bkenobi

What is your controller setup? I assume you are using 2 gamepads, correct? If so, set up each gamepad to use one of the players keyboard settings. In other words, set up NullDC to use the keyboard for each player. Make sure each player's controls work correctly. Then, open XPadder and set up player 1 to use the correct NullDC player controls. Switch to the second controller in XPadder and set it up for player 2 (just like you did with player 1). When you connect the controllers, it should detect the correct profile to load, so you should be ready to play.

I've had my cab up and running for over a year and have been working on a random hang-up problem for that time as well. For reference, I'm running an Athlon XP 3000+ with 512Mb (or maybe 1Gb, I forget...I'll check) and an ATI 1300pro. The monitor is a 27" TV, so it adds a bit of heat and air flow restriction, but it's not the problem. I originally thought it was heat related, but after installing a pair of 80mm intake fans pointing at the open back of the case and installing a vent pipe to duct the heat away (via the psu), I still have crashes. I ran speedfan and recorded a log to see if anything was going on over time or just before the crash, but everything looks fine (cpu fan speed, all voltages, temp is a bit high, but level at 51C). I figured the only other thing it could be was bad ram, but I have been running MEMtest86 for 22 hours with 24 passed tests and 0 failures. Random crashes are usually heat, bad ram, or some type of memory hole (though less random). I've seen crashes in times as little as a couple hours or as much as overnight. I'm really just looking for suggestions of what to try. I was thinking a general system burn in test, but I can't seem to find a freeware/shareware one. Any thoughts?

OHHHH, ok then. 16245 isn't SOOOO bad.

Damn dude! You need a nap... 3:30am? That's a lot more dedicated than I am.

Just a question/comment, but with over 68000 records in the PC database, wouldn't it be better to divide it up somehow? I'm concerned that Access is pretty slow as far as databases go and that many records might significantly slow down GameEx when it's dealing with a search. Either way would work though since this search would only happen when a new game is added to the system...which is only once.

You mean you're not going to manually check that all of the games were captured?

Perhaps if Adultery felt comfortable with it, he could allow Tom to put it on the main web page for others to use. There are surely other emulators that people out there might be interested in having logos for and Adultery shouldn't have to do all the work! Adultery - Btw, in case I haven't said it before, those logos are sweet! I would use the more risqué ones, but the wife said no

On the up side, no response usually means the problem was solved...

I hate it when I don't get closure.

LB11 is correct. The validation check is based on output from the MAME binary.

From the quick look I had this afternoon, it looked like RomCenter could take care of what was asked for, but not using it, I could not recommend it. If you have experience with it, know it will do what's desired, and especially if you like it, then I would definitely go that route!

You can't have 65537...it doesn't exist. Maybe I've been coding Excel/VBA too much

I could have sworn there was an option for "start in MAME menu" built right into GameEx.

One option you might also consider based on your last response is using the GameEx database and using filters to get just the roms you want listed. Then, you can copy the rom name column to either Excel or a text editor and add the correct dos commands to move/copy the files to a different directory of your choice. In doing so, you can do EXACTLY the type of organizing you want. From the sounds of your goal, this is the method I would choose. Actually, if I were doing it, I would build the command right in Access since you can just build a text field via a query and just copy that field to a text file which would be named "movefiles.bat" or something.

There are many ways to do this. The way I did this in the past was to use MCM (MAME Content Manager). The only problem is that it doesn't have an up to date catver file. As I recall, it's only up to date to 1.06 or so. But, with it, you can change the extension for desired files to .mcm or delete them entirely. Either way, the files don't show up in MAME. I don't think this will do unworking, but it will filter by anything in the catver file. I suppose you could create a catver file that contained all nonworking game names, but you could just write a batch file at that point. ClrMAME and RomCenter are other options, but I haven't used them in a LONG time. They would work better if you want to remove nonworking games I would think. mcm clrmame romcenter

While it is possible to have GameEx do this with MAME, I would suggest downloading a set of snapshots for MAME instead. The snaps feature is primarily targeted at other emulators. If you really want to do your own snaps, do a quick search of the forum. There are a number of threads that have gone over this in GREAT detail (including one in the last week as I recall).

Nice link!

I can't imagine it would be a problem with MAME, but have you tried any other versions (for example newer or the command line version)?

Tom did some updating to the buttons, but I don't remember it ever being documented. Perhaps Tom could comment.

Yeah, a cheap case will definitely create heat problems irregardless of what cooling you install on your cpu and chipset. I have a cheap a$$ one on my first cabinet that is a bit of a problem. My second project was installed directly on an MDF shelf so it didn't have any trapped air around it. I haven't had to add any extra fans around it yet, but that's being monitored for potential future improvements.

I would consider getting one of the eco keywiz or eco GP-wiz encoders. They cost $20 +shipping and although they do more than what you need, they already have the solder pads on them. Going that route is a little more expensive, but it does open a lot of possibilities down the road. If you already have a gamepad that you are willing to sacrifice, that works too, though! KeyWiz Eco GP-Wiz Eco EDIT: Apparently they raised the price a little. It's now $22. Either way, it's a great little controller, but potentially a bit more expensive than a junker from the closet. Oh, and you can use a keyboard too, but that's potentially more involved and definitely not as elegant a solution as either this one or what Brian suggested.

A hole in the case is one option, but it might not be the best results. You might be able to do just as well/better with a better CPU HS/fan. There are some pretty big expensive ones out there, but there are also affordable options that can significantly drop the temp.

Is this just in MAME or does it happen with other emulators?

I don't know if you can do that with the reset button as the computer would see reset being pressed and imediately reset. Now, if you used the power button, it would be easy. You could set up your bios to reset only after pushing the button for 5 seconds and do what mightypeniz said. That way, as long as noone held down the power button, it would kick out and not shut down. The problem with that is of course that if someone held it down...POOF! Another option is to replace the switch in the reset button with a double position type (like the type you use on a camera shutter release to focus and then take the picture). So, half push = xpadder escape, full push = pc reset. That would be pretty dangerous though since it would potentially result in an unwanted reset. I don't know where you would acquire a button like that though. A third option would be to have 2 buttons for actual reset button. You press reset and a hidden one on the back of the case. Of course, the easiest option would be to just put a hidden reset button somewhere and use the reset button on the front for escape... Just some random thoughts that I can come up with.

I think Tom has only implemented functions for buttons up to 10. I don't think you can use anything above that. If you want to use higher buttons, I highly recommend using XPadder and assigning them with whatever keys you have it set up for. In other words, if you have a custom key set defined A, S, ;, F for instance (if you use a letter for the third button, it scrolls to that letter in the list for some reason), you would set up XPadder to send those keys when you pressed the appropriate button (button12 = S). This is what I use to give both players the ability to pick games with a single gamepad.