MAME ROMs dont load in GameEX

[redgreycab]

Hi.

I can't figure out why this isn't working for me.

My MAME ROMs work outside the front-end (in MAME32's UI), but when I try to load them from within GameEX, I get a black screen and get kicked back to the list of ROMs after a couple of seconds.

I have attached the log file and .ini file. Can someone let me know what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks.

log.txt

GameEx.ini

[Adultery]

Well it looks like you have mame set up as an emulator instead of using the integrated support but you're trying to launch from the mame games menu. Do you have mame set up in the emulator 1 spot like your log shows?

[redgreycab]

Yes, I do have MAME set up in the emulator 1 spot. Should I not have done this?

[Draco1962]

Using MAME with the integrated MAME mame support is far superior than running MAME as a separate emulator IMO. Just open Setup Wizazrd and point everything to the source directories for your ROMs, snaps, videos, etc. and you are pretty much good to go. You will need to click on the last option to update list once you have it all setup. If you run into any hitches along the way, just let us know and we'll help!

[redgreycab]

Ok. I took MAME off the list of emulators.

Now I have selected update list.

The last time I updated the list, it was stuck on "Reading Listinfo.dat (25%)" for about 20 hours. I assumed that my PC was stuck, but the clock in the top left corner was updating, so I really dont know....

I'll let the process run for a while and report back in.

Thanks.

[redgreycab]

Ok. It's been 9 hours, and it is still stuck on "Reading Listinfo.dat (25%)". This shouldn't happen, should it?

[Draco1962]

If you wouldn't mind providing an updated copy of your gameex.ini and log.txt files. Thanks!

[redgreycab]

Sure.

GameEx.ini

log.txt

[B2K24]

Say Goodbye to MAME32 and your problems go away.

Get MAME from mamedev.org or UME from Haze's page ---> http://mamedev.emulab.it/haze/2014/09/25/ume-0-154ex4/

Extract to some empty folder and run "mame -cc" or "ume -cc" in Command Prompt which gives you mame.ini or ume.ini

Set your rom path and other options then run the GameEX setup wizard and make sure the settings match in MAME category.

Also, you can disable Verify roms in GameEX setup wizard if you're sure your set is 100% correct with the games you want to play.

A rom manager like ClrMAMEPro can accomplish this.

[redgreycab]

Are you suggesting that the update list issue is because I'm using MAME32 instead of MAME?

Can you elaborate?

Thanks

[B2K24]

Are you suggesting that the update list issue is because I'm using MAME32 instead of MAME?

Can you elaborate?

Thanks

Yes, because 32 and UI are considered derivative builds not sponsored or officially endorsed by MAMEdev.

It's referred as being a derivative because old outdated GUI and other code is patched in by people who aren't MAMEdevs.

It makes very little sense to use these non official GUI builds because GameEX already provides you with the GUI and Front End.

[Draco1962]

I use MAMEUI64 (many other run this or MAMEUI32) and it works just fine so long as my ROMs match the version of MAME that I am running. Other than the GUI, it is about as vanilla as you can get of the alternative builds. You can still run the command that B2K24 referenced to generate the files.

I chose this version long before I started using GameEx and will likely "go vanilla" with my next update as there is no need for the extra overhead, albeit small.

[B2K24]

I use MAMEUI64 (many other run this or MAMEUI32) and it works just fine so long as my ROMs match the version of MAME that I am running. Other than the GUI, it is about as vanilla as you can get of the alternative builds. You can still run the command that B2K24 referenced to generate the files.

I chose this version long before I started using GameEx and will likely "go vanilla" with my next update as there is no need for the extra overhead, albeit small.

It's better to go vanilla for the above reasons I've already mentioned. Also, even the Author John IV has quit hosting 32-bit builds for a long time now, so the people that still stick with those are taking "risks" by seeking out unofficial downloads for those.

If you absolutely need a derivative then you might as well try out MAMEUIFX, but beware it has many changes, hacks, differences over official MAME.

[tthurman]

FWIW: I've been using vanilla MAME 64 bit for quite a while now, and with the exception of compiling with the latest minigw, it's been problem free. Hopefully that issue will be resolved with the next release.

<edit> I should probably point out that it compiles fine with the previous minigw release version without issue

Edited September 29, 2014 by tthurman

[tthurman]

A couple ideas:

If you still happen to be running 0.153 you could be seeing the CarnEvil bug, if so check Dazzle's fixed history dat, and give updating another go.

Another thing I've noticed here over the last few months is that simply uninstalling and reinstalling GameEx seems, at least for some, to fix problems when you can launch outside the front-end, but not within it.

May be something you might want to consider.

[B2K24]

FWIW: I've been using vanilla MAME 64 bit for quite a while now, and with the exception of compiling with the latest minigw, it's been problem free. Hopefully that issue will be resolved with the next release.

<edit> I should probably point out that it compiles fine with the previous minigw release version without issue

The new tools work just fine for me.

Before I got it working the very first time, I had to move folder mingw64-w64 to location "H:\mamesrc" (that's where I keep clean source pull) then run all 3 of the batch files in mingw64-w64

After doing that MAME/MESS/SDLMAME/SDLMESS successfully compile.

[DazzleHP]

"freezing at 25%" sounds suspiciously like the CarnEvil bug. hmmmm. Which version of MAME are you using? The bug was present in previous versions too, .153 is just the latest version it occurs. Can you check your All MAME Games list and make sure you have roms past the letter C listed. Thanks

[redgreycab]

Okay. So I am no longer using MAME32; and that seemed to have resolved the "Reading Listinfo.dat (25%)" issue. I was able to complete an Update List.

The problem now is all the ROMs that were running in MAME32 (ver 0.59) will not run in MAME (ver 0.145).

Is this something I can rectify with ClrMAMEPro, or will I need an older version of MAME?

[tthurman]

That's way to much work to rebuild an old set like that in CMP, IMO, any set manager really, just too many headaches!

I would either update to current releases (preferred, especially on modern hardware, say Conroe/dual core era or up), or grab vanilla 0.59 (if you cool dealing with an older set and associated issues with it)

[redgreycab]

When you say "update to current releases" you are referring to the ROMs, right?

How do I determine the version of a ROM? And how do I know whether it will work with MAME?

[B2K24]

When you say "update to current releases" you are referring to the ROMs, right?

How do I determine the version of a ROM? And how do I know whether it will work with MAME?

Current version of MAME is 0.154 and the next release will be at 0.155 which will have Raiden 2 and Raiden Dx, New Zero Team and Zero Team 2000 promoted to working status.

Also, NMK004 sound simulation has been replaced by emulation.

Many mametester bugs fixed.

Unless your hardware is absolutely horrible, you want to upgrade the emulator at every official release.

About your ROMs question - your set is so out of date that you will just want to obtain a complete set from scratch. If you stay on a very old version, then you are missing out on so much man.

Edited September 30, 2014 by nullPointer
Minor edit for conformance with rules. Discussion of how ROMs are obtained is disallowed regardless of whether it's made in terms of general reference.

[tthurman]

When you say "update to current releases" you are referring to the ROMs, right?

How do I determine the version of a ROM? And how do I know whether it will work with MAME?

Ideally you need be running a current version of MAME, and as B2K24 already pointed out, that's version 0.154 currently. This is updated every few months or so, so you will want to ensure that whatever MAME version you are running, also matches your romset. i.e. and old set isn't going to run on a current MAME version.

I have no idea what version you currently have, but it stands to reason that it is an very old one based on your comments. We strive to be vigilant to the forum rules and guidelines, but some basic googling, should get you headed in the right direction.

[Nippon]

Hello,

I'm new to GameEx and the whole world of retro gaming. I read this entire post because I'm having a similar problem. I can get my ROMs to load in GameEx and see them in the list. However, when I select the game it won't open and I just get a black screen. I can get the games to work outside of GameEx when I just run it through the MAME emulator. Can someone take a look at my log files and tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thanks!

GameEx.ini

log.txt