[RESOLVED] Future Pinball BAM Edition - Black Screen

[DakotaPinball]

Future Pinball BAM Edition - Black Screen

The latest version of PinballX won't let me load any Future Pinball tables. It shows the tables, but when I select a black screen in the Playfield, I think I have a loading screen, but it gets stuck on the black screen. If I press ESC, it returns to the Future Pinball menu in PinballX and simultaneously starts loading the Future Pinball table. Is anyone else experiencing this?

log.txt

[Draco1962]

Can you also attach your pinballx.ini please? Thanks.

[Mike_da_Spike]

Could you please let me know which version of BAM you are currently using? I've noticed several recent updates from TerryRed.

I haven't yet configured FP on my new computer, but if I find some available time this weekend, I intend to install the latest version. However, I must admit that my weekend schedule is quite packed.

Additionally, I'm curious if the command you provided is functioning correctly and if it is indeed presenting you with the table?

"P:\Sistemas_Pinball\FuturePinball\BAM\FPLoader.exe" /open "P:\Sistemas_Pinball\FuturePinball\Tables\007 Casino Royale (Original) (1.1).fpt" /play /exit /arcaderender

[DakotaPinball]

On 8/5/2026 at 18:18, Draco1962 said:

¿Podrías adjuntar también tu archivo pinballx.ini, por favor? Gracias.

 

PinballX.ini

[DakotaPinball]

On 8/5/2026 at 19:10, Mike_da_Spike said:

¿Podrías indicarme qué versión de BAM estás utilizando actualmente? He notado varias actualizaciones recientes de TerryRed.

Todavía no he configurado FP en mi nuevo ordenador, pero si encuentro tiempo libre este fin de semana, tengo intención de instalar la última versión. Sin embargo, debo admitir que tengo la agenda bastante apretada para el fin de semana.

Además, me gustaría saber si el comando que proporcionaste funciona correctamente y si realmente te muestra la tabla.

"P:\Sistemas_Pinball\FuturePinball\BAM\FPLoader.exe" /open "P:\Sistemas_Pinball\FuturePinball\Tables\007 Casino Royale (Original) (1.1).fpt" /play /exit /arcaderender

I have FP IOS version 3.5 and BAM version 1.5-406. It starts from Pinball, but if I press the ESC key, it goes back to PinballX and quickly starts loading the table. Of course, it doesn't load directly like before. I prefer to wait for the new version; from what I see, there are some problems, and if I have to reconfigure all the tables, I'll be devastated.

[Mike_da_Spike]

Looks like your parameter line is incorrect.

Try this :

/open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM

 

[DakotaPinball]

16 hours ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

Looks like your parameter line is incorrect.

Try this :

/open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM

 

It's working now! It takes a long time to load from PinballX, but thanks to you, I can finally get the tables to load.

I've attached a screenshot of my configuration in case I've done something wrong, mainly because of the loading time. From PinballX it takes almost 55 seconds, from FP it takes 8 seconds.

[Draco1962]

Please attach updated copies of your pinballx.ini and log.txt files. Any other files you can think of @Mike_da_Spike?

[DakotaPinball]

18 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

Por favor, adjunte copias actualizadas de sus archivos pinballx.ini y log.txt. Cualquier otro archivo que se le ocurra.@Mike_da_Spike¿

 

PinballX.ini log.txt

[Mike_da_Spike]

Log fule shows pretty empty to me.no start of a table

[DakotaPinball]

18 minutes ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

Log fule se muestra bastante vacío para mí. No hay comienzo de una mesa

So what can happen?

[Mike_da_Spike]

57 minutes ago, DakotaPinball said:

So what can happen?

This log was submitted when pinballx launches, but crashed? It doesn't show any relevant info.

 

[Draco1962]

I am not a PinballX or Future Pinball/BAM expert by any stretch. I decided to let Gemini AI have a go at it. Following is the query I used and the response for review by the experts - Note the last item for the command line which omits /open:

QUERY: With BAM, from PinballX it takes almost 55 seconds for table to load, from future pinball it takes 8 seconds. I am using fploader.exe as the executible with the following command line /open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM. What may be the cause of the delay?

Gemini AI Response: 

AI Overview

 

The 55-second loading delay when using PinballX with BAM is likely caused by a combination of PinballX attempting to take screenshots during a complex BAM table launch, or improper Windows permissions on the FPLoader.exe file.

When launched from PinballX, the frontend often tries to interact with the emulator, which, combined with complex tables (like those by SLAMT1LT), causes significant bottlenecks, whereas launching via Future Pinball directly bypasses this overhead.

Here are the primary causes for the delay, ranked by likelihood:

 

1. PinballX Table Loading Media Mode (Most Likely) 

PinballX might be waiting to generate or grab a screenshot/video frame before fully handing over control to BAM.

• Fix: In PinballX Settings, go to General Settings -> Table Loading Media Mode and change it to "Use Loading Folders". This prevents PinballX from grabbing a screenshot during the slow loading phase. 
   

2. Administrator Rights for FPLoader.exe

BAM's FPLoader.exe requires proper Windows permissions to function correctly when launched by an external program. 

[1]

• Fix: Right-click on FPLoader.exe (in your BAM folder), go to Properties -> Compatibility, and ensure "Run as Administrator" is checked. Note: Do not run the main FuturePinball.exe as admin. [1, 2]

 

3. Complex Table/Texture Processing

Modern BAM tables, particularly PinEvent or high-end mods, contain thousands of textures or complex 3D models.

• Fix: In Future Pinball (opened manually), go to Preferences -> Video/Rendering Options. Set Texture Filtering to Bilinear instead of Trilinear. This can significantly speed up the loading of textures in complex tables. [1]

 

4. Nahimic Service Interference [1]

If you have an ASUS or MSI computer, the Nahimic Service is notorious for causing massive delays and crashes with BAM/Future Pinball. [1]

• Fix: Open services.msc in Windows, find "Nahimic Service," and disable it. [1]

 

Recommended Command Line Tweak

Your current command line is good, but ensuring you are using the

exact recommended parameters can help:
[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE] /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM

If you are still experiencing issues, consider updating your BAM/Future Pinball install to the latest version, ensuring the 4GB patch is applied to FPLoader.exe. [1]

[DakotaPinball]

On 5/12/2026 at 12:16 PM, Draco1962 said:

I am not a PinballX or Future Pinball/BAM expert by any stretch. I decided to let Gemini AI have a go at it. Following is the query I used and the response for review by the experts - Note the last item for the command line which omits /open:

QUERY: With BAM, from PinballX it takes almost 55 seconds for table to load, from future pinball it takes 8 seconds. I am using fploader.exe as the executible with the following command line /open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM. What may be the cause of the delay?

Gemini AI Response: 

AI Overview

 

The 55-second loading delay when using PinballX with BAM is likely caused by a combination of PinballX attempting to take screenshots during a complex BAM table launch, or improper Windows permissions on the FPLoader.exe file.

When launched from PinballX, the frontend often tries to interact with the emulator, which, combined with complex tables (like those by SLAMT1LT), causes significant bottlenecks, whereas launching via Future Pinball directly bypasses this overhead.

Here are the primary causes for the delay, ranked by likelihood:

 

1. PinballX Table Loading Media Mode (Most Likely) 

PinballX might be waiting to generate or grab a screenshot/video frame before fully handing over control to BAM.

• Fix: In PinballX Settings, go to General Settings -> Table Loading Media Mode and change it to "Use Loading Folders". This prevents PinballX from grabbing a screenshot during the slow loading phase. 
   

2. Administrator Rights for FPLoader.exe

BAM's FPLoader.exe requires proper Windows permissions to function correctly when launched by an external program. 

[1]

• Fix: Right-click on FPLoader.exe (in your BAM folder), go to Properties -> Compatibility, and ensure "Run as Administrator" is checked. Note: Do not run the main FuturePinball.exe as admin. [1, 2]

 

3. Complex Table/Texture Processing

Modern BAM tables, particularly PinEvent or high-end mods, contain thousands of textures or complex 3D models.

• Fix: In Future Pinball (opened manually), go to Preferences -> Video/Rendering Options. Set Texture Filtering to Bilinear instead of Trilinear. This can significantly speed up the loading of textures in complex tables. [1]

 

4. Nahimic Service Interference [1]

If you have an ASUS or MSI computer, the Nahimic Service is notorious for causing massive delays and crashes with BAM/Future Pinball. [1]

• Fix: Open services.msc in Windows, find "Nahimic Service," and disable it. [1]

 

Recommended Command Line Tweak

Your current command line is good, but ensuring you are using the

exact recommended parameters can help:
[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE] /play /exit /arcaderender /STAYINRAM

If you are still experiencing issues, consider updating your BAM/Future Pinball install to the latest version, ensuring the 4GB patch is applied to FPLoader.exe. [1]

Now, thank you so much!
I had everything set up as you indicated except for this point:
1. PinballX Table Loading Media Mode (Most Likely)
PinballX might be waiting to generate or grab a screenshot/video frame before fully handing over control to BAM.

Fix: In PinballX Settings, go to General Settings -> Table Loading Media Mode and change it to "Use Loading Folders". This prevents PinballX from grabbing a screenshot during the slow loading phase.

And when I changed it, the problem was solved. What I don't know is if it should now create that "loading" folder or if it's already created, even though it loads as quickly as before.
Thanks again. Without you, I couldn't continue.

[Draco1962]

You're welcome! I encourage people to leverage the free AI tools (Gemini or Copilot). I only slightly modified text from your original statement of the error, added a few parameters (e.g., using BAM, command line used, etc.) and the AI scraped from PinballX and digital pinball forums.

I believe the "Use Loading Folders" is a reference to existing media folders for your tables - nothing to create!