{
    // clear some important memory areas
    memset(OSAppLdr + 32, 0, 32);
    memset(&OSAppLdr.DolImage, 0, sizeof(DolImage));
    [+0x140] = 0
    OSAppLdr.pass = 0
    [+0x148] = 0
    OSAppLdr.OSReport = OSReport // save report callback
    OSAppLdr.OSReport("Apploader Initialized. $ Revision: 28 $n");
    OSAppLdr.OSReport("This Apploader built %s %sn", __DATE__, __TIME__);
}
// Main Loader function
//
// Input values :
// r3 = Address where to put the Memory destination of the disk read
// r4 = Address where to put the Size of the disk read
// r5 = Address where to put the Starting position of the disk read
//
// Return value:
// r3 = 0 if everything is already loaded
// = 1 (or !=0) if main function should be called again
//
// at 0x81200580
// helper functions (below)
u32 DOLSize(void);
// 0x812013E0 seems to be a big structure, like that :
struct OSAppLdr
{
    // untouched
    u32 SecondTimeForThePart;
    u8 [28]
    u8 [32] // "BB2" structure ?
    DolImage DolImage; // main DOL executable header
    // flags or something
    u32 +0x140
    u32 pass; // 0...12
    u32 +0x148
    // report routine itself is placed somewhere in bootrom
    void (*OSReport)(char *fmt, ...);
    // flags or something
    u32 +0x150
    u32 +0x154
    u32 +0x158
    u32 +0x15C
    u8 [32]
} OSAppLdr; // 0x174 total
int Main(r3, r4, r5)
{
    int pass = OSAppLdr.pass;
    if(pass <= 12)
    {
        switch(pass)
        {
            // read "BB2" structure (DVD offset at 0x0420)
            case 0:
            case 1:
                // "BB2" structure ?
                // 0420-0424 offset of main executable DOL
                // 0424-0427 offset of the FST
                // 0428-042B size of FST
                // 042C-042F maximum size of FST
                [r3] = OSAppLdr + 32
                [r4] = 32
                [r5] = 0x420
                OSAppLdr.pass = 2
                DCInvalidateRange([r3], [r4])
            break;
            // check "BB2" structure FST sizes
            case 2:
                FSTLength = [OSAppLdr + 32 + 8]
                FSTMaxLength = [OSAppLdr + 32 + 12]
                if(FSTLength > FSTMaxLength)
                {
                    OSAppLdr.OSReport(
                    "APPLOADER ERROR > > > FSTLength(%d) i BB2 is greater
                    than FSTMaxLength(%d)n", FSTLength, FSTMaxLength);
                    PPCHalt();
                }
                [r3] = OSAppLdr + 0x160
                [r4] = 32
                [r5] = 0x440
                OSAppLdr.pass = 3
                DCInvalidateRange([r3], [r4])
            break;
            case 3:
                [0x800000E8] = [OSAppLdr + 0x160] // word
            break;
            case 4:
            // load main DOL header (256 bytes)
            case 5:
                [r3] = &OSAppLdr.DolImage
                [r4] = 256
                [r5] = [OSAppLdr + 32] // from BB2
                OSAppLdr.pass = 6
                DCInvalidateRange([r3], [r4])
            break;
            case 6:
                totalSize = DOLSize();
                maxSize = [[800000F4] + 0x28]; // PadSpec ?
                if((totalSize > maxSize) && maxSize)
                {
                    OSAppLdr.OSReport(
                    "APPLOADER ERROR > > > Total size of text/dat sections
                    of the dol file are too big (%d(0x%08x) bytes). Currently
                    the limit is set as %d(0x%08x) bytesn", totalSize, maxSize);
                    PPCHalt();
                }
.
.
.
            case 7:
            case 8:
            case 9:
            case 10:
            case 11:
            case 12:
                if(SecondTimeForThePart == TRUE)
                {
                    OSAppLdr.OSReport(
                    "Failed assertion SecondTimeForThePart == TRUE");
                    PPCHalt();
                }
.
.
.
            break;
            }
        return 1;
    }
    else
    {
        return 0;
    }
}
// helper functions
// at 0x81200338
u32 DOLSize(void)
{
    DolImage *dol = &OSAppLdr.DolImage;
    u32 totalBytes = 0;
    int i;
    for(i=0; i<DOL_MAX_TEXT; i++)
    {
        if(dol->textData[i])
        {
        // aligned to 32 byte boundary
        totalBytes += (dol->textLen[i] + 31) & ~31;
        }
    }
    for(i=0; i<DOL_MAX_DATA; i++)
    {
        if(dol->dataData[i])
        {
            // aligned to 32 byte boundary
            totalBytes += (dol->dataLen[i] + 31) & ~31;
        }
    }
    return totalBytes;
}
// Closing function
//
// Return value: r3 = entry point
//
// at 0x81200D50
u32 Close(void)
{
    // provide entrypoint of main DOL executable to IPL
    return OSAppLdr.DolImage.entry;
}

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18.2.4 Main DOL executable

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18.3 Game and Maker Codes

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18.3.1 Gamecodes

offset size Description

1 1 System ID

value id Description

0x47 G Gamecube (standard value)

0x44

D

used by Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (Master Quest)

Might be a indicator for emulated/ported/promotional titles.

0x55 U used by GBA-Player Boot CD

2-3 2 Game ID/serial Number

4 1 Country/Region Code

value	id	Country
`0x45`	`E`	USA/NTSC
`0x50`	`P`	Europe/PAL
`0x4a`	`J`	Japan/NTSC
`0x55`	`U`	used by the European version of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (Master Quest)

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18.3.2 Game Serial ID

Characters Description

3 System ID 'DOL'

4 Gamecode

3 Country ID

ID	Country
`USA`	guess what :)
`NOE`	Nintendo of Europe
`NOA`	Nintendo of America
`JPN`	Japan

for example

DOL-GZLE-USA (Zelda)
DOL-GNHE-USA (NHL Hitz 20-20)
DOL-GTEP-NOE (1080° Avalanche)
DL-DOL-GFZJ-JPN (F-Zero GX)

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18.3.3 Makercodes

The ID (2 Bytes ASCII) belongs to the publisher, not the developer. Hence, even though Rare developed Star Fox Adventures, and Retro Studios developed Metroid Prime, they both have the Vendor ID of Nintendo (01).
It is unknown how vendor IDs are allocated; However, all IDs thus far seem to be alphanumeric. If this is accurate, then as a result the maximum number of unique vendors is 1,296. Vendor IDs seem to be region-independent.

ID	Vendor
`01`	Nintendo
`08`	Capcom
`41`	Ubisoft
`4F`	Eidos
`51`	Acclaim
`52`	Activision
`5D`	Midway
`5G`	Hudson
`64`	Lucas Arts
`69`	Electronic Arts
`6S`	TDK Mediactive
`8P`	Sega
`A4`	Mirage Studios
`AF`	Namco
`B2`	Bandai
`DA`	Tomy
`EM`	Konami

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18.4 Macronix Chip IDs

MX ff t mm b p r s

MX MX', vendor id

ff 2 digits, device family

17	auto focus controller
23	mask rom
25	spi serial flash memory
26	mtp eeprom
27	eeprom
28	flash memory
29	flash memory (single voltage)
53	memory card (smc)
67	flash memory
69	flash memory + sram (stacked chip)
88	digital camera/flat panel display controller
89	flat panel display controller
92	sound generator
93	single chip answering machine/digital recorder controller
97	isdn controller
98	network
99	bluetooth

t 1 character, device type

c	cmos
f	flash
l	low-voltage
w	srw
v	2.2v
u	1.8v
x	1.5v
vw	2.25v+srw

mm 2 to 4 digits, mode/density

004	4M, x8 Boot Block
040	4M, x8 Equal Sector
400	4M, x8/x16 Boot Block

b 1 character, bootblock type (rom only)

t	top
b	bottom

MX ff t mm b p r s

p 1 character, package type

p	plastic dip
m	plastic sop
q	plastic plcc
t	tsop normal
d	qeramic dip
x8	0.8mm ball pitch, bga, csp
x	csp

r 1 character, temperature range

c	commercial
i	industrial
m	military

s 1 character, speed

45	45ns
55	55ns
70	70ns
85	85ns
90	90ns
10	100ns
12	120ns
15	150ns
20	200ns
25	250ns

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18.5 chip simelarities

mx25L4001 (serial flash rom in nintendo memory card 59)
- datasheet was never available at Macronix but take a look at their 3-volt SPI Flash ROMs (the MX25LXX02 series) for a general pinout without the Unknown pin 24.
mx25L4004 (serial flash rom in datel memory card)
- mx25L4004 - 4Mbit, 4Mx1 serial flash rom (datasheet was, but is no longer available at Macronix :/)
mx98730ec (eth controller in bba)
- mx98728ec - single chip 10/100 base generic MAC interface
- (mx98726, mx98728)
Gekko
- ibm PowerPc750CXe
- (PowerPc740, PowerPc750, PowerPc750CX)
(inside flipper)
- (big ???) mx92L832 - 32 poly phony sound generator
- (big ???) mx96037 - 16bit DSP Controller
- (mx93011a,...)
mx 8013108-M rtnc-dol 1r6022a1 (rtc/ipl)
MoSys (MS3M23B-5 A) 12MB 1-T SRAM (main memory)
NEC (D4891281G5 0125XU621) 16MB ARAM (auxiliary/dsp memory)

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18.6 Easter Eggs

To hear a different sound when the console boots hold the Z button down once you turn the console on and as the square bounces down you will hear the noises of kids.
Hold Z then about one second later hold A to hear another sound.
If you have 4 controllers (and 5 hands) this one will work: Before you turn the Gamecube on hold down Z on each controller, then turn the system on (with your 5th hand of course). You will be greeted by a ninja yell.
holding B on first controller, then powering on will let you switch a pal gamecube into 60Hz mode

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18.7 Terms and Acronyms

AA Antialiasing. Rendering method, that makes polygon edges seem less sharpen, combining colors of nearby pixels.
AD16 Mysterious EXI device.
AI Audio Interface. Hardware responsible for DMA playback of PCM buffer and DVD ADPCM streaming sound. AI hardware cannot mix sound channels or set channel volume for PCM DMA playback. These operations and more advanced sound effects are produced by DSP.
Apploader Small program on DVD to load main DOL executable.
AR, ARAM Auxiliary (Audio) Memory. 16 MB of slow (comapred to RAM) DRAM. Used for raw DSP sound data and as temporary space for textures. ARAM has DMA communication channel with main memory (RAM). Development boards has "ARAM Expansion" (additional 4, 16 or 32 MBs).
BAT Block Address Translation, PPC MMU translation mechanism. There are DBAT and IBAT special-purpose registers for data and instruction address translation respectively.
BBA Broad-Band Adapter, GC's 10BaseT Ethernet Adapter.
BS Bootstrap Stage (from analogy with UNIX). Very first code, executed after GC hard reset.
BS2 Bootstrap Stage 2. Same as IPL.
CR PPC Condition Register, stores result of integer comare operation, for conditional branch decision.
CRT C Run Time. C/C++ program environment (libraries and startup calls).
DOL Gamecube application (custom executable file format).
Dolphin Early development work name of Gamecube.
Dolphin OS Gamecube OS. Single user, single process, multithreaded. Linked together with any GC application ("hard-linked"), as library.
DSP Digital Signal Processor. Used to produce advanced sound on GC. DSP is integrated with GP in Flipper chip and has its own ROM. Developed by Macronix.
DI, DVD DVD hardware interface. GC DVD is actually microcontroller, based on MN-102 CPU with proprietary firmware ROM. DVD is protected by non-standard barcodes and data encryption, which is decrypted on-the-fly by DVD controller. GC DVD cannot be read on usual PC hardware. Whole GC DVD stuff is developed by Matsushita.
EFB Embedded Framebuffer. 2MB of fast 1T-SRAM memory located inside Flipper. Used by GP's pixel engine to draw pixels. Later copied into XFB, for final TV-output.
EXI Expansion Interface. Gamecube peripherial devices bus, sort of USB architecture. Developed by Macronix. Devices drived by EXI: memory cards, broad-band adapter, real-time clock, bootrom, SRAM.
FIFO First-In-First-Out buffer to send GP commands and create GP command lists.
Flipper Gamecube Northbridge+Peripheral Hardware+Graphics Processor+Audio DSP.
FPR Floating Point Register. Gekko has 32 64-bit FPRs, named f0-f31.
FPSCR Floating Point Status and Control Register.
JTAG Hardware debug interface to CPU. You can connect some wires to CPU pins, to overwhelm it. Gekko has full support of IEEE 1149-1a-1993 JTAG standard.
GC, GCN, NGC Nintendo Gamecube.
GCM Gamecube Master Data (official term). GC DVD Image files.
Gekko Gamecube CPU, PowerPC 750-derivative processor with FPU extensions, called "Paired Single".
GP, GX Graphics Processor, the major part of Flipper chip. GP is fixed point state-machine. Developed by ArtX team.
GPR General Purpose Register. Gekko has 32 32-bit GPRs, named r0-r31. r1 often used as stack pointer (sp).
GX Software library, developed by Nintendo and ArtX, to drive GP hardware. Has many crossways with OpenGL (but more advanced).
HW2 Common name of GC hardware. Number state for revision ("2" is production board).
IPL Initial Program Loader. Graphics shell, used to load game from DVD.
MC Memory Card, EXI device.
MI Flipper memory interface, plays role of "Nothbridge".
MMU PPC Memory Management Unit. Translates virtual address to physical. MMU has two translation mechanisms: block address translation and page table translation. Address translation for data access and instruction fetch is processed separately in DMMU and IMMU.
MSR Machine State Register. CPU status and control register.
MX Macronix Ltd. chips index. GC has many hardware parts, developed by Macronix, like DSP, EXI and bootrom chip.
PC Program Counter. PowerPC architecture does not define such term, but everyone is using it anyway, instead "CIA" (Current Instruction Address).
PCM Pulse Code Modulation, method commonly used in digital sound hardware. PCM sound parameters are: playback rate, bits per sample, sample format. GC AI can playback 32000/48000 Hz, 16-bit big-endian stereo samples via DMA.
PI Peripheral Interface. Set of hardware registers to control interrupts and hardware reset. There also "PI FIFO": hardware-driven FIFO buffer in RAM.
PM PowerPC Performance Monitor. Set of PPC special purpose registers used for speed profiling of applications.
PPC IBM PowerPC Architecture.
PTE Page Table Entry. Page table record, used to translate virtual address to physical.
RAM Main memory. GC has 24 MB of fast 1T-SRAM. Development boards has RAM extended up to 48 MB. Developed by MoSys.
ROM Read-only memory. GC has following ROMs: 2 MB encrypted bootrom, 128 KB DVD firmware, 4 KB DSP DROM, 8 KB DSP IROM.
RSW "Reset Switch", same as reset button. Seems early development GC models were equipped by switch, insted programmable reset button.
RTC Real-time clock. EXI device, counting seconds since 00:00 AM 2000.
SDK Software Development Kit. Full set of compilers, libraries and documentation for development on specified platform. Gamecube SDK contain development tools, like sound and texture convertors, and set of libraries for OS and hardware. Compiler is provided by Metrowerk's CodeWarrior. There also huge development board and paper documentation.
SI Serial Interface. Hardware responsible for communication with serial devices, such as GC controller and keyboard via serial I/O buffer.
SPR Special-purpose register. Set of registers, dedicated to operating system. Gekko has about 60 SPRs.
SR Segment Registers, used by MMU for virtual address translation.
SRAM Small amount of battery backuped memory for OS misc settings.
TLB PPC MMU Translation Lookaside Buffer, used to keep recently used page address translations. Gekko has 128 two-way set associative TLB for each MMU (DMMU and IMMU).
VI Video Interface. Hardware responsible for TV-out of framebuffer (XFB), and generating VBlank interrupt (actually can be configured to interrupt CPU at any beam location). Has support for light-gun, antialiasing of XFB by tap-filters and progressive video mode (480p).
WBUF Gekko Write Gather Buffer. Small cache for burst memory transactions. Used together with graphics FIFO to send GP commands.
XFB External Framebuffer, located in main memory. Used for final TV-out by VI.

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