Config Files Overwritten

[scottacus]

I have a Windows 10 64bit system that is part of a cabinet.  I have the BIOS set to start up upon resumption of power so my system is shut down and started by throwing a master power switch.  I always quit PinballX before powering down the system.  On four occasions I've had the config files for PinballX get overwritten with a config file that has no data in it.  According to the time stamp on the config file it is happening sometime after PinballX exits.  For example today I turned on  machine and I got a tiny playfield with BG behind it at the top of the main playfield screen.  When I checked the config file time stamp it was set for last night and there was no text in the file.  The log says:

13:20:38.7  9/2/2016:  PinballX - Version 2.22
13:20:38.9  9/2/2016:  Windows 10 Home 64-bit (7.9GB)
13:20:38.9  9/2/2016:  Loading Settings
13:20:38.9  9/2/2016:  Initialize Component
13:20:39.0  9/2/2016:  Initialize Display
13:20:39.5  9/2/2016:  Loading PlugIns
13:20:39.9  9/2/2016:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
13:20:40.1  9/2/2016:  CPU:  AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor
13:20:40.1  9/2/2016:  GPU 1: AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
13:20:40.1  9/2/2016:  Displays: 3
13:20:40.2  9/2/2016:  Load Game List
13:20:40.2  9/2/2016:  Loading Database: Future Pinball
13:20:40.3  9/2/2016:  Loading Database: Visual Pinball
13:20:40.3  9/2/2016:  Loading Custom Database: 5 Star Games
13:20:40.3  9/2/2016:  Finding and matching artwork and videos
13:20:40.3  9/2/2016:  Also Creating and Caching Wheels for Overlays
13:20:42.2  9/2/2016:  Loading Game Statistics and Scores
13:20:42.3  9/2/2016:  Loading Surfaces
13:20:42.4  9/2/2016:  Finished Loading Surfaces
13:20:42.5  9/2/2016:  Initialize Audio
13:20:42.7  9/2/2016:  Set Keyboard Controls
13:20:42.7  9/2/2016:  Initialize Joystick
13:20:42.8  9/2/2016:  1 Joystick Attached
13:20:42.8  9/2/2016:  Started
 

This config overwrite happens sporadically so I haven't been able to find a pattern to it.  Any ideas?

 

Thanks in advance, it's a wonderful program!

[Carny_Priest]

Where on your drive do you have PinballX installed?

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[scottacus]

PinballX is in the root of the C drive (C:\PinBallX).

[Carny_Priest]

Well, not a UAC issue. Do you currently have or did you have in the past a PinballX installation in any other location?

Are you running PinballX.exe and Settings.exe as administrator?

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[scottacus]

Thanks for the replies!  I have always had PinballlX in the root but neither PinballX.exe nor Settings.exe was set to run as administrator.  I have changed both of those to "Run as Administrator".

[scottacus]

Out of curiosity, why does running as an administrator make a difference?

[Carny_Priest]

I don't think it should make a difference, but I have gotten into the habit of setting ALL my pinball related executables to run as admin to bypass issues of read/write access to supporting files.

If you are shutting down with a master switch are you sure PinballX is exiting cleanly?

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[scottacus]

Yes I always quit PinballX and then throw the mains off.

[Carny_Priest]

When you throw the mains off does that mean that you are cutting power without doing a normal Windows shutdown?

[scottacus]

Yes that is correct, the BIOS is set to start up on power resumption so I exit PinballX and then kill the mains to all components in the cab including the computer power supplies.  When I turn on the cab the next day I throw the mains and the computer power supplies kick in, the Pinscape board toggles the TVs on after a 7 second delay (they don't auto start on power resumption and require a short time with power to the sets before the momentary switches are activated) and I have a 555 timer circuit to delay connecting the subwoofer lines to the amp until the power spike has passed.

[Draco1962]

Just reading that you ware killing the mains without properly shutting down Windows, from an IT perspective, makes my gut ache. It could be part of the problem, and then some for your system as a whole.

[scottacus]

I agree that this is not the most elegant way to shut down the machine but it has worked well for over a month.  I will be tearing the machine apart for finishing so I will probably build a 555 timer circuit (or figure out how to program an adafruit) to toggle the PC power button for mains 0n/Off and change the BIOS to not boot on power resumption.  

BTW I saw Weird Al this summer for the first time since the 80's, he was as great a performer as I remember!

[Draco1962]

Saw him at both the Poodle Hat and Mandatory Fun tour stops here in Jacksonville. Both were great performances!

As for the issue at hand, have you tried using the Shutdown option within PinballX instead of Exit and cutting the mains? Might be a better option for now as it would both exit PinballX and shutdown Windows properly. 

[scottacus]

That's a great idea, I'll try that! 

I'd still like to develop a method for shutting down Windows as well as the mains with just the flick of a switch so that no one needs to use a keyboard for powering the machine down.  With kids using the machine, I'd just as soon keep the power up and down process as simple as a single switch throw.  How do you control your machine?

BTW the show I saw in Milwaukee was the Mandatory Fun Tour show.  I thought the show was really well orchestrated with video segments during the many costume changes, everything flowed really well.  I've been a fan of his since the 80's where we saw him year after year at Summer Fest.  The only downside to the experience was the many blank stares I got from people when they asked who I went to see at Summer Fest see and I said "Weird Al"...

[Draco1962]

Mine is simple. On switch at bottom of the cab, auto start PinballX on Windows load,  then Shutdown option when finished.