EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·Jul 22·5 min read
Pinball on 64-bit Alpha AXP Windows NT
TL;DR
NCommander successfully debugged and patched 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet to run on 64-bit Alpha AXP Windows NT, resolving critical alignment and pointer issues. The game is now playable without the previously reported collision detection bug.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers can apply similar debugging techniques to resolve legacy software issues in modern environments.
Key Takeaways
- Investigate legacy software for compatibility issues on modern systems.
- Utilize debugging tools like Dr. Watson for post-mortem analysis.
- Ensure proper struct alignment to avoid crashes in userland applications.
- Patch critical libraries to restore functionality in older games.
How It Works
NCommander identified that the game crashed due to misalignment in the WNDCLASSA structure, which caused incorrect memory access. By adjusting the offsets of the structure fields to ensure proper alignment, he resolved the crash.
Additionally, he traced pointer truncation issues in the mciseq.dll, which were fixed by eliminating unnecessary truncation instructions.