the horrible zinc strikes again :(

[helpman]

So here I am, trying to setup zinc and make some games more playable with my arcade...

and it's a nightmare to get it working!!

I've read every forum topic I could find, tried many wrappers, many frontends, many configurations...

So far, ZincGui works fine, so the emulator can run some games,but in gameex when I choose to play any zinc game the screen goes black, I can see some kind of window popping out, then after a second or two gameex pops in and the "play this game now" screen is all I can see. it's making me mad!

from the log:

06:41:18.2 07/05/2013: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

06:41:18.3 07/05/2013: Extracting: C:\games\arcade\emulators\ZiNc\Roms\10.rar

06:41:19.0 07/05/2013: Running: cmd.exe /c C: zinc.exe 10 --use-config-file=zinc.cfg

06:41:19.1 07/05/2013: Shutting down display

06:41:22.1 07/05/2013: Writing Stats

06:41:22.2 07/05/2013: Plugin: Game Exit

06:41:22.2 07/05/2013: Plugin: Process Commands

06:41:22.2 07/05/2013: Refreshing Keyboard

06:41:22.4 07/05/2013: Initialising Audio

06:41:22.4 07/05/2013: Relaunching HideOS

06:41:22.7 07/05/2013: Restoring Window

06:41:22.7 07/05/2013: Reinitializing Graphics System

06:41:23.0 07/05/2013: Mouse Input is disabled

06:41:25.5 07/05/2013: Reloading Game Info Page

06:41:25.7 07/05/2013: Returning to GameEx

from gamex.ini

UseZinc=True

ZincEXE=zinc.exe

ZincPATH=C:\games\arcade\emulators\zinc

ZincOptions=[ROM] --use-config-file=zinc.cfg

[Emulator_8]

Enabled=True

System=Arcade

Category=Arcade

Emulator=ZiNc

Version=1.1

Rating=8.0

DownloadUrl=http://www.gamesdbase.com/setupwizard/emulators/download/zinc.7z

RequiredFiles=Render plugins, available from site.

Website=http://www.emuhype.com/

Info=Arcade emulator for PSX based hardware games.

TitleText=ZiNc

StartPageName=[Arcade] Arcade (ZiNc)

StartPageLogo=Sony Playstation

Command=zinc.exe [ROM] --use-config-file=zinc.cfg

RomFilter=*.zip

Database=

ConfigFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (Process Close)

MapFile=[APP]\Map Files\[Arcade] ZiNc.map

RomPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\ZiNc\Roms

SnapPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Snaps

TitlePath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Titles

BoxPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Boxes

CartPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Cartridges

ManualPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Manuals

ControlPanelPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\Arcade\ZiNc\Controls

WorkingPath=C:\games\arcade\emulators\ZiNc

MapKeys=True

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=False

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=False

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

AlsoLaunch=

OLDatZip=

LaunchBefore=

LaunchAfter=

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=

PlayMusic=False

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=False

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=False

GamesIn7Zips=True

PlayInScreenSaver=False

ShowMostPlayed=True

RandomMostPlayed=True

CDCheck=False

CDCheckFile=

BakSnapPath=

VideoSnapPath=

[helpman]

just tried the .bat files on this topic

http://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/5091-setting-up-zinc-as-an-emulator/?p=34966&hl=%20zinc%20%20brian%20%20hoffman#entry34966

and the .bat files alone works fine. If I setup the zinc emulator in gameex as in that topic, I get the same result too. Black screen for a moment, then goes back to gameex

[Draco1962]

Please attach complete copies of your log.txt, gameex.ini and emulator cfg files in reply to the thread. Thanks!

[helpman]

Please attach complete copies of your log.txt, gameex.ini and emulator cfg files in reply to the thread. Thanks!

here they are...

As I can't upload cfg files, zinc cfg file is here:

--roms-directory=.\roms

--use-sound=yes

--sound-filter-enable=no

--sound-filter-cutoff=22050

--sound-surround-lite-enable=no

--sound-surround-lite-multiplier=40

--sound-stereo-exciter=no

--use-slow-geometry=no

--use-renderer-cfg-file=renderer.cfg

--renderer=.\wind3d\renderer.znc

--controller=c:\zinc\pcfg\controller.znc

renderer.cfg

; ogl/d3d renderer settings

XSize = 800 ; Window/fullscreen X size

YSize = 600 ; Window/fullscreen Y size

FullScreen = 1 ; Fullscreen mode: 0/1

ColorDepth = 32 ; Fullscreen color depth: 16/32

ScanLines = 1 ; Scanlines: 0=none, 1=black, 2=bright

Filtering = 0 ; Texture filtering: 0-3 (filtering causes glitches!)

Blending = 1 ; Enhanced color blend: ogl: 0/1; D3D: 0-2

Dithering = 0 ; Dithering: 0/1 (only needed in 16 bit color depths)

ShowFPS = 0 ; FPS display on startup: 0/1

FrameLimitation = 1 ; Frame limit: 0/1

FrameSkipping = 0 ; Frame skip: 0/1

FramerateDetection = 1 ; Auto framerate detection: 0/1

FramerateManual = 100 ; Manual framerate: 0-1000

TextureType = 3 ; Textures: 0=card's default, 1=4 bit, 2=5bit, 3=8bit

TextureCaching = 2 ; Caching type: 0-3, def=2, mode 3 is not available on most cards

EnableKeys = 1 ; Enable renderer keys: 0/1, def=1 (enables keys for the fps menu/pause)

FastExcel = 0 ; Speed hack for SF 'excel' modes. Will cause glitches if enabled!

log.txt

GameEx.ini

[nullPointer]

Hi helpman,

I'm sure you've checked out various tutorials and whatnot, but I think this is one of the best Zinc tutorials around. It's been a long time since I've done anything with Zinc, but IIRC that was the tutorial I used to finally get it up and running. Good luck man!

[helpman]

thanks, nullpointer! I'll have a look

now I'm worried about a weird issue... tried to install some tables for visual pinball, now gameex takes AGES to load, and when I exit to desktop (retroos) only mouse pointer appears. turboshell won't show at all (ctrl+t), even ctrl+alt+supr produces nothing... it0s sooo weird...

[helpman]

forget that, don't know why, but now it works fine.

now about zinc...

I know mame can play most if not all of the games zinc plays, but...

Now the core is a pentium IV 2,8ghz, 1gb ram, integrated intel extreme graphic card (8mb video ram)

Those games are choppy at best, and really pixelated.

I'm waiting for an ati x1300 128mb pci-e 16x card and 4 gb ddr2 ram that I bought from ebay to improve this a bit.

Still don't know if those games will be playable with that setting, but on my laptop (with intel gma 4500hd) they are choppy on mame and works great with zinc (using zingui, I couldn't make it work in any other way), so I though I might try to make it run with gameex...

I'm going to have a look at that zinc tutorial nullpoint mentioned, just in case, but I'm lost here

EDITED: checked the link. Already visited that, and tried all that. Only way to make games work, via ZINCGUI or via some .bat files somebody posted on another thread.

[fRequEnCy]

As far as using Zinc as a stand-alone emulator, the problem is as followed:

GamesIn7Zips=True

This should be set to false. The emulator itself handles the zip file. So there is no need to unzip with GameEx. This would cause issues.

[helpman]

just changed that setting, still the same. screen flashes in black, then goes back to gameex.

[fRequEnCy]

Are your files rar'ed and also numbered? I also see that you're using a map file. This seems like this whole setup is messed up. Your roms need to be zipped and the roms need to have their valid name. As far as the map file, I'd have to see the contents of the one you're using. Running in debug mode will give you an idea of why it's not working.

[helpman]

Hi there!

The roms are not numbered and have the right name (that's why they run fine with zincgui) and zipped, not rared.

The map file is the default one gameex uses for zinc.

I had a look at the .bat files that work fine when I run then alone, and they have just a line inside.

Although my roms have the proper name, for dead or alive ++ the only line inside it is something like "zinc.exe 68".

I just don't know why that does work,zincgui works, but not the zinc option to run games on mame list nor the standalone zinc emulation on other emulated games.

[nullPointer]

In addition to the information you've already provided, would you mind attempting to run a Zinc game through GameEx and subsequently post the contents of your runitgame.bat? Instructions on how to do that can be found here.

Thanks man!

[helpman]

Thank you for your time trying to help me

Well, it's WEIRD. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to work, but... well...

the line to execute zinc on the bat file:

C:

CD "C:\games\arcade\emulators\ZiNc"

@echo.

@echo

@echo.

@echo.

@echo zinc.exe "C:\games\arcade\emulators\zinc\roms\68" --use-config-file=zinc.cfg

@echo.

@echo

@echo.

PAUSE

zinc.exe "C:\games\arcade\emulators\zinc\roms\68" --use-config-file=zinc.cfg

The DEAD OR ALIVE ++ rom filename is "doapp.zip" so I have no clue why the command line shows that, or if that's how it's supposed to work :?

The standalone .bat file I have says the same though:

deadoralive++.bat

zinc.exe 68

I'll try to remove the path from the command line in gameex...

EDITED: removed the path to the rom, still flash in black then nothing. Removed the use config option... and now it works!

it's weird, I don't know how to setup zinc if I can't set the cfg file on the command line!

If I use only as command line "zinc.exe [romfile]" it works!

Now I'm gonna try to delete all options on the internal zinc options of gameex so it run mame's games based on psx, and let you know...

EDITED AGAIN

Removing all options on the zinc menu also launches the games.

Now... how can I map my arcade controller buttons if I can't choose a cfg file? I need to remap 2 joysticks

[fRequEnCy]

I suggest entering the full path of the location of the cfg file instead of just --use-config-file=zinc.cfg.

[helpman]

Finally!

As it loaded fine without the cfg file I supposed it had something to do with it.

Replaced all paths inside the cfg files so they were absolutes, not relatives, and it works!

@frequency tried that too. as the batch file or gameex first enters the emulator folder to run the command line it works both with absolute path or just the cfg file if it's on the emulator folder.

just in case anybody have the same problem,

ZINC.CFG

--roms-directory=c:\games\arcade\emulators\mame\roms

--use-sound=yes

--sound-filter-enable=no

--sound-filter-cutoff=22050

--sound-surround-lite-enable=no

--sound-surround-lite-multiplier=40

--sound-stereo-exciter=no

--use-slow-geometry=no

--use-renderer-cfg-file=renderer.cfg

--renderer=c:\games\arcade\emulators\zinc\wind3d\renderer.znc

--controller=c:\games\arcade\emulators\zinc\pcfg\controller.znc

[helpman]

Just a quick note... I already tried the same configuration options on my cabinet... and works GREAT.

It has an old intel xtreme integrated graphics card (with 8mb ram!) and zinc games are really playable!

But as nothing is perfect... inside mame, I can't see the zinc game's list. And I can't find any option in gameex setup wizard to enable it. Where's my list? aaargh!

EDITED: silly me! I was looking for zinc list under mame settings but it was on the features menu... now it's there, all shiny and fluffy

[Draco1962]

All resolved and working now?

[helpman]

Yeah, zinc's working surprisingly fine considering my video card lol