THUMB DRIVE EMULATOR

[trenchdog73]

Im looking for emulators that I can run off of a thumb drive alone on a work computer that does not have directx installed but is running windows 7. Any help would be great. thanks.

[WrathOskvro]

For NES, try Jnes. If I remember correctly, Kega Fusion (genesis/master system/32x/cd) and ZSNES (snes) can both be run on a flashdrive as well.

[Ziggy]

Most emulators that just launch from an exe (don't have to be installed) can be run from a flash drive. Just make sure all the paths (game saves, states, etc) are located on the flash drive as well.

For emulators that have to be installed, you might be able to use them off a flash drive as well. I have this SanDisk Cruiser flash drive that tells me I can install a program onto it and use it on other computer. I've never tried it before, so I cannot comment how well it works and whatnot.

But as far as emulators that don't require DirectX, I have no idea. You'll just have to take a look at each emulator and see. I notice that the Emulator Zone warns you if you need DirectX installed, not sure if it's the case with every emulator on the site though.

http://www.emulator-zone.com/

I check ZSNES and it said you need DX, but didn't say anything about DX for SNES9x.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree, non-installables could run from a memory stick. A simple matter of folder setup and configuring the EMU to look in the thumb drive folders.

Couple minor issues using thumb drives as an external hard drive.

Speed
Though not bad, the thumb drive is not as fast as an internal hard drive. Most systems are 2.0, some front USB ports may only be the slower 1.1 speed.

Longevity
Every time an EMU is run the config is rewritten. A concern of how many writes before that memory stick fails. Could even fail if the USB contact is marginal or accidentally pulled before a proper software removal is done. Because of this I always consider thumb drives and digital camera memory cards as temporary storage. Volatile memory an issue for all those hard to find roms. At least have a backup burned on a CDR.

[Hobie-wan]

Direct X 11 is part of Windows 7. You can't remove it.

[Ziggy]

On all versions?

[Hobie-wan]

On all versions?

Direct Draw is used for 2D stuff even if you aren't playing games, I can't see the cut rate versions missing something like that.

[Anapan]

Any emulators you need to install could be made portable using VMware Thinapp or similar programs. Same with any other windows program. Check out portableapps.com

[arion]

Wait what how can windows not be using directx ?