Problem with GameEx Attract mode

[zerocle]

First of all, I am not running a weak computer, so i highly doubt it is running out of resources, I have a gig of ram so i doubt its memory. That being said, every time I run GameEx, I can play it for as long as I want, but when I goto bed and it goes into attract mode, like clockwork in the morning i wake up and its frozen, I dont know what the problem is, i cant check the log because I have to reboot my computer to break the freeze, and then gameex restarts and Im assuming it overwrites the log. anybody have any ideas?

[headkaze]

Try checking your event log... Start-Settings->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Event Viewer

Not sure if that will help find whats wrong?

[zerocle]

I checked the event viewer, but i really dont know what im looking for so i dont know if it helps or not lol, it seems to be on any game that it ends, its set for only mame so i know its not one of the other emulators, all the games work flawlessly outside the emulator have there been any reported glitches before that meet this description?

[bkenobi]

Just a thought, but do you have enough cooling for your system? I had a ATI9250 that was dieing and it would only show itself as a problem periodically. I would get a system hang up every once in a while, but not consistently. Sometimes it would randomly reboot (only after playing/sitting for a while). I finally decided to try replacing the card, and, what do you know, I haven't had a problem since!

Anyway, heat or failing components could cause baaaad things! Of course, if your not running a cabinet, this is a bit less likely cause you will have better cooling!

[Adultery]

Similar issue here when running ZiNc and CHD games. I found that with a new fan I was not seeing the seizures anymore. I don't know if that will help you in your search but that's what it turned out to be for me.

Moral of the story was cab ventilation was key since a tight squeeze made things hot quickly - especially a day or so after running it nonstop.

[zerocle]

well the marquee of my cab is actually empty right now so it has TONS of ventilation plus the back has a large open spot left for that reason. I dont think its a cooling issue since i can leave it running as long as it doesnt go into attract mode, but ill make a log of the temps and see if that is it.

[bkenobi]

Keep in mind that stagnant air inside a wood cab will produce hotter ambient air than even a small slightly ventilated metal case. It is possible that attract mode may be what causes the problem to compound by adding cpu load after it has heated up.

I have a thought on how you could test if it's attract mode or not. First, turn off attract mode in the configurations. Then, leave the machine on for several hours. If you can, check the temperature of the ambient air in the room, the air in the cabinet, and the air around the cpu/hot components. I suspect you will be suprised. Then, start a game.

On the other hand, if you can play games for hours without lockups, you might be right...