[Resolved] black screen upon launch of gameex

[8trek]

just installed latest and greatest gameex.  configured it using setup wizard.  upon launch get a black screen.  log below...

Spoiler

11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Opening Configuration File
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  GameEx: Version 14.54: Starting Log
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 64-bit
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Aero running
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Getting CPU and RAM info
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz, 4063MB
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  3.31Ghz - 4 Cores or CPU's
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Running Randomize()
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Loading PlugIns
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Setting default net connection limit to 15
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Running Misc startup tasks
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Setting Menu types
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Getting Configuration Values
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Using Theme: Default - Media Center
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Media Center
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Using Images from theme: Default - Media Center V1\MEDIA\
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Launching HideOS.exe
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Hiding Taskbar
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Is Media Center running?
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Media Center Mode 2
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Snap Delay set to: 4
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Get other settings
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Start work for Form
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Getting Original Screen Size
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Opening Database Connection
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  Initializing Component
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  MAME Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  MAME EXE file is: mame64.exe
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  ROM Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\roms
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  Catver.ini is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini
11:42:51.0  8/29/2016:  controls.ini is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\controls.ini
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  History.dat is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\history.dat
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  nplayers.ini is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  command.dat is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\command.dat
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\ARCADE\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Loading Controls.ini map file
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Snap Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\snap
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Database Snap Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Background Snap Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  AVI Snap Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\avisnap
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Flyer Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\flyers
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Cabinet Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\cabinets
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Cabinet 3D Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Title Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\titles
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Title Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  PCB Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Artwork Preview Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\artwork
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Panel Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\cpanel
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Manual Path: Not Found
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Icon Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\icons
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Marquee Path is: C:\ARCADE\MAME\0175\marquees
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Applying Language/Text
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Text/Language: English
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Loading Language/Text
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Using Version 3 Themes Animations
11:42:51.1  8/29/2016:  Retrieving resolution setting
11:42:51.2  8/29/2016:  Using General Font: Trebuchet MS
11:42:51.2  8/29/2016:  Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS
11:42:51.2  8/29/2016:  GameEx will try to reduce CPU usage
11:42:51.2  8/29/2016:  Initialising Direct3D
11:42:51.3  8/29/2016:  Setting Resolution to 1920x1200 32 bit color
11:42:51.3  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces
11:42:51.4  8/29/2016:  Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
11:42:51.4  8/29/2016:  Creating Back Buffer
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Loading graphic Surfaces
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Display is running at: 1920x1200 32bit color, 59hz
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Max texture size: 16384x16384
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Available texture memory: -1368MB
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Initialising Bass Audio Library
11:42:51.5  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Volume
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Arrows
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
11:42:51.6  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
11:42:51.7  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
11:42:51.7  8/29/2016:  Creating Surface Unselected
11:42:51.7  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Snaps
11:42:51.7  8/29/2016:  Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
11:42:51.8  8/29/2016:  Creating Fonts
11:42:51.8  8/29/2016:  Creating Game Font
11:42:51.9  8/29/2016:  Creating Game Font Faded
11:42:51.9  8/29/2016:  Creating Title Font
11:42:51.9  8/29/2016:  Restoring Title Font From Cache
11:42:52.0  8/29/2016:  Creating Font Black
11:42:52.0  8/29/2016:  Creating Font Black Small
11:42:52.1  8/29/2016:  Fonts Created Succesfully
11:42:52.3  8/29/2016:  Initial Emulator Load
11:42:52.4  8/29/2016:  Loading Custom Emulators
11:42:52.4  8/29/2016:  Attempting to load game list
11:42:52.4  8/29/2016:  MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo
11:42:52.4  8/29/2016:  Cannot Load Play List. Check Path and filename
11:42:52.4  8/29/2016:  Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Unable to create a joystick device
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Loading Start Page
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Initializing MCE Remote
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Playing intro sound file
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!
11:42:52.5  8/29/2016:  Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame
11:42:52.7  8/29/2016:  Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully
11:46:55.5  8/29/2016:  Starting Attract Mode
11:46:55.5  8/29/2016:  Reading MAME hall of fame
11:46:55.6  8/29/2016:  Disabling Attract Mode
11:48:48.5  8/29/2016:  Exiting GameEx!
11:48:48.5  8/29/2016:  Disposing all videos
11:48:48.5  8/29/2016:  Deleting temporary Karaoke videos
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Disposing Image List
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Disposing Fonts
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Disposing Surfaces
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Saving Settings
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Saving Settings
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Shutting down Bass
11:48:48.6  8/29/2016:  Closing HideOS.exe
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Disposing Plugins
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Disposing Plugins
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Closing database connection
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Checking for applications to Launch On Exit
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Bye

 

[Draco1962]

Just for shits & giggles, can we have a copy of your gameex.ini file? Thanks.

[8trek]

see attached.  Also worth noting mame runs fine by itself.  Thanks.

GameEx.ini

[Draco1962]

DId you do the update is available install (from the prompt withint GameEx) or an over the dop install (download, then run the setup)? If you did the first, then try the second. If you did the second, download again and run setup again.

[8trek]

neither, it was a clean install. No upgrade.

[RIP-Felix]

Try turning HideOS off. I've had issues like this before when it was on.

Looks to me like you are trying to launch GameEx from Media center, then upon exiting GameEx you want it to return to Media Center. Is that correct? I'm not sure that you need to set GameEx to launch Media Center from the Launch After command. Try removing that.

To Someone more familiar with the logs: I edited the log below. The bold lines below seem odd to me and may be related to the black he is seeing.

3 hours ago, 8trek said:

just installed latest and greatest gameex.  configured it using setup wizard.  upon launch get a black screen.  log below...

  Hide contents

11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Opening Configuration File
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  GameEx: Version 14.54: Starting Log
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 64-bit
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Aero running
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Getting CPU and RAM info
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz, 4063MB
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  3.31Ghz - 4 Cores or CPU's
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Running Randomize()
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Loading PlugIns
11:42:50.8  8/29/2016:  Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Setting default net connection limit to 15
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Running Misc startup tasks
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Setting Menu types
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Getting Configuration Values
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Using Theme: Default - Media Center
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Media Center
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Using Images from theme: Default - Media Center V1\MEDIA\
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Launching HideOS.exe
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Hiding Taskbar
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Is Media Center running?
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Media Center Mode 2
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Snap Delay set to: 4
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Get other settings
11:42:50.9  8/29/2016:  Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
[...]
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Checking for applications to Launch On Exit
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching
11:48:48.8  8/29/2016:  Bye

 

 

[RedDog]

Dang it...I was going to suggest turning off HideOS. Ninja'd!  

You might also check to see if your anti-virus is interrupting it.

[RIP-Felix]

[8trek]

i disabled media center in the setup and have no desire to use media center.  I did see that in the logs and thought it was odd given i disabled this function.  More to that, i find myself disabling just about everything since the only function i want is for mame and daphne.

[RedDog]

So, this is a fresh GamEx install on a machine that has never had it or a recently loaded machine?

How up to date is your Windows 7? If I recall correctly, you do need to have a certain .net version or above for GameEx.

Otherwise, like the oh-so-wise Draco suggested, the gameex.ini file may shed some light.

[Draco1962]

The gameex.ini is in his reply to my initial request.

3 hours ago, 8trek said:

see attached.  Also worth noting mame runs fine by itself.  Thanks.

GameEx.ini

 

[RIP-Felix]

45 minutes ago, 8trek said:

i disabled media center in the setup and have no desire to use media center.  I did see that in the logs and thought it was odd given i disabled this function.  More to that, i find myself disabling just about everything since the only function i want is for mame and daphne.

Just to clarify, the Launch on Exit and Launch on Startup fields in the "Tweaks / Performance" page of the setup wizard are empty? The log seemed to imply you set it to launch media center from there.

Also did you Turn "Hide Desktop" off?  Try this: Setup wizard --> Display settings --> Hide Desktop = No

[8trek]

3 hours ago, RIP-Felix said:

Just to clarify, the Launch on Exit and Launch on Startup fields in the "Tweaks / Performance" page of the setup wizard are empty? The log seemed to imply you set it to launch media center from there.

Also did you Turn "Hide Desktop" off?  Try this: Setup wizard --> Display settings --> Hide Desktop = No

okay, so first off, no there is nothing in the launch on startup or exit, so regarding why there is reference to media center in the logs is still a mystery.

secondly, i hope everyone can forgive me after i tell you what the black screen issue was all about. I was using Logmein to remotely control this new mame machine and it was only until i got home that i realized the issue was the graphics was more than the logmein driver could handle (I guess), either way when i got home no black screen and gameex was waiting for me to play.... sorry.

one more thing, so do i mark this thread as "solved" and if so how do i do that,.... sorry as well.... been several years.

[RIP-Felix]

No problem. Yeah just edit your first post and you'll be able to edit the title. Just place [Resolved] before the title and that will tidy things up. Glad things are working for you.