gameex black screen with 9.76

[chriss]

hey guys,

i just digged up an old computer (1 ghz, 512 mb ram, geforce mx440) that i wanna put gameex on and then use it for nes,snes,mega drive / karaoke /music (maybe as a christmas present for one of my nephews)

but gameex sometimes doesn't start up! it just hangs on a blckscreen! i reinstalled windows xp but this issue persisits.

i also had the karaoke thing not working again! well, once it started into gameex, so i tried karaoke. at first it worked flawlessly but after i switched to queued mode and back the instant play agian didn't work.... so this issue must have something to do with the size (total 35gb) or maybe some characters of some files... i couldn't explain other way... it seems to be my collection!

anyway does anyone have an idea why the screen stays black? i will post the log later... if the computer has internet again

[chriss]

16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  GameEx: Version 9.27: Starting Log
16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  Operating System Platform: Win32NT
16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  Operating System Name: Windows XP
16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  Checking for versions of .net Framework installed
16:34:18.0  10.12.2008:  .net Framework 2.0 Installed
16:34:18.1  10.12.2008:  AMD Athlon(tm) Processor, 511MB
16:34:18.2  10.12.2008:  1,05Ghz
16:34:18.2  10.12.2008:  Running Randomize()
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Loading PlugIns
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Running Misc startup tasks
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Setting Menu types
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Opening Configuration File
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Getting Configuration Values
16:34:18.3  10.12.2008:  Using Theme: Default - Media Center
16:34:18.4  10.12.2008:  Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Media Center
16:34:18.4  10.12.2008:  Launching HideOS.exe
16:34:18.4  10.12.2008:  Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
16:34:18.7  10.12.2008:  Hiding Taskbar
16:34:18.7  10.12.2008:  Is Media Center running?
16:34:18.7  10.12.2008:  Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Media Center Mode 2
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Snap Delay set to: 2
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Get other settings
16:34:18.8  10.12.2008:  Reading MAME hall of fame
16:34:18.9  10.12.2008:  Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
16:34:18.9  10.12.2008:  Start work for Form
16:34:18.9  10.12.2008:  Getting Original Screen Size
16:34:18.9  10.12.2008:  Opening Database Connection
16:34:20.4  10.12.2008:  Initializing Component
16:34:20.6  10.12.2008:  Retrieving resolution setting
16:34:20.7  10.12.2008:  Initialising Windows Media Player Component
16:34:20.9  10.12.2008:  MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32
16:34:20.9  10.12.2008:  Cannot Find MAME Path: MAME Disabled
16:34:21.0  10.12.2008:  Loading Controls.ini map file
16:34:21.1  10.12.2008:  Loading Custom Emulators
16:34:21.6  10.12.2008:  Using 2D Animations
16:34:21.7  10.12.2008:  Using General Font: Trebuchet MS
16:34:21.7  10.12.2008:  Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS
16:34:21.7  10.12.2008:  Initialising DirectDraw
16:34:21.9  10.12.2008:  Creating DirectDraw Device
16:34:21.9  10.12.2008:  Using Device: Primary Display Driver
16:34:24.0  10.12.2008:  125mb video memory available
16:34:24.1  10.12.2008:  Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color
16:34:24.1  10.12.2008:  Creating DirectDraw Surfaces
16:34:24.1  10.12.2008:  Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
16:34:24.1  10.12.2008:  Creating Back Buffer
16:34:24.1  10.12.2008:  Loading graphic Surfaces
16:34:24.2  10.12.2008:  Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 60hz
16:34:24.4  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Flags
16:34:24.5  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
16:34:24.6  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Volume
16:34:24.6  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Arrows
16:34:24.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
16:34:24.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar
16:34:24.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
16:34:30.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
16:34:30.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
16:34:30.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Surface Unselected
16:34:30.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Home & Exit
16:34:30.4  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Snaps
16:34:30.4  10.12.2008:  Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
16:34:30.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Fonts
16:34:30.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Game Font
16:34:31.1  10.12.2008:  Creating Menu Font
16:34:31.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Font Black
16:34:31.7  10.12.2008:  Creating Font Black Small
16:34:32.0  10.12.2008:  Creating Game Font Faded
16:34:32.3  10.12.2008:  Creating Title Font
16:34:34.3  10.12.2008:  Fonts Created Succesfully
16:34:34.3  10.12.2008:  66mb video memory left available
16:34:34.3  10.12.2008:  Creating instance of global keyboard hook

as you can see i now installed an older version of gameex but it still doesn't boot into gameex...the screen stays black and i can't even use task manager or alt+f4 anymore!

what do you guys think this has to do with? maybe the graphics card?

[Tom Speirs]

Is that the full log? ie as far as GameEx gets?

Also is GameEx registered?

Can you try the attached.

GameEx.7z

[chriss]

hey tom, thanks for your quick support!

i just updated the forceware driver to the latest build that was realeased by nvidia (94.78 or something)

now it works, it doesnt crash anymore...but gameex runs really sluggish

update: i hjust found your tutorial on gameex running sluggish and i used the 66 forceware driver you provided

from first testing it seems to run perfect now!

[Tom Speirs]

  chriss said:

hey tom, thanks for your quick support!

i just updated the forceware driver to the latest build that was realeased by nvidia (94.78 or something)

now it works, it doesnt crash anymore...but gameex runs really sluggish

update: i hjust found your tutorial on gameex running sluggish and i used the 66 forceware driver you provided

from first testing it seems to run perfect now!

Sorry, can you just confirm it was the patch that fixed this or not?

[chriss]

oh sorry, for leaving this unclear! it was the forceware driver that fixed it, i didn't try out the patch! Thanks again m8. YOur effort is much appreciated....

the patch is not intended to fix the karaoke problem or is it? i will fool around with this issue a bit later.... maybe i get the instant play mode working again now that i have two setups to test with!

[chriss]

hey tom,

after some more extensive testing I can confirm that the same problem with karaoke's instant play mode was found on my second gameex machine.

I installed:

Windows XP SP3

dotnet framework

directx

gameex with karaoke plugin

i didn't copy over my other gameex data so it can't be caused by the settings of the gameex running on my cab. this is a fresh "unmodified" install of gameex!

again, on this machine, queue mode works fine (clicking on a song, then going to "start karaoke") but instant play mode is not working. there is no error message in the log file, when i click on a song there is just nothing happening, as if the button for selecting songs got disabled...

as i said before, it must have something to do with my collection causing this issue. but besides having a lot of files in the same folder (35gb cdg and mp3 files) i don't see anything wrong with it... the indexing works fine, it takes like 10 minutes for the first start and then 30 seconds for the following starts... what i don't get is that it used to work fine with older releases of gameex...

tom, could you please have a look again at this? i would be very glad!

thanks,

chriss

[chriss]

[chriss]

can a mod delete the post above?

it seems like two codeboxes with two gameex.ini were too much information in one post

anyway, i got it working! wooohooo! after all this time finally it works again!

thanks to frequency who was a big help over im! we narrowed the problem down to my gameex setup since a folder with only 2 songs could also not be played, so it wasn't a problem with my collection!

the breakthrough came by using a backup copy of gameex.ini from june. this made instant mode work. but i still have no clue to why the problem came up in the first place. so i attached both gameex.ini's in the hope that you guys can help me in narrowing down the problem. i would really like to use my recent gameex.ini again, since a lot has changed in my setup since then!

thanks for having a look!

Gameex1.ini is the new one, that is NOT working

Gameex.ini is the one from june that is Working

update:

i already narrowed it down to this segment in gameex.ini

here is the code that makes instant mode work:

# Specify a Video to play at Startup. AVI, MPG:

     StartupVideo=D:\Games\mameui\vidstart
LaunchOnStart=
LaunchOnStartNoWait=
LaunchOnExit=
LaunchOnExitNoWait=
FontSize=0
VectorResX=632
VectorResY=264
AlwaysStretch=410x256
DisableEscape=False
DisableRemoveGame=False
Theme=Default - Media Center
Language=
FlatStartPage=True
DontSwitchRes=False
SnapDelay=6
AllowWindowResize=False
ShowLoadingScreen=True
Use16BitColour=False
Widescreen=False
DisableMAME=False
ShellBeforeLaunch=
ShellOnExit=
EnableJukeBox=True
JukeBoxPlaylist=All Music
EnableMediaControls=True
ShufflePlayLists=True
LoadPlayListAtStartup=True
LoadPlayListThread=False
DownloadArt=True
TitleFont=Verdana
DialogTextWhite=True
TimeFormat=False
HideToolBar=4
DoNotFilterROMS=pacman;splatter
MAMEAudioMode=1
DisplayTitle=True
AVIAudio=False
Marqueepath=D:\Games\mame\marquees
Panelpath=D:\Games\mame\cpanel
Titlepath=D:\Games\mame\titles
ICONpath=D:\Games\mame\icons
CPEnabled=False
CPPath=\data\controls.ini
ShowVector=False
ShowNeoGeo=False
ShowOriginal=False
ShowAdult=False
ShowCPS=False
ShowVertical=False
ShowHorizontal=False
EnableFavorites=True
ShowMulti=False
ShowAllMAME=True
ShowLastGame=False
ShowRandomGame=False
ShowListNumbers=False
AlphaBlendVideos=True
EnableSound=False
MediaCenterOpenCheck=true
UseSharp=True
CreateImageOnThread=False
HideCreateSnaps=False
HideLogoff=True
HideStandBy=True
DisableMouse=True
ShowVideos=True
VideoPath=D:\video; d:\movies
EnableAlphaPage=True
EnableJoystick=False
EnableSlikStik=False
KeyboardDirectInput=True
NoMahjong=False
VIDEOFFDSHOW=0
JoystickDevice=
EnableCustomInput=False
EnableCustomJoyInput=False
AttractVideosEnabled=False
AttractVideosRatio=1
AttractVideosPath=D:\
AtractModeNewGameTimer=3
AdvancedGFX=True
HideZinc=False
TransitionType=0
Bypass=True
DontBlitWait=False
ShowMostPlayed=True
ExcludedMAMERoms=
DeadZoneX=0
DeadZoneY=0
JukeBoxMode=1
AmbienceFile=L:\-DATA-\-MP3-\4 Non Blondes\4 Non Blondes - What's Up.mp3
AmbianceFile=
EnableAmbiance=False
HIDEDESKTOP=False
UseSnapBestMatch=False
IngameVK=76
EnableThemePicker=False
DisablePleaseWaitAnimation=True
EnableRipCD=False
DumbyValue=
DVDPath=G:\
AttractOnlyFavs=False
RotatePlus90=false
ShowButtons=True
DisplayTitleText=True
PlayExitSaverSound=False
ShowAtari=False
ShowGolden=False
ShowHorizVert=0
UseModel2=False
Model2PATH=C:\Emulators\Model2
ShowModel2=False
ShowLightGun=True
EnableBezel=False
AutoUpdate=1
NoMAMEOnStartPage=False
HideRestart=False
EnableStartScreenSaver=False
SortMAMEThE=True
SortEmuThE=True
ShowMCEEXport=False
NoRotationRestrictions=False
MakeToolbarTextWhite=True
ExitGameAfter=0
ShowTrackball=False
ShowSpinner=False
LoadEmusOnThread=True
LoadRadioOnThread=True
StartPageAni=False
EmusAttractMode=False
MuteEmuAttractMode=True
Show4Player=True
CabControlFriendly=True
ManualPath=D:\Games\mame\manuals
HideShowTaskbar=True
CustomMAMEFolderPath=d:\games\mame\CustomFolders
MAMEFavoritesini=d:\games\mame\Folders\Favorites.ini
MenuFontSameSize=False
SetPalRes=False
PalRes=800x600x32x60
SetNTCSRes=True
NTSCRes=800x600x32x60
SetNTSCRes=False
SetTwoThreeRes=False
PreviewVideos=True
ShowStatistics=True
DisableMouseWheel=False
ErrorReporting=2
ReduceCPU=True
ShowNotPlayed=False
ShowOnlineLists=False
ScreensaverMode=0
glaunchenabled=False
PCBPath=D:\Games\mame\pcb
artworkpath=D:\Games\mame\artwork
LoadJukeTracksOnStartup=True
EnableLetterSelect=False
JukeQueueMode=0
EnableBezelAttract=False
ForceDailyReboot=-1
EnableSearch=False
FixToEmuList=0
ShowLastPlayed=False

and this one somehow disables instant mode in karaoke:

  StartupVideo=D:\Games\mameui\vidstart
LaunchOnStart=
LaunchOnStartNoWait=
LaunchOnExit=
LaunchOnExitNoWait=
FontSize=0
VectorResX=632
VectorResY=264
AlwaysStretch=410x256
DisableEscape=False
DisableRemoveGame=False
Theme=Default - Media Center V1
Language=
FlatStartPage=True
DontSwitchRes=False
SnapDelay=6
AllowWindowResize=False
ShowLoadingScreen=True
Use16BitColour=False
Widescreen=False
DisableMAME=False
ShellBeforeLaunch=
ShellOnExit=
EnableJukeBox=True
JukeBoxPlaylist=All Music
EnableMediaControls=True
ShufflePlayLists=True
LoadPlayListAtStartup=True
LoadPlayListThread=False
DownloadArt=True
TitleFont=Verdana
DialogTextWhite=True
TimeFormat=False
HideToolBar=4
DoNotFilterROMS=pacman;splatter
MAMEAudioMode=1
DisplayTitle=True
AVIAudio=False
Marqueepath=D:\Games\mame\marquees
Panelpath=D:\Games\mame\cpanel
Titlepath=D:\Games\mame\titles
ICONpath=D:\Games\mame\icons
CPEnabled=True
CPPath=\data\controls.ini
ShowVector=False
ShowNeoGeo=False
ShowOriginal=False
ShowAdult=False
ShowCPS=False
ShowVertical=False
ShowHorizontal=False
EnableFavorites=True
ShowMulti=False
ShowAllMAME=True
ShowLastGame=False
ShowRandomGame=False
ShowListNumbers=False
AlphaBlendVideos=True
EnableSound=False
MediaCenterOpenCheck=true
UseSharp=True
CreateImageOnThread=False
HideCreateSnaps=True
HideLogoff=True
HideStandBy=True
DisableMouse=False
ShowVideos=True
VideoPath=D:\video; d:\movies; d:\karaoke_deutsch;F:\
EnableAlphaPage=True
EnableJoystick=True
EnableSlikStik=False
KeyboardDirectInput=True
NoMahjong=False
VIDEOFFDSHOW=0
JoystickDevice=MP-8866 Dual USB Joypad
EnableCustomInput=True
EnableCustomJoyInput=False
AttractVideosEnabled=False
AttractVideosRatio=1
AttractVideosPath=D:\
AtractModeNewGameTimer=3
AdvancedGFX=True
HideZinc=False
TransitionType=0
Bypass=False
DontBlitWait=False
ShowMostPlayed=True
ExcludedMAMERoms=;tekken;;MAMEAll;
DeadZoneX=0
DeadZoneY=0
JukeBoxMode=0
AmbienceFile=
AmbianceFile=
EnableAmbiance=False
HIDEDESKTOP=False
UseSnapBestMatch=true
IngameVK=112
EnableThemePicker=False
DisablePleaseWaitAnimation=True
EnableRipCD=False
DumbyValue=
DVDPath=G:\
AttractOnlyFavs=False
RotatePlus90=false
ShowButtons=True
DisplayTitleText=True
PlayExitSaverSound=False
ShowAtari=False
ShowGolden=False
ShowHorizVert=0
UseModel2=False
Model2PATH=D:\Games\model2
ShowModel2=True
ShowLightGun=True
EnableBezel=False
AutoUpdate=1
NoMAMEOnStartPage=False
HideRestart=False
EnableStartScreenSaver=False
SortMAMEThE=True
SortEmuThE=True
ShowMCEEXport=False
NoRotationRestrictions=False
MakeToolbarTextWhite=True
ExitGameAfter=0
ShowTrackball=False
ShowSpinner=False
LoadEmusOnThread=True
LoadRadioOnThread=True
StartPageAni=False
EmusAttractMode=False
MuteEmuAttractMode=True
Show4Player=True
CabControlFriendly=True
ManualPath=D:\Games\mame\manuals
HideShowTaskbar=True
CustomMAMEFolderPath=d:\games\mame\CustomFolders
MAMEFavoritesini=d:\games\mame\Folders\Favorites.ini
MenuFontSameSize=False
SetPalRes=False
PalRes=800x600x32x60
SetNTCSRes=True
NTSCRes=800x600x32x60
SetNTSCRes=False
SetTwoThreeRes=False
PreviewVideos=True
ShowStatistics=True
DisableMouseWheel=True
ErrorReporting=0
ReduceCPU=False
ShowNotPlayed=False
ShowOnlineLists=False
ScreensaverMode=0
glaunchenabled=False
PCBPath=D:\Games\mame\pcb
artworkpath=D:\Games\mame\artwork
LoadJukeTracksOnStartup=True
EnableLetterSelect=False
JukeQueueMode=1
EnableBezelAttract=False
ForceDailyReboot=-1
EnableSearch=False
FixToEmuList=0
ShowLastPlayed=False
TwoThreeRes=
EnableTouchScreen=False
EnableMediaCheck=True

Gameex.ini.zip

[Tempest]

You can use Beyond Compare, to compare the two files. It will tell you what's different between them.

[chriss]

thanks for the tip, tempest! i was looking for a compare utility!

[bkenobi]

I've also used WinMerge for a comparison utility. It's freeware, so you can use it on a work machine. I like Beyond Compare much better given a choice though. It matches results much better IMO.

[chriss]

ok i guess by now most of you are pretty bored by this topic because it seems like nobody except frequency and me is caring about karaoke anyways...

but here is what i found out:

CPEnabled=True

HideCreateSnaps=True

DisableMouse=False

VideoPath=D:\video; d:\movies; d:\karaoke_deutsch;F:\

EnableJoystick=True

JoystickDevice=MP-8866 Dual USB Joypad

EnableCustomInput=True

Bypass=False

ExcludedMAMERoms=;tekken;;MAMEAll;

JukeBoxMode=0

AmbienceFile=

UseSnapBestMatch=true

IngameVK=112

Model2PATH=D:\Games\model2

ShowModel2=True

DisableMouseWheel=True

ErrorReporting=0

ReduceCPU=False

JukeQueueMode=1

missing in working conf:

TwoThreeRes=

EnableTouchScreen=False

EnableMediaCheck=True

so one of these settings disables the instant play mode in karaoke.

if i have more time i try to find out which setting it is!

update:

man, this is beyond my logic. I just changed all the settings I pointed out on my second machine and none of it made it work. then i just copied over the whole snippet of code from post 9 codebox and that made it do it. i even changed back all settings (like enabling joystick support and change the theme) and instant play kept working!

i'm really confused about this. anyways, I dont care anymore! now its working great!

[bkenobi]

I don't think it's so much that noone cares about your topic as it is that noone plays karaoke?!

[chriss]

true mate! Which is a pity... we should have a huge gameex christmas karaoke party, only singing christmas songs and drinking egg nogg!! wouldnt that be nice?

i can see greatflash posting youtube videos about tempest singing frank sinatra

[fRequEnCy]

  bkenobi said:

I don't think it's so much that noone cares about your topic as it is that noone plays karaoke?!

I don't care about this topic! LOL

Glad it's workin Chriss. At least maybe those settings can give Tom an idea. But at least your karaoke parties can continue.

[bkenobi]

I thought they drank helium beer at karaoke parties? Maybe that's just in Japan.