GameEx crashes on startup with my XP SP3

[bob5453]

System Requirements shows XP (SP2), I have XP SP3 on the pc I want to use for my dedicated MAME setup and GameEx crashes while trying to load, I get the GameEx has encountered a problem and needs to close error. It works great on my Windows7 pc, but I need to use the older pc for my dedicated MAME setup. I have checked all the other requirements and want to know if I need to find SP2.

From requirements page.... Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP2), MCE, Vista, Windows 7

[Adultery]

What version is this GameEx install?

Can you please post your GameEx log?

[Draco1962]

XP SP2 is a minimum requirement for XP, but you should be fine with SP3 (which is a roll-up from all prior service packs if not detected).

When reporting a possible GameEx bug or error, please ensure you submit a copy of your log.txt and gameex.ini file so we may quickly assist you. Please refer to this link for additional information.

[bob5453]

OK, I am kind of a tech dummy, so I'll tell you what I did. GameEX works great on my Windows 7 desktop pc. I copied the 12.92 GameEx folder to a flash drive, took it to my older XP SP3 pc (no internet hookup down there on this pc) and dropped the folder in the C drive, I also copied all of my other folders and placed them in the same locations as my working setup. I tried to run it, crash, log file is same log file as on working pc upstairs, so it isn't getting that far. I checked my specifications and every thing is fine. I then downloaded the latest 12.92, put it on a flash drive and took it to the basement and ran the setup trying to install over my old setup, then tried to start gameEX, crash. I then uninstalled everything, ran 12.92 setup, tried to start again, crash. The log file wasn't created as it was the same log file that I looked at before running, showing a windows 8 pc, I assume it comes with someone's logfile, but I'm not getting far enough to create a new log.

I'm probably screwing up something simple, but I didn't want to move everything and drag the pc upstairs to an internet connection, but I'll try whatever you can advise me right now.

[nullPointer]

Taken from the GameEx F.A.Q.:

  GameEx F.A.Q said:

Q: I'm wanting to move my GameEx install over to a new system. Can I just install GameEx on the new system, then copy my old GameEx folder over the new folder?

A: Yes, you can copy your directory over to the new system/location and then install over top of it. That should work fine. Note: you copy the folder first then install GameEx over the top.

So you're halfway there. You moved your GameEx installation directory to the new machine, but you still need to install GameEx over the top of wherever you copied the installation directory to. Hopefully that should get you going on the right track. If not please post a copy of your log and GameEx.ini for the GameEx installation on the problematic machine (I know - we start to sound like a broken record after a while right? )

Thanks man!

[bob5453]

Yes, I moved the GameEx installation over to the other pc, then I installed GameEx on top of it. I still crash. The OS is windows XP Home, Media Center version 2002, service pack 3. Pentium D 2.8GHz 1 GB ram, Nvidia Ge Force 9800 1 GB

I attached the log and GameEX.ini, but GameEx crashes before creating a new log.

log.txt

GameEx.ini

[Draco1962]

Looks like a log file from your Win 7 machine:

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Opening Configuration File

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: GameEx: Version 12.92: Starting Log

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Operating System Name: Windows 7

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Operating System Version: 6.1.7601

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Aero NOT running

23:40:39.9 11/27/2012: Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control

Make sure that you have up to the maximum .net framework installed and the most up to date DirectX installed on your XP machine.

[bob5453]

I had .net framework 4 and .net framework 1, I added .net framework 2, tried uninstalling some and I can't get rid of .net framework 4, I had this Visual Studio, which I don't need on that pc anymore. I have DirectX 9 installed. I have tried lots of combinations, I thought it was a .net framework, but I tried installing about 3 of those. I am just stuck.

[Draco1962]

Did you try just installing GameEx 12.92 (without copying over any folders or files from the other PC) to see if it will run? If not, please do so and report back.

[bob5453]

Yes I tried just installing 12.92 and it crashed, the log had info in it for windows 8, so it was crashing before it created a log also.

I just ran some utility that was suppose to remove all .net framework files and then tried to install a new .net framework 2 sp2. Still crashes before creating a new log.

[Draco1962]

Without an actual log file to reference, this is going to be difficult. What you may need to do (and this will require some techy stuff on your end to handle) would be to run GameEx and let it crash, noting the date/time. Next, access Event Viewer. You should see a list of different software events that occurred. Locate the event(s) for the date/time of the crash and see if there is anything useful we can work with. You may want to copy/paste the details in this thread.

[bob5453]

Started GameEx, it instantly crashed and the Event Viewer Results are below.

Type.... Error

Source.... .net runtime error 2.0 Error Reporting

Event.... 5000

[Draco1962]

  On 11/29/2012 at 2:48 AM, bob5453 said:

Started GameEx, it instantly crashed and the Event Viewer Results are below.

Type.... Error

Source.... .net runtime error 2.0 Error Reporting

Event.... 5000

Was there any other data besides this listing a faulting module or .dll? The example below is from Win 7 but should be similar to XP.

Even based upon what you have provided, I would recommend reinstalling the .net Frameworks, starting with 1 and ending with 4, but difficult to tell you specifically without seeing more info or perhaps a screen capture of the event from Event Viewer.

[bob5453]

This is about the only info I can bring up that may help.

[Adultery]

On that screen above, are you getting any errors under the SECURITY section as well? More specifically, at or around the same time as this?

[Draco1962]

Also, what path do you have GameEx installed to (i.e. C:\Gameex\)?

[bob5453]

Installed in C:\GameEx

There are no errors under the security, only listing started with "success"

I have GameEx running fine on my new Desktop pc and I just use a simple modded theme that shows the game video snaps and the game selections (pic below). The video snaps are awesome and I really want to be able to use them on my old desktop pc which is what I am trying to get GameEx to run on here in a dedicated MAME setup with my xArcade stick. The pc I am trying to get this to work on was my desktop pc until I replaced it this summer and all the programs on it work just fine, except for not being able to get GameEx to load.

I want to thank you guys for trying to help me get this to work.

[Draco1962]

We will do what we can. Make sure that the GameEx folder is not set to Read Only and that all users have access to it. This can cause some wonky stuff to occur with the operation in some cases where the folder rights are set to Read Only (GameEx cannot write its log.txt file, for example, because it doesn't have rights to its own folders). Also, please reinstall the .Net Frameworks working forward from 1 to 4.

[bob5453]

  On 11/29/2012 at 4:25 PM, Draco1962 said:

We will do what we can. Make sure that the GameEx folder is not set to Read Only and that all users have access to it. This can cause some wonky stuff to occur with the operation in some cases where the folder rights are set to Read Only (GameEx cannot write its log.txt file, for example, because it doesn't have rights to its own folders). Also, please reinstall the .Net Frameworks working forward from 1 to 4.

Folder was set to Read Only, unchecked it, still crashed. I reinstalled .net frameworks 1.0 and 2.0 sp2, still crashed. Is there a reason to install .net 3 and 4 if I am only wanting to use GameEx?

[Draco1962]

I would go ahead as some of the later fix issues with some of the previous. Was it set to full access for the folder after the change? Did the log file still show Win 8? One other question - was this a full legit install of XP or an nlite or other custom stripped copy from which you installed?

[bob5453]

  On 11/29/2012 at 6:26 PM, Draco1962 said:

I would go ahead as some of the later fix issues with some of the previous. Was it set to full access for the folder after the change? Did the log file still show Win 8? One other question - was this a full legit install of XP or an nlite or other custom stripped copy from which you installed?

It still doesn't get to the point of writing a log, so old log still shows.

I'm not sure what "set to full access for the folder after the change" means. I did just now try to check this and noticed that the folders attributes still have a check in the Read Only box, I uncheck it and click apply, it does a process applying the attributes, then click ok, but if I go back to check the folder again, it still has this Read Only box checked. I just tried it on this WIndows 7 pc and it does the exact same thing, goes through the whole process, but if you check the folder, it is still has the Read Only box checked.

This pc came with XP Home and everything is legit. It was a complete HP media system I bought a at Sam's club.

I looked and can't find a .net 3 that doesn't say sp1 and not sure if this is what I would want.

I originally had .net 4 installed when I first tried to get GameEx to run. I have since uninstalled it and removed it with a utility, to reinstall .net 4.0 I need an internet connection and to do this I have to unhook everything and carry it upstairs, which I don't really want to do. I can play MAME fine from Mame plus, the only feature I miss is the video screenshots and the ease of running other emulators. Sorry, being to get discouraged.

[Draco1962]

Sorry you are discouraged. The problem is definitely an issue with your Windows settings and not GameEx proper or we should see quite a few XP users blowing up the threads. It would be helpful to have an internet connection to speed things along, however, we can work through this but likely going to take some time. When you look at the properties, there should be an advanced button where you can modify and add objects to have full access. That is where I suggest you make the changes as opposed to the Security tab under the Properties for the folder.

[bob5453]

I wanted to try HyperSpin anyway, so I downloaded it and have it working on that setup now. Like I said GameEx works fine on my other pc and I can still enjoy it there. I am going to call this not resolved, but I need to give up on it. Thanks for your help and I know the problem is on my end somewhere, but I need to let it go for now.

[bob5453]

Just an update on this, I hooked up an internet connection to this pc about 10 days ago and turned on auto updates. There have been 10 or more .net framework updates so far, each time I see one I try to fire up GameEx, but I still get instant crash. Still hoping, but not really trying anything new at this time to make it work.

[Draco1962]

Well, if you are not trying anything new, then we can't either. Sorry you continue to have issues.