Time Pilot

Hi guys. So, I'm finally getting around to setting up CPWizard and it is awesome! I've roughed out the layout for my CP and set one of my admin keys to bring up CPWizard. So far so good. Now the trouble seems to be that I cannot get the label to display on the button, and the button remains grayed out in both preview and when running with Gameex when running a trackball game. Nearly all of the buttons on my CP are connected to 1 of four Ultrastik 360s. I found a post indicating that this may be an issue, but it wasn't clear. Any ideas? Thanks!

Very nice! How long until this theme is available for more widespread entertainment?

Thanks Tempest. There was indeed another speech tick box in the LCD plugin that I had missed. I was also able to get the video issue resolved. Problem stemmed from a couple of desktop enhancement programs- Topdesk, and Deskspace. Removing those fixes things... -TP

Hello! I've finally found some time to spend on my cab again. I just upgraded to the most recent versions of everything and upgraded (marginally) the CPU. So many things have improved, and GameEx is looking more brilliant than ever. The LED/LCD plugin is fantastic. Wow. Still digging into CPViewer- that is really going to improve the cab experience. So, I've been searching the forums, but I still have a couple of hiccups I haven't been able to figure out yet. (1) I've got the RedEx 800x600 arcade theme set. When I load GameEx, everything seems to be going along fine, but when the GameEx sound effect starts, the screen goes black. Mouse is active, and I can see the pointer (a hand pointing), but nothing else. I've discovered that if I hit ESC, GameEx will minimize. I can then click on the tab in the tool bar, and GameEx will be restored work fine- display and everything. Any ideas? I've attached the log below- don't see any errors... I was wondering if it is an ArcadeVGA issue. Never had problems before, but I have switched motherboards... (2) I've got 2 plugins turned on- LCD/LED and Ultrastick. I had one of the random sound plugins active, but now it isn't. I still seem to get some random voices though- "Would you like to play a game". I think something else is generating this voice (log does not indicate any other active plugins), but I haven't found the source. (3) I have auto updates set to "Ask First", but it updated anyway for the update yesterday or the day before. Maybe I hit a button and didn't realize it... Thanks for everything guys! GameEx rocks! -TP 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: GameEx: Version 9.77: Starting Log 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: Operating System Platform: Win32NT 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: Operating System Name: Windows XP 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: .net Framework 1.0 Installed 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: .net Framework 1.1 Installed 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: .net Framework 2.0 Installed 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3100+, 2047MB 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: 1.81Ghz 21:11:01.5 12/21/2008: Running Randomize() 21:11:01.6 12/21/2008: Loading PlugIns 21:11:02.3 12/21/2008: Loaded Plugin:"LCD/LED Plugin" Version 2.83 By Ben Baker 21:11:05.0 12/21/2008: PlugIn: "LCD/LED Plugin" Initialized OK 21:11:05.0 12/21/2008: Loaded Plugin:"UltraStik" Version 1.1 By Ben Baker 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: PlugIn: "UltraStik" Initialized OK 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Running Misc startup tasks 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Setting Menu types 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Opening Configuration File 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Getting Configuration Values 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Using Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600 21:11:05.1 12/21/2008: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600 21:11:05.2 12/21/2008: Launching HideOS.exe 21:11:05.2 12/21/2008: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's 21:11:05.2 12/21/2008: CPWizard enabled 21:11:05.2 12/21/2008: Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -minimized 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Arcade Mode is on 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance) 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Hiding Taskbar 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Using Cabinet Friendly Control System 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Is Media Center running? 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Media Center Mode 2 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Snap Delay set to: 2 21:11:05.9 12/21/2008: Get other settings 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Using DirectInput for keyboard input 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Start work for Form 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Getting Original Screen Size 21:11:06.0 12/21/2008: Opening Database Connection 21:11:06.1 12/21/2008: Initializing Component 21:11:06.2 12/21/2008: Retrieving resolution setting 21:11:06.3 12/21/2008: Initialising Windows Media Player Component 21:11:06.4 12/21/2008: MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32 21:11:06.5 12/21/2008: MAME EXE file is: Mame32.exe 21:11:06.5 12/21/2008: ROM Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms 21:11:06.5 12/21/2008: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini 21:11:06.6 12/21/2008: controls.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini 21:11:06.6 12/21/2008: History.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\history.dat 21:11:06.6 12/21/2008: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini 21:11:06.6 12/21/2008: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Loading Controls.ini map file 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\snap 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: AVI Snap Path: Not Found 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Flyer Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\flyers 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Cabinet Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cabinets 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Title Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\titles 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: PCB Path: Not Found 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Panel Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cpanel 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Manual Path: Not Found 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Icon Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\icons 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Marquee Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\marquees 21:11:07.0 12/21/2008: Using 2D Animations 21:11:07.2 12/21/2008: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS 21:11:07.2 12/21/2008: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS 21:11:07.3 12/21/2008: Initialising DirectDraw 21:11:07.5 12/21/2008: Applying GameEx is Loading Image 21:11:07.6 12/21/2008: Creating DirectDraw Device 21:11:07.6 12/21/2008: Using Device: Ultimarc ArcadeVGA 21:11:07.7 12/21/2008: 242mb video memory available 21:11:08.2 12/21/2008: Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color 21:11:08.2 12/21/2008: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces 21:11:08.2 12/21/2008: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode 21:11:08.2 12/21/2008: Creating Back Buffer 21:11:08.3 12/21/2008: Loading graphic Surfaces 21:11:08.3 12/21/2008: Display is running at: 800x600 32bit color, 200hz 21:11:08.3 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Flags 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Volume 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Arrows 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Toolbar 21:11:08.4 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surface Unselected 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Snaps 21:11:08.5 12/21/2008: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars 21:11:08.6 12/21/2008: Creating Fonts 21:11:08.6 12/21/2008: Creating Game Font 21:11:08.9 12/21/2008: Creating Game Font Faded 21:11:09.4 12/21/2008: Creating Title Font 21:11:09.5 12/21/2008: Restoring Title Font From Cache 21:11:09.6 12/21/2008: Creating Menu Font 21:11:09.9 12/21/2008: Creating Font Black 21:11:10.0 12/21/2008: Creating Font Black Small 21:11:10.2 12/21/2008: Fonts Created Succesfully 21:11:10.2 12/21/2008: 210mb video memory left available 21:11:10.2 12/21/2008: Creating instance of global keyboard hook 21:11:10.3 12/21/2008: Attempting to load game list 21:11:10.6 12/21/2008: Loading Custom Emulators 21:11:15.5 12/21/2008: Using Ultimarc AradeVGA 21:11:15.8 12/21/2008: Text/Language: English 21:11:15.8 12/21/2008: Applying Language/Text 21:11:15.9 12/21/2008: Initialising Bass Audio Library 21:11:16.8 12/21/2008: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo 21:11:16.8 12/21/2008: Loading last used Game List 21:11:16.9 12/21/2008: Setting Music Volume 21:11:16.9 12/21/2008: Creating DirectSound Device 21:11:16.9 12/21/2008: Trying: Primary Sound Driver 21:11:16.9 12/21/2008: Loading Sound Files 21:11:17.0 12/21/2008: DirectSound Device Created Successfully 21:11:17.0 12/21/2008: Creating ICONS 21:11:17.0 12/21/2008: Recreating ICONS 21:11:18.0 12/21/2008: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support 21:11:18.1 12/21/2008: Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 1 21:11:18.1 12/21/2008: Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 2 21:11:18.1 12/21/2008: Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 3 21:11:18.1 12/21/2008: Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 4 21:11:18.1 12/21/2008: Initialising DirectInput for Keyboard support 21:11:18.2 12/21/2008: Initializing MCE Remote 21:11:18.3 12/21/2008: Playing intro sound file 21:11:18.3 12/21/2008: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx! 21:11:18.4 12/21/2008: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame 21:11:19.0 12/21/2008: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully 21:11:55.5 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe 1942 -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch 21:11:55.6 12/21/2008: Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -emu mame -game 1942 -timeout 9000 22:01:18.5 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe bionicc -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -resolution 256x240 -nohwstretch 22:01:18.7 12/21/2008: Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -emu mame -game bionicc -timeout 9000 22:06:49.6 12/21/2008: Starting Attract Mode 22:06:49.7 12/21/2008: Reading MAME hall of fame 22:06:49.8 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe pokrdice -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch 22:08:55.0 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe mp_sor2 -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 256x240 -nohwstretch 22:11:00.3 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe darkwar -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch 22:13:05.7 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe fastfred -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch 22:15:11.0 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe seicross -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch 22:17:16.3 12/21/2008: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe victroad -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -hwstretch -effect sharp 22:19:19.3 12/21/2008: Returning From Attract Mode 22:19:38.2 12/21/2008: Exiting GameEx! 22:19:38.2 12/21/2008: Saving Settings 22:19:40.5 12/21/2008: Disposing Plugins 22:19:40.5 12/21/2008: Closing database connection 22:19:40.5 12/21/2008: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit 22:19:40.6 12/21/2008: Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching

This looks awesome! I'll gladly donate! A couple of ideas (though possibly not the ones you were looking for). (1) Somehow have the button/joystick/trackball colors on the CPViewer control panel match those in the LCD plugin files so everything matches. (2) Possibly display the CPViewer display on a second display (during gameplay when the CPviewer is not on display #1) ? I've been thinking about sticking a 2nd small (8 inch) LCD display on the cab. Just crazy thoughts. It looks awesome as it is though! I can't wait to get it on the cab. -TP

It doesn't feel like a GameEx issue as it was working earlier. Just dunno yet... It seems like downloading new maps has an effect on detection at certain times... Too bad we don't have source for the drivers or download utility... I'm running XP Home on my cab right now. I did see a post somewhere for the IPAC that indicated that USB support was different and better in XP Pro. Hmmmmm.... Might be worth investgating... -TP

I installed 4 UltraStiks in my cab a few months ago- 2 for each player. I like them for the most part, but they are a bit quirky. Here are some of my current thoughts/issues right now after working with for awhile: 1) Seems to be an issue with some motherboards maybe. I have to set my USB ports to +5VSB via motherboard jumper as suggested somewhere. This provides power to the USB ports even when the computer is off. The sticks don't seem to work without this- dunno why. 2) The U360s don't seem to work through a USB Hub- they need to be plugged into a USB port wired directly from the motherboard (doesn't seem to matter how much power the hub provides or how many you have plugged in- just doesn't work). 3) The drivers don't always seem to initialize correctly on power-up. They worked well for awhile, and then stopped. After wiping all HID devices out in device manager and restarting, the first joystick is now recognized in GameEx. After starting a game and downloading new maps, all of them work. Stinks when you boot directly into GameEx and none of your joysticks work- you have to plug in a keyboard, start a game, and then you are fine. I have GameEx configured to download maps on startup, but this doesn't seem to solve the problem. At least now one joystick is recognized on startup, so I can get the initial game started and exited in GameEx. 4) For downloading maps, there is a command line tool you can add to a batch file to run on game launch. There is a tool to create custom mappings. These seem to work really well. Someone is bound to write a cool GameEx plugin for this, but now I manually configure a batch file for each game. 5) There is a new Beta firmware for the U360s that allow them to work like mice/trackballs. I haven't tried it yet- still trying to get basic operation to be reliable. I think this would be great for 2-player Rampart though. 6) I love being able to reconfigure Player 1's second stick to be the main stick for single player games- nice to be standing directly in front of the screen. 7) Some people say that there is too much play in the sticks as compared to a digital stick. I'm not much of a purist and I'm not bothered by it too much. You can order stiffer springs and longer handles. I'm using the longer handles (I have a wood CP) and medium springs. The hard springs were REALLY hard, the soft ones are REALLY REALLY soft). The mediums seem good, but the tension seems to vary somewhat between springs so they all feel different from each other. 8) I guess the sticks are modified Sanwa sticks. I'm not too familiar with them, but that might tell you something if you are. 9) I've had trouble getting the tops to stay on the sticks. They come with little lock washers, but they don't seem to work too well. They come loose easily and quickly during play (have to be retightened after each screen of Ms. Pacman). I've been having a little success with teflon thread tape (plumber's tape) applied liberally to the threads. Maybe LocTite? 10) The Ultimarc Forum may be a good source of info, but I haven't had much luck there with U360 questions. http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/postl...;Board=ultimarc 11) You can plug up 8 buttons into each joystick- made wiring things a bit cleaner. I'm really hoping to get these working reliably- they really solve a lot of customization problems for a control panel. Just a bunch of random stuff, but maybe that will help out with your question. -TP

OK, today's project: I'm setting up custom controls for my control panel and I've got a few questions: 1) Is it possible to assign multiple buttons to a function? I can scroll through the game list with any joystick, and I'd like to be able to have "Select" and "Back" buttons on both sides as well. It looks like the question was asked before in the forum, but I didn't find an answer- maybe it was the way I searched. I saw the suggestion of the Setup Wizard, but it doesn't seem to support this. 2) I don't see how custominput.ini distinguishes joysticks. custominput.ini seems only to have buttons 0-7 and pressing buttons from joysticks 2,3, and 4 yields numbers 0-7 as well. Are these distinguished somehow internally? Thanks! TP

So, attract mode is awesome. It's great to have it cycle through games and tempt you as you are walking by. There are 2 things I'm wondering about. If I pop in a coin during attract mode it starts into the game. It doesn't however seem to execute anything in the "shellbefore" so my joysticks, etc are not initialized (Ultimarc 360s) and LEDs are not illuminated. Is there a way I can do this? Actually, it might be better if there was an "attractmode-shellbefore" as I have other things in there that I might not want occurring while in attract mode (.wav files playing, etc...) Also, is it possible to enter attract mode after the controls have been idle for a certain amount of time? This would involve exiting from mame somehow. I haven't looked at the plugin examples- maybe I need to- maybe the hooks are there for this sort of functionality? Or maybe this stuff is in there already and I've missed it... GameEx is just too cool. -TP

HA! That did it. Jitter-Free. I wonder what is different. It was working before, but I also remember seeing the disclaimer screen for the tiniest moment as the game was starting. hmmmm..... I guess it is time to compile a tweaked version of MAME.... -TP

This cropped up a little while ago and didn't seem to correspond to any new software being installed or configuration changes (Still running 7.02 or so (before the update a few days ago)). Once I select and load a game, centipede for instance, I'll start playing and in a few seconds everything will slow down and get jittery for a few seconds and then return to normal speed. I won't see the problem again until I return to GameEx and select another ROM. I suppose something else is running or otherwise consuming some resources. I've tried removing everything from the launch before/after in the config just to be sure that wasn't it. Anyone else seen this? Tried a forum search, but didn't see anything... -TP

I take that last bit back. The problem with attract mode seems to happen after starting and stopping audio mode. If I start and stop Attract mode a couple of times, the problem goes away... Hmmm... Attract mode by itself seems to work consistently if I don't start/stop audio mode...

Still didn't go with the music, although it did flash some LEDs when I hit "Start Audio". In the volume controls for recording I do not have a "stereo mix" option. I have these: What U Here Microphone Line In S/PDIF-In Auxilary I tried each of these, but no luck. I checked, and I have a SoundBlaster Live card in this machine, not the Awe64. This might be a more limited soundcard? Dunno. Also, I think there is a bug in attract mode that I'm not sure was there before. Sometimes when you start attract mode, it seems to "forget" about certain outputs. Those LEDs never light through the entire sequence. Starting and stopping attract mode will fixes the problem or cause other LEDs to be forgotten. It happens almost every time, so I think this is new (since the last version). Happy to help in any way possible... -TP

It's alive! Works beautifully with LEDWiz modules. I couldn't get the sound mode to work, but I didn't have a lot of time right then- I didn't immediately see a mix adjustment. I have a Soundblaster Awe64. I'll try again a bit later today... The demo and attract mode work wonderfully. This is so cool. I can't wait for the PlugIn! -TP

Just to tie this up. The only working solution I found was to create an AutoIt script and compile it to an executable. Works great. GameEx doesn't seem to handle executing a batch file from ShellBeforeLaunch/ShellOnExit, but executables are no problem. Now I can download play a .wav file, control the LEDWiz modules, and download mappings to the Ultimarc360s all on game start. -TP