Blank screen at an odd time, and some other things

[Time Pilot]

Hello! I've finally found some time to spend on my cab again. I just upgraded to the most recent versions of everything and upgraded (marginally) the CPU. So many things have improved, and GameEx is looking more brilliant than ever. The LED/LCD plugin is fantastic. Wow. Still digging into CPViewer- that is really going to improve the cab experience.

So, I've been searching the forums, but I still have a couple of hiccups I haven't been able to figure out yet.

(1) I've got the RedEx 800x600 arcade theme set. When I load GameEx, everything seems to be going along fine, but when the GameEx sound effect starts, the screen goes black. Mouse is active, and I can see the pointer (a hand pointing), but nothing else.

I've discovered that if I hit ESC, GameEx will minimize. I can then click on the tab in the tool bar, and GameEx will be restored work fine- display and everything.

Any ideas? I've attached the log below- don't see any errors... I was wondering if it is an ArcadeVGA issue. Never had problems before, but I have switched motherboards...

(2) I've got 2 plugins turned on- LCD/LED and Ultrastick. I had one of the random sound plugins active, but now it isn't. I still seem to get some random voices though- "Would you like to play a game". I think something else is generating this voice (log does not indicate any other active plugins), but I haven't found the source.

(3) I have auto updates set to "Ask First", but it updated anyway for the update yesterday or the day before. Maybe I hit a button and didn't realize it...

Thanks for everything guys! GameEx rocks!

-TP

21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  GameEx: Version 9.77: Starting Log
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  Operating System Platform: Win32NT
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  Operating System Name: Windows XP
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  Checking for versions of .net Framework installed
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  .net Framework 1.0 Installed
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  .net Framework 1.1 Installed
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  .net Framework 2.0 Installed
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3100+, 2047MB
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  1.81Ghz
21:11:01.5  12/21/2008:  Running Randomize()
21:11:01.6  12/21/2008:  Loading PlugIns
21:11:02.3  12/21/2008:  Loaded Plugin:"LCD/LED Plugin" Version 2.83 By Ben Baker
21:11:05.0  12/21/2008:  PlugIn: "LCD/LED Plugin" Initialized OK
21:11:05.0  12/21/2008:  Loaded Plugin:"UltraStik" Version 1.1 By Ben Baker
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  PlugIn: "UltraStik" Initialized OK
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Running Misc startup tasks
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Setting Menu types
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Opening Configuration File
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Getting Configuration Values
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Using Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600
21:11:05.1  12/21/2008:  Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600
21:11:05.2  12/21/2008:  Launching HideOS.exe
21:11:05.2  12/21/2008:  Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
21:11:05.2  12/21/2008:  CPWizard enabled
21:11:05.2  12/21/2008:  Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -minimized
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Arcade Mode is on
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Hiding Taskbar
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Using Cabinet Friendly Control System
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Is Media Center running?
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Media Center Mode 2
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Snap Delay set to: 2
21:11:05.9  12/21/2008:  Get other settings
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Using DirectInput for keyboard input
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Start work for Form
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Getting Original Screen Size
21:11:06.0  12/21/2008:  Opening Database Connection
21:11:06.1  12/21/2008:  Initializing Component
21:11:06.2  12/21/2008:  Retrieving resolution setting
21:11:06.3  12/21/2008:  Initialising Windows Media Player Component
21:11:06.4  12/21/2008:  MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32
21:11:06.5  12/21/2008:  MAME EXE file is: Mame32.exe
21:11:06.5  12/21/2008:  ROM Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms
21:11:06.5  12/21/2008:  Catver.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini
21:11:06.6  12/21/2008:  controls.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini
21:11:06.6  12/21/2008:  History.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\history.dat
21:11:06.6  12/21/2008:  nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini
21:11:06.6  12/21/2008:  MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Loading Controls.ini map file
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\snap
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  AVI Snap Path: Not Found
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Flyer Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\flyers
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Cabinet Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cabinets
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Title Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\titles
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  PCB Path: Not Found
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Artwork Preview Path: Not Found
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Panel Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cpanel
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Manual Path: Not Found
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Icon Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\icons
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Marquee Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\marquees
21:11:07.0  12/21/2008:  Using 2D Animations
21:11:07.2  12/21/2008:  Using General Font: Trebuchet MS
21:11:07.2  12/21/2008:  Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS
21:11:07.3  12/21/2008:  Initialising DirectDraw
21:11:07.5  12/21/2008:  Applying GameEx is Loading Image
21:11:07.6  12/21/2008:  Creating DirectDraw Device
21:11:07.6  12/21/2008:  Using Device: Ultimarc ArcadeVGA
21:11:07.7  12/21/2008:  242mb video memory available
21:11:08.2  12/21/2008:  Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color
21:11:08.2  12/21/2008:  Creating DirectDraw Surfaces
21:11:08.2  12/21/2008:  Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
21:11:08.2  12/21/2008:  Creating Back Buffer
21:11:08.3  12/21/2008:  Loading graphic Surfaces
21:11:08.3  12/21/2008:  Display is running at: 800x600 32bit color, 200hz
21:11:08.3  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Flags
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Volume
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Arrows
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar
21:11:08.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surface Unselected
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Home & Exit
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Snaps
21:11:08.5  12/21/2008:  Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
21:11:08.6  12/21/2008:  Creating Fonts
21:11:08.6  12/21/2008:  Creating Game Font
21:11:08.9  12/21/2008:  Creating Game Font Faded
21:11:09.4  12/21/2008:  Creating Title Font
21:11:09.5  12/21/2008:  Restoring Title Font From Cache
21:11:09.6  12/21/2008:  Creating Menu Font
21:11:09.9  12/21/2008:  Creating Font Black
21:11:10.0  12/21/2008:  Creating Font Black Small
21:11:10.2  12/21/2008:  Fonts Created Succesfully
21:11:10.2  12/21/2008:  210mb video memory left available
21:11:10.2  12/21/2008:  Creating instance of global keyboard hook
21:11:10.3  12/21/2008:  Attempting to load game list
21:11:10.6  12/21/2008:  Loading Custom Emulators
21:11:15.5  12/21/2008:  Using Ultimarc AradeVGA
21:11:15.8  12/21/2008:  Text/Language: English
21:11:15.8  12/21/2008:  Applying Language/Text
21:11:15.9  12/21/2008:  Initialising Bass Audio Library
21:11:16.8  12/21/2008:  MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo
21:11:16.8  12/21/2008:  Loading last used Game List
21:11:16.9  12/21/2008:  Setting Music Volume
21:11:16.9  12/21/2008:  Creating DirectSound Device
21:11:16.9  12/21/2008:  Trying: Primary Sound Driver
21:11:16.9  12/21/2008:  Loading Sound Files
21:11:17.0  12/21/2008:  DirectSound Device Created Successfully
21:11:17.0  12/21/2008:  Creating ICONS
21:11:17.0  12/21/2008:  Recreating ICONS
21:11:18.0  12/21/2008:  Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support
21:11:18.1  12/21/2008:  Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 1
21:11:18.1  12/21/2008:  Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 2
21:11:18.1  12/21/2008:  Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 3
21:11:18.1  12/21/2008:  Using Device Ultimarc Ultra-Stik Player 4
21:11:18.1  12/21/2008:  Initialising DirectInput for Keyboard support
21:11:18.2  12/21/2008:  Initializing MCE Remote
21:11:18.3  12/21/2008:  Playing intro sound file
21:11:18.3  12/21/2008:  Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!
21:11:18.4  12/21/2008:  Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame
21:11:19.0  12/21/2008:  Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully
21:11:55.5  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe 1942 -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch
21:11:55.6  12/21/2008:  Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -emu mame -game 1942 -timeout 9000
22:01:18.5  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe bionicc -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -resolution 256x240 -nohwstretch
22:01:18.7  12/21/2008:  Launching CPWizard: "C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.exe" -emu mame -game bionicc -timeout 9000
22:06:49.6  12/21/2008:  Starting Attract Mode
22:06:49.7  12/21/2008:  Reading MAME hall of fame
22:06:49.8  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe pokrdice -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch
22:08:55.0  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe mp_sor2 -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 256x240 -nohwstretch
22:11:00.3  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe darkwar -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch
22:13:05.7  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe fastfred -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch
22:15:11.0  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe seicross -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -nohwstretch
22:17:16.3  12/21/2008:  Running: cmd.exe /c C: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame32.exe victroad -rompath C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo -volume -32 -resolution 352x256 -hwstretch -effect sharp
22:19:19.3  12/21/2008:  Returning From Attract Mode
22:19:38.2  12/21/2008:  Exiting GameEx!
22:19:38.2  12/21/2008:  Saving Settings
22:19:40.5  12/21/2008:  Disposing Plugins
22:19:40.5  12/21/2008:  Closing database connection
22:19:40.5  12/21/2008:  Checking for applications to Launch On Exit
22:19:40.6  12/21/2008:  Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching

[Tempest]

I can't answer the other two issues, but plugin LCD does have speech capability. I think it's on the furthest tab to the right.(Option 2)

[Time Pilot]

I can't answer the other two issues, but plugin LCD does have speech capability. I think it's on the furthest tab to the right.(Option 2)

Thanks Tempest. There was indeed another speech tick box in the LCD plugin that I had missed.

I was also able to get the video issue resolved. Problem stemmed from a couple of desktop enhancement programs- Topdesk, and Deskspace. Removing those fixes things...

-TP