SMC GP32 Faq

SMC GP32 Faq
this is an extract from the very good : Dev'rs GP32 Dev FAQs - Last Update 2002-Mar-30

How is data stored on the SMC cards?
The gp32 supports both FAT12 & FAT16 file formats. Any standard SMC card reader for windows should work fine for reading & writing files on the SMC card. Note that file names can only be up to 8 characters in length, followed by a period, and 3 extension characters. Directory names can only be up to 8 characters long. The EMS 5in1 card reader from LikSang.com is known to work fine for gp32 SMC cards.There is also other SMC info that is read by using SMC command 0x90:The 1st ID byte identifies the manufacturer, being either Samsung (0xEC) or Toshiba (0x98).The 2nd ID byte tells you the type/size of the SMC (0x73 = 3.3V NAND 16MB / Samsung SMC)The 3rd ID byte, if it contains the value 0xA5, indicates that this SMC card contains a unique 16-byte SMC ID. Due to security reasons, Toshiba and others do not provide information for reading SMC IDs without first requiring you to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Can games access data on the SMC card?
Yes. The gp32 game development libraries treat the SMC like a disk drive in that you can read/write files and create/destroy files and directories.

Are all SMC cards basically the same?
No. Some SMC cards do not contain a unique 16 byte SMC ID and some SMC cards support 3.3 volts while others use 5 volts.The GP32 only supports 3.3 volt cards. When looking at the metallic pins of the SMC card, hold the card such that the pins are at the top of the card. If the notch on the end of the card is on the right then it is a 3.3 volt card, otherwise it is 5 volts.If you ever want to experiment with SMC ID encryption then the SMC card must contain a SMC ID. However, for all other uses the presence of an SMC ID is not required. (i.e. mp3 files, GP32 ID encryption, etc.) Some or all Toshiba SMC cards are known to contain an SMC ID. The SMC Option Code will be 0xA5 if it contains an SMC ID. GP32 games that are all made in one batch will contain the same 16 byte SMC ID code, otherwise they will be different.Due to security reasons, Toshiba and others do not provide information for reading SMC IDs without first requiring you to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Is it true that gp32 games are encrypted?
Yes. They use secumax.com technology. Here are the two types that are supported:SMC ID Encryption - Games that are encrypted this way will only work on one particular SMC card, but the game will work on any gp32 console. Some SMC cards have their own unique ID that is built into the hardware of the card itself and it can not be changed. The gp32 bios uses this unique ID as a key to unencrypt .gxe files. Most, if not all, commercial games are encrypted this way.GP32 ID Encryption - Each gp32 game console has it's own unique product ID. (This ID can be viewed from the gp32 test screen. Accessing the test screen is covered in another FAQ in this file.) Games which have been encrypted using the GP32 ID will work on only one gp32 console, but can be run from any SMC card.

Where can I find detailed technical specs of SMC cards?
http://www.ssfdc.or.jp/english/spec/index.htm