Some questions about, MESS

[Dybbles]

Hey again. I have a couple of questions regarding, Mess.

1: How do you make a trace file? I haven't seen this option anywhere?

2: How do you properly set a breakpoint? I have tried several times to set a break point, but it never works...

Any help is appreciated as always. Thanks in return.

[Demonic722]

1. trace filename.txt. To stop tracing, use trace off.
2.

wp address, 1, w   @Breakpoint Write
wp address, 1, r   @Breakpoint Read
wp address, 1, rw  @Breakpoint Read/Write

I think bp address sets a breakpoint on execution.

[Helder]

Mess is a great tool for hacking and there is a little learning curve but once you get used to it it's easy.

To set a breakpoint on a RAM address you need to use the Watchpoint command wp so here is an example of such a breakpoint:

wp FF2702,1,w < the 1 is for how many bytes but I've never used anything else and the w is for break on write

wp FF2702,1,r < this is for a break on read


a breakpoint on an ASM instruction or as it's known in other debuggers a break on execute is the Breakpoint command bp, example:

bp 004378

now to clear the breakpoints or watchpoints use wpclear or bpclear to delete all breakpoints, you can also use bpdisable# or wpdisable# to disable a specific breakpoint and bpenable# and wpenable# to enable that breakpoint. The # corresponds to the breakpoint number when you add a breakpoint.

Trace logs are made using the command:
trace filename.log (filename can me be whatever you want)
traceoff (turns off the trace)


One of the best features in MESS debugger is the option to ignore breakpoint addresses that keep breaking:

If you want to watch writes on 21ff but ignore the writes that performed by the code at 7d4 (and so it would normally break at 7d7) then type this:-

wp 21ff,1,w,pc!=7d7

you can gang lots of writes to ignore by simplying using &&
wp 21ff,1,w,pc!=7d7 && pc!=990 && pc!=aa0

and of course you can add other conditions so that it only breaks when certain values or a ranges of values are poked

wp 21ff,1,w,pc!=7d7 && pc!=990 && pc!=aa0 && wpdata>2 && wpdata<6




some useful info and commands:
http://www.ballyalley.com/ml/ml_tools/MESS_Debugger.txt

[Dybbles]

Where on earth do I type this?

[Demonic722]

[Helder]

You have to enable the debugger on the system your playing.

[Dybbles]

I can't freaking believe I never saw that little bar down there. >.<
Thanks guys, it works.