Caetla - theretrobristolian/PS1-Cheat-Carts GitHub Wiki

What is Caetla?

Caetla (Japanese name: Saela) is an original program that runs on PS-PAR (PlayStation Action Replay) hardware and forms the core of a simple PlayStation development and utility environment. Only the PS-PAR hardware is used—all code is original. Caetla is distributed as “K-Ware” and its use follows those terms.

Caetla is an original, replacement program (firmware) by K-Communications for the PlayStation Action Replay (PS-PAR)—built from an unauthorized technical analysis of PS-PAR v1.85/1.94—to speed up boot, expand and refine cheat/“mod code” handling, and add utilities, effectively turning PS-PAR into a lightweight PS1 development environment.

Key version notes - a Config menu option was added from version 0.28, an English language option from version 0.31. The most user friendly versions seem to be version 0.35 for 'baked in' (on cheat cart cheats) and version 0.37 for loading cheat codes via a memory card.

Note: Version 0.38 seems buggy/incomplete. It does load but I cannot find any way to actually load cheat codes in it.

Features

What it does

  • Fast boot: skips the PS logo and brings up the main menu immediately.

  • Cheat/code enhancements:

    • Increased number of cheat codes.
    • “Modified code” system with extended code types.
    • Kanji support (up to JIS Level 1) in code names.

  • Program launching: correctly starts original homebrew/programs.

  • Input options: can be operated with Pad 2.

  • Media features:

    • Plays standard movies.
    • Plays regular audio CDs.
    • Supports XA audio.

What it does not do

  • Does not remove copy protection.
  • Does not read Sega Saturn discs.
  • (In short, it’s a PS-PAR enhancement, not a universal mod or multi-system loader.)

Licensing and Legal notices

  • Advanced users only. The original documentation intentionally omits hand-holding.
  • High risk: Missteps during installation or flashing (including rewrites) can brick your PS-PAR.
  • Read everything first: You’re expected to review all docs before asking questions or attempting use.

Authenticity note

  • Only Caetla distributed by the original site was considered genuine by the author. Numerous imitations existed; Caetla included anti-counterfeit measures, and unofficial/fake versions could fail or be rendered inoperable. If in doubt, treat third-party “Caetla” builds with caution.

K-Ware?

K-Ware is K-Communications’ own label for their software. It’s basically freeware, but with their ethos attached: Personal use only; copyright remains with the author. No redistribution or rehosting (commercial or non-commercial), and no modifications. Use at your own risk — the user bears all responsibility. Ethos clause: they reserve the right (morally, not legally) to disapprove use that goes against their “spirit of development and initiative,” i.e., don’t try to profit off their work. Outside Japan: treated as development-use only, not general “freeware,” and must not be distributed outside the official site. Authenticity note: they explicitly denounce imitations (e.g., EMS-PAR ROM) and ask users not to use or support them.

How to Use

Game Start

Launch the game normally using Fast Launch.

Game Start with PAR/GameShark

The game will launch with a hook to the "$B0 call." Select this option to analyze using Action.exe or enable cheat codes. Also, if you press the SELECT button while this option is selected, it will change to "Game Launch with PAR +" as shown below .

When started in this state, exception handling is monitored, and when an "address error" or "bus error" occurs, the register status at that time is displayed on the screen as shown below.

In this state, if you turn off the switch on the side of the PS-PAR, the communication environment will be restored, albeit "temporarily."

Cheat Code

This is a tool for selecting and entering modified codes. In addition to DATEL-compliant codes, original caetla codes have been added. It is basically the same as PS-PAR.

Memory Card Manager

Frame Buffer Viewer

CD-ROM

Configuration

Release Notes

Version key release notes, changes and improvements

2000/0/00 — version 0.38

  • Broken and seemingly unusable.

2000/0/00 — version 0.37

  • Loading cheat files from memory card supported. (Seems to be the best version I've tried.)

2000/0/00 — version 0.35

  • (No notes provided.)

1999/4/28 — version 0.34

  • Supports X-Terminator.
  • Added “Hardware” item to “Config”.
  • “Modified Code” compatible with PAR2 code (switch and use with FFFFFFFF-0001 code).
  • Added 7x code (synchronization code), 6x code (bit comparison code), and 5x code (bit operation code) to “Modified Code”. Special thanks to kasa0 (6x, 5x code creator), Lips (7x code creator), EVE, and MOMOchan.
  • “Modified Code”: After loading the program, the code will be applied once before starting.
  • “Memory Card”: Improved memory card access (type H compatible?).
  • “CD-ROM”: FF8 movie support (problems with some models, such as SCPH-1000).
  • “CD-ROM”: XA audio bug fix for 32ch type.
  • First version to support Xplorer.
  • Only version to support Xplorer FX.

1998/11/20 — version 0.33

  • “Memory Card”: Added the function to launch programs stored in a memory card.
  • “Memory Card”: Some bug fixes and support for 8 cards this time?

1998/8/11 — version 0.32

  • Added 4-bit and 8-bit modes to “Frame buffer display”.
  • “Memory Card”: Improved memory card access timing (compatible with 8 cards).
  • Added command line passing function.
  • “CD-ROM”: When fast-forwarding or rewinding, the amount of change increases if you press the key for a certain period of time.
  • HBP, BREAK handling bug fix.
  • Some changes to the strings in the English mode configuration.

1998/5/31 — version 0.31

  • Added English mode. You can switch language modes with SELECT + L2. Nick Des Barres, /P and friends provided great help with the English text. Thank you!
  • Added a screen save function when waiting for communication. In communication standby mode (set “PAR Switch OFF Start” in “Configuration” to “Communication Standby”), the screen turns off if there is no communication or pad input for ~60 seconds. It returns on incoming communication.
  • Reversal of switch function when starting from communication standby state (so PAR hook still works).
  • Reduction of cheat code area: from 32KB → 16KB; selection code area: 8KB → 4KB.
  • Fixed SLOT1/SLOT2 display issue in “Memory Card Manager”.
  • Fixed “Memory Card Manager” runaway on access errors.
  • Fixed issue where the screen display was shifted downward.

1998/4/10 — version 0.30

  • Added protocols (get version, get all register contents, flush instruction cache, select breakpoint detection method, etc.).
  • Made PAR hooks slightly faster.
  • Enables handling of break instructions.

1998/3/12 — version 0.29

  • Fixed problem on startup with PS-PAR switched off.
  • “CD-ROM”: Addressed issue where some movies would stop.
  • Fixed bug where entering “mod code” allowed scrolling down after jumping to last page using half-width characters.
  • Added new characters allowed when entering “mod code”.

1998/2/26 — version 0.28

  • Added “Config” item.
  • Equipped with an all-data function to treat CD-ROM data tracks as a single file.
  • Added “Xenogears” to “CD-ROM” default XAL data.

1998/2/4 — version 0.27

  • Fixed to clear registers before startup.

1998/1/24 — version 0.26

  • NTSC/PAL switching function added.
  • Restored wait time when writing to AMD EEP-ROM.
  • “CD-ROM”: Compatible with Jigoku Groove V movies.
  • “CD-ROM”: Provisionally equipped with EXE file execution function.

1998/1/12 — version 0.25

  • Improved original PAR hook processing.
  • Changed wait time for the EEPROM write routine.

1998/1/x — version 0.24 (unreleased)

  • Equipped with device “PCDRV”.
  • Original PAR hook processing.

1997/12/22 — version 0.23

  • Ez-O-Ray compatible file server call included.
  • Fixed garbage appearing at coordinate (0,0) in frame buffer display.
  • Fixed crash when displaying fonts not installed via modified code.

1997/12/12 — version 0.22

  • Fixed a startup issue.

1997/12/7 — version 0.21

  • Fixed a bug preventing exit from the memory card manager.
  • Fixed a bug where HBP could not be set.

1997/12/2 — version 0.20

  • Main routines made into APIs to reduce size.
  • NY format and ECOFF format programs can be executed using psexe.

1997/11/18 — version 0.19

  • Console Mode revision.
  • Added “Rage Racer” to “CD-ROM” default XAL data.

1997/11/13 — version 0.18

  • Added console mode enabling standard I/O using psexe.
  • Added a protocol to download framebuffer contents during gameplay.
  • Extended some protocols (e.g., reset).
  • Added “Ace Combat 2” to “CD-ROM” default XAL data.

1997/11/1 — version 0.17

  • [CD-ROM] Equipped with XA file analysis function.
  • [CD-ROM] Fixed bug corrupting fonts when movie image size exceeds 640×240.
  • Compatible with EEP-ROM (SST:29LE010) in the new PS-PAR.
  • Compatible with AMD EEP-ROM (AT29F010).
  • Stack is no longer used within the exception-handling monitoring function.

1997/10/18 — version 0.16

  • [CD-ROM] Fixed garbage when playing 24-bit color movies on some PS units (early models?).
  • [CD-ROM] Fixed search for start of movie data when extra data exists before frame-by-frame data.
  • When transferring/executing via PSEXE, it can now run even if the CD is not inserted. However, after using the “CD-ROM” item, you cannot transfer/execute via PSEXE unless a CD is inserted.

1997/10/13 — version 0.15

  • [CD-ROM] Now supports playback even if extra data (up to 128 bytes) precedes each frame of movie data. Allows movies from FF7, Starblade Alpha, etc.
  • [CD-ROM] Supports directories using more than two sectors (root is one sector).

1997/10/11 — version 0.14

  • New item “CD-ROM” added.
  • CD-DA, movie, and XA audio playback functions available.
  • Corrected “Frame Buffer Display” width from 360 → 368.
  • Reduced message flicker during fast startup.
  • Exception-handling monitor now saves k1 register.

1997/9/5 — version 0.13

  • Fixed hang when editing “Mod Code” and returning to game selection with fewer than 10 registered games.

1997/8/28 — version 0.12

  • Added “Mod Code” E Code (Skip Number Designation Comparison Code).
  • Fixed game startup screen to 640×480.
  • When executing a program with psexe.com, exception-handling monitoring is added unconditionally.

1997/8/24 — version 0.11

  • Reviewed and improved communication processing (check GPU DMA transfer).

1997/8/19 — version 0.10

  • Equipped with exception-processing monitoring function “Game launch with PAR+”.
  • Partial change to B0 call hook.

1997/8/15 — version 0.09

  • Reviewed and improved B0 call hook.
  • Reviewed and improved the PS-PAR protocol.

1997/8/? — version 0.08

  • Fixed bugs in additional code.
  • Fixed crash in caetla main menu when using the PS-PAR protocol.

1997/8/2 — version 0.07

  • Added multiple interrupt prevention flag to the PAR hook section.

1997/7/26 — version 0.06

  • “Modification Code”: Added B code.
  • Measures to prevent inability to toggle additional modification codes in the ’98 communication software.

1997/7/19 — version 0.05

  • Fixed a bug in “cheat code” sorting.
  • Fixed a bug preventing game saves if you only deleted the code on the “Mod Code” editing screen.
  • Added ability to increase/decrease current value with L2/R2 when entering a “Mod Code”.

1997/7/14 — version 0.04

  • Fixed a bug related to the cheat code key.
  • Fixed a bug in the mastercode cheat code.

1997/7/11 — version 0.03

  • Added protocol for updating modified code.
  • Released codeup.com (mod code update program).
  • Released psxcode.com (text ↔ modded-code conversion tool) (provided by Kopel).

1997/7/8 — [Related tool update]

  • Fixed a bug causing mcdown.com (caetool.lzh) to hang when using the -s switch.

1997/7/7 — version 0.02

  • Fixed a bug preventing communication tools from being used in the main menu.

1997/7/5 — version 0.01

  • First release.