ePSXe Guide

Plug-Ins and BIOS

To start using ePSXe, you need to download and install several plug-ins and the PlayStation BIOS; ePSXe requires one BIOS file, a video plug-in, a CDR plug-in and a sound plug-in. These files do not come with ePSXe, so you must locate them yourself. Look for the files on most emulator websites. Many websites offer all the required files in a single package. The ePSXe folder contains folders for the BIOS and for plug-ins. Once you locate the necessary files, extract each into the appropriate folder. If you do not do this, the plug-ins will not appear in the ePSXe setup menu.

Setting Up ePSXe

After installing the required plug-ins and BIOS, you must set up each plug-in before using ePSXe. To start setting up plug-ins, click on 'Config' at the top of the window and then click on the plug-in you want to configure. EPSXe lets you configure and customize the way the emulator handles audio, video and CD-ROM games. Most plug-ins are already configured, so all you need to do is select the desired plug-in to turn it on. You do not usually need to change the plug-in settings. One exception is the video plug-in; most video plug-ins let you choose between 'Fast' or 'Nice' performance. Select 'Fast' performance if you have an older or slow computer. Select 'Nice' performance for the highest-quality graphics and sound. EPSXe works with a keyboard or a game controller. Select 'Game Pad' from the Config menu to set up your controller or keyboard.

Playing Games

EPSXe allows you to load a game from CD-ROM, ISO or BIN file. Generally, it is faster to run a game from an ISO file because the computer does not have to read the data from a disc. To play a game from disc, insert the disc into your computer's CD-ROM drive and click 'Run CDROM.' If the game runs too slowly, consider ripping it to an ISO file. Use a free program, such as ImgBurn, to do this.If you downloaded an ISO game file, you usually need to extract it before use. Most ISOs come packaged in a RAR, ZIP or 7Z file. Use a program such as WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract them. EPSXe also supports the BIN file format, but this format is not as commonly used as ISO.When running a game, use the save states feature to save your progress at any time. Press 'F1' to save and 'F3' to load.

Problems and Solutions

If you experience video or audio problems with ePSXe, such as choppy frame rate or glitches, change your plug-in's settings. Using different plug-ins may also fix the problem.If your game runs too fast, you are most likely using the default or 'Fast' option of your video plug-in. Switch to the 'Nice' option to run the game at normal speed.Using save states can cause the game to freeze. If you use a save state and experience problems, load the game from an in-game memory card save instead. Cheat codes also sometimes cause freezing, so turn them off if necessary.For best results with ePSXe, ensure that you have the latest drivers for your computer's graphics card. Shut down all other programs while using ePSXe.