Need ZiNc Setup Help

[shaunopp]

I apologize for yet another ZiNc setup help request, I know this topic has been covered here before but I've looked through all of the Zinc threads, scoured online and am still stuck. Here's where I'm at:

I've got Zinc running fine with the DaFreak ZincGUI (+winterblast plugin) and am able to customize the rendering and control settings to generate custom cfg files fine. I can't get Zinc to run through GameEx at all though. When I launch a game I get a black screen for awhile and then it goes back to GameEx. My only commandline option is still the default: --renderer=.\renderer.znc. I tried modifying this with --use-config-file and --use-renderer-cfg-file which didn't do anything.

The GameEx log doesn't have any specific info on why it errors out:

>>Running: cmd.exe /c/C: C:\Emulators\ZiNc\ZiNc.exe 61 --roms-directory=C:Emulators\mame\roms --renderer=.\renderer.znc

>>Exiting GameEx!

>>Saving Settings

>>Disposing Plugins

I've looked at NoLogics Zinc support files and downloaded another standalone wrapper mentioned on the forums but I'm not clear on how to use the wrappers and they're thin on explanation.

Can someone give me a nudge in the right direction? Better yet a 'do X then Y then Z' explanation. I feel like I've got all the pieces I just can't quite get them to fit right.

[Nologic]

Well I got a newer setup for Zinc...that solves a lot of the issues with my prior stuff...however I failed to complete it...ie instructions...hehe so I'll try to get something kicked out later on.

Really tho using my stuff is only if ether your very anal about your controls and graphic's...or you want to play the CHD games...other wise there is no reason to screw with my stuff.

[shaunopp]

Well I got a newer setup for Zinc...that solves a lot of the issues with my prior stuff...however I failed to complete it...ie instructions...hehe so I'll try to get something kicked out later on.

Really tho using my stuff is only if ether your very anal about your controls and graphic's...or you want to play the CHD games...other wise there is no reason to screw with my stuff.

Thanks for the reply Nologic, anything to make ZiNc a little easier to setup would be appreciated by all newbies for sure. I'm not trying to do anything fancy, I just want to launch ZiNc from GameEx and have it use the custom controller configs so my controls work. Since the ZiNc games have different button setups I need to map'em. Just basic functionality stuff. As it is, I can't even get it to run through GameEx, let alone worry about the controls.

[bkenobi]

Nologic's setup files are intended to make Zinc a separate emulator. It will not put the games in the MAME list and launch zinc from there. If you are still trying to get these games to launch from the main MAME list, I suggest you try running the game in GameEx, waiting for the crash, quiting GameEx, and running the "Run Last Game.bat" link in the Start menu. If you don't have enough time to see the error, you can edit that file to put a "PAUSE" command at the end and try again.

[shaunopp]

Nologic's setup files are intended to make Zinc a separate emulator. It will not put the games in the MAME list and launch zinc from there. If you are still trying to get these games to launch from the main MAME list, I suggest you try running the game in GameEx, waiting for the crash, quiting GameEx, and running the "Run Last Game.bat" link in the Start menu. If you don't have enough time to see the error, you can edit that file to put a "PAUSE" command at the end and try again.

I understand that Nologic's files are meant to be used with ZiNc setup as a separate emulator, my question was how to set it up. The directions on the ConfigHQ site basically just say put all these files in your ZiNc folder... Ok and then what? I've got the wrapper in there, I've got the init folder, I've got the settings config... and then?

My black screen issue was because I had Hide Desktop set to 'Make Black and Hide icons' instead of 'no'. Nologic answered this in a previous post to someone else HERE, not sure why he didn't just suggest that in his response. It's frustrating that hiding the desktop is even an option in GameEx with ZiNc selected as it in effect breaks it.

So now I can launch ZiNc games in GameEx through mame but get no custom controls or rendering. I can launch ZiNc games through the DaFreak GUI with custom controls and rendering configs. These configs are created in folders called pcfg and rcfg respectively. I either need to change my ZiNc command line to find these custom files on launch for each game or change ZiNc to launch as a separate emulator from GameEx and use one of the wrapper/batch file solutions floating around.

Can anyone tell me how to do either of those?

[bkenobi]

If you set up Zinc so it works correctly outside of GameEx EXACTLY how you want it, you can get it to work EXACTLY that way in GameEx.

The thing that you may be confused with is that you don't need the gui to launch Zinc. The GUI is very helpful in setting things up, though. I don't know what you are using to guide you through setting up Zinc, but I can empathize with you in your feeling that it is a challenge, especially if you are trying to set it up with joysticks instead of a keyboard. My best suggestion is to try to get everything setup with your winterblast plugin and everything. Then, once it works nicely there, point the built-in Zinc settings to it. Remember that you have to point to the .cfg files too.

If you want to have it separate using nologic's settings, that would be your next step.

I know this isn't a guide, but hopefully it will be enough to help you look in the right location. It took me a couple weeks to get Zinc working smoothly for me and I just hope I don't break it such that I have to start from scratch again. That would be a disaster!

[Adultery]

Nologic's setup files are intended to make Zinc a separate emulator. It will not put the games in the MAME list and launch zinc from there. If you are still trying to get these games to launch from the main MAME list, I suggest you try running the game in GameEx, waiting for the crash, quiting GameEx, and running the "Run Last Game.bat" link in the Start menu. If you don't have enough time to see the error, you can edit that file to put a "PAUSE" command at the end and try again.

That's not entirely true... I have ZiNc setup to run with the MAME list. It just requires a little swap trick when you update your MAME game list. All my games (including CHDs) run okay. Where there's a will, there's a way. Or should I say, where there's a Nolo, there's a way!

Also, the files you're trying to install from CHQ are for standalone ZiNc emulation (as I knew you already knew). These are meant to be used with ZiNc.exe, not the GUI. Heh, I see bknobi already answered that for you though.

[lingpanda]

I apologize for yet another ZiNc setup help request, I know this topic has been covered here before but I've looked through all of the Zinc threads, scoured online and am still stuck. Here's where I'm at:

I've got Zinc running fine with the DaFreak ZincGUI (+winterblast plugin) and am able to customize the rendering and control settings to generate custom cfg files fine. I can't get Zinc to run through GameEx at all though. When I launch a game I get a black screen for awhile and then it goes back to GameEx. My only commandline option is still the default: --renderer=.\renderer.znc. I tried modifying this with --use-config-file and --use-renderer-cfg-file which didn't do anything.

The GameEx log doesn't have any specific info on why it errors out:

>>Running: cmd.exe /c/C: C:\Emulators\ZiNc\ZiNc.exe 61 --roms-directory=C:Emulators\mame\roms --renderer=.\renderer.znc

>>Exiting GameEx!

>>Saving Settings

>>Disposing Plugins

I've looked at NoLogics Zinc support files and downloaded another standalone wrapper mentioned on the forums but I'm not clear on how to use the wrappers and they're thin on explanation.

Can someone give me a nudge in the right direction? Better yet a 'do X then Y then Z' explanation. I feel like I've got all the pieces I just can't quite get them to fit right.

Download the zinc wrapper found here. http://dragonking.arcadecontrols.com/ Follow the link on the right side called emulator wrappers(Under Misc Downloads). The wrapper is named Generic Command line wrapper 7. In GameEx set the command line option to read

cmd-launch7.exe [ROM]

Make sure to set your emu and rom paths. Make sure Zinc is located in a path with no spaces(ie. c:\zinc vs c:\program files\zinc. Unzip the wrapper and go to the directory called "cfgs". Copy the zinc.cfg to your zinc root directory. Open up the zinc.cfg file with note or word pad. You should see this.

extension=.zip

path=e:\zinc\

exe=cmd-launch5.exe

send rom path=0

send exit keys=1

command line options;--use-config-file=zinc.cfg --use-renderer-cfg-file=renderer.cfg

Rename cmd-launch5.exe to cmd-launch7.exe. Change path to read your zinc path. Save zinc.cfg and exit. Go back to the folder where you unziped the wrapper. Go to wrappers/cmdlaunch and copy cmd-launch7.exe and lconfig.cfg to your zinc root directory. Open lconfig.cfg with note or wordpad. Locate the following text.

#put the mame command or romname followed by a ";" and the command that does the same thing in the emu your launching (like in zinc to launch a game you type it's number so sfex;1 would launch sfex for you)



{cmdlist}

sfex;1 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sfexa;2 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sfexp;3 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sfexpj;4 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sfex2;5 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sfex2p;6 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sg2j;7 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

rvschool;8 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

jgakuen;9 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sr2j;10 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

sr2;11 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

kikaioh;12 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

ts2j;13 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

tgmj;14 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

sncwgltd;15 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

beastorizer;16 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

psyforce;17 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

mgcldate;18 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaultzn1cp.cfg

souledge;19 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

souledgec;20 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

tekken;21 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

tk2b;22 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

danceyes;23 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

xevi3dg;24 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

starswep;25 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

myangel3;26 --use-controller-cfg-file=e:\zinc\pcfg\defaults11cp.cfg

{/cmdlist}

Change and erase to show only the roms you have. Make sure to list the correct number next to each rom name. This list is from Zinc 1.0 I believe. You can find an updated list here http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?sh...p;hl=zinc+batch. That should be it.

[shaunopp]

That's not entirely true... I have ZiNc setup to run with the MAME list. It just requires a little swap trick when you update your MAME game list. All my games (including CHDs) run okay. Where there's a will, there's a way. Or should I say, where there's a Nolo, there's a way!

Also, the files you're trying to install from CHQ are for standalone ZiNc emulation (as I knew you already knew). These are meant to be used with ZiNc.exe, not the GUI. Heh, I see bknobi already answered that for you though.

If you've got ZiNc setup to run in mame using custom controller and render config's how about sharing the info? The response above seems the equivalent of a Nya Nya.

The logical way to me would seem to be command line switches with the [ROMNAME] dynamically inserted when ZiNc launches. For example: --use-controller-cfg-file=C:/Emulators/ZiNc/pcfg/[ROMNAME]cp.cfg. As far as I know this is only possible by adding emulators and launching them separately.

I did get Nologics Simplewrapper.exe to work, not sure why he didn't just give me a quick walkthrough on how the wrapper's are setup since he took the time to respond anyway. Franky, it really wasn't that hard and should be posted on the ConfigHQ site along with the files. I notice now since it's a separate emulator that I don't have some of the art options like control panels and cabinets. Am I missing something here?

Anyway you look at it, the ZiNc setup in GameEx is seriously lacking. Why build it into the core installation if people have to run it separately anyway?

[Adultery]

I was really hinting at Nologic there. We tested a wrapper that you put in GameEx's ZiNc path to run games based on special config files. For CHDs we ended up needing to use Joy2Key and a registry hack. The swap comes in when you update the MAME list, since the wrapper won't pass commands to GameEx. You basically had to change it to ZiNc.exe to get the games to appear in the MAME list, and then wrapper was needed to actually run the game. I wasn't sure if he had these files lying around yet... I may have put the files on CHQ back when this was a hot news item. I'll check.

.:EDIT:. Yeah I got the files on ConfigHQ. Here's the link.

[Nologic]

shaunopp -

The reason for not doing a write up...or pointing you to one...was because I have a newer setup like I spoke of prior...that is missing instructions.

The new setup...the swap trick is no longer need to be done...joy2key has been replaced with xpadder...the OpenGL2 render can now be used...there where some other fixes as well...over all a better cleaner setup than what I had offered prior.

I generally always look to improve upon things...I just tend to get side tracked alot.

hehe I think I should have A.D.D. tattooed to my forehead.

Not sure I suffer from it...but it wouldn't be surprising.

Anyways give me a bit and I"ll see if I can't get things flushed out for a release.

[Nologic]

Okay new support files for Zinc and idiot sheet can be found here.

[bkenobi]

Those look pretty well done. I may actually opt to redo my setup in lew of the gl2 option. I think this time I'll back up my files and work in another directory (as opposed to what I did with my lightguns )

[Brian Hoffman]

Looks very good.. Ill play with it later

[Nologic]

bkenobi - yeah GL2 is nice to have finally.

Let me know if you come across any issues...mainly anything that didn't read right or was left out of the setup file.

Zinc is just typically to much hassle to get setup correct....hehe tho I know my bindings aren't ideal...and I'm more than welcome for more standardized binding layouts to replace mine.

Brian -

I'll be looking forward to your feedback.

[Nologic]

Okay not a lot of response on this...maybe because its currently gamepad only.

Is there interest in a version that programs the I-PAC or something else?

Heh I just tend to take care of my needs first and everyone else afterwards so if there is a desire for an alteration let me know and I can look into it.

[Adultery]

Works great so far! Nice work Nologic!

I'll be testing my CHD games throughout the day and I'll let you know what's goin down.

[Nologic]

Good to hear...well if you have some more standardized bind configs...be sure to pass them along and I'll drop those into the package and pull mine out...so people don't have to relearn how to play a game...or get their hands dirty unless required to do so.

[shaunopp]

Okay not a lot of response on this...maybe because its currently gamepad only.

Is there interest in a version that programs the I-PAC or something else?

Heh I just tend to take care of my needs first and everyone else afterwards so if there is a desire for an alteration let me know and I can look into it.

Thanks for updating this, didn't know you'd be able to get to this so soon, that rocks! I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, been a really busy week but I will this weekend and give full feedback.

I would be interested in a version that works with the I-PAC as I've got a cab that uses an I-PAC and Ultimarc MagStiks besides my other that uses U360's.

[Nologic]

Well the work on this was done a few weeks ago...hehe it just took me that long to get the instructions written up...not that there is much there...just I"m that lazy.

Anyways yeah I can do up an I-Pac only one...its like a few lines of code and nuking some files...as they would be replaced by the I-Pac config files...that you or someone else would have to create as I don't have an I-Pac.

[shaunopp]

Well the work on this was done a few weeks ago...hehe it just took me that long to get the instructions written up...not that there is much there...just I"m that lazy.

Anyways yeah I can do up an I-Pac only one...its like a few lines of code and nuking some files...as they would be replaced by the I-Pac config files...that you or someone else would have to create as I don't have an I-Pac.

Ok, finally got around doing some testing now that the holidays have past. First off, thanks Nologic. Really cool of you to volunteer your time and put something like this together and 'how-to' docs to boot! This makes it way easier to get ZiNc up and running with GameEx and ties everything together nicely!

I think I'm 95% there now, my questions/comments below.

• I believe I have x-padder setup correctly but I get the following AutiIt error when I try and launch KN1 games. 'Line-1: Error variable used without being declared'. Using Vista, could this cause a problem?
  
• In your instructions you say to copy Renderer_GL2.znc and sound.znc to the ePSXe plugins folder and rename them to gpuPeteOpenGL2.dll and spuPeopleDSounddll. Is this necessary if you already have those plugins since they are just copies of them? Just to confim, they don't need to be copied back to the Zinc folder and renamed after they are config'd with ePSXe correct? As I understand it, your setup is looking for them in the ePSXe plugin folder.
  
• I did quite a bit of tinkering with the GL2 settings. I wasn't able to get good results with GL2 and ended up changing all back to D3D. I'm using an ArcadeVGA card which recommends D3D. My only audio complaint is a terrible tinny screech at the beginning of levels and during replays on Tekken3. No adjustments seemed to do anything to remedy this. No problems in other games so I'm assuming it's just that game.
  
• Looks like you missed Bloody Roar in your config files. Got a black screen when I launched it and then noticed there wasn't a config for it. Just duped a Beastorizer config and named it Bloody Roar 2 and voila. I'm getting a black screen on Fighters Impact A too but there's not missing setup files. Think it's probably something similar. I've only double-checked games through the G's so far.
  
• Any suggestions on jury rigging the KN1 games for a keyboard encoder?
  

Thanks again for putting this together, it's a great help.

[Nologic]

Okay this is a shot in the dark...but when you ran the app to add Xpadders App Path to the registry...did it say things where fine..or that they failed...you may also need to check manually as Vista I guess is really bitchy about any thing trying to access that registry branch...so it may have blocked the entry....which you'll have to run as Admin to enter it.

The plugins...no you don't need to copy them over if you already have them. Just make sure they are configured.

GL2...could be the generation of ATI chips used for it...or the drivers...not a whole lot of eye candy in Zinc anyways so its a small loss if anything.

Audio issues should only be on certain games...and there isn't much that can be done...the sound driver never got done...or at least never got released to where I could get a hold of it.

I'll double check Fighters Impact...I recall it having issues...but I did get more than a black screen...but I'll look into it.

whooops...sorry for the config issue...I'll see about updating it.

KN1 games are using keyboard input..thats why xpadder is called into play...so...I guess the real question is whether or not I'll get out a version that works with that I-Pac of yours.

I'm no guru at this stuff...hell I just play Mr Driller which everyone I know gets a kick out of watching me...guess there is something amusing about a red-neck\skin-head looking fellow playing sissy games.

[shaunopp]

Okay this is a shot in the dark...but when you ran the app to add Xpadders App Path to the registry...did it say things where fine..or that they failed...you may also need to check manually as Vista I guess is really bitchy about any thing trying to access that registry branch...so it may have blocked the entry....which you'll have to run as Admin to enter it.

It said everything was fine and I also double-checked it in the registry. Running Xpadder as admin. Would you mind posting the au3 file? I might learn something about what's going on under the hood.

The plugins...no you don't need to copy them over if you already have them. Just make sure they are configured.

GL2...could be the generation of ATI chips used for it...or the drivers...not a whole lot of eye candy in Zinc anyways so its a small loss if anything.

Audio issues should only be on certain games...and there isn't much that can be done...the sound driver never got done...or at least never got released to where I could get a hold of it.

That's what I figured on all of these.

I'll double check Fighters Impact...I recall it having issues...but I did get more than a black screen...but I'll look into it.

I resolved this. Apparently I was missing a rom. Clrmame didn't catch it but ZincGui did. Scrounged it up and all works.

whooops...sorry for the config issue...I'll see about updating it.

No problem, easy enough to fix, just wanted to give a heads up. Found another couple issues after going through all other roms. Dunkmania appears to be missing bindings for P2. Prime Goal Ex is also missing a config.

Psychic Force also had an oddball problem. See quote below from EasyEmu:

For Psychic Force, the first time you run it you may go into the test menu. Select "Factory Defaults" then "Yes" then "Exit". The screen will say "RESET" and just sit there. Wait a second or two then quit the emulator and restart it. Psychic Force will then play correctly.

With ZiNc_Loader this doesn't work, it always launches to the test menu. My fix was to run ZiNcGUI in the same folder and go through the steps above for the first launch. After this 'first run' it works fine with the Loader.

KN1 games are using keyboard input..thats why xpadder is called into play...so...I guess the real question is whether or not I'll get out a version that works with that I-Pac of yours.

Is there any way to assign the keyboard keys that KN1 games use? Your ZiNc games list says KN1 games are not supported by Winterblast so I assume no. If I could assign them manually I wouldn't need an automated solution. Not sure why I'm trying so hard to get those 4 damn games running anyway!

I'm no guru at this stuff...hell I just play Mr Driller which everyone I know gets a kick out of watching me...guess there is something amusing about a red-neck\skin-head looking fellow playing sissy games.

I think you qualify as guru, although compared to me most people are on here. Had never tried Mr Driller. After giving it a whirl I liked it, fun and addictive. Definitely not the typical game you'd see a red-neck/skin-head looking dude playing though. Funny.

[Adultery]

Ha! Mr. Driller is the shiznit! Anyone who plays it knows how addictive it can be! Funny though, I never pictured Nolo as a redneck skinhead... Of course I've never met him but I always figured he was a muscle head with nerd tendencies.

As for your desire to get every last game working, I can understand that! The KN1 games were my mission the first time I set this up too. After updating my MAME set and seeing there's some games that need attention, I had to get back on it with the new tools. and I WILL get every damn last game to run! That's what this hobby is all about, right!

[Nologic]

Okay updated the files, KN1 games should now work...in addition Bloody Roar 2 should also work, since it was missing a config...a couple of batch scripts are thrown in to aid in configuring Psychic Force...please be sure to edit pathing accordingly in the batch files.

Please hammer on things and find what breaks.

P.S. Copy over your settings from your prior Settings.ini into the new Settings.ini a few fields where missing in the old one...namely the KN1 games...thats not what caused them to fail...but it certainly limited their flexibility.

Adultery -

geek tendencies sure...nerd tendencies never...I make a distinction between the two.