GameEx - Some MAME Roms not working

[abjohnson55454]

I have quite a few ROMs that are not working. When loading, the GameEx shows the controls, and the screen goes black, shows 0%, sometimes up to 80%, then simply returns to the gameex game screen. I recently installed the most recent version of GameEx thinking that was the issue, but I am still running into problems. Specifically, below is the log file for Marble Madness.

I recently purchased this PC so haven't experienced all of the MAMEs working.

21:08:27.9 2/11/2013: Opening Configuration File
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: GameEx: Version 12.99: Starting Log
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: Operating System Platform: Win32NT
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: Operating System Name: Windows XP
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: Getting CPU and RAM info
21:08:28.1 2/11/2013: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.80GHz, 502MB
21:08:28.2 2/11/2013: 2.79Ghz
21:08:28.2 2/11/2013: Running Randomize()
21:08:28.3 2/11/2013: Loading PlugIns
21:08:28.4 2/11/2013: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
21:08:28.4 2/11/2013: Running Misc startup tasks
21:08:28.4 2/11/2013: Setting Menu types
21:08:28.4 2/11/2013: Getting Configuration Values
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: Using Theme: Default - Galaxian
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Galaxian
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: Launching HideOS.exe
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
21:08:28.5 2/11/2013: Hiding Taskbar
21:08:28.8 2/11/2013: Is Media Center running?
21:08:28.8 2/11/2013: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
21:08:29.0 2/11/2013: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
21:08:29.0 2/11/2013: Media Center Mode 2
21:08:29.2 2/11/2013: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
21:08:29.2 2/11/2013: Snap Delay set to: 2
21:08:29.2 2/11/2013: Get other settings
21:08:29.9 2/11/2013: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
21:08:29.9 2/11/2013: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
21:08:29.9 2/11/2013: Start work for Form
21:08:29.9 2/11/2013: Getting Original Screen Size
21:08:30.1 2/11/2013: Opening Database Connection
21:08:32.3 2/11/2013: Initializing Component
21:08:32.5 2/11/2013: MAME Path is: C:\Mame
21:08:32.5 2/11/2013: daphne Path is: C:\Daphne
21:08:32.5 2/11/2013: daphne EXE file is: Daphne.exe
21:08:32.5 2/11/2013: Use daphne on. Daphne.exe will launch games
21:08:32.6 2/11/2013: MAME EXE file is: Mame.exe
21:08:32.6 2/11/2013: ROM Path is: C:\Mame\roms
21:08:32.6 2/11/2013: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini
21:08:32.6 2/11/2013: controls.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: History.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\history.dat
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: command.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\command.dat
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Loading Controls.ini map file
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Snap Path is: C:\Mame\snap
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Background Snap Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: AVI Snap Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Flyer Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Cabinet Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Cabinet 3D Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Title Path is: C:\Mame\titles
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: PCB Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Panel Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Manual Path: Not Found
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Icon Path is: C:\Mame\icons
21:08:32.9 2/11/2013: Marquee Path: Not Found
21:08:33.0 2/11/2013: Applying Language/Text
21:08:33.0 2/11/2013: Text/Language: English
21:08:33.0 2/11/2013: Loading Language/Text
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Loading Custom Emulators
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Loading Emulator 1: Nintendo 64 Games
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Checking if Steam enabled
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Cannot find steam path
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Using 3D Alpha Blended Animations.
21:08:33.1 2/11/2013: Retrieving resolution setting
21:08:33.3 2/11/2013: Error Loading Font: HandelGothic BT
21:08:33.3 2/11/2013: Using General Font: Arial
21:08:33.3 2/11/2013: Error Loading Font: HandelGothic BT
21:08:33.3 2/11/2013: Using Title Font: Arial
21:08:33.4 2/11/2013: Initialising Direct3D
21:08:33.7 2/11/2013: Applying GameEx is Loading Image
21:08:33.8 2/11/2013: Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color
21:08:33.8 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces
21:08:34.2 2/11/2013: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
21:08:34.2 2/11/2013: Creating Back Buffer
21:08:34.3 2/11/2013: Loading graphic Surfaces
21:08:34.3 2/11/2013: Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 60hz
21:08:34.4 2/11/2013: Adapter: Intel® 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
21:08:34.4 2/11/2013: Max texture size: 2048x2048
21:08:34.4 2/11/2013: Available texture memory: 93MB
21:08:34.4 2/11/2013: Initialising Bass Audio Library
21:08:35.9 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
21:08:36.9 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Volume
21:08:37.0 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Arrows
21:08:37.1 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
21:08:37.1 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Toolbar
21:08:37.5 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
21:08:37.5 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
21:08:37.6 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
21:08:37.6 2/11/2013: Creating Surface Unselected
21:08:37.6 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Snaps
21:08:37.6 2/11/2013: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
21:08:38.3 2/11/2013: Creating Fonts
21:08:38.3 2/11/2013: Creating Game Font
21:08:39.0 2/11/2013: Creating Game Font Faded
21:08:39.9 2/11/2013: Creating Title Font
21:08:39.9 2/11/2013: Restoring Title Font From Cache
21:08:40.4 2/11/2013: Creating Font Black
21:08:40.6 2/11/2013: Creating Font Black Small
21:08:40.7 2/11/2013: Fonts Created Succesfully
21:08:40.7 2/11/2013: 3MB Video Memory Used
21:08:41.6 2/11/2013: Attempting to load game list
21:08:42.4 2/11/2013: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo
21:08:42.5 2/11/2013: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support
21:08:42.8 2/11/2013: Unable to create a joystick device
21:08:42.8 2/11/2013: Loading Start Page
21:08:43.0 2/11/2013: Initializing MCE Remote
21:08:43.0 2/11/2013: Playing intro sound file
21:08:43.0 2/11/2013: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!
21:08:43.0 2/11/2013: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame
21:08:44.8 2/11/2013: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully
21:10:12.4 2/11/2013: Setting Up RawInput Hook
21:10:12.4 2/11/2013: Launching RawInputHook.exe
21:10:16.4 2/11/2013: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Mame\mame.exe marble5 -rompath C:\Mame\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo
21:10:16.6 2/11/2013: Shutting down display
21:10:27.0 2/11/2013: Shutting down RawInput Hook
21:10:27.0 2/11/2013: Writing MAME stats
21:10:27.2 2/11/2013: Plugin: Game Exit
21:10:27.2 2/11/2013: Plugin: Process Commands
21:10:27.3 2/11/2013: Restoring Window
21:10:27.3 2/11/2013: Reinitializing Graphics System
21:10:31.6 2/11/2013: Returning to GameEx
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Exiting GameEx!
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Disposing all videos
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Deleting temporary Karaoke videos
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Disposing Image List
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Disposing Fonts
21:10:37.7 2/11/2013: Disposing Surfaces
21:10:37.8 2/11/2013: Saving Settings
21:10:38.0 2/11/2013: Shutting down Bass
21:10:38.4 2/11/2013: Closing HideOS.exe
21:10:39.4 2/11/2013: Disposing Plugins
21:10:39.4 2/11/2013: Disposing Plugins
21:10:39.5 2/11/2013: Closing database connection
21:10:39.7 2/11/2013: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit
21:10:39.8 2/11/2013: Bye

[Draco1962]

You may want to attach your gameex.ini file in reply to this thread (click on More Reply Options to see the attachments option). Also, you didn't indicate whether or not any or all of the ROMs are working when you start them through MAME directly (outside of GameEx). Another thing to look at is whether or not your ROM versions match the version of MAME through which you are attempting to run them. Can make a world of difference if they match vs. unmatched.

[abjohnson55454]

here are the logs for baseball stars 2. It loaded, showed 29%, 79%, then back to 29%, then went back to the GameEx game page. I tried turning off Bezels after reading a previous post, but this did not work. This seems to be happening to a number of ROMs. I have tried to put the C: directly into the prompt, but this also will not load the game. Thanks for your help!

1:33:51.3 2/11/2013: Setting Up RawInput Hook
21:33:51.3 2/11/2013: Launching RawInputHook.exe
21:33:54.1 2/11/2013: Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Mame\mame.exe bstars2 -rompath C:\Mame\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo
21:33:54.3 2/11/2013: Shutting down display
21:34:01.5 2/11/2013: Shutting down RawInput Hook
21:34:01.6 2/11/2013: Writing MAME stats
21:34:01.9 2/11/2013: Plugin: Game Exit
21:34:01.9 2/11/2013: Plugin: Process Commands
21:34:01.9 2/11/2013: Restoring Window
21:34:01.9 2/11/2013: Reinitializing Graphics System

[abjohnson55454]

Thanks, Draco. I am a bit of a rookie - sorry abou that. Attached is the gameex.ini file.

Also - it is possible my MAME version doesn't match the ROMs, as I haven't updated this. I can update to the latest version - might be a good idea as I purches this PC so it may be out of date. I will update to the latest version of MAME, hoping that will help.

Many ROMs work fine through GameEx, but many do not. For those that do not, I tried to run Baseball Stars and Marble Maddness through the command prompt with no luck.

[abjohnson55454]

attached gameex.ini

GameEx.ini

[abjohnson55454]

Ensured I was on the latest version of MAME from the MAME site - still having the same issue. Any other suggestions?

[nullPointer]

Hi abjohnson,

Upgrading MAME cna help this sort of problem under some circumstances, but in many cases it can make it worse. MAME isn't like your run of the mill emulator in which any old ROM is going to work. The version of MAME you're running must match the version of the ROMs you're using. That's because when they update MAME, they occasionally make updates to the entire ROM set as well. I'd recommend learning the ropes of using ROM auditing software, which will help you determine that your ROM set and your version of MAME are in sync.

For newish users I tend to recommend ROMCenter. It’s a great tool to have in your arsenal. Here are a couple of tutorials to help get you started with ROMCenter:

Romcenter 3 tutorial
ROMCenter Wiki

Another great tool to be aware of is the venerable ClrMamePro. ClrMamePro is not quite as user friendly as ROMCenter, but it’s got a lot more history behind it, and often times you’ll see the grizzled old emulation veterans using CMP over ROMCenter.

Here’s the complete guide to using ClrMamePro

I often see people who are new to the world of emulation jump right into MAME and get a bit discouraged. Don't get discouraged! MAME takes a bit more coddling than most emulators, but the results are highly worth it.

Good luck man.

[abjohnson55454]

thanks.

i downloaded cirmamepro, here are my stats. suggestions?

Missing
·Sets 20744/28427
·ROMs 55935/211052
·CHDs 354/640
·Samples 1535/4068
·Bytes 63gb/150gb

Fixed Wrong Case
·Sets 0/0
·ROMs 0/0
·CHDs 0/0
·Samples 0/0

Fixed Unneeded
·Sets 0/0
·ROMs 75/75
·CHDs 0/0
·Samples 0/0

Fixed Wrong Name
·Sets 0/0
·ROMs 12/12
·CHDs 0/0

Fixed Wrong Size
·ROMs 0/0

Fixed Wrong Date Time
·ROMs 0/0

Wrong Hashes
·Wrong CRC32 ROMs 0
·Wrong SHA1 ROMs 0
·Wrong MD5 ROMs 0
·Wrong SHA1 CHDs 146
·Wrong MD5 CHDs 146

Corrupt Containers 0

---------------------------------------

Active Sets 28427/28427
·Parents 4309/4309
·Clones 19617/19617
·Others 4435/4435
·BIOS 66/66