PinballX freezes launching DMDEXT

[hlr53]

Here is the log and I've attached the config. If I don't launch before, PBX runs fine. If I launch dmdext from a command window and then launch PBX all is OK. Nothing is jumping out at me on why this is happening?

5:08:25.9  10/20/2017:  PinballX - Version 2.42
15:08:25.9  10/20/2017:  Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (15.9GB)
15:08:25.9  10/20/2017:  Loading Settings
15:08:25.9  10/20/2017:  Initialize Component
15:08:25.9  10/20/2017:  Initialize Display
15:08:27.0  10/20/2017:  Loading PlugIns
15:08:27.6  10/20/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
15:08:27.6  10/20/2017:  Created DirectX DMD Window
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  CPU:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  Displays: 2
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  Load Game List
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  Loading Database: Pinball FX3
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  Loading Database: Future Pinball
15:08:27.7  10/20/2017:  Finding and matching artwork and videos
15:08:27.9  10/20/2017:  Loading Game Statistics and Scores
15:08:28.6  10/20/2017:  Loading Surfaces
15:08:28.7  10/20/2017:  Finished Loading Surfaces
15:08:28.7  10/20/2017:  Initialize Audio
15:08:28.7  10/20/2017:  Set Keyboard Controls
15:08:28.7  10/20/2017:  Initialize Joystick
15:08:28.8  10/20/2017:  Auto configure Visual Pinball
15:08:28.8  10/20/2017:  No Joysticks Attached
15:08:28.8  10/20/2017:  Started
15:08:32.3  10/20/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
15:08:32.3  10/20/2017:  Main display running full screen windowed.
15:08:41.7  10/20/2017:  Launch System
15:08:41.7  10/20/2017:  Waiting for threads
15:08:41.7  10/20/2017:  Disposing display
15:08:42.7  10/20/2017:  D:\dmdext.exe mirror --source=pinballfx3 --no-virtual  <--PBX hangs here. Just shows Loading.....
 

PinballX.ini

[Draco1962]

Can you attach the complete log file? Thanks!

[Draco1962]

Also, did you install the Fall Creator Update for Win 10?

[hlr53]

Attached

No, I'm still on Version 1703 build 15063.674

log.txt

[hlr53]

I had PBX launch a batch file rather than calling dmdext directly and it works. I have no idea why, but it does?

08:24:13.9  10/21/2017:  Disposing display
08:24:14.7  10/21/2017:  D:\test.bat 
08:24:14.8  10/21/2017:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe -applaunch 442120 "-table_MARVEL_CivilWar"
08:24:37.5  10/21/2017:  Found Pinball FX 3 Process
08:25:11.4  10/21/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
08:25:14.6  10/21/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window

[Draco1962]

47 minutes ago, hlr53 said:

I had PBX launch a batch file rather than calling dmdext directly and it works. I have no idea why, but it does?

08:24:13.9  10/21/2017:  Disposing display
08:24:14.7  10/21/2017:  D:\test.bat 
08:24:14.8  10/21/2017:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe -applaunch 442120 "-table_MARVEL_CivilWar"
08:24:37.5  10/21/2017:  Found Pinball FX 3 Process
08:25:11.4  10/21/2017:  Exit System Control Pressed
08:25:14.6  10/21/2017:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window

What are the command lines in your batch file?

[hlr53]

ECHO
start D:\dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx3 --no-virtual --quit-when-done 

[rablack97]

First did you upgrade your dmdext to the latest which gives dmdext fx3 compatability.

I found that putting dmdext in c: drive helps too.

Here's my AhK script, you might try this instead of the the .bat or use the -q,, Hide parameters.  Also might try giving it a destination, the other options are on the github site.

dmdext_Path=c:\dmdext
Run, %dmdext_Path%\dmdext.exe mirror --source=pinballfx3 --destination=pin2dmd --no-virtual -q,, Hide

Makes sure both of these are yes in your pbfx3 setting in pbx for the launchbefore.

Another issue may be the process is not closing down and multiple instances are remaining open... I run this script in the launch after to make sure its being closed out, the -q command didn't always work.

Process, Close, dmdext.exe
sleep, 1000
Process, Close, dmdext.exe
exitapp

[hlr53]

Thanks rablack, I will play around with it. I have to see if Launch Before Hide Window is set to Yes? I noticed the console window frame is bleeding over into the backglass because it is sized so large.

[rablack97]

you should be able to resize it in the dmdext.ini, i use pin2dmd though, it's been awhile since i've used the virtual, i thought there was another program out there to where you could re-size the dmd right on the screen.  I may be wrong, when i was using the virtual, i would right click on it, and it would allow me to move and resize it to fit the backglass i was playing.

did you do this as well

Visual PinMAME

VPM recently introduced the possibility of delegating DMD rendering to an external DLL. The main motivation is being able to ship a single build instead of having to release multiple binaries for multiple DMDs.

You can enable this by copying the included DmdDevice.dll to the location of VPinMAME.dll. In VPM you then need to enable Use External DMD and then rendering should go through dmdext.

If you are a PC monitor user or have a RGB display (PinDMDv3 or PIN2DMD), the advantage of dmdext is that Lucky1's coloring features are fully supported.

Configuration

Since DmdDevice.dll is called by VPM, we can't pass any configuration parameters to it. Instead, we use DmdDevice.ini which must be located in the same folder as VPinMAME.dll. The options are described by block below.

[hlr53]

I'm running a pinDMD3. To keep the console window from edging into the backbox I ran dmdext and then right clicked on the top of the console frame. Under Properties I changed the column length and left position. Also told Windows not to auto position. Fixed that problem :-)

 

[rablack97]

oh so you have a real dmd then, the freezing is due to a timing issue.  I take it your trying to launch dmdext right before launching the PBFX3 table.

Reason it works, when running from cmd line and then booting up PBX, your giving dmdext enough time to initialize.  You have a small conflict in load priorities in your setup.  I too pulled my hair out trying to get dmdext to work with pbfx2 and found out, the load before was loading it at the same time other processes were trying to load.

By chance are your running doflinx as well? 

[hlr53]

Timing issue makes perfect sense. It locked up so bad I couldn't bring up the Task Manager. Logging out and logging back in would shut down PBX. I never had an issue with older versions of dmdext and FX2. Ran fine with the launch before setting. Not running doflinx yet. Still have to add the toys.

Maybe Tom can put in a delay in the launch before?

[Draco1962]

Launch before doesn't work that way. It is there to allow for running other programs. If you are running a batch file, there's command line settings you can invoke to delay the launch of a program. 

[rablack97]

Yep what @Draco1962 said, i had to toy with sleep commands in my ahk before i found the right duration.  My understanding is "wait to exit" set to yes mean, it will run that bat or ahk file completely prior to launching the emulator.

The more toys people add to these monsters the more susceptible you will be to conflicts.

I have, addressable leds, DOF Feedback, dmd ext, ultradmd, no telling what else i've forgotten, getting all of that stuff to play along together in harmony is all trial and error.

It took me a week to get PBFX3 to work with dmdext + DOFlinx (automx), there was an order and specific time i had to execute, then wait execute the next and then execute pbfx3.

[rablack97]

Send some screen shots of your cabinet support setup, you're pbfx3 for pbx settings, and your display settings.

Maybe we can walk you through step by step.

When is it freezing?

Does your DMD lettering turn red and then freeze?

When you exit out do you see multiple instances of dmdext still open?

 

[hlr53]

Just to recap, everything works fine using the batch file so I'm letting sleeping dogs lie for now.

Now, when I get DOF stuff going I may need some help  

If you look at my init file above it freezes the moment dmdext launches within PBX. Before FX3 I was using a 12/2016 version of dmdext with FP, VP, FX2 and PBX 2.39 (I think?) everything was ok. And, of course, before several builds of Windows 10 (which I always thought was a horrible operating system and still do, but it is what it is. PM2 from IBM in the 80's was far superior but brain damaged IBM management let it die, but I digress....).

AFAIK, there were no multiple instances of dmdext running.

Draco, what I meant by delaying is waiting a few seconds or a second (probably only needs a few milliseconds) for any external program to launch before PBX launches the table. Like a wait for setting. IDK? Just thinking out loud here.

[Draco1962]

I think it better to have the delay built into the batch file or AHK script/.exe file. This allows for a custom setting that the individual can setup based upon their kit.

[rablack97]

Batch, ahk same thing, I was just giving you my code that work.  If you can duplicate that in batch cool too.

Screenshots of your setup would help too, it only takes one thing to be out of whack to prevent your DMD talking to your real dmd.

To confirm you are using the latest version of dmdext right.

 

[hlr53]

I haven't installed and played with AHK yet but it is on the to-do list since I want to get Zacarria working too. Yep, latest dmdext and PBX installed. Keeping with the simple batch until something comes along and breaks it.

[rablack97]

are you doing full screen or windowed mode?

Just had a thought, the animated backglass and 3rd screen animations would freeze when launching a table in PBFX3 in fullscreen mode, the fix was change to windowed.  Go into PBFX3 and change from full screen to windowed, and see if that fixes it.

You may be getting that same fullscreen conflict bug i was getting.  There's no visual difference between the two.

[hlr53]

I had it set to Full Screen but No to Full Screen windowed. Changed that to yes and I can launch dmdext without using the batch file. Problem now is I lose my attract table videos. They apparently don't launch in time? Another timing problem? Everything else works OK; wheels, animated backglasses, DMD, table play.  So, I went back to the batch. Guess I will quit being stubborn and I'll install AHK next weekend and try your script . Also want to start playing with the Zacarria scripts. Never scripted before but I should muddle through. 

I'm working on media and animations today/tonight and don't want to digress. I might have time during the week.  

(My Buckeyes are getting killed by Penn State )

 

[rablack97]

attract table videos?

what do you mean? no such thing when launching into PBFX3

[hlr53]

Table videos while cycling through the wheel images in the main menu before launching. Originally called as such (programmed as attract mode) to entice passers-by to play the game in real Arcades, which included me in the old days.