View/Audit Games and Final Burn Alpha

[The_A_Drain]

Hi guys,

fantastic work from what I can see, first time using GameEx here, I've been asked to add/modify an existing installation on a machine that originated from a UK company, and I wanted to ask a few questions about auditing rom files/maps and setting up menus.

I've been through the setup process and added Sega Model 2, Sega Model 3 and Final Burn Alpha into the emulators database and enabled them. I've also redirected from the included version of FB Alpha to a more recent version. But the list of available games seems to be the complete list of possible games, from the older version of FB Alpha. I've edited the map file to remove the games I don't care about, but I wondered if this was the intended process as I've seen mention of an 'audit' button in the emulator setup in GameExConfig/Setup Wizard but I've been unable to actually find it. Could anybody point me to precisely where it is?

Also menus for them (which didn't appear automatically, I had to use the menumanager exe in the GameEx directory, I'm wondering if the menus for them should have appeared automatically, or if I'm supposed to manually add them. Either one is fine, I'm just not sure of the intended function. Is it possible to easily create sub menus? For example I couldn't find a way of doing this in the menu editor but I'd like to have

Arcade->MAME/FBA/ETC

Console->Atari 2600/Genesis/etc

Really appreciate any info, thanks guys!

Edited December 19, 2019 by tthurman
Moved>GameEx>General

[tthurman]

Quote

to add/modify an existing installation on a machine that originated from a UK company

I take it based on the above comment this is not GameEx Evolution?

We have no specifics as to what build you are using, or gameex log or ini, which leaves us to guessing.  These could possibly be better questions asked of whomever originally configured it as it would seem that it may not be a current release. 

The emulators available in the repository are not actively kept current and it is recommended to check with the developers site for updates and similar support.  Others with more experience than I have with consoles may chime it here, but it seems what you need is a mapfile maker to build against your set.

 

 

[The_A_Drain]

You're correct in that it's not a current release. It's not GameEx Evolution, that's my bad, sorry. 

I asked about creating sub-menus using the menu editor, which fair enough the version number would've been useful I (stupidly) assumed the version would be recent, which was not remotely the case unfortunately, for most things installed on this machine (which is surprising as it was a custom order placed only a couple months ago). 

Unfortunately I don't have access to the machine right now and didn't note down the GameEx version number, but that's something I can chase up later when I have more specific questions, all likelyhood I'll be upgrading to the current version however before doing any more work on the menus/setups.

I've since figured out you can do sub-menus, via the menucreator by clicking 'add menu' instead of 'add item' and you populate it by adding items with the menu item selected. 

I've been messing around with the latest version of GameEx as well with an eye to upgrading what's installed in the machine, as a lot of the setup is easier to use in the current version, but I still cannot find an 'audit' option anywhere within the GameEx menus, enable/disable features, or in the emulator setup menu either. Does anybody know where this button is, in GameEx 16.10? Or if the intended way to setup lists of games is to just create a map file, either manually or otherwise.

I'm not sure why you'd need to see a log or the ini file for either of my questions, however.  Though I'd be happy to provide them when I have access to the machine next.

I just want to know the intended functionality for populating a game list, either GameEx is supposed to scan the directory and pickup rom files itself, via this 'audit' button (and if so, where it is), or it's not and I'm supposed to create a map file myself, I just can't find a clear answer to that question. Either way is fine, I just can't find any documentation that makes it clear so needed to ask. I've searched the wiki for the word 'audit' it doesn't appear anywhere.

I have also asked the company who configured the machine these (and several other) questions, I'm still waiting for them to get back to me, but in all likelyhood I'll be wiping it and starting fresh given the job they've done setting the thing up.

I'd also like to know if it's possible to send custom command lines on a per-game basis to override the command line provided by the emulator configuration? There's a couple of specific games where this would be helpful.

[Draco1962]

Seeing the gameex.ini and log.txt files provides us with a lot of information to accurately answer some of your questions and to give suggestions. Otherwise, it can be a lengthy and piecemeal process to address your questions - answer and or ask more setup info from your side, etc.

We ask that anyone submitting a question or error with the software to do so to make our job as fellow members and voluntary support a bit easier. 

When  you reply with the files, we ask that you attach them vs. copy & paste. Thank you.

[The_A_Drain]

The log and config files for my test installation of GameEx 16.10.

Should game lists self-populate based on roms detected in the rom directories for consoles? Is the same true of MAME and FBA? Currently it is not, and I just want to know if this is intended or not intended.

Does an 'audit' button exist within the setup wizard? It's mentioned in several threads on this forum but I can't find it within the setup wizard or within the GameEx menus.

Is there any further documentation than what is present in the Wiki?

I would just like a straightforward answer to those question if possible, please. For now, I don't care about an older version of GameEx that I don't have access to until the new year. 

log.txt SetupWizard.log GameEx.ini

[Draco1962]

Responses to your questions in bold text:

Should game lists self-populate based on roms detected in the rom directories for consoles?

Uncertain, but I do not run anything through GameEx other than MAME, DAPHNE,Model2, and Model3 via the integrated support, not through emulator slots.

Is the same true of MAME and FBA? 

Running MAME through integrated support option allows for you to "Update List." Unable to answer about FBA.

Does an 'audit' button exist within the setup wizard?

Not in GameEx or GameEx Arcade Edition. It does exist in GameEx Evolution.

Is there any further documentation than what is present in the Wiki?

Information in the Wiki is old and limited. Searching the forums is the best bet. I use Google's site search to find most things. 

I would just like a straightforward answer to those question if possible, please. For now, I don't care about an older version of GameEx that I don't have access to until the new year. 

Last statement not sure what to make of the tone coming across or how to respond. I think so far we have been about as straightforward in response as is possible. We have to ask for things to help us help you.

 

[The_A_Drain]

Your answer to a straightforward question about the featureset of a product you expect payment for is 'uncertain'? 

If there isn't even enough information on your own wiki to tell your own products feature-set, how can I be sure of whether something is a bug report or a feature request if I don't even know what the product is supposed to do in a given situation and neither does it's own support team?

After demanding a set of ini files that had no relevance to the question, and waiting more than 2 days for a response of any substance, your follow-up advice is search the forum for information? I have done so and information is sparse at best. I'd say you detected a rightfully indignant undertone initially refusing to answer a simple question without uploading ini files of little relevance, but at this point I feel like I've got no choice but to recommend LaunchBox or AttractMode over upgrading the in-place installation of GameEx if this is the level of support available for it. 

You've essentially just told me to google it which I have already done, absolutely unbelievable. 

Thanks for the help.

[Draco1962]

I was giving you the respect of a response, admitting in that response what I do and do not know. Other members, including the author,  often chime in to assist as they can to fill in the knowledge gaps. 

Given that we are entering the Holidays, responses are going to be sparse.

You respond to an admin and myself showing a bit of attitude when asked to provide files for the setup you described and answers to quite a few questions.

Addressing the questions will take time, but you've already made up your mind about this site's inadequacies before my response. That is absolutely unbelievable and unwarranted.

[Tom Speirs]

Gees, this seems kind of convoluted! I was going to reply to this but I looked at the bloated questions and just thought ugh! Too much information and not enough detail about what is actually going on with the setup.

Lets keep it to the point, specifics and facts and I will try to help. I have not got the time to read through all this right now but want to help.

Yes, game lists should auto populate as long as you are not using map files. Map files provide a fixed list whether games are present or not.

Menus for them should also appear automatically. I am not aware of them not doing so unless is a recent bug introduced.

Keep it to the point and I will answer further questions.

Again, it is the holidays buddy. This is not a multi million dollar business and barely makes any money and other than help from a few people like Draco most of the time I have to do pretty much everything myself from developing the software to keeping the sites running.

Honestly, if you want to use another product please feel free to go ahead. For the most part its all about comradery and fun here. I don't need people who kindly help me out getting pissed off, especially this time of year, whether they were a little off with you or not.

Keep it to the point going forward please and I will try and get you sorted if not I am shutting this thread down. 

Thanks.

Tom.