From WikiTemp, the GBAtemp wiki
('''DMA Mode''')
m (DMA Mode)
 
(11 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
=='''DMA Mode'''==
 
=='''DMA Mode'''==
  
DMA stands for Direct Memory Access, it is a way of allowing a device to directly access memory blocks without the involvment of the Central Processor Unit. This reduces the processing overhead and in the case of the Acekard, reduces lag associated with MicroSD data transfers.
+
DMA stands for Direct Memory Access; it is a way of allowing a device to directly access memory blocks without the involvement of the Central Processor Unit. This reduces the processing overhead and in the case of the Acekard, reduces lag associated with MicroSD data transfers.
  
Games are loaded using Yellow DMA mode by default, which enhances performance in many games. There is no way to turn off DMA, it is on permantly. AKAIO has 3 different DMA modes which should between them work for all games. For this reason, non-DMA mode has been removed as it is no longer needed. You can tell which DMA mode is being used from the colour of 'Loading'; Yellow is the newly added DMA mode, Green is the previous QuickSave DMA mode and Red is the original DMA mode.
+
Older builds of AKAIO featured different DMA modes. The software informed the user as to which DMA mode was working based on the color of the "Loading..." text; Yellow is an improved DMA mode, Green was the Quick-Save DMA mode which was previously the default in AKAIO v1.4 - v1.6, and Red was the original DMA mode. Before Red was used for the original DMA mode it denoted a no-DMA mode, where DMA was turned off. As of v1.8.5 the new DMA yellow mode has been made default, this mode is significantly faster than the previously tested DMA modes. The older DMA modes have been removed and are no longer supported. There is currently no way to turn off DMA, it is on permanently.  
  
[[Image:TKS_DMA_AKAIO-17.jpg|DMA|right]]
+
Loader encryption was added starting with AKAIO 1.6RC1 as clone/fake teams with AK2i based Flash Kits were using AKAIO as their firmware. This added encryption increased loading times until the yellow DMA mode restored loading times to those of AKAIO 1.5.1 while maintaining encryption levels. Due to AP patching and other internal patches loading times may be slightly increased depending on user settings, microSD speed, etc.
As of v1.7 the new DMA yellow mode has been made default, this mode is significantly faster than the other two DMA modes. Loader encryption was added starting with AKAIO 1.6RC1 due people such as those behind the edge-i (a fake cart which is being passed off as an i-edge) ripping off AKAIO and passing if off as their own work, as well the decrypting and releasing antics by certain tosser. This added encryption increased loading times, Yellow DMA mode restores loading times to those of AKAIO 1.5.1 while at the time is still encypted.  
+
  
AKAIO has a database from which it determines which DMA mode is best to use with each game. If you are having issues with a game or you are using game which has been released since the last update, You can override which DMA mode AKAIO uses by holding down (A) or (X) after you launch the game. (A) will force AKAIO to use Original DMA mode, (X) will force AKAIO to use QuickSave DMA mode.
+
For games that are problematic with DMA mode, please make sure to first update the loaders to the most recent version. Updated loaders can be found at the [http://www.akaio.net/loaders/ Loaders Download Page] or via Wi-Fi Update from within AKAIO. If you notice a problem, even with the latest loaders, please visit the [[AKAIO ROM Compatibility|AKAIO ROM Compatibility Page]]. Add your problematic game as needed by following the on-site instructions. You should also visit the [http://akaio.net AKAIO Forums] and submit a proper bug report, please read the rules and previous bug reports before submitting your own.
 
+
There is no way for users to force the execution of a specific DMA mode either globally or on a per-ROM basis. DMA-Yellow will normally be used unless the user inturrupts its execution by pressing one of the above mentioned buttons. However, some problem ROMs have been preset through the loaders to access a particular DMA mode. This behavior is normal and can not be overridden. There is currently no collected list of the ROMs which have a pre-set DMA mode.
+
 
+
For games that are problematic with DMA mode, please make sure to first update the loaders to the most recent version. Updated loaders can be found at the [http://www.akaio.net/loaders/ Loaders Download Page] or via Wi-Fi Update from within AKAIO. If you notice a problem even with the latest loaders, please visit the [[AKAIO ROM Compatibility|AKAIO ROM Compatibility Page]]. Add your problematic game as needed by following the on-site instructions. You may also need to visit the AKAIO forums to add a bug report, please read the rules and previous bug reports before submitting your own.
+
  
 
<noinclude>
 
<noinclude>

Latest revision as of 23:46, 7 September 2012

DMA Mode

DMA stands for Direct Memory Access; it is a way of allowing a device to directly access memory blocks without the involvement of the Central Processor Unit. This reduces the processing overhead and in the case of the Acekard, reduces lag associated with MicroSD data transfers.

Older builds of AKAIO featured different DMA modes. The software informed the user as to which DMA mode was working based on the color of the "Loading..." text; Yellow is an improved DMA mode, Green was the Quick-Save DMA mode which was previously the default in AKAIO v1.4 - v1.6, and Red was the original DMA mode. Before Red was used for the original DMA mode it denoted a no-DMA mode, where DMA was turned off. As of v1.8.5 the new DMA yellow mode has been made default, this mode is significantly faster than the previously tested DMA modes. The older DMA modes have been removed and are no longer supported. There is currently no way to turn off DMA, it is on permanently.

Loader encryption was added starting with AKAIO 1.6RC1 as clone/fake teams with AK2i based Flash Kits were using AKAIO as their firmware. This added encryption increased loading times until the yellow DMA mode restored loading times to those of AKAIO 1.5.1 while maintaining encryption levels. Due to AP patching and other internal patches loading times may be slightly increased depending on user settings, microSD speed, etc.

For games that are problematic with DMA mode, please make sure to first update the loaders to the most recent version. Updated loaders can be found at the Loaders Download Page or via Wi-Fi Update from within AKAIO. If you notice a problem, even with the latest loaders, please visit the AKAIO ROM Compatibility Page. Add your problematic game as needed by following the on-site instructions. You should also visit the AKAIO Forums and submit a proper bug report, please read the rules and previous bug reports before submitting your own.