Version 2.12/2.14 not randomly NOT launching DB2S backaglass with table launch

[wrd1972]

Hello,

I recently upgraded to rev 2.12 and now when a launch a table using PBX, the DB2S backglass may or may not launch. It seems that when I launch the table the first time, I get the error you normally see if the DB2S file is named wrong along with the black screen.

Now if I exit back to PBX and relaunch the same table. The DB2S backglass will launch properly. Weird. This all started with this latest upgrade. The version prior to the upgrade I think was 2.04, IIRC.

Thoughts?

[Draco1962]

Please provide us with copies of your pinballx.ini and log.txt files. The PinballX How to ask for help link in my signature will provide you with instructions on how to find and submit these files for us to review. Thanks!

[wrd1972]

OK. Will try to do it tonight or tomorrow. Other thing I did not mention. If I launch tables without PBX...via the editor, the DB2S back-glasses always appear as they should.

Thanks for looking into it.

[wrd1972]

Draco,

Did you get my log and config files? No huge rush. Just want to check to see if you got them in your email

Many Thanks

Bill

[Draco1962]

You should be posting the files here, not sending to my email or private message. Thanks.

[wrd1972]

Here you go. Log is in next post.

pinballx.ini

Spoiler

Pinballx.ini
[Display]
Monitor=0
rotate=270
Windowed=False
WindowWidth=480
WindowHeight=720
WindowX=0
WindowY=65
PlayFieldBrightness=230
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ff0000ff
[backGlass]
monitor=2
x=0
y=0
width=1280
height=1024
[DMD]
Enabled=True
monitor=1
x=115
y=110
width=1050
height=400
AutoPositionPinMAME=False
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=False
[interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=False
ShowSystem=True
ShowRatings=False
OneClickLaunch=True
WheelOverlay=0
EnableDefaultFilters=False
[Audio]
StreamVolume=70
SampleVolume=70
PlaySoundInVideos=True
[startup]
playsound=True
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=No
[KeyCodes]
quit=27
left=161
right=160
select=13
rotate=188
pageleft=188
pageright=188
exitemulator=188
ingame=188
screenshot=188
screenshotbackglass=188
instructions=188
volumedown=109
volumeup=107
[JoyCodes]
quit=6
left=9
right=1
select=8
rotate=
pageleft=
pageright=
exitemulator=6
ingame=
instructions=11
[Text]
Line1=Free Play
Line2=Press Start
[FuturePinball]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\Visual Pinball\Tables A
Executable=vpinball-9.9.1-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=
LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=
LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
MouseClickFocus=True
FPRAMPath=C:\
[VisualPinball]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball 9
TablePath=C:\Visual Pinball\Tables
Executable=vpinball-9.9.1-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=
LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=
LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=False
ConfirmExitGameTimer=False
[startupProgram]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=true
WaitForExit=false
[ExitProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=False
WaitForExit=
[AttractMode]
Enabled=True
Timer=1
ShowFor=10
MuteAudio=False
[system_1]
Name=Tables_Alpha Numeric
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric
Executable=vpinball-9.9.1-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
SystemType=1
[AutoExit]
Enabled=True
Minutes=10
[Login]
Enabled=False
[PinballFX2]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=Steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
WaitFor=20
[internal]
lastwheelcachematchsize=-1123
lastselected=Embryon (Bally 1980)Embryon (Bally 1980)System_7
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=Tables
[setupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=1
CustomArray=
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=0
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=5
ShowPanel=True
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=832,753
WindowLocation=2204,-353
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=false
[Plugin_1]
Enabled=False
Name=PlugInLED.dll
[Plugin_2]
Enabled=False
Name=PlugInSpeech.dll
[Plugin_3]
Enabled=False
Name=QuickLaunch (PinballX Edition).dll
[Plugin_4]
Enabled=False
Name=Xpadder Plugin.dll
[system_2]
Name=Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact
Executable=vpinball-9.9.1-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
[system_3]
Name=Tables_Alpha Numeric_Physmod
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric_Physmod
Executable=vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_4]
Name=Tables_Single screen BG
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Single screen BG
Executable=vpinball-9.9.1-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_5]
Name=Tables_Single screen BG_Physmod
Enabled=True
SystemType=1
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Single screen BG_Physmod
Executable=vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_6]
Name=Tables_Alpha Numeric_VP10
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\VP 10.0.0
TablePath=C:\VP 10.0.0\Tables_Alpha Numeric
Executable=VPinballX.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_7]
Name=Tables_Single Screen_VP10
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\VP 10.0.0
TablePath=C:\VP 10.0.0\Tables_Single Screen
Executable=VPinballX.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
SystemType=0
[system_8]
Name=Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod
Executable=vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_9]
Name=
Enabled=False
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Larger soundboard - physmod
Executable=vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_10]
Name=
Enabled=False
SystemType=0
WorkingPath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL
TablePath=C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_no soundboard_physmod
Executable=vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
[system_11]
Name=
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball 10
TablePath=C:\Visual Pinball 10\Tables
Executable=vpinballx.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
Enabled=False
[system_12]
Name=
WorkingPath=
TablePath=
Executable=
Parameters=

 

[wrd1972]

Log.txt (at the end, isa reference to dirty harry, which did not load BG>

Spoiler

07:29:45.4 2/5/2016: PinballX - Version 2.12
07:29:45.6 2/5/2016: Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 64-bit (3.9GB)
07:29:45.6 2/5/2016: Loading Settings
07:29:45.7 2/5/2016: Initialize Component
07:29:45.7 2/5/2016: Initialize Display
07:29:47.1 2/5/2016: Loading PlugIns
07:29:47.5 2/5/2016: Created DirectX BackGlass Window
07:29:47.5 2/5/2016: Created DirectX DMD Window
07:29:47.7 2/5/2016: Hiding Cursor
07:29:47.7 2/5/2016: Hiding Taskbar
07:29:47.8 2/5/2016: CPU: Intel® Core2 Duo CPU E8600 @ 3.33GHz
07:29:47.8 2/5/2016: GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
07:29:47.8 2/5/2016: Displays: 3
07:29:47.8 2/5/2016: Load Game List
07:29:47.8 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Pinball FX2
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Alpha Numeric
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Alpha Numeric_Physmod
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Single screen BG
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Single screen BG_Physmod
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Alpha Numeric_VP10
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Single Screen_VP10
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Loading Database: Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod
07:29:47.9 2/5/2016: Finding and matching artwork and videos
07:29:48.4 2/5/2016: Loading Game Statistics and Scores
07:29:48.6 2/5/2016: Loading Surfaces
07:29:48.9 2/5/2016: Finished Loading Surfaces
07:29:48.9 2/5/2016: Initialize Audio
07:29:49.0 2/5/2016: Set Keyboard Controls
07:29:49.0 2/5/2016: Initialize Joystick
07:29:49.1 2/5/2016: 1 Joystick Attached
07:29:49.1 2/5/2016: Started
07:30:01.6 2/5/2016: Launch System
07:30:01.6 2/5/2016: Waiting for threads
07:30:01.6 2/5/2016: Disposing display
07:30:03.6 2/5/2016: C:\VP 10.0.0\VPinballX.exe /play -"C:\VP 10.0.0\Tables_Single Screen\Dirty Harry (Williams1995).vpx"
07:30:15.2 2/5/2016: Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
07:30:29.9 2/5/2016: Exit System Control Pressed
07:30:32.5 2/5/2016: Created DirectX BackGlass Window
07:30:32.5 2/5/2016: Created DirectX DMD Window
07:30:34.7 2/5/2016: Exiting
07:30:35.0 2/5/2016: Showing Taskbar
07:30:35.0 2/5/2016: Unhiding Mouse Cursor
07:30:35.0 2/5/2016: Disposing Plugins
07:30:35.0 2/5/2016: Saving Settings
07:30:35.0 2/5/2016: Bye

 

[wrd1972]

Some other info. The DB2S backglasses seem to work fine for "smaller" size table, such as pre VPX. However, even smaller VPx tables seem to do okay. For the huge size VPx tables such as Demolition Man, Dirty Harry or Monster Bash, 90% of the time the BG wont load with the table and you get the error that normally shows if the BG file is incorrectly named. On a freak occasion, the BG will load but never two or three times in a row.

Thanks

[Draco1962]

Looks like you posted your pinballx.ini twice. Also, please click on the PinballX How to ask for help link in my signature for instructions on how to use the PinballX Support File Mask within the forum as this will help with those of us that may be responding via phone to assist you without having to perform lots of excess scrolling through your post. Thanks!

[wrd1972]

Draco,

I added the log above.

Moving forward, I will provide the info in the way you suggest.

Thanks

[Carny_Priest]

Does the db2s back glass load consistently when you launch from the editor outside of PinballX?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[wrd1972]

Does the db2s back glass load consistently when you launch from the editor outside of PinballX?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yep. They work every single time going through the editor.

[Carny_Priest]

Sounds like your problem happens with very large table files? You might try a dB2S that is smaller size or a static backglass.

Or (outside of PinballX) - increase the Skip lamp frames and/or Skip solenoid frames in the Performance tuning section in db2s backglass settings

Or in VP -> Preferences -> Video Options

dialing down Max Texture Dimension

Turning off AA and/or AO

or try the newer VPX betas - the devs have been working on increasing performance in the last few days but this is beta so it would be experimental

In other words, if most of your tables are working even the VPX ones that are smaller file size then it doesn't seem like it is a PinballX issue.

VPX is a fairly new system for most users. Many have found that this requires some re-tuning of their system to find the sweet spot again for good performance for the new graphics features that VPX introduces. And table authors are still figuring out how to optimize their tables for good performance on a broad base of hardware configurations.

Hope this helps.

[wrd1972]

Carny,

Thanks for the response.

Just to recap. Every single game and its B2S BG load and play perfectly if I go through the VP editor. Absolutely zero issues with no errors. However, if I load and play through PBX, for many tables the BG is not loaded. I assume that when your in VPX, once a selection is made, that selection goes through the the VP editor to load the table. Maybe I am wrong.

Above said, I dont understand how this could be an issue with VP itself. I tried the suggestions you made and the problem remains. Any other ideas? Is there a repository for older versions? My PBX 2.04 worked perfectly.

 

Thanks for the help.

Bill

[Carny_Priest]

Just making sure, when you refer to B2S, you mean directB2S? Or are you talking about the older B2S executables such as Rosve's tables?

If directB2S, then the file name should be identical to the table file name.

PinballX leverages the command line parameters that VP supports. It launches the VP editor and automatically plays the table whose script in turn calls B2S.server which displays the backglass associated with the table. The one whose file name is identical to the table's file name.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[wrd1972]

Yes DB2S back glasses..

[Carny_Priest]

db2s file names match the table file names?

In your xml file are the hidebackglass tags set to False?

You said many tables don't show backglasses in PinballX. But does that mean that some do show backglasses? Is there some difference that you can identify between tables where the backglass works and the tables where the backglass doesn't work?

[wrd1972]

I would need more clarification on what you want from the xml file.

 

All DB2S backglsses for all of my tables load and operate launching through the VP editor.

All DB2S backglasses for all of my tables load and operate launching through the PBX v2.04

A large amount of my DB2S backglasses for my tables do not load launching through the PBX v2.12. I get the error you see for a name mismatch. However, all names are correct or they would not work through the editor.

 

Absolutely nothing of note changed went I went from 2.04 to 2.12 This must be an issue with PBX since all backglasses load and work properly through through the editor. It just seems to me that is table x backglass loads and work right through the editor then it should also through PBX. When will a new rev of PBX be out?

 

[Draco1962]

Can you provide a copy of the xml file? Thanks. 

[Tom Speirs]

I do notice in your configuration you have not set the emulated system to Visual Pinball for some of your custom systems.

Apologies if you answered this but I didn't see it. Are all you tables set to hide the Backglass? Your XML would show this.,

[wrd1972]

Tom,

Thanks for the reply and apologies for the delayed response.

The "hide the backglass" buttons have been confusing to me. I guess I truly dont understand what they do. From what I have seen, they dont seem to have an effect at least on my cab...with allowing the DB@S background to show during play or not. With all of the buttons set to "do not show", I still had many tables where the DB2S BG appeared.

Above said, I did uncheck the above function and I have seem some improvements with the more problematic tables. I also loaded up rev 2.14 so I am not sure if that factors into anything. So now all the problematic tables are showing their DB2S BG, but the the error message still appears on top of the playfield. If I hit the start button or click okay, it disappears. This seems to happen to the more recent tables I have added and to a lesser degree, the ones that have been on for quite some tim.

Now when I exit PBX, I will have all of these error windows that must be removed by clicking okay. So in short, the backglasses are loading but along with the error "ding" and window.  BTW, all tables and their backglasses are still loading and playing properly when loaded through the editor. No error dings or error windows.

 

Regarding not using VP setting in the setup and using multiple "customs". I do this since the size of the many DB2S backgrounds can vary a great deal. This could be due to inconsistency from author to author or that some tables have a DMD display or not. Each one of my 6 or so custom setups have different DB2S display size parameters. This means that I have 6 tables folders as well. This ensures that I have total control over the size of the backglass being displayed for each table. If I loaded all of my tables into the VP setup. I would be forced to use a single DB2S size parameter since all of the tables would be in a single folder. Maybe there is another way to do this that I am not aware of. I would like to speak to this further once I have my bigger issue above resolved.

 

Please advise on what I can do to help get this thing fixed.

 

Thanks

Bill

 

PinballX.ini

SetupWizard.xml

log.txt

[Carny_Priest]

Ok. Just to clarify EVERYTHING works the way you like it outside of PinballX? The tables in your install all use directB2S or are other solutions included like the older B2S executables or UVP?

You are setting up a separate system for each machine type. And you are doing this and setting up separate screenres.txt in each folder so that you can retain native aspect ratios for the backglass image? You are not willing to simply stretch the image to fit, right?

I suppose if EVERYTHING is working correctly outside of PinballX that there is not any issues with screenres,txt. The right screen numbers are defined and you have the right offsets defined.

As you have separate systems defined for each machine type then you will need a folder for each system. The name of a folder should match the name you have given the system.   If you have a system with name=Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod then the folder must be named Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod. And within the folder there must be a file named "Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod.xml" Let's say that we are not dealing with custom grouping. Then, the tables that you have in 
your C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod folder would have entries in "Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod.xml". If you are using different image offsets for each machine type then you will want the hidebackglass tag to be "True". PinballX will simply cover over whatever it typically shows on your backglass during preview mode. directB2S or what every SHOULD then display over PinballX during play.

The setup is not one I've seen before. Very non-standard. Everything works from the editor, but because this is not a standard setup you will also need to test EVERYTHING again from a command prompt. This is most like how PinballX would be attempting to launch tables.

Change dir to your Visual Pinball folder

type in 

vpinball-Physmod5-plunger-mods.exe -play "C:\VISUAL PINBALL\Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod\%Table%"

where %Table% is some vpt table file in that folder.

If the table has a directB2S file associated with it, the file name of the directB2S and the vpt MUST, MUST, MUST be identical!

Keep testing. Baby steps. One thing at a time. If EVERYTHING works from the command line then it SHOULD work within PinballX.

All said, I'm not sure that I would want to go the route you are going. You are in for a lot of housekeeping because all the media would need to be placed in separate folders (a set of media files for Tables_Alpha Numeric Compact_Physmod, and so on) OR you will have to setup a lot of symbolic links and kiss Game Manager goodbye. 

 

[wrd1972]

Carny,

Yes to clarify, all of my 150+ VP9 and VP10 tables and there associated backglasses both DB2S and B2s, play absolutely flawlessly when not going through pinballX. Everything works great through the VP editors. Something broke when upgrading from PinballX rev 2.04 to 2.12 I believe.

I created the following command to run VP10 Metallica from command prompt:

vpinballx.exe -play "C:\VP 10.0.0\Tables_Single Screen\Metallica (Stern 2013).vpx"

When I run the above in command prompt, the table loads along with its DB2S backglass flawlessly just like if I were to load it from the editor. I do NOT get the error ding or window about the "blah balh blah\directb2s not found. Please rename blah blah blah".

I then tried to load the same table through PinballX and the backglass loads but with the error ding and window above. I am not an expert at these things but all things seem to point to PBX since table loading and backglasses work flawlessly through command prompt.

Like I said before. Tables that were loaded into PBX prior to the upgrade run perfectly along with their backglasses. Tables loaded into PBX after the upgrade to 2.12 all have this issue with the error ding and window.

I very much appreciate you looking into this.

Thanks

Bill

[wrd1972]

A few more interesting tid bits. If I launch the table through the "PinballX Game Manager" using the "launch" button. The tables and their backglasses load and play flawlessly. No ding or error window.

Now execute pinballX and select the same game from the browsing menu. The DB2S backglass does not load as first thought load at all but rather, it shows the backglass screen shot from the browing menu. Again, no active backglass at all. Of course you get the error ding and window as described above indicating the DB2S issue.

[wrd1972]

Okay some good news and some bad news.

Good news is now the DB2S backglasses are loading properly with no error ding or messages. In the "PBX setup"...more specifically in the "other systems" parameters for the multiple groups I have created. On my single screen VPX tables for "system type". I changed this from "custom" to visual pinball" After that, the backglasses all seem to be working (see attachment). I will do some more testing to confirm but as of now, it appears the issue is resolved.

 

Bad news. I am now getting some random crashes when PBX is running. I will try to determine a pattern if any. and respond back.

 

I do want to talk further about the "other systems" groups I have made but I will start a new thread for this one.

 

Thanks

Bill