Draco1962

Just make us all mods like fReq and [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED]

Pulling out the guitar for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya... Just an FYI, my playing is worse than my singing, so you are forwarned.

I have to agree with Adultery. I can see "slimming it down" after a full install by add/remove programs, remove Windows features, etc. to remove those programs and features that you absolutely will not need.

Actually most if not all of the DBs that GameEx uses are .mdb files. It may just be a matter of transferring the data into the specific format GameEx recognizes which my guess would be a little bit of an undertaking, but not impossible.

For the features they offer they are pretty tight programs.

Stardock Bootskin is the program that Dante and Adultery are referring to and it works well with W2K, XP, Vista and 7. You can download the Vista and XP versions here. Logon Studio can be found here. Stardock has quite a few theme-changing programs. My only caution is that you are adding another program to the mix (which has it's own memory and space demands) so keep this in mind. If using InstantSheller, other than the Logon or Boot Screen changes will be a waste and unnecessary load on system resources.

Here is an app that may address the access by ratings issue (I am assuming that you have young ones that will be using the system as well.. This works with Win 7 Media Center. It is designed with youngsters in mind and allows you to restrict access not only to TV but DVDs as well. If you integrate your registered version of GameEx with Media Center and use thsi app I don't think you will go wrong at all with your HTPC. Below are some fo the Key Features noted by the author: Decide which channels, videos and DVDs are available to watch<LI>Settings secured by PIN<LI>All media items in a single list<LI>Animated screens and exciting UI<LI>Add videos and recorded TV to a playlist to set up a whole viewing session <LI>Video previews<LI>Can launch straight in to My Media Center, bypassing other media options<LI>No option to accidentally delete precious videos I will likely investigate that as an option for mine once built.

Thanks Tom! You know you can slow down a little - we don't mind! But not too much. Seriously. As for GameBase, will likely be trying that soon. From the positive responses I have seen, it looks like you've hit this one out of the park! Still working through some theme changes (debating whether or not to revamp C&S 2.0 or start a new theme altogether, getting VPinMAME to work for me and resolve some minor issues with Future Pinball).

Here! Here! Congrats Celly and IMBERZERK! Get well soon, Tom!

The problem I see is that InstantSheller is designed to replace Windows Explorer, of which, Active Desktop is an integrated component. I do not believe that you can have it it both ways in this case.

I'm not certain of this so anyone else that is please chime in. I know that there were some issues with VP8 vs VP9 tables where VP8 tables may not load properly in VP9 unless upgraded. Could this be an issue or am I just hallucinating?

I was thinking WinVice because of support beyond C64 (C64-DTV, C128, VIC20, almost all PET models, PLUS4 and CBM-II aka C610). Since I am not familiar with the program will it support them?

IM not Berzerk, but I play him on TV .

Thanks, Tempest! Where ya been? Glad to see you are still alive and kicking! I appreciate the votes of confidence and congrats from all!

I am using Carbon & Steel 2.0 (one of a few I have created custom for my system) and have uploaded to the themes section.

the error I am encountering is not for the MAME .pdfs on my system, but with other systems.

Tom or anyone - can you try to reproduce this error in the attached screen image? I get the error and have to hit Cancel 3-4 times, then the manual loads and all is back to normal. Seems to occur the further one goes down the listed paths, almost as if the script is having a problem recognizing the path at first. I am also including a copy of my gameex.ini file. I am not sure it is the SAME error he is encountering but I am very suspicious. Thanks! EDIT - Here is my log file as well. Notice the similarity to the errors Evilforces had in his log file (in red) and then some.... 16:59:37.0 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 16:59:42.6 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 16:59:48.6 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 17:02:12.3 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 17:02:42.8 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 17:02:50.6 1/5/2011: Game Manual images not found 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: Error viewing ebooks/comics 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3D.Sprite.Begin(SpriteFlags flags) 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at x.a(RectangleF A_0, Rectangle A_1, Byte A_2, Byte A_3, Byte A_4, Byte A_5) 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at x.a(RectangleF A_0, Rectangle A_1, Byte A_2) 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at x.a(Rectangle A_0, x A_1, Rectangle A_2, a3 A_3, p A_4) 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at ag.cd() 17:15:56.0 1/5/2011: at ag.e(String A_0) GameEx_ini.txt log.txt

Adultery is referring to the section in the log file that is showing: 14:20:39.4 05/01/2011: Game Manual images not found 14:20:42.0 05/01/2011: Game Manual images not found 14:20:43.3 05/01/2011: Game Manual images not found Locate the gameex.ini file and open in Notepad, searching for ManualPath=C:\Assets\MAME\Manual (this is the correct location in my system, yours will likely differ but this entry should match what is showing in the GameEx Setup wizard under eBook settings for eBook and Comics paths. Keep in mind that you can setup multiple paths for reference so long as each complete path is separated by ; You may also want to try this if the above suggestion does not correct. Go to C:\GameEx\DATA and delete all files that contain the word "cache" (no quotation marks) in them. It is possible that there is a cached entry that is loading and not being overwritten. Don't worry! The cache files will rebuild themselves. I am running 64-bit Windows 7 same as you and have not had any issues with loading any .pdfs through the eBooks app but will be glad to continue to help you troubleshoot.

I know MESS will work but not sure that it will through GameBase. I do know that WinVice is supported with 32-bit and 64-bit versions available.

What OS are you using? If using Vista or 7, option #6 (for TV content only) may be best handled through Media Center as Parental Controls can be enabled there based on ratings with access control settings. I believe this is more geared towards TV shows and requires a tuner card. I am not certain that there is anything in either GameEx or Media Center that will restrict access to DVDs ripped to HDD - possible 3rd party program that integrates with Media Center? If anyone knows of anything specific please chime in! You can integrate GameEx with Media Center to handle emulator frontend capbilities, access to NetFlix ,Pandora, or most any other media streaming website. There are quite a few users that use the best from both and have built some excellent HTPCs! All resolutions are supported. Most are governed by the actual program being used to launch the media (Windows Media Player, DivX, etc.). If you decide to go that route, there are quite a few apps that are useful for coordinating the feel across MC and GameEx up to and including skinning your Windows login screen to coordinate the look across the board. That way, if you develop or amend an existing theme, you can port the background images for Windows Logon, Windows background, Media Center, and Game Ex for a tidy transition between all.

What are you currently using for mounting ISOs?

Great googly-moogly! Awesome job, IMB! While my current setup is mainly MAME/Pinball oriented with possible Nintendo (N64 and prior) and Sega (Genesis and prior) in the not-so-distant future, I can see that I will have some good resources to tap into!

Attempt the pdf viewer again, after fail, go to your gameex\data directory and you should see the gameex.log file there.

I have zipped together a .psd and .xcf (GIMP version of .psd file) along with basic instructions for creating your own PC game icons with box art in a clear DVD sleeve. I have included an example of a file I created (LOTR-TBFMEII Rise of the Witch King) using the .psd and examples of icons created by Jeno-Cyber and availabe for download in 50 icon packs at http://jeno-cyber.deviantart.com/ . Makes for a unified format for all PC games, can also be used to create custom DVD icons for your digital DVD library! Enjoy! dvdbox Icon 512.zip

Yes I was, thank you, and I will!