Visual Pinball and return to GameEx Menu??

[Games001]

I recently found a bug I did not notice before (just added Visual Pinball to this cab).

Seems that after every loading of a pinball table, once I return to the Visual Pinball Table List, if I try to select another table to play, or replay the last table, the menu jumps right back to the GameEx Start Page. The issue here is that now I have to navigate back to the Visual Pinball Menu, re-scroll down through the list to the next game desired, then it plays fine again.. *repeat above*

Any reason for this as the tables load and play, GameEx has not been changed and the list is not being updated or the like?

[Krakerman]

I recently found a bug I did not notice before (just added Visual Pinball to this cab).

Seems that after every loading of a pinball table, once I return to the Visual Pinball Table List, if I try to select another table to play, or replay the last table, the menu jumps right back to the GameEx Start Page. The issue here is that now I have to navigate back to the Visual Pinball Menu, re-scroll down through the list to the next game desired, then it plays fine again.. *repeat above*

Any reason for this as the tables load and play, GameEx has not been changed and the list is not being updated or the like?

Works for me.However I have my Visual Pinball setup as .lnk files in the setup as it works much better for me this way without any problems what-so-ever!

[Games001]

Works for me.However I have my Visual Pinball setup as .lnk files in the setup as it works much better for me this way without any problems what-so-ever!

It was working fine for me as well up until a few patches ago.. how did you go about setting up the files to VP in .lnk format?

[Krakerman]

It was working fine for me as well up until a few patches ago.. how did you go about setting up the files to VP in .lnk format?

I creted a new folder where I stored shortcuts to all my tables. I know it is a pain in the butt, but for me I didn't want every table listed as alot of them are not that good to look at or play (So it filters out all the crap tables easily) and just setup that folder as my roms path. Made map keys set to off and in the advanced config had it send the keys on exit to ESC+ENTER keys so when I press the ESC Key it closes Visual Pinball down and exits back to GameEx menu. Works fluidly and like a charm. Just kinda pain in the initial setup stage as I had to create shortcuts of all my good .vpt tables and put them in my Pinball LNK folder and rename them to my liking. But it works as I was having a hard time getting it to work any other way even thou I read other post that other people were doing it just wasn't working for me so I messed around with it a bit and came up with this method.

Your command line in the config should read "[ROMPath]\[RomFile]"

and filter should read *.lnk

That is

[Games001]

I creted a new folder where I stored shortcuts to all my tables. I know it is a pain in the butt, but for me I didn't want every table listed as alot of them are not that good to look at or play (So it filters out all the crap tables easily) and just setup that folder as my roms path. Made map keys set to off and in the advanced config had it send the keys on exit to ESC+ENTER keys so when I press the ESC Key it closes Visual Pinball down and exits back to GameEx menu. Works fluidly and like a charm. Just kinda pain in the initial setup stage as I had to create shortcuts of all my good .vpt tables and put them in my Pinball LNK folder and rename them to my liking. But it works as I was having a hard time getting it to work any other way even thou I read other post that other people were doing it just wasn't working for me so I messed around with it a bit and came up with this method.

Your command line in the config should read "[ROMPath]\[RomFile]"

and filter should read *.lnk

That is

Hmmm, followed these steps exactly and I get an 'Error loading File' on execute of tables in GameEx. Sticks in black screen and won't exit or return to menu this way.

Is that the full Command Line you are using, or did you simply paste the {rom}-{rom} part of the line?

[Krakerman]

That is the command line make sure it is in quotes "[ROMPath]\[RomFile]"

and you create a directory where all your shortcuts are in for your tables seperate from Visual Pinball directory mine are like this:

D:\My Emulators\Frontends\GameEx\Visual Pinball Tables

That should be your ROM Path. Now your Working path should also be:

D:\My Emulators\Frontends\GameEx\Visual Pinball Tables

Maybe that is what you have wrong!!

[Games001]

That is the command line make sure it is in quotes "[ROMPath]\[RomFile]"

and you create a directory where all your shortcuts are in for your tables seperate from Visual Pinball directory mine are like this:

D:\My Emulators\Frontends\GameEx\Visual Pinball Tables

That should be your ROM Path. Now your Working path should also be:

D:\My Emulators\Frontends\GameEx\Visual Pinball Tables

Maybe that is what you have wrong!!

Welp, still no dice..

I can create the .lnk files and see them in GameEx as a Visual Pinball Table List using those settings, yet they go to Black Screen and do nothing but exit on ESC.

ROM and Working Path are both the same:

Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

Command Line is just as suggested:

"[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"

[R-DUB]

Not sure if this will help but my rom filter is *.vpt

Command line is VPinball.exe -play -"[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"

[Tempest]

Brian did a nice setup package for Vpinmame that can be found on the main page.

If you want to skip the .lnk method, then post your config and I'll take a look at it.

Need help posting your config? http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=6451

As far as I'm concerned is a game is too crappy to play, then the best solution is to delete it.

[Games001]

Brian did a nice setup package for Vpinmame that can be found on the main page.

If you want to skip the .lnk method, then post your config and I'll take a look at it.

Need help posting your config? http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=6451

As far as I'm concerned is a game is too crappy to play, then the best solution is to delete it.

The Visual Pinball .ini I have as a config is as follows:

[Emulator_3]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Virtual Pinball Arcade

TITLETEXT=Virtual Pinball Games

StartPageLogo=pinball

ROMFilter=*.lnk

RomPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

SnapPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Snap

TitlePath=

BoxPath=

CartPath=

ManualPath=

ControlPanelPath=

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

MapKeys=False

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=True

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=True

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=

AlsoLaunch=[apppath]\vpauto.exe

Command=""[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]""

OLDatZip=

LaunchBefore=

LaunchAfter=

configFile=Visual Pinball V6

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=ArrowDown.png

PlayMusic=

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=

DATABASE=VISUALPINBALL

GamesIn7Zips=

PlayInScreenSaver=True

ShowMostPlayed=

RandomMostPlayed=

CDCheck=

CDCheckFile=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

Give any comments you feel might help.

[Tempest]

The Visual Pinball .ini I have as a config is as follows:

[Emulator_3]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Virtual Pinball Arcade

TITLETEXT=Virtual Pinball Games

StartPageLogo=pinball

ROMFilter= *.vpt

RomPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table

SnapPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Snap

TitlePath=

BoxPath=

CartPath=

ManualPath=

ControlPanelPath=

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table

MapKeys=False

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=True

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=True

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=

AlsoLaunch=[apppath]\vpauto.exe

Command=..\VPinball.exe -play -"[ROMFILE]"

OLDatZip=

LaunchBefore=

LaunchAfter=

configFile=Visual Pinball V6

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=ArrowDown.png

PlayMusic=

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=

DATABASE=VISUALPINBALL

GamesIn7Zips=

PlayInScreenSaver=True

ShowMostPlayed=

RandomMostPlayed=

CDCheck=

CDCheckFile=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

Give any comments you feel might help. (Only comments that might help? )

I'd start with the changes in red, if that doesn't work, try not using a database, if that doesn't work, post again.

[Krakerman]

The Visual Pinball .ini I have as a config is as follows:

[Emulator_3]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Virtual Pinball Arcade

TITLETEXT=Virtual Pinball Games

StartPageLogo=pinball

ROMFilter=*.lnk

RomPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

SnapPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Snap

TitlePath=

BoxPath=

CartPath=

ManualPath=

ControlPanelPath=

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

MapKeys=False

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=True

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=True

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=

AlsoLaunch=[apppath]\vpauto.exe

Command=""[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]""

OLDatZip=

LaunchBefore=

LaunchAfter=

configFile=Visual Pinball V6

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=ArrowDown.png

PlayMusic=

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=

DATABASE=VISUALPINBALL

GamesIn7Zips=

PlayInScreenSaver=True

ShowMostPlayed=

RandomMostPlayed=

CDCheck=

CDCheckFile=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

Give any comments you feel might help.

you need to fix these lines:

AlsoLaunch=

configFile=

and in the advanced config file you need this name it whatever you want and save it to your GameEx/CONFIGS/EMULATORS directory and select it under your Advanced Config. I named mine: [Mapping Off] Exit (ESC+ENTER)

CUT

-----

# This is an advanced emulator configuration file. It does things such as allow keyboard only emulators to be operated by a gamepad, wait for additional processes to exit and map keys. If this file is used it overrides the MAPKeys setting for the emulator.

[GENERAL]

# Enabled. Use this.

Enabled=True

#Make MCE Back button and X-ARCADE Escape and SlikStik Escape to close emulator process

MapBack=True

#Make Escape key close emulator process

MapEscape=True

#When exiting an emulator via the above mappings, you can specify keys in the send keys format to send instead of having GameEx close the process to cleanly exit the emulator. Such as the Q Key or ALT F4 which is %{F4}

KeysToSendOnExit={ESC}{ENTER}

#Wait for keys to be processed by the emulator

EmuWaitForKeys=True

#Additional processes to wait to exit or close on exit. Dont include the .exe. Leave blank not to use.

Process1=

Process2=

Process3=

Process4=

[JOYMAPPING]

# For mapping a GamePad to keys

# Specify a virtual key code to send when the specific joystick control is pressed. Look at vkcodes.htm for codes.

JoymappingEnabled=FALSE

Left=

up=

Right=

Down=

Button1=

Button2=

Button3=

Button4=

Button5=

Button6=

Button7=

Button8=

Button9=

Button10=

Button11=

Button12=

[GAMEPADEXIT]

#MAP Gamepad controls to exit and make controls exit process

MapGamePadExit=True

#Flag the controls that exit a game by placing True next to each control. To not use the control as part of the combination use a 0

Left=True

Down=

Right=

Up=True

Button1=

Button2=

Button3=

Button4=True

Button5=True

Button6=True

Button7=

Button8=

Button9=

Button10=

Button11=

Button12=

[MOUSEMAPPING]

# For registered users, the ability to control the mouse with a gamepad and/or directional keys.

# For example for PC strategy games.

# Apparantly this functionality is similar to the software Pinnacle profiler. Remember you can setup an emulator

# as one PC game. Specify enabled, and mousespeed 0-20. 20 Being fastest. This setting overrides the directional

# mapping for the above and buttons 1 and 2 Button 1/CTRL becomes left mouse. Button 2/ALT Right mouse

MouseMappingEnabled=False

MouseSpeed=0

[bLOCKKEYS]

# Use this section to disable and block key presses and mouse clicks.

# To disable the mouse clicks use code 1 for left mouse button,

# 2 for right button and 4 for middle button

Enabled=False

BlockKey_1=1

BlockKey_2=2

BlockKey_3=4

BlockKey_4=

BlockKey_5=

[KEYBOARDREMAP]

# Remap Keys for the emulator. Specify from the from key, which is the key you wish to replace the to key

# This should be good enough for real time gaming. Registered version feature. Look at VKCodes.htm for codes.

Enabled=False

Remap_1_From_VK=

Remap_1_To_VK=

Remap_2_From_VK=

Remap_2_To_VK=

Remap_3_From_VK=

Remap_3_To_VK=

Remap_4_From_VK=

Remap_4_To_VK=

Remap_5_From_VK=

Remap_5_To_VK=

[Games001]

you need to fix these lines:

AlsoLaunch=

configFile=

and in the advanced config file you need this name it whatever you want and save it to your GameEx/CONFIGS/EMULATORS directory and select it under your Advanced Config. I named mine: [Mapping Off] Exit (ESC+ENTER)

CUT

-----

# This is an advanced emulator configuration file. It does things such as allow keyboard only emulators to be operated by a gamepad, wait for additional processes to exit and map keys. If this file is used it overrides the MAPKeys setting for the emulator.

[GENERAL]

# Enabled. Use this.

Enabled=True

#Make MCE Back button and X-ARCADE Escape and SlikStik Escape to close emulator process

MapBack=True

#Make Escape key close emulator process

MapEscape=True

#When exiting an emulator via the above mappings, you can specify keys in the send keys format to send instead of having GameEx close the process to cleanly exit the emulator. Such as the Q Key or ALT F4 which is %{F4}

KeysToSendOnExit={ESC}{ENTER}

#Wait for keys to be processed by the emulator

EmuWaitForKeys=True

#Additional processes to wait to exit or close on exit. Dont include the .exe. Leave blank not to use.

Process1=

Process2=

Process3=

Process4=

[JOYMAPPING]

# For mapping a GamePad to keys

# Specify a virtual key code to send when the specific joystick control is pressed. Look at vkcodes.htm for codes.

JoymappingEnabled=FALSE

Left=

up=

Right=

Down=

Button1=

Button2=

Button3=

Button4=

Button5=

Button6=

Button7=

Button8=

Button9=

Button10=

Button11=

Button12=

[GAMEPADEXIT]

#MAP Gamepad controls to exit and make controls exit process

MapGamePadExit=True

#Flag the controls that exit a game by placing True next to each control. To not use the control as part of the combination use a 0

Left=True

Down=

Right=

Up=True

Button1=

Button2=

Button3=

Button4=True

Button5=True

Button6=True

Button7=

Button8=

Button9=

Button10=

Button11=

Button12=

[MOUSEMAPPING]

# For registered users, the ability to control the mouse with a gamepad and/or directional keys.

# For example for PC strategy games.

# Apparantly this functionality is similar to the software Pinnacle profiler. Remember you can setup an emulator

# as one PC game. Specify enabled, and mousespeed 0-20. 20 Being fastest. This setting overrides the directional

# mapping for the above and buttons 1 and 2 Button 1/CTRL becomes left mouse. Button 2/ALT Right mouse

MouseMappingEnabled=False

MouseSpeed=0

[bLOCKKEYS]

# Use this section to disable and block key presses and mouse clicks.

# To disable the mouse clicks use code 1 for left mouse button,

# 2 for right button and 4 for middle button

Enabled=False

BlockKey_1=1

BlockKey_2=2

BlockKey_3=4

BlockKey_4=

BlockKey_5=

[KEYBOARDREMAP]

# Remap Keys for the emulator. Specify from the from key, which is the key you wish to replace the to key

# This should be good enough for real time gaming. Registered version feature. Look at VKCodes.htm for codes.

Enabled=False

Remap_1_From_VK=

Remap_1_To_VK=

Remap_2_From_VK=

Remap_2_To_VK=

Remap_3_From_VK=

Remap_3_To_VK=

Remap_4_From_VK=

Remap_4_To_VK=

Remap_5_From_VK=

Remap_5_To_VK=

Above noted changes made, no effect...

Still going to Black Screen with mouse arrow just sitting there waiting.. have to Esc out to move on.

[Krakerman]

Hmmmmmm did you try double clicking your .lnk table just to see if it runs your table without GameEx running just do it from the folder just to make sure it is working from there.

Also make sure you have your tables running in full screen (doesn't matter what resolution but make sure it is set at 32bit just to be safe)

If so ..... there must be something I'm missing in your config because it works great on my end.

I just noticed this:

Command=""[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]""

it should be (1 quote not two):

Command="[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"

[Games001]

Hmmmmmm did you try double clicking your .lnk table just to see if it runs your table without GameEx running just do it from the folder just to make sure it is working from there.

Also make sure you have your tables running in full screen (doesn't matter what resolution but make sure it is set at 32bit just to be safe)

If so ..... there must be something I'm missing in your config because it works great on my end.

I just noticed this:

Command=""[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]""

it should be (1 quote not two):

Command="[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"

When clicking the shortcut version of the tables I get the Visual Pinball Loader, but the tables do not show up in the editor/play screen. Odd. Paths are correct, always set to Full Screen, no go still.

And yes, the "" was a gram error, sorry.

[Krakerman]

That is the problem I think your Visual Pinball isn't installed correctly. When I double click a table .lnk file it runs Visual Pinball Loads the table and then runs it. So the file association with .vpt table isn't working on your system it sounds like because it should load them in VP then run it when you double click on a .vpt file (table)

All your .vpt tables should have the visual pinball icon on them if they are assoc with VP correctly.

[Games001]

That is the problem I think your Visual Pinball isn't installed correctly. When I double click a table .lnk file it runs Visual Pinball Loads the table and then runs it. So the file association with .vpt table isn't working on your system it sounds like because it should load them in VP then run it when you double click on a .vpt file (table)

All your .vpt tables should have the visual pinball icon on them if they are assoc with VP correctly.

The strange part is that all the .vpt table files play in VP just fine.. just not the .lnks shortcuts. The shortcuts will open the launcher, but not load the associated table into the launcher and then play it. Another odd point, the normal .vpt files open the launcher as well, but they don't load and play... Don't have the slightest clue why that is not working.

I reverted back to the original setup and the tables load in GameEx once more, but the issue of the menu sliding back to the Start Page after every table play is still here.

[R-DUB]

I had something like this happen to me, look and see in the advanced config. under your pinball set up and find the show desktop. This should be YES.

At least this was the problem I had.

[Games001]

I had something like this happen to me, look and see in the advanced config. under your pinball set up and find the show desktop. This should be YES.

At least this was the problem I had.

Sadly that's not the issue it seems.. mine has been set to YES normally.

[R-DUB]

Okay I have tested my settings and was able to get a blank screen.

Hopefully this is the problem.

In the pinball config. change your working path to only where the vpinball exe. is

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball

not

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

[Games001]

Okay I have tested my settings and was able to get a blank screen.

Hopefully this is the problem.

In the pinball config. change your working path to only where the vpinball exe. is

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball

not

WorkingPath=Z:\Visual Pinball\Table LNKs

With working Path as: Z:\Visual Pinball or even as: Z:\Visual Pinball\

I get a black screen, then reverts back to 'Play this game' menu page. This is with .vpt or .lnk files both. No dice.

The only working method I can find is...

Working Path: Z:\Visual Pinball\Tables

ROM Path: Z:\Visual Pinball\Tables

ROM Filter: .vpt

Command Line: ..\VPinball.exe -play -"[ROMFILE]"

But then I still have the original issue of the menu defaulting back to the Start Page once I exit out of a pinball table and try to begin another/or the same table.

[Tempest]

I can't imagine that you are doing anything wrong, of course my imagination is limited...

I've been waiting to see if anyone else came up with a solution, but since no one has, you may have a bug on your hands.

If nobody picks up on this today, I'd start a new topic tomorrow, using your first post in this thread, and IS THIS A BUG? in the title.

[Games001]

I can't imagine that you are doing anything wrong, of course my imagination is limited...

I've been waiting to see if anyone else came up with a solution, but since no one has, you may have a bug on your hands.

If nobody picks up on this today, I'd start a new topic tomorrow, using your first post in this thread, and IS THIS A BUG? in the title.

I am beginning to assume it's a small bug as well. It does not halt game play in any way, just makes Menu use a pain at times. Let's see where we go tomorrow.