hansolo77

Sounds like a high CPU usage problem. GameEx used to have a huge problem with CPU usage, and it's only been recently that Tom's been working on getting it down. If you're using an older version, you should try the most recent one since it doesn't seem to use a lot of CPU anymore. Another thing you could check would be the artwork. I've not played the Cotton games in a long time, but if they're using artwork, that can slow things down. Whether you're using the new rendered artwork for GameEx or just the regular artwork for the game, just using the artwork adds extra tasks for your CPU to use. Something else to check on would be your configuration. Some of the tweaks Tom has made allow the user to control how/when different things run. For instance; loading things on thread versus at call. If you have GameEx run everything all at once, like download news, etc., it can really bog down your system. So check your settings. Lastly, make sure you're not running a whole bunch of stuff. Check to make sure that GameEx isn't loading mulitple sessions. Somebody was reporting they were having this sort of problem. Everything that is running takes up CPU time. Hope that helps you some. I know they're pretty generic suggestions. And you're probably a computer wiz like most of us and have already checked out all those things, but it's always worth it being told to. Anyway, that's my offering. Somebody will probably write back a few other things to try too. Good luck!

Hey Tom! I'm glad I'm seeing a lot of my suggestions being taken seriously. I didn't necessarily mean to bash you or your work. It just seems logical to remove an option that doesn't work. Hopefully it will resolve a frequent issue that's posted in the forums. Keep up the great work!

Is anybody else getting tired of seeing these threads about ROMS IN FOLDERS? I mean, it's not that hard to do a search, but it's apparently a major issue with new users. I think TOM should take that option out of the configurator so it doesn't confuse people, then just add it back in if/when he makes that option work.

Wow that's a nice looking bezel you got going there! Also, I congratulate Tom for finally figuring out and fixing the bezel problem. I'd also like to take this moment to thank Mr. Do again for not ignoring my email and helping us get the new bezel format created. Happy Birthday GamEx!

LOL! I didn't even know you put that in there. It looks exactly like I was describing! You might have to make an adjustment to the setup though. The quotes on the command line might be needed to make them work. I could be wrong though, it's been awhile since I looked at my PC games setup.

Just checked for HK on the gameex.ini too... I do have a line under [internal]: BezelVersion=2 [EDIT] here's my log: 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: GameEx: Version 6.99: Starting Log 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Operating System Platform: Win32NT 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Operating System Name: Windows XP 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: .net Framework 1.0 Installed 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: .net Framework 1.1 Installed 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: .net Framework 2.0 Installed 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: AMD Sempron Processor 2600+ 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: 1.6Ghz 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Running Randomize() 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's 01:58:59.9 10/15/20076: Running Misc startup tasks 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Setting Menu types 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Opening Configuration File 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Getting Configuration Values 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Using Theme: Default - Default - Animated 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Default - Animated 01:58:59.9 10/15/2006: Using Images from theme: Default - Default\MEDIA\ 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Launching HideOS.exe 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Hiding Taskbar 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Is Media Center running? 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Media Center Mode 2 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Text/Language: English 01:59:00.0 10/15/2006: Applying Language/Text 01:59:00.1 10/15/2006: Snap Delay set to: 1 01:59:00.1 10/15/2006: Get other settings 01:59:00.1 10/15/2006: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis 01:59:00.2 10/15/2006: Start work for Form 01:59:00.2 10/15/2006: Getting Original Screen Size 01:59:00.2 10/15/2006: Loading ICON 01:59:00.2 10/15/2006: Initializing Component 01:59:00.2 10/15/2006: Initialising Bass Audio Library 01:59:00.5 10/15/2006: Loading default loading screen 01:59:00.6 10/15/2006: Loading Custom Emulators 01:59:00.6 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 1: Atari 2600 Games 01:59:00.6 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 2: Atari 800 Games 01:59:00.7 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 3: Atari 5200 Games 01:59:00.7 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 4: Atari 7800 Games 01:59:00.7 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 5: Atari Lynx Games 01:59:00.8 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 6: Atari ST Games 01:59:00.8 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 7: Atari Jaguar Games 01:59:00.9 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 8: SNK Neo Geo Pocket Games 01:59:00.9 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 9: Nintendo NES Games 01:59:01.0 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 10: Nintendo GameBoy Games 01:59:01.0 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 11: Nintendo SNES Games 01:59:01.0 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 12: Nintendo GameBoy Advance 01:59:01.1 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 13: Nintendo 64 Games 01:59:01.2 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 14: Sega Master System Games 01:59:01.2 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 15: Sega Genesis Games 01:59:01.2 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 17: Sega 32X Games 01:59:01.3 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 18: Sega GameGear Games 01:59:01.3 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 19: StepMania 01:59:01.4 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 20: StepMania (Online) 01:59:01.4 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 21: Visual Pinball Tables 01:59:01.5 10/15/2006: Loading Emulator 22: Future Pinball Tables 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Using 3D Alpha Blended Animations. This could be slow 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Starting GameExtender Publisher 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Initialising DirectDraw 01:59:01.6 10/15/2006: Applying GameEx is Loading Image 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Creating DirectDraw Device 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Using Device: RADEON X800 PRO 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Creating Back Buffer 01:59:01.7 10/15/2006: Loading graphic surfaces 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surface Volume 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Arrows 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Toolbar 01:59:01.8 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds 01:59:04.3 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls 01:59:04.3 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo 01:59:04.3 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit 01:59:04.3 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Snaps 01:59:04.3 10/15/2006: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars 01:59:04.4 10/15/2006: Creating Fonts 01:59:04.4 10/15/2006: Creating Menu Font 01:59:04.5 10/15/2006: Creating Game Font 01:59:04.6 10/15/2006: Creating Font Black 01:59:04.7 10/15/2006: Creating Font Black Small 01:59:04.9 10/15/2006: Creating Game Font Faded 01:59:05.0 10/15/2006: Creating Title Font 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: Fonts Created Succesfully 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: MAME Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: MAME EXE file is: MAME32ATXP.exe 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: ROM Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\roms 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: Catver.ini is located at: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\_new\Catver.ini 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: controls.ini is located at: D:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: History.dat is located at: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\_new\history.dat 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: nplayers.ini is located at: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\_new\nplayers.ini 01:59:05.8 10/15/2006: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\_new\mameinfo.dat 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Loading Controls.ini map file 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Snap Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\snap 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: AVI Snap Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\videos 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Flyer Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\flyers 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Cabinet Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\cabinets 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Title Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\titles 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Panel Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\panels 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Icon Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\icons 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Marquee Path is: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\marquees 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: MAME CMD options: -triplebuffer -nowindow -joy 01:59:05.9 10/15/2006: Attempting to load game list 01:59:06.2 10/15/2006: Loading last used Game List 01:59:06.2 10/15/2006: Setting Music Volume 01:59:06.2 10/15/2006: Creating DirectSound Device 01:59:06.2 10/15/2006: Trying: Primary Sound Driver 01:59:06.2 10/15/2006: Loading Sound Files 01:59:06.3 10/15/2006: DirectSound Device Created Successfully 01:59:06.3 10/15/2006: Creating ICONS 01:59:06.3 10/15/2006: Restoring Cached ICONS from File 01:59:06.6 10/15/2006: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support 01:59:06.7 10/15/2006: Using Device PSX/USB Pad 01:59:06.7 10/15/2006: Playing intro sound file 01:59:06.7 10/15/2006: Initializing MCE Remote 01:59:06.7 10/15/2006: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx! 01:59:06.8 10/15/2006: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame 01:59:07.1 10/15/2006: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully 01:59:23.4 10/15/2006: Running: cmd.exe /c D: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\MAME32ATXP.exe 1941 -rompath D:\!GAMES\_MAME\roms -triplebuffer -nowindow -joy -artwork -artwork_directory artwork 01:59:39.9 10/15/2006: Running: cmd.exe /c D: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\MAME32ATXP.exe 1942 -rompath D:\!GAMES\_MAME\roms -triplebuffer -nowindow -joy -artwork -artwork_directory artwork 01:59:48.2 10/15/2006: Running: cmd.exe /c D: D:\!GAMES\_MAME\MAME32ATXP.exe 1943kai -rompath D:\!GAMES\_MAME\roms -triplebuffer -nowindow -joy -artwork -artwork_directory artwork 01:59:55.6 10/15/2006: Exiting GameEx! 01:59:55.6 10/15/2006: Saving Settings 01:59:58.3 10/15/2006: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit 01:59:58.3 10/15/2006: Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching It does look like it's trying to run with the artwork... Maybe GameEx is reporting the artwork path incorrectly?

I erased the original bezel and replaced it with Mr. Do's once it was available. I'm going to just erase all the files in there, and reinstall it from the web. [EDIT] Just erased the files in /bezel/ and downloaded the latest install from the web. Installed it. Checked the /bezel/ folder and noticed there's 2. /BEZEL/ and /BEZELV2/ Both folders have files in them, where I had erased them before. Tried to run GameEx, mame, vertical, 1941.. it crashed back to GameEx again. Tried 1942 and 1943 as well. Still no go for me.

I just my rebuilding/updating and came here to report. I didn't know more messages had been posted, but here's what happened. GameEx crashed! It went to a black screen for about 5 minutes. I had to ALT+CTRL+DEL to get out of it. I'm rebuilding it again now. Guess the Bezel problem still isn't fixed yet. I hope this didn't break people's setups that don't use the new bezel format....

I don't know all that! LOL! But yea, theorhetically, I suppose you could just point your rom path to to the start menu folder. As for the working path goes, I think it's blank. As for the working path, the way I see it, GameEx uses the working path as the folder where the program (emulator) is located. For instance, in shortcuts, they have the option "TARGET" which is the full path and executable. Then they have an option below that called "START IN" which is the path where the computer will look for the executable. Like, you could have a program called "hansolo.exe" in C:\Program Files\hansolo77. The shortcut could be setup as TARGET: C:\Program Files\hansolo77\hansolo.exe. It could also be setup as TARGET: hansolo.exe & START IN: C:\Program Files\hansolo77. So, taking that info into GameEx, I'm assuming the ROM PATH is the path where the games are, and WORKING PATH is the path where the emulator is. At least that's how i've got my setup as. For Sega Genesis, I've got the rom path as d:\games\sega genesis\roms\ and the working path as d:\games\sega genesis\ with the emulator installed in d:\games\sega genesis\. As for creating videos/snaps.. I've not tried that. For my purposes, I just grabbed a screenshot off the internet and made a /snaps/ folder to save it in (using the same name as the .lnk file of course). Which brings up another tidbit. If you make a shortcut for say Aliens VS Predator 2, change the shortcut filename from AVP2.exe to the full title. Then just make sure you use "" quotes around the the command line (windows don't like spaces in filenames). Then GameEx will find the file "Aliens VS Predator 2.lnk", rename it to "Aliens VS Predator 2" and all will be hunkydory.

I was able to get past the Home Page. I updated from within GameEx. I went into the MAME games menu but before I went further I remembered "I probably need to enable the bezel." So I exited GameEx and enabled the bezel. Then I went back into GameEx, then MAME games, then Vertical Games. It popped up an option at the point to update the game list. Ignorantly, I chose not too, and tried to launch 1941. It didn't work, and went back to GameEx. It's possible you have to rebuild/update the game list before the bezel artwork will work. I'm testing the theory by updating it now. It may also need to be directly updated from the website, and not updated from within GamEx. I'll report back if it works/fails.

Yeah, all you need to do is install your games. Then create a folder on your hard drive. IE; mine is setup like this... D:\Games\PC GAMES In the games folder, I have a folder for every game system/emulator. So that's one for MAME (d:\games\mame), sega (d:\games\sega) and so on. This is where I installed all my emulators. For the PC games, they're installed using their default paths. That means, most of the time, that they're installed in C:\Program Files\[whatever]. Once I've installed them, you just create a shortcut to them and save the .lnk file to the D:\Games\PC GAMES folder. Now in GameEx, you just configure it to look for ROMS in the D:\Games\PC GAMES folder, and set the rom filter to *.lnk. Then for the command line, you just use "[ROMPath]\[RomFile]".

You can configure each game to run as an individual emulator and check the box 'treat as 1 pc game'. You can also configure PC games to load up under the MORE PROGRAMS menu. Another thing you can do is setup 1 emulator, call it PC Games, then make a folder that has a shortcut for every PC game you have. Then tell GameEx too look for the .lnk files and it will list them all that way. As for your problem with GameEx exiting and reloading.. is it doing that when you try to load a game? It may be that the configuration is wrong. GameEx may show the program, but unless it's working outside of GameEx, it won't work. Soon as the program GameEx calls crashes, or fails to load, GameEx opens back up. This is particularily a problem with the latest version of MAME. It uses a new renderer which makes GameEx crash if you it configured to use the Bezel artwork. Make sure that's set to NO if you're using any version of MAME that is newer than 106. If GameEx closes and doesn't show anything, that might just be because the game isn't running in full screen. Make sure that is setup correctly in the emulator/program. Also, you might have to change the option in GameEx config for 'show desktop'. Usually, showing the desktop solves a lot of problems related to games not running in full screen. Hope that helps ya. On behalf of myself and everybody else here in the GameEx world, welcome to the forum! Enjoy your stay, and remember to just ask if you have a problem. We've all been there. The last thing we need is people bashing the program because they can't get it to work.

For SegaCD, you should use some kinda Sewer Shark, or maybe a Lunar Silver Star character. I'm not familiar with what that character is. I also had Mad Dog McCree and Wing Commander that might have some decent characters...

Is 'create snaps' perhaps a registered only feature? Also, LB11, you can download snaps for free from http://localarcade.com/screenshotarchive/screenshots.htm

Just to add it to the list; Configure GameEx to use the new .lay format bezel artwork provided by Mr. Do. Side Request: Program the setup/configuration programs to allow a user to chose which format to use. Some users are still using the older versions of MAME, which require the .art format, while others are using the newer version that uses .lay. A simple example of the options would be like: USE GAMEEX BEZEL FOR VERTICAL GAMES: --------------------------------------------------- No, leave artwork as normal Yes, use Classic format (.art) Yes, use Modern format (.lay)

Yeah Tom's got the answer. Since the last 2 or 3 stable releases of MAME, the program uses a new renderer. That new rendering system doesn't use the classic .art format for bezel artwork. GameEx's built in bezel artwork is still in that classic format, so when MAME goes to call it for vertical games, it crashes. There is some light at the end of the tunnel though. Mr. Do, the bezel god, has made a new version of the GameEx's built in bezel artwork that uses the new .lay format for the lastest versions of Mame. We only need to wait for Tom to write this into the GameEx code. I'll repost this on the request thread too: Tom, when you complete the coding for using the new format bezel, you should allow it to be interchangable with the old format too. Some people are still using the older format.

I agree with Emph.. the artwork works fine with older versions of MAME.

Well if you wanna know how well it would be received.. I could speak for a lot of people when I say it would be great. I think the way Yoshi is dat'ing now is setup to be easier for him update. If a new table is created, all he has to do is add the files to the correct program folder. The way that would be better IMO would be to have everything unzipped into their respective folders. Everybody who downloads the tables has to unzip them anyway. Does anybody know of the vplauncher program works by not having to unzip?

Lol, did mamxdsl give up, or is it you?

Wow good work! I've been hoping something like this would be coming along soon. There are so many tables out there, and I'd love to see a ruleset or something to go along with them. Quick question; You are mentioning GoodNames. As far as I knew, there were no good tools out for pinball, such as a GoodPB or something. Will you be working with the guys over there and be building a good naming set, and releasing a torrent in that format? I think that'd be great. Right now, the only way to get tables for VP/FP (besides downloading them 1 by 1 from the website) is to download a torrent file that has them all zipped up. Somebody should take a GoodName format of them, and build a new torrent structure with screenshots in their own folder, tables in another, and the support files where they should go. Make the world a happier place. ANYWAY! This work you've done is a great 1st step towards reaching that ultimate goal, and is something that I know the community has been waiting on for a long time. Good work and keep us updated!

Yeah, the vertical artwork doesn't work yet. Tom needs to reconfigure GameEx to look for the .lay file instead of the .art file it used to use. Once that is complete, everything should work fine.

Not really. I'm super ashamed at how retardly ghetto it looks. Plus, I decided to take it apart last week to see about adding a custom spinner. In the process, I broke a few of the button connections and have to rewire. So as it is right now, it's in pieces and there isn't much to look at.

I don't have an IPAC, or even a cab with cherry switches. I bought a USB keyboard for like $9 bucks and mapped the key matrix. Then I took a really old hard drive ribbon cable (it used slot connectors instead of the current PIN type for IDE/ATA). I cut the connector ends off and separated the wires from each other. Basically, it gave me about 30 or so wires, all the same length. I then used those for my control panel wiring. So, needless to say, they're pretty cheap, like 5-10 fiber's in each wire, and they work fine. I don't know what kind of cable you bought, but if you say they're heavy gauge, I take that as being like 20 fiber or more. It may be overkill. But then again, I don't have a setup like you and the wire requirements may be different.

Heh, I sent him an email last night. Wasn't sure if anybody had done it yet. I just asked him and told him about it. Just checked my email and what do you know? Thanks a lot Mr. Do!

Make sure you have "Emulate Mouse" set to yes. If it isn't, you can probably JUST scroll and not click. I've found that if I'm browsing a webpage through GameEx (like I click on a news feed and it opens a website), I sometimes have to click on the page to make it start scrolling. Since I use an MCE remote, I just find an empty section and press 'OK' on the remote. That sorta 'enables' the page to scroll. [EDIT] I've also noticed that you can't go BACK. So, for instance, you're looking at LIVE and you click somebody's screenshot, you can't go back to the list. Instead, it closes the browser and returns to GameEx. Kinda sucks but its cool for what it's worth.