Using Amiberry WHDBooter with RetroPie (Step 4)

The Guide...

• Step 1: Installing Amiberry
• Step 2: Install Kickstart Roms (aka Amiga BIOS files) files
• Step 3: Install game data files
• Step 4: Tips and Trick on Running
• Step 5: Feedback and Improvements

Step 4: Tips and Trick on Running (Using Amiberry's WHDLoad AutoBooter)

The WHDLoad AutoBooter uses a seperately maintained database file, in XML format to provide Amiberry with the necessary details to generating a script which will automatically load the game on future loading of the same game. This system is designed to work without any user input being required.

However, compatiility issues, or improved settings for indiviual games (either for selected control methods, or to improve compatibilty/performace) should be raised as an 'Issues' on the Amiberry GitHub page.

Amiberry users are encouraged to regularly use the "Update WHDLoad Database/XML" function which is located in the 'Paths' panel to ensure that any files they are using are included within the database, with the most recently submitted improvements.

Setting host-specific settings (e.g. default controller choice)

The 'hostprefs' file is a text file from which default settings for the WHDload booted will be loaded. On RetroPie this is located in the following location:

  /opt/retropie/configs/amiga/amiberry/whdboot/hostprefs.conf You can edit this file from the CONFIGS Samba mount in similar method to the BIOS and ROMS folders for RetroPie. In this file you can set your default choice of controllers, simple audio settings and graphics preferences. Additional information can be found on the Amiberry Wiki Page

Additional WHDLoad Booter Tips & Tricks

On first load, the loaded will take from the XML file the slave file and path and if a .uae config for the game is present options will be loaded from that.

The '.uae' file can be manually changed to either select an alternative .slave file within the archive (if multiple slaves are present e.g. where extra levels or data disks are available.) or to add CUSTOM options for trainers/improvements etc. Details of game specific CUSTOM options should be found from www.whdload.de

Also included is the option to view the WHDLoad splashscreen on loading, which gives details of the custom options available, but does increase the load time and requires the mouse in port 0 for AmigaDOS navigation.

The syntax for these options is as follows;

whdload_slave=ManualSelection.slave
whdload_buttonwait=true/false
whdload_custom1=#
whdload_custom2=#
whdload_custom3=#
whdload_custom4=#
whdload_custom5=#
whdload_custom=string
whdload_showsplash=true/false

Trouble-shooting

If you run into trouble at this point (games not appearing to load) Amiga DOS should notifiy of any issues, or otherwise a bug report file may be provided within the whdboot/save-data folder mentioned above, and you can report any errors seen via the group.