PinballX Windows 10 FAQ?

[Paul Stevens]

Is there an installation and configuration FAQ somewhere for PinballX?  Game Manager?  I found a large pdf covering older versions, but I am trying to setup current v2.31 with Windows 10.

 

I have Visual Pinball working perfectly outside of Pinball X including PinDMD3, cab mode with 2 monitors (pf and bg).

When I first launch PinballX, the first table I try to load loads fine.  When I try to launch a subsequent  game in PinballX, the B2S backglasses get messed up, the game won't load, no DMD activity, no error boxes.  LOG files don't reveal anything funny, no differences between successful launch of first table and failed launch of second table.  The B2S backglass will display briefly, then it becomes blank but looks like DMD dots on the BG monitor.  It might flicker back to display the correct backglass image, then go back to dots.

I set Compatibility of VP9.9.3 to XP SP3, Run as Administrator.  Also have PinballX set to Run as Administrator.

 

I'm hoping an FAQ can help me, or someone in the forums.  If there are log files to post please advise.  I don't have the computer online so I'll have to copy over and post if needed.

 

Thanks in advance for the consideration.

 

[tthurman]

The guide zeenon put together is the most current to my knowledge.  While perhaps not 100% relevant to Windows 10 and the current version, it should prove to still be a good source of information.

 

[Outhere]

Compatibility  not needed

[Paul Stevens]

@tthurman and @outhere:  are you running on Windows 10 Home?

 

Thanks. I followed Zeenons guide except for:

   have not created killbackglass.exe because Windows 10 does not recognize tskill.exe

   have not created the .ahk file for the mouse click startup program

I have ensured all .exe files are Run As Administrator

did not use "Compatibility" settings for anything PinballX

I am still having issues.

I will try the create the killbackglass.exe and other compiled .ahk file as mentioned in Zeenons guide and try again.

Lastly, are there any .direct2bs settings I should use or not use?  I am doing defaults, which I believe are Launch as EXE.  I did try "Standard" by clicking on backglass and changing, but that did not change anything.

Thank you!

 

 

[Draco1962]

Substitute Taskkill for tskill.

[Tom Speirs]

I think your case is unusual or you have gone overkill. Its pretty much plug n play as far as I have ever been aware. There should be no need to kill the backglass.

Your log and settings would help a lot. look at the signature above.

[Paul Stevens]

Thanks everyone.  I hate being "that guy" who asks for help but can't seem to figure it out.  I really appreciate the help.

 

Attached are log, ini and xml files.  Sequence is this:

Windows 10 Home 64

powered on computer

immediately launch PinballX

1st game run = Al's Garage Band.  It loaded successfully.  Exited game back to menu

2nd game run  = 24.  It loaded successfully.  Exited game back to menu. 

3rd game run = Al's Garage Band, again.  It loaded successfully.  I'm excited and thinking things are working.  Exit game back to menu

4th game run = 24.  This time it fails to load properly.  Backglass is messed up and game does nothing, vpinmame not running.  Exit game back to menu

5th game run = Al's Garage Band.  This time it fails to load properly.  Same symptoms as "24".  Backglass flashes briefly, then entire BG screen is filled with what I can best describe as "DMD Dots".  Playfield monitor shows table, but no activity / vpinmame not running.  Exit game.  Exit PinballX.  Copy log, ini, xml below.

Log.txt File:

  Reveal hidden contents

Log File:

19:53:13.0  2/1/2017:  PinballX - Version 2.31
19:53:13.0  2/1/2017:  Windows 10 Home 64-bit (15.9GB)
19:53:13.0  2/1/2017:  Loading Settings
19:53:13.0  2/1/2017:  Initialize Component
19:53:13.1  2/1/2017:  Initialize Display
19:53:14.3  2/1/2017:  Loading PlugIns
19:53:14.7  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:53:14.9  2/1/2017:  Hiding Cursor
19:53:14.9  2/1/2017:  Hiding Taskbar
19:53:15.0  2/1/2017:  CPU:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670K CPU @ 3.40GHz
19:53:15.0  2/1/2017:  GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
19:53:15.0  2/1/2017:  Displays: 2
19:53:15.0  2/1/2017:  Load Game List
19:53:15.0  2/1/2017:  Loading Database: Visual Pinball
19:53:15.1  2/1/2017:  Loading Custom Database: FP Test List
19:53:15.1  2/1/2017:  Finding and matching artwork and videos
19:53:15.2  2/1/2017:  Loading Game Statistics and Scores
19:53:15.8  2/1/2017:  Loading Surfaces
19:53:16.0  2/1/2017:  Finished Loading Surfaces
19:53:16.0  2/1/2017:  Initialize Audio
19:53:16.2  2/1/2017:  Set Keyboard Controls
19:53:16.2  2/1/2017:  Initialize Joystick
19:53:16.2  2/1/2017:  No Joysticks Attached
19:53:16.2  2/1/2017:  Started
19:53:21.0  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:53:21.0  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:53:21.1  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:53:21.9  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\Al's Garage Band.vpt"
19:53:22.1  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:53:30.3  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:53:34.7  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:53:46.6  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:53:52.6  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:53:52.6  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:53:52.6  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:53:53.4  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic.vpt"
19:53:53.4  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:53:59.4  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:54:01.2  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:54:04.5  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:54:09.0  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:54:09.0  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:54:09.0  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:54:09.7  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\Al's Garage Band.vpt"
19:54:09.7  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:54:15.7  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:54:21.5  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:54:27.6  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:54:32.0  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:54:32.1  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:54:32.1  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:54:32.9  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic.vpt"
19:54:32.9  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:54:38.9  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:54:42.4  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:54:45.7  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:54:51.3  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:54:51.3  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:54:51.3  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:54:52.1  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\Al's Garage Band.vpt"
19:54:52.1  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:54:58.2  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:55:01.3  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:55:07.4  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:55:10.8  2/1/2017:  Launch System
19:55:10.9  2/1/2017:  Waiting for threads
19:55:10.9  2/1/2017:  Disposing display
19:55:11.6  2/1/2017:  C:\Games\Visual Pinball\VPinball993.exe /play -"C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9\24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic.vpt"
19:55:11.7  2/1/2017:  C:\PinballX\vpauto.exe
19:55:17.6  2/1/2017:  Hidden Visual Pinball Editor Window
19:55:20.3  2/1/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
19:55:24.8  2/1/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
19:55:28.1  2/1/2017:  Exiting
19:55:28.1  2/1/2017:  Showing Taskbar
19:55:28.1  2/1/2017:  Unhiding Mouse Cursor
19:55:28.2  2/1/2017:  Disposing Plugins
19:55:28.2  2/1/2017:  Saving Settings
19:55:28.2  2/1/2017:  Bye
 

 

PinballX.ini file:

  Reveal hidden contents

[Display]
Monitor=0
rotate=270
Windowed=False
WindowWidth=1200
WindowHeight=1600
WindowX=0
WindowY=65
PlayFieldBrightness=230
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ffffa500
FullScreenWindowed=False
[BackGlass]
monitor=1
x=0
y=0
width=1920
height=1080
AutoPositionB2S=False
UseB2S=False
[DMD]
Enabled=False
monitor=2
x=0
y=0
width=900
height=300
AutoPositionPinMAME=False
HidePinMAME=False
UsePinMAME=False
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=True
[Interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=True
ShowSystem=True
ShowRatings=True
[Audio]
StreamVolume=90
SampleVolume=90
PlaySoundInVideos=True
[Startup]
playsound=True
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=No
[KeyCodes]
quit=27
left=37
right=39
select=13
rotate=82
pageleft=33
pageright=34
exitemulator=27
ingame=80
screenshot=83
screenshotbackglass=66
instructions=73
volumedown=109
volumeup=107
credit=53
plunger=164
[JoyCodes]
quit=10
left=0
right=1
select=2
rotate=3
pageleft=4
pageright=5
exitemulator=6
ingame=13
instructions=14
[Text]
Line1=Free Play
Line2=Press Start
Featuring=Featuring
Tables=Tables
PlayGame=Play Game
Instructions=Instructions
Information=Information
Flyer=Flyer
Gameplay=Gameplay
Tutorial=Tutorial
ExitGame=Exit Game
ReturnToGame=Return to Game
Return=Return
Exit=Exit
Shutdown=Shutdown
[FuturePinball]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-
TablePath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-\Tables
Executable=Future Pinball.exe
Parameters=/open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=
LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=
LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
MouseClickFocus=True
[VisualPinball]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Games\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\Games\Visual Pinball\Tables_VP9
Executable=VPinball993.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
AutoConfigure=False
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=True
[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=15
MuteAudio=False
[System_1]
Name=MAME
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\- EMULATORS -\- MAME -
TablePath=C:\
Executable=mamep64.exe
Parameters=[TABLEFILE]
SystemType=0
[AutoExit]
Enabled=False
Minutes=10
[Login]
Enabled=False
[PinballFX2]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 [TABLEFILE]
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
Rotate=False
WaitFor=20
[Internal]
lastwheelcachematchsize=-1123
lastselected=24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesicVisualPinball
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=Tables
[PinballArcade]
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 238260
Process=PinballArcade.exe
WaitForSelect=50
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=false
[RealDMD]
EnableColor=True
Color=ffff1414
[SetupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=1
CustomArray=
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=5
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=0
ShowPanel=True
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=650,1167
WindowLocation=821,0

 

 

Visual Pinball.xml file

  Reveal hidden contents

<menu>
 <game name="24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic">
  <description>24 (Stern 2009) freneticamnesic</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer>Stern</manufacturer>
  <year>2009</year>
  <type>SS</type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>0</rating>
 </game>
 <game name="Al's Garage Band">
  <description>Al's Garage Band</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer>Alvin G</manufacturer>
  <year>1992</year>
  <type>SS</type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>0</rating>
 </game>
 <game name="16-9 Big Game">
  <description>Big Game (Stern 1980)</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer>Stern</manufacturer>
  <year>1980</year>
  <type>SS</type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>3</rating>
 </game>
 <game name="Big Guns">
  <description>Big Guns</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer></manufacturer>
  <year></year>
  <type></type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>0</rating>
 </game>
 <game name="Big_Brave">
  <description>Big_Brave</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer></manufacturer>
  <year></year>
  <type></type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>0</rating>
 </game>
 <game name="Road Kings VP9 FS">
  <description>Road Kings (Williams 1986)</description>
  <rom></rom>
  <manufacturer>Williams</manufacturer>
  <year>1986</year>
  <type>SS</type>
  <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
  <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
  <enabled>True</enabled>
  <rating>4</rating>
 </game>
</menu>

Thank you all so very much for looking at this.

[Paul Stevens]

Some additional info:

When the launched table is messed up, if I press CTRL-ALT-DEL and bring up the blue screen to choose Task Manager, when the blue selection screen is up, the PINDMD3 starts running.  When I choose Task Manager, which shows on the playfield monitor, the backglass monitor indeed displays the DMD data.  It takes up the entire screen - backglass is hidden but occasionally parts of it flash through briefly.

Also, in this state, Task Manager shows an ERROR box from Visual Pinball:

   Fatal Error:  HRESULT 88760868

   at RenderDevice.cpp:420

 

That box only appears when Task Manager is running.  BEFORE launching TAsk Manager, if I Alt-Tab around when the table is messed up, that dialog box is not there.  After launching Task Manager, the error box appears.

 

Hope that helps - Thank you!

[Paul Stevens]

Solved - Sort of...

I tried several things including:

- updating NVidia drivers and removing nVidea experience

- verifying .NET was current at 4.6.2

- unblocking all DLLs / files / directories

- disabling Windows Defender

- updating to latest VPINMAME

None of the above helped.

 

I did find a PinballX 2.29 setup program in another directory so I installed that.

v2.29 seems to work perfectly!

 

So, I -solved- the problem by reverting from 2.31 back to 2.29.

 

Tom - what is different between 2.29 and 2.31?  Is there anything I am missing by running 2.29?

 

Thank you so much!

[Tom Speirs]

Pretty much nothing at all as far as I am aware. Just the expiry removal. Its odd,

[Paul Stevens]

  On 2/3/2017 at 9:24 AM, Tom Speirs said:

Pretty much nothing at all as far as I am aware. Just the expiry removal. Its odd,

Expand  

I think the real issue lay elsewhere.  I still am having some issues launching tables with directB2S backglasses and the score display showing properly, even with PinballX v2.29.  I got to thinking that the score display is really vpinmame display, so I went looking there.  I ran Setup for vpinmame and noticed under "Setup Paths..." the "Display" option was set to "DISPLAY2 on Nvidia GTX960".  I must have set that at some time but I don't recall.

 

Changing that to "[Default]" seems to have made all the difference.  The tables which consistently were problematic to load through PinballX are launching fine now.

 

I am guessing that when PinballX calls VPinball.exe and subsequently when vpinmame gets called. parameters are set, or registry settings are changed, stuff goes on behind the scenes that I have no idea about.  Perhaps not having "[Default]" for the vpinmame display was causing conflicts with whatever settings or parameters are sent from PinballX to Vpinball.exe to Vpinmame.exe...

 

Anyway, posting this observation in case it might help someone else in the future.