NEWS: GameEx 6.90 Released

[Tom Speirs]

1st October, 2006 - GameEx 6.90

Introducing the GameEx Setup Wizard!

A new innovation in gaming frontends - The GameEx setup wizard allows wizard style configuration, download, setup of GameEx, MAME, emulators and all your media needs.

This makes the setup of GameEx even easier than it ever it was.

Now the gaming frontend with the most complex backend and amount of features, is probably now the easiest to setup and use.

The GameEx setup wizard is entirely the work of Ben Baker (AKA Headkaze).

You should get this version of GameEx as soon as you can.

Please give feedback and ask questions about this new addition to GameEx on the GameEx forums.

My thanks, gratitude and admiration go out to Ben.

[dslynch]

Oh man, I am giggling like a school girl. Awesome program made by awesome people. Thanks!!

[amos_82]

Back with a vengeance Tom... 2 releases in a day!

Nicely done Headkaze, this should take the sting out of setting everything up.

The setup really put me off gameex initially, when i downloaded it through an mce site I uninstalled gameex twice in a year, because i just expected everything to work straight away. Hopefully this with reduce the Q&A and the setup time.

Congrats again

[headkaze]

I would also like to thank Adultery for his config files which are now included in the default install of GameEx. He saved me alot of time it would have taken searching out a bunch of default configs, and they now match up with the emulator downloads. I havn't done enough testing with all the emulators, and they certainly do not run out-of-the box yet. But I'll be working to improve that in the near future.

[emphatic]

Hey, super-cool news, guys! I'm installing now, testing tomorrow.

Emph

[Will]

quick question, tom (or anyone else who has now tried this), you instructed us to do a download install on the last version. If we do a download install and open the wizard (or however it works) this won't remove any current settings will it? I have spent a ton of time on those puppies

[headkaze]

quick question, tom (or anyone else who has now tried this), you instructed us to do a download install on the last version. If we do a download install and open the wizard (or however it works) this won't remove any current settings will it? I have spent a ton of time on those puppies

The setup wizard has been designed so that you can run it at any time and it will not mess with your current settings. The intro page actually mentions that. So don't be afraid to run the Setup Wizard, you can exit it at any time and it wont change anything. The only time it will make a change is when you change a setting. It dosn't even write to the config file until you make a change.

[katuuuz]

1st October, 2006 - GameEx 6.90

Introducing the GameEx Setup Wizard!

A new innovation in gaming frontends - The GameEx setup wizard allows wizard style configuration, download, setup of GameEx, MAME, emulators and all your media needs.

This makes the setup of GameEx even easier than it ever it was.

Now the gaming frontend with the most complex backend and amount of features, is probably now the easiest to setup and use.

The GameEx setup wizard is entirely the work of Ben Baker (AKA Headkaze).

You should get this version of GameEx as soon as you can.

Please give feedback and ask questions about this new addition to GameEx on the GameEx forums.

My thanks, gratitude and admiration go out to Ben.

nice work tom and team. being a firm believer in the saying "if it's not broke, don't fix it" i havn't downloaded the new version or the setup wizard yet. i probably won't unless i have huge problems with my config, or decide to dedicate another pc to games and need to config from scratch. i do trust that its a lot faster and more easy, but i personally enjoyed setting up game ex the "hard" way. this now leaves the small breed of us who went through trials and tribulations, and blood sweat and tears setting this beauty up in history. good work.

[emphatic]

One thing it does is that it recreates the start menu group, so if you (like me) have moved that to a custom folder on your start menu (games, layout, internet etc), a GameEx folder will appear and that old start menu will need to be cleaned up. But I'm guessing that's the price you pay for all those sweet options!

And the Configuration app is now called Advanced Configuration in that folder, so if you have any shortcuts pointing there, they need to be reset.

Oh, I see it's 02.00 in the morning. Good night and good luck.

Emph

[amos_82]

Oh, I see it's 02.00 in the morning. Good night and good luck.

Emph

Looks like your a member of the insomnia club too Emph Maybe there should be a disclaimer on the setup wizard...excessive gaming may result in a lack of sleep!

[headkaze]

nice work tom and team. being a firm believer in the saying "if it's not broke, don't fix it" i havn't downloaded the new version or the setup wizard yet. i probably won't unless i have huge problems with my config, or decide to dedicate another pc to games and need to config from scratch. i do trust that its a lot faster and more easy, but i personally enjoyed setting up game ex the "hard" way. this now leaves the small breed of us who went through trials and tribulations, and blood sweat and tears setting this beauty up in history. good work.

Well you did get frustrated with some of the setup if I recall This release will definately be a big help for new users. But your totally right, without setting things up the hard way how do you learn? I've noticed you turn from a newbie to a pro in a matter of weeks. Now your a great help to others and it's because you did it all yourself that makes you able to do that.

The Setup Wizard does help, but it's still not to the stage where you can automatically download the emulators and they just work. There is still alot of work getting each emulator setup for your own controls and to run full screen etc. But I'll be working on that so that the emu's will get close to running without too much manual configuration. It's practically impossible to automate everything though.

[Nologic]

It's practically impossible to automate everything though.

Hehe I'll take that bet. J\K

*Update*

Just installed and viewed the setup wizard...very nice and handy, major props for that. The Emu download is nice, even tho I didn't try it...but a few things that maybe nice add's would be to query what emu's are currently installed...and what versions they are...so that ones that are already installed could be displayed as already being installed...hehe some people have a lot of them and get forgetful. The version bit would be to simply inform the user if whats available on the server is newer than whats installed...and maybe even have it inform the user if there are newer builds out than whats on the server...RSS feed or some thing like that. Maybe develop a standard in which all the FE's can use...for notifications...that way maybe the Emu dev's may help support it.

Just idea's and not very well thought out ones...hehe kind of match's my nick.

[headkaze]

Hehe I'll take that bet. J\K

If you want to take that bet you can I need to go through all the emulators in the Setup Wizard's download section and configure them to work using all their default paths. It's a big job so if your willing to help out PM me.

[lingpanda]

I just dl'ed the Soul Calibur theme with setup wizard and it doesn't display a snap in the wizard. I also noticed in the enable videos/movies section you have a link for fddshow. While you and me might know what its for. Many new people won't. Maybe a brief description why you list that codec. (If you have trouble viewing your videos dl the fddshow codec). Or something along those lines. In the enable Karaoke section maybe a link for directx karaoke. I know Tom doesn't have this auto dl when you install gameex. I had a problem with my karaoke and I had to install this in order for it to work. Also a brief description why. I think someone also mentioned having the emu version on the dl list for emulators. Don't know if this can be automated. Another thing in the setup mame section. It says the recommended folder is c:/emulators/mame32. If I already have mame setup will it still default to this folder? If I manually change it in the previous screen for emu dl page it doesnt display it on the next page for mame setup. Kinda hard to explain. I apologize. I'm not trying to nitpick or anthing. Just putting it thru it's paces. Just trying to help.

[headkaze]

I just dl'ed the Soul Calibur theme with setup wizard and it doesn't display a snap in the wizard. I also noticed in the enable videos/movies section you have a link for fddshow. While you and me might know what its for. Many new people won't. Maybe a brief description why you list that codec. (If you have trouble viewing your videos dl the fddshow codec). Or something along those lines. In the enable Karaoke section maybe a link for directx karaoke. I know Tom doesn't have this auto dl when you install gameex. I had a problem with my karaoke and I had to install this in order for it to work. Also a brief description why. I think someone also mentioned having the emu version on the dl list for emulators. Don't know if this can be automated. Another thing in the setup mame section. It says the recommended folder is c:/emulators/mame32. If I already have mame setup will it still default to this folder? If I manually change it in the previous screen for emu dl page it doesnt display it on the next page for mame setup. Kinda hard to explain. I apologize. I'm not trying to nitpick or anthing. Just putting it thru it's paces. Just trying to help.

No your feedback is appreciated, so don't feel your nitpicking, your helping out

Yes, I noticed that with the Soul Calibur theme also, there is no preview image in the archive. It was made before there were previews. I don't think I have access to that area of the server, so Tom may need to update it or give me access to add a preview image.

I agree with the ffdshow thing, I guess I should explain it more, but I don't want to bog down the Wizard with too many pages. It's already big enough I think. Also, there are other issues, I don't want to encourage people to install ffdshow. Some people might have other codec packs installed and some might have the official DivX/XVid codecs installed. There is a limitation to space (screen real estate) that I have to take into consideration also. It's something I will try and think up a solution for though.

As for the DXKaraoke plugin you are given a button to install it if it's not already installed on your machine. If you have it installed it won't show so you may have missed that.

Showing the emulator versions for the auto download is a good idea.

The recommended folder is, as you say, C:\Emulators\Mame32. Unfortunatley trying to be too smart about things and trying to predict things can end up being twice as confusing. If you already have Mame setup in a different folder, just change the folder and it should detect the rest of the folders. The emulator download page has no connection to this setting, so changing that will not effect anything else. Again, this is not because I'm lazy, but because trying to automate things too much can cause issues. I have to assume that everyone wants their folders in different places, and I can only recommend the default paths. If people want to change that, then they have to change things manually. In the future if people use the default paths in the Wizard, we can get a standard style of setup for GameEx users and things become more predictable.

Again. thanks for your feedback, much appreciated!

[lingpanda]

No your feedback is appreciated, so don't feel your nitpicking, your helping out

Yes, I noticed that with the Soul Calibur theme also, there is no preview image in the archive. It was made before there were previews. I don't think I have access to that area of the server, so Tom may need to update it or give me access to add a preview image.

I agree with the ffdshow thing, I guess I should explain it more, but I don't want to bog down the Wizard with too many pages. It's already big enough I think. Also, there are other issues, I don't want to encourage people to install ffdshow. Some people might have other codec packs installed and some might have the official DivX/XVid codecs installed. There is a limitation to space (screen real estate) that I have to take into consideration also. It's something I will try and think up a solution for though.

As for the DXKaraoke plugin you are given a button to install it if it's not already installed on your machine. If you have it installed it won't show so you may have missed that.

Showing the emulator versions for the auto download is a good idea.

The recommended folder is, as you say, C:\Emulators\Mame32. Unfortunatley trying to be too smart about things and trying to predict things can end up being twice as confusing. If you already have Mame setup in a different folder, just change the folder and it should detect the rest of the folders. The emulator download page has no connection to this setting, so changing that will not effect anything else. Again, this is not because I'm lazy, but because trying to automate things too much can cause issues. I have to assume that everyone wants their folders in different places, and I can only recommend the default paths. If people want to change that, then they have to change things manually. In the future if people use the default paths in the Wizard, we can get a standard style of setup for GameEx users and things become more predictable.

Again. thanks for your feedback, much appreciated!

Thanks I didn't want to piss on anyones parade. Maybe with ffdshow you can do a pop-up help file. Like most of the config choices have. When I installed gameex for the 1st time I only had intentions of using it as a mame frontend. So I never bothered to dl the directx karaoke when I installed. Seeing as this was a registered user feature. Once I registered I tried out the karaoke and it didn't work. Thats because I hadn't dl. the plugin. It was blind luck that I figured it out. just didn't want anyone to run into my same problem. The only reason I brought up the whole mame folder issue was. It's nice to have a visual reflect my folder choices. I'm gonna test out some more just to see what sticks out on my end.

Anyway to make GameEx setup wizard show in the Media Center Programs folder on install?

Going back again the whole mame folder issue isn't that big of a deal. Gj Headkaze.

[night]

just tryed the new setup wizard looks great tho i noticed when you start and choose your langaue "english" are listed 2 times before the setup wizard in the wizard "english" only appears once nothing big just wanted to say it

using the theme-site in the wizard to get a theme are sheer brillance if you ask me

Great work

Night

[headkaze]

just tryed the new setup wizard looks great tho i noticed when you start and choose your langaue "english" are listed 2 times before the setup wizard in the wizard "english" only appears once nothing big just wanted to say it

Sorry, can you say that again? Didn't quite understand what you mean. Is this a bug your reporting?

[emphatic]

On the Emulator download page it would be nice to have a * symbol before the "recommended" emus. Now there's two different PSX emus for example. Which one do I choose? Is there a big difference? This would make people less confused I think. It made me confused, and I'm a "GameEx Guru".

Emph

[TX_TRINITY]

Magic Stuff though I did have a bit of a crash after the point where you select themes for download. I selected a few then chose not to download them and skipped the download button and hit next. It wasn't fatal and nothing was fubared!

Great work guys! I've attached the report for your information lads.

See the end of this message for details on invoking

just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************

System.FormatException: Input string was not in a correct format.

at System.Number.ParseInt32(String s, NumberStyles style, NumberFormatInfo info)

at SetupWizard.XmlSection.GetComboBoxIndex(String section, String name)

at SetupWizard.XmlSection.ShowSettings(Control form, Control panel, Int32 top)

at SetupWizard.XmlSectionArray.ShowSection()

at SetupWizard.XmlSectionArray.GoToNextSection()

at SetupWizard.frmMain.btnNext_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************

mscorlib

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/microsoft.net/framework/v1.1.4322/mscorlib.dll

----------------------------------------

SetupWizard

Assembly Version: 1.0.2466.8490

Win32 Version: 1.0.2466.8490

CodeBase: file:///E:/games/GameEx/SetupWizard.exe

----------------------------------------

System.Windows.Forms

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.windows.forms/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll

----------------------------------------

System

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Drawing

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.drawing/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Xml

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.xml/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.xml.dll

----------------------------------------

Accessibility

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/accessibility/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/accessibility.dll

----------------------------------------

Microsoft.DirectX.DirectInput

Assembly Version: 1.0.2902.0

Win32 Version: 5.04.00.2904

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.directx.directinput/1.0.2902.0__31bf3856ad364e35/microsoft.directx.directinput.dll

----------------------------------------

Microsoft.DirectX

Assembly Version: 1.0.2902.0

Win32 Version: 5.04.00.2904

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.directx/1.0.2902.0__31bf3856ad364e35/microsoft.directx.dll

----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************

To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this

application or machine (machine.config) must have the

jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.

The application must also be compiled with debugging

enabled.

For example:

<configuration>

<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />

</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception

will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine

rather than being handled by this dialog.

[night]

Sorry, can you say that again? Didn't quite understand what you mean. Is this a bug your reporting?

well a small thing i would go that far calling it a bug ...

SS added says it better than i can explain

[Nologic]

hmm might be USA and British...same lang...several different spellings...or it could be a bug.

[emphatic]

Isn't that English and English (Custom)?

Emph

[night]

no clue what it is just pointing it out again its nothing serious but i know Tom`s is a perfectionist

[hansolo77]

My findings on the new setup wizard...

Going through ADVANCED mode:

Theme downloads didn't quite work right. They either didn't prompt me for an install directory, or timed out. I assume the timeout is because the GameEx hosting server is being hammered by everybody downloading.

Audio Settings - MAME Audio Mode: Options dialog box is too small, can't read all the options.

Audio Settings - Arcade Ambiance. When you go to browse for the file, it is browsing for an exe and not an mp3.

Enable Videos/Movies: You should make a notation on this page to help people identify what you mean. IE; is this for intro videos to games, or content like music videos and movies you've downloaded/ripped from dvd's?

Enable Pictures: Same as for video/movies. You need to clarify that these are for YOUR photos, not things like screenshots...

Emulators: Where are all the other options? You're missing stuff like "enable 7-zip support", "enable in screensaver", "use XXXX database", etc.

You're also missing setup pages for HTML applications.

All-in-all, it looks great so far. Just needs a few more additions and tweaks. I especially like the links you placed for websites to provide more information on certain things. Like finding out what Model 2 and Zinc are.

A+