Bliss Box 4-play compatibility

[atarigalore]

and was the port ever working?

if so what exactly were you doing when it stopped?

if you were running my flasher did it even start flashing when it happened?

[dlexington]

OK, story time

I got the 4play, and plugged it in, and Windows reported 4 4play ports. I tested two of them. If you're holding it upside down with the USB port on the top, I tested the two ports on the left side. They were working great, and I got them mapped in my emulators with multiple controller types. The next time I plugged in the 4play, I noticed the joypad IDs were in a different order, requiring me to remap all my emulators. At this point I decided I should flash the 4playfix firmware seeing as the guy who made the 4play recommended it. Again, with the USB port at the top, I flashed the top left port, and bottom left port, with no problems. When I got to the bottom right port, I immediately noticed a problem because unlike the first two ports, when I held the upgrade button, Windows did not make the disconnect noise. I tried to flash anyways, and that's when I was presented with the same exact screen newoski showed in his screenshot. The tool told me I wasn't holding the upgrade button even though I most definitely was. It did not start flashing that port at all. I then proceeded to flash the 4th (top right) port and that gave me no problems. So at the end I was left with Windows reporting 3 individually numbered 4play ports.

Now in hindsight it seems a bit naive of me to have assumed the other two ports worked fine. Windows registered them, but I never tested them. So I cannot confirm that they were working properly before the flash.

At this point no matter what I try, I can't get that 3rd port to respond. I've reflashed the official firmware and the 4playfix firmware multiple times now (always only to the working ports), but neither tool will recognize that port. I've tried holding the button while the box was unplugged and continuing to hold while I plug in the USB and attempt flash. I've also tried with the jumper method with the same results.

As for the DC power, the 4play did not come with an adapter. It's possible I have one lying around that will fit. What's the voltage?

[atarigalore]

the same power plug tgat fits most usb hubs is the correct size and volts. 5v usually around 2 amps for a 4 port hub. don't know if it will help at all just thinking what else you could try.

[Jdubbs]

Just got mine last night, F'ing sweet. Thank you very much!  So far I've only been able to use a SNES controller but even that brings back the memories.  Now the hunt for controllers begins!

[ninja2bceen]

I havnt updated firmware and afraid to in Windows 7. When it's more stable can someone create a tutorial video of updating firmware from start to finish?

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[atarigalore]

it is stable... the people who have had a problem it's a hardware problem as ulao has basicly stated as it is pretty much impossible to brick the 4play. if yours has that hardware problem better to find out sooner than later when you can't get it rma'd replaced.

the 4 chips in the 4-play work like thid:

when you flash it only flashes part of the chip, the updating part/mode doesn't get updated thats why if you flash and let go of the button part way through you have a bad flash but it is not bricked so to speak.

if it happens unplug the usb then hold the button that had a bad flash before plugging

it back in and keep it held down till you reflash it.

[newoski]

it is stable... the people who have had a problem it's a hardware problem as ulao has basicly stated as it is pretty much impossible to brick the 4play. if yours has that hardware problem better to find out sooner than later when you can't get it rma'd replaced.

the 4 chips in the 4-play work like thid:

when you flash it only flashes part of the chip, the updating part/mode doesn't get updated thats why if you flash and let go of the button part way through you have a bad flash but it is not bricked so to speak.

if it happens unplug the usb then hold the button that had a bad flash before plugging

it back in and keep it held down till you reflash it.

Just odd that I bought 2 and both had the problem...

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[ninja2bceen]

I'd still prefer a video start to finish with all the tips. I'm sure others would like it too. Stuff like don't let go of the button is pretty important. A video tutorial is so much better then written manual. If things beak after the flash will you all fix it? How does that work. What does the update exactly improve upon

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[dlexington]

I'm sending mine in for RMA. When I get my replacement box, I will be attempting to flash with Atari's firmware again. A 4play that you need to remap every time you plug it in due to randomized port order is more trouble than it's worth. I'd be interested to hear from some of the satisfied customers. Have they never had the randomized port problem, or have they all successfully flashed Atari's firmware, or do they remap their controller bindings every time they plug in?

 

Either way, my plan is to fully document the flash process this time (i.e. video record the whole thing), mostly in case the process goes sideways on me again. But in the event that it's successful, it will hopefully serve as an instructional video for you ninja.

[ninja2bceen]

Thanks. I'll only upgrade once that video is available. There are too many fils on the forum and too many things suggested as oh don't forget to do this at this time. It seems that if things go tits up, the bliss team are allow you to send it back in for a replacement which is good. Do you know the eta on the video so I can plan accordingly?

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[dlexington]

I'm shipping my original box back tomorrow. So with shipping times and what not I'd say at least a week or maybe two.

[ninja2bceen]

Jeremey have you updated already? Humor me, can you provide the exact steps with URL, file opening etc from start to finish and include oh shoot moments like don't release the button moments?

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[brudibru]

I'm sending mine in for RMA. When I get my replacement box, I will be attempting to flash with Atari's firmware again. A 4play that you need to remap every time you plug it in due to randomized port order is more trouble than it's worth. I'd be interested to hear from some of the satisfied customers. Have they never had the randomized port problem, or have they all successfully flashed Atari's firmware, or do they remap their controller bindings every time they plug in?

 

Either way, my plan is to fully document the flash process this time (i.e. video record the whole thing), mostly in case the process goes sideways on me again. But in the event that it's successful, it will hopefully serve as an instructional video for you ninja.

I have not flashed my bliss box with Atari firmware yet and I don't know if I will. I just push the reset buttons in order, corresponding to the ports I am plugging controllers in and that's it. It is certainly not user friendly but it is not too bothersome either.

[newoski]

I have not flashed my bliss box with Atari firmware yet and I don't know if I will. I just push the reset buttons in order, corresponding to the ports I am plugging controllers in and that's it. It is certainly not user friendly but it is not too bothersome either.

Before flashing Atari, this worked for me on box#1. Didn't work on #2.

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[ninja2bceen]

Newoski I, let's get our barrings straight shall we

Can you provide the exact steps you have taken to update your firmware? Include what you think you did wrong, tips, etc? I'm not going to get my hands wet until I have a better guide and I'm sure the bliss folks may spot an user errors. I really think a guide is needed you all. Bliss folks say it's fine, you all are saying there are problems. Something isn't making sense and I'm sure there are others like me with this.

I beg for a step by step guide. Don't say go to the forum, I did already and I'm pretty sure I said ya right out loud as it's just here are the files sort of thing.

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[dlexington]

Include what you think you did wrong

That's the thing. I'm fairly certain that I did nothing wrong. It's implied that I somehow let go of the reset button or some such during the flash, but I assure you I most certainly did not. That's why I'll video record my next attempt. Words only go so far I guess :-)

[ninja2bceen]

I'll be clear, I've never flashed anything and I don't see steps to do this but here is what I gather are the things I can find. Can someone confirm these steps

1. Go to http://skunx7.wix.com/bliss-box#!downloads/c1h7n

2. Download all the files and put them in any folder. Can run on external harddrive or c

3. Open flash tool.exe

4. Hold the reset button on the side of the device and don't let go of it for nottin. Looking at the device and adapter outlet, the reset button on the left of that is the reset button for the bottom left USB port

5. Keeping reset button pressed. Press Find Device with the app until the status reads "BLISS-UPDATOR" instead of "Device not detected"

6. While keeping reset button pressed, Open 4-play (1.53) (lates-development) hex file by pressing open .hex file button

7. While keeping reset button pressed. Press Flash Device within the tool

8. Press fash device button to Finished flashing the device

9. release reset button on device

10. Rinse and repeat for each port

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[ulao]

Here is a thought, why not follow the steps in the manual (it have pictures)? Though yes above is mostly correct.

 

Tips: Don't want to hold reset, use a psx controller. (jaq is also included but that cables is not available)

 

 

Don't have a psx pad, make your own jumper, cut open an HDMI cable and connect only pin9 and pin15.

 

Want to make the flash process easy? Do this.

 open the flasher and flashes per info in manual or in the post above.

 Once you release the button and press the next ports button, you do not need to reload the code! just hit flash.

 

 

Edits to steps above.

-------------------------------------------------------

1. Go to http://skunx7.wix.co...downloads/c1h7n

2. Download all the files and put them in any folder. Can run on external harddrive or c No do not do that, that would be confusing, just download the HEX you want.

3. Open flash tool.exe

4. Hold the reset button on the side of the device and don't let go of it for nottin. Looking at the device and adapter outlet, the reset button on the left of that is the reset button for the bottom left USB port Wow that is amazingly hard to follow How about each port has its own reset (its not always on the left)

5. Keeping reset button pressed. Press Find Device with the app until the status reads "BLISS-UPDATOR" instead of "Device not detected"

6. While keeping reset button pressed, Open 4-play (1.53) (lates-development) hex file by pressing open .hex file button. The latest development is WIP. The highest number is the latest stable.

7. While keeping reset button pressed. Press Flash Device within the tool

8. Press fash device button to Finished flashing the device You said that in step 7?

9. release reset button on device

10. Rinse and repeat for each port Please do not rinse the 4-play you will destroy it

 

Also I just want to add

Out of the 10 returned so far 8 were bad flashes I was able to fix. Tips

1: Do not flash frustrated.

2: If a port is not showing up try holding down the button before plugging in the usb end.

3: Give it an hour and come back, we are human.

 

8 times 5$ is $40 ($80 for both ways), that means $80 dollars were given to the USPS for no reason at all Consisting they stole 3 kits from me, that is now around $400 in their pocket.

[ninja2bceen]

Thanks. I think I now have enough info to try it. On your skip reset button press if you have a pax controller... Can you plug in a ps2 controller as well or just psx?

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[dlexington]

I found the description about the psx method entirely confusing at first too. It actually has nothing to do with a controller, and everything to do with the psx cable that comes with the 4play.

Take a paper clip and straighten it out. Then on the psx cable, insert each end of the paper clip into the pins on ulao's diagram (bending the paper clip in such a way that a single paper clip can be stuck in both pins). Then plug the cable with the paper clip jammed in it into the port you want to flash. If you've done everything correctly, the official flash tool will detect the port without needing to hold a reset button.

I demonstrate this method in the youtube video I posted earlier in this thread.

[ninja2bceen]

Ya man I saw that. Maybe I'll just try the push button method, seems like a lot less work

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[ninja2bceen]

for the missing ports guys/.... the forum read...

Okay, so here's the fix for the missing ports (at least what worked for me)

-Unplug the box

-Press and hold the reset button on the missing port (also worked on my port that was giving me the code 43 error)

-Plug the box back in while continuing to hold the reset button

-Under "unspecified device" in the devices and printers, it should pop up as "Bliss Box Updater"

-Run the reflashing program with the hex you want to flash onto it

-Remember to continue holding the reset button through the entire process

-Once reflashed, the computer should read the port again

important***

press the reset button - don't let go.

plug in the usb

upgrade like normal

[ulao]

All of that txt can be compress down to this

"If a port is not showing up try holding down the button before plugging in the usb end."

It's no L7ZZ but still amazing compression huh.

 

And its been said 4 times in this thread.

[ninja2bceen]

I've read there is work on the Nintendo zapper but the last update I found was in May. Any updates on that awesome project?

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[iNTiGOD]

I've read there is work on the Nintendo zapper but the last update I found was in May. Any updates on that awesome project?

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The holy grail is getting the zapper to work with lcds!!