[ATTN TOM] MAME update list problem

[djour]

I just updated my MAME roms. I deleted the entire folder's contents, and then placed my 1,075 choices of MAME roms in it. I started up GamEx and went to the MAME section. It asked to update list, and when it was finished, my games appeared. However, everytime Igo to the MAME section, it asks to update the list. This is not just on every start of GamEx. This happens if I leave the MAME section at all and return.

When I review the log.txt, it attempts to load the game list, and fails. If it creates a list everytime I start it, why can't it find it?

Please help what I'm sure is a simple solution that I cannot find.

GameEx.ini

log.txt

[Draco1962]

Have you tried deleting the cache files yet? Not sure but it may be possible that the cached file for MAME has been corrupted. It is safe to delete all files with cache in the file name or extension as they will rebuild after you delete and relaunch GameEx.

[djour]

I looked for these, but not sure which ones are for MAME. I looked in CONFIG/USERS/Default and found dbcache, dbcachini, cat.dbcache, dev.dbcache and yrdbcahe for emulators 1-10 (accounted for) and emu_1000. I trashed all the emu_1000. I also found files in DATA. Same thing with EMUs 1-10 and EMU_1000. I also erased the EMU_1000 files.

Restart, no joy.

I notice when I update the list, if I backspace to the previous menu, update list is still the only option.

[nullPointer]

You'll have to pardon me for asking a dumb question, but you mentioned updating your ROMs. Does your version of MAME still match your ROM set (i.e did you update MAME as well as your ROMs)?

[djour]

I may have said that wrong. By updating I meant I OCD'd them. I put all of the ROMs on my laptop and played them when I got the chance. I deleted all of the Mah-Jong, poker and slot games. I deleted all of the clones except where they were the only working ones (i.e. Afterburner). I deleted the games I don't have controls for at this time (no spinner or dual tank controls). Finally, I deleted games that didn't interest me.

All of the ROMs work in MAME, and they play great through GamEx. I just have to update the list everytime I go into the MAME menu section.

[u-man]

i would give the "gamelist.txt" a try. delete this file and do a update list

[djour]

I deleted the gamelist.txt and it didnt help

GamEx created another exact list. The list is complete. Why the F#!% can't GamEx see it's own list and one it just created? The log states "Cannot Load Play List. Check Path and filename". Where do I check the path and filename?

I was using UIFX32, uninstalled it and tried MAME CMD line. No difference. So frustrating!

[djour]

I tried removing all but 5 of the games to see if I had a problem ROM or files. No difference.

I have a work around, but not what I wanted. If I turn off update game list and put yes to show all MAME games, it works. However, this adds one more menu and step I don't really want. When I pick MAME from the menu, I simply want to see all available games instead of selecting one more menu with only one selection in it.

[Draco1962]

Hi djour - sorry you are still having this issue. Would you mind submitting updated log.txt and gameex.ini files since the last update? In the mean time, I will elevate this to Tom's attention. Thanks!

[u-man]

sorry to hear that you still have the problem. maybe its a "admin rights" thing. it sounds like Game-Ex cannot access the list and try to make a new one each time when its needed. check if Game-Ex have "write access" for the location where it is installed.

also Game-Ex is as far as i know, not a portable-app. you can not just copy a once installed GameEx to another place and expect that you will have no trouble. i recommend to do a fresh install of GameEx with admin rights (right click on installer....run as admin) and see if your problem still persists.

this is just a suggestion or hint, but if time is no problem, then wait for Tom, like Draco said.

[djour]

I will wait for Tom's attention on this. I will post an updated log.txt and gamex.ini later today when I'm back to my arcade machine.

U-Man, thanks for the help, but not an admin rights issue, the computer is setup for GamEx only and everything is run through as an Admin. I have had GamEx on my arcade machine for nearly 2 years now, definitely not portable.

[fRequEnCy]

Will direct Tom to this thread. Stay tuned and sorry for the inconvenience.

[Tom Speirs]

Hi,

It sounds like GameEx is not detecting the MAME version. Probably because you are using an unusual build. Switching to a regular MAME build should resolve the issue.

Thanks.

Tom.

[djour]

I did switch from UIFX32 to the MAME build downloaded yesterday from MAME World (MAME 0.146 64-bit Windows command-line binaries.)

I'm not sure what build is more suited for GamEx

[Tom Speirs]

Have you tried to update with the new MAME version?

PS: Playlist refers to audio music playlist not the gamelist.

[djour]

That was the first thing I did. It is all I CAN do. I set GamEx back to NO on hide update list under enable/disable features. On Advance MAME features I have all groups set to NO as well.

I have custom menus. Start leading to two categories: Arcade and Living Room. Living Room leads to 8 working console emulators. Arcade leads to Daphne, Future Pinball and MAME. Everything worked fine until I did two things: 1) deleted MAME roms and replaced with a smaller set. All of these roms have been tested and work through GamEx. 2) switched MAME 32 for MAME UIFX32.

When I select Arcade Games (Mame) it only shows update list, no games at all. After updating (all I can do), the complete list shows up and I can play any games as long as I do not exit or back up to the Arcade Games Screen again. If I do, the update list is the only thing visible.

The update list seems to hang at Verify.dat 55% for quite awhile. Not sure if this is normal or even significant.

If I delete the gamelist, another is put in it's place in the DATA folder. It seems complete (a bit hard to read).

I really don't want to re-install GamEx, but it seems to be coming to this.

Thanks for letting me know about playlist. That stops some of my head to wall interaction.

GameEx.ini

log.txt

[Tom Speirs]

Ill have to look at this here in a lot more detail. You say it is all you can do have you tried pressing back when the promot appears? By default back is right mouse, space or back space.

[djour]

I think I might not have described this properly. The pop-up in the bottom right asking to update isn't what I'm seeing. If I choose to show update list in enable features, that is all I see in my Mame screen. If I choose not to show update list in enable features, then nothing is shown at all, just a blank theme page.

On a side note, if I adjust the games at all (I've been moving directories and a couple of games here and there to see if I can get Gamex to snap out of this) then I am asked if I want to update with the prompt after choose to update with the enabled feature. Unfortunately, this doesn't take either.

If I choose show all games under the advance mame menu, then all of the games are there. If I choose categories, like trackball games, then they are there as well. The only thing I can't do is have the game list show up by itself.

[u-man]

maybe your catver.ini, history.dat and mameinfo.dat are corrupted and the gamelist from GameEx depends on these files (especially on creation of the gamelist), if you use them.

you can obtain the files here:

catver.ini files here: http://www.progettoemma.net/

mameinfo.dat here: http://mameinfo.mameworld.info/

history.dat here: http://www.arcade-hi...p?page=download

download the stuff you want, and set the path in your game-ex setup to where you put these files. but i recommend to put it in the DATA folder of your game-ex install.

[Draco1962]

djour - I am picking apart as best I can your last log file. While probably not related, I noticed the following line:

21:17:56.2 8/2/2012: AVI Snap Path is: C:\Assets\MAME\MAME .144 MP4 Video Snaps 480p

Again, not sure if this is a contributor to the issues you are having but a period in a path is usually not a good thing.

[djour]

U-Man thanks for the links. I installed these files, but no joy.

Draco, that's a good point. The video previews have been working, but that folder name could present future problems. I renamed to MP4 Video Snaps 480p.

I have come to the conclusion that it is just best to choose yes next to show all Mame games, show trackball games and show golden age games. This makes it look better with three choices instead of one and at least it looks intentional.

I had to step back and remember, "Perfect is the enemy of the Good Enough"

Also, thank everyone who tried to lend a hand on this problem. I appreciate your spending your own time trying to resolve my issue.