Launching epsxe with alcohol drive

[we1dont7die]

Hi guys. GameEx is the BEST and i can't say that enough. I have everyhthing I want up and running except for one thing. I cannot get epsxe to properly load a game through GameEx. It sucks because I know what the problem is. epsxe is loading a split second before the image is getting mounted in Alcohol 120%. So it never boots the game. A great example of what i want is SSF the sega saturn emulator. When I choose a saturn game in GameEx you can see it flip to sff but its only the little box in the upper/left hand side that says file, edit... IT ALWAYS pauses there for a second as though the emulator is loading which gives Alcohol just enough time to have the image mounted!

I basically need to delay epsxe somehow or maybe there is a REAL fix to this?

Thanks

Also I was thinking. I'm pretty sure I have this set up correctly and everything so I wonder why there arent more people experiencing this. The included virtual drive with GameEx is very limited. Alcohol supports almost everything you normally see around plus the .mdf .mds that many PS1 games are in. Does this problem exist using DaemonTools?

[bkenobi]

There may be an easy way to do this.

1) Try moving the mounting statement to launch before. I don't know if Alcohol 120% will then return or wait till the program is closed. If it returns, then you should be good. If not, then this won't work.

2) Try adding a delay with the built in GameEx send keys/delay stuff. If you don't send a key, it should still delay the amount of time specified.

3) Use a script to launch these games. The script needs to mount the image, then launch the emu, then wait till the emu exits to close. This is pretty easy and there are examples on the forum.

4) Have you tried either Daemon Tools or, better yet, the built in image mounting software that Tom added a couple months back? I know people have had a lot of success with Daemon tools, so you should be able to find an example. However, Tom just added support for mounting images directly in GameEx. This would then mean you just have to tell the emulator what drive letter to use.

If it were me, I would opt for trying the built in GameEx image mounting system. The only restriction it has is that you must be registered to use it AFAIK.

[we1dont7die]

  bkenobi said:

There may be an easy way to do this.

1) Try moving the mounting statement to launch before. I don't know if Alcohol 120% will then return or wait till the program is closed. If it returns, then you should be good. If not, then this won't work.

2) Try adding a delay with the built in GameEx send keys/delay stuff. If you don't send a key, it should still delay the amount of time specified.

3) Use a script to launch these games. The script needs to mount the image, then launch the emu, then wait till the emu exits to close. This is pretty easy and there are examples on the forum.

4) Have you tried either Daemon Tools or, better yet, the built in image mounting software that Tom added a couple months back? I know people have had a lot of success with Daemon tools, so you should be able to find an example. However, Tom just added support for mounting images directly in GameEx. This would then mean you just have to tell the emulator what drive letter to use.

If it were me, I would opt for trying the built in GameEx image mounting system. The only restriction it has is that you must be registered to use it AFAIK.

Thanks for the fastest response ever.

I already have the mounting statement at launch before. it works flawlessly on SSF.

My problem with the gameex image mounting system is that it uses that "virtual clone drive" which doesnt even support .cue from my tests. is there a way to tell GameEx what image program to use besides using a launch before statement?

Also I have tried batch files but it seems they never work because of the spaces in my naming convention for the folder names. Add to the the spaces in my game titles and it just screws everything up. even with proper " "

[we1dont7die]

SoI guess I'm the only person here who uses Alcohol as my virtual drive of choice? I find that hard to believe.

[fRequEnCy]

  we1dont7die said:

SoI guess I'm the only person here who uses Alcohol as my virtual drive of choice? I find that hard to believe.

I don't use Alcohol here but I've read about this experience with other mounting tools. Are your games zipped? Only solution for now might be to script something to add a delay after mounting to ensure that the image is loaded before the emulator starts. Brian Hoffman did this for VisitorQ who was having problems with MagicEngine I believe. If you're sure that your settings are correct then this is something we need to get Tom to look at. Might be helpful to us if you post your config settings so we can have a look.

[we1dont7die]

  fRequEnCy said:

I don't use Alcohol here but I've read about this experience with other mounting tools. Are your games zipped? Only solution for now might be to script something to add a delay after mounting to ensure that the image is loaded before the emulator starts. Brian Hoffman did this for VisitorQ who was having problems with MagicEngine I believe. If you're sure that your settings are correct then this is something we need to get Tom to look at. Might be helpful to us if you post your config settings so we can have a look.

Yes my games are zipped but like i said it is not a problem with the SSF emulator. Ill post my configs if someone could kindly explain to me how to go about doing that. Im very sure things are set up right and the script you have explained is precisely what i need. Mabe we could get the ball rolling on a fix for this ;-)

[Tempest]

How to post your config: http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=6451

[we1dont7die]

  Tempest said:

How to post your config: http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=6451

Ok so I am posting the ePSXe config.

I am also going to post my SSF config, which works, just as a comparison.

PSX first:

[Emulator_12]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Sony PlayStation

TITLETEXT=Sony PlayStation

StartPageLogo=psx

ROMFilter=*.cue;*.mds;*.ccd

RomPath=T:\PSX

RomsInFolders=True

SnapPath=T:\PSX\PSX Front Covers Complete

TitlePath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Titles\

BoxPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Boxes\

CartPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Cartridges\

ManualPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Manuals\

ControlPanelPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Controls\

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=D:\EVERYTHING\Games\Old School Gaming\Emulators\Sony Playstation\epsxe170

MapKeys=True

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=False

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=False

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=[Console] Sony Playstation.map

AlsoLaunch=

Command=ePSXe.exe -nogui -slowboot

LaunchBefore=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /M:"[RomPath]\[RomFile]""

LaunchAfter="C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /U

configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (Process Close)

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=psbak.png

PlayMusic=False

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=False

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=False

DATABASE=[Console] Sony PlayStation

UseDbName=

GamesIn7Zips=False

PlayInScreenSaver=False

ShowMostPlayed=False

RandomMostPlayed=False

CDCheck=False

CDCheckFile=

CustomArtName1=

CustomArtPath1=

CustomArtName2=

CustomArtPath2=

CustomArtName3=

CustomArtPath3=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

SSF:

[Emulator_3]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Sega Saturn

TITLETEXT=Sega Saturn

StartPageLogo=Saturn

ROMFilter=*.mds;*.cue

RomPath=T:\Sega Saturn Collection (U)

RomsInFolders=False

SnapPath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Snaps\

TitlePath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Titles\

BoxPath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Boxes\

CartPath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Cartridges\

ManualPath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Manuals\

ControlPanelPath=c:\emulators\Sega Saturn\Controls\

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=D:\EVERYTHING\Games\Old School Gaming\Emulators\Sega Saturn\SSF_010_prototype

MapKeys=True

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=False

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=False

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=

AlsoLaunch=

Command=SSF.exe

LaunchBefore=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /M:"[RomPath]\[RomFile]""

LaunchAfter="C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /U

configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (Process Close)

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=saturnbak.png

PlayMusic=False

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=False

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=False

DATABASE=[Console] Sega Saturn

UseDbName=False

GamesIn7Zips=True

PlayInScreenSaver=True

ShowMostPlayed=False

RandomMostPlayed=False

CDCheck=False

CDCheckFile=

CustomArtName1=test

CustomArtPath1=C:\Documents and Settings\tspeirs\Desktop\Nintendo 64 - Cart Scans (No-Intro 20080521)(U)(EmuMovies)\Nintendo 64 - Cart Scans (No-Intro 20080521)(U)(EmuMovies)

CustomArtName2=test 2

CustomArtPath2=C:\eBooks

CustomArtName3=

CustomArtPath3=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

I just want to clarify that i am NOT using zipped games which i incorrectly stated earlier. they are unzipped unecm'd.

the -slowboot option was my feeble attempt at making the emulator wait til the image was mounted buut it has no effect.

Thanks again.

[we1dont7die]

Hey guys I just picked up a slikstik arcade cab off ebay and set it up. would LOVE to play PSX...

[we1dont7die]

  we1dont7die said:

Hi guys. GameEx is the BEST and i can't say that enough. I have everyhthing I want up and running except for one thing. I cannot get epsxe to properly load a game through GameEx. It sucks because I know what the problem is. epsxe is loading a split second before the image is getting mounted in Alcohol 120%. So it never boots the game. A great example of what i want is SSF the sega saturn emulator. When I choose a saturn game in GameEx you can see it flip to sff but its only the little box in the upper/left hand side that says file, edit... IT ALWAYS pauses there for a second as though the emulator is loading which gives Alcohol just enough time to have the image mounted!

I basically need to delay epsxe somehow or maybe there is a REAL fix to this?

Thanks

Also I was thinking. I'm pretty sure I have this set up correctly and everything so I wonder why there arent more people experiencing this. The included virtual drive with GameEx is very limited. Alcohol supports almost everything you normally see around plus the .mdf .mds that many PS1 games are in. Does this problem exist using DaemonTools?

A few new version of GameEx have come out but the problem still exists. Does anybody know a workaround for this? the 'start/wait' batch file doesnt work for me. any other ideas?

[Brian Hoffman]

  we1dont7die said:

A few new version of GameEx have come out but the problem still exists. Does anybody know a workaround for this? the 'start/wait' batch file doesnt work for me. any other ideas?

Can you post your recent emu config. I have some ideas

[we1dont7die]

Here it is. Thanks for taking interest.

[Emulator_12]

Enabled=True

STARTPAGENAME=Sony PlayStation

TITLETEXT=Sony PlayStation

StartPageLogo=psx

ROMFilter=*.cue;*.mds;*.ccd

RomPath=T:\PSX

RomsInFolders=True

SnapPath=T:\PSX\PSX Front Covers Complete

TitlePath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Titles\

BoxPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Boxes\

CartPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Cartridges\

ManualPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Manuals\

ControlPanelPath=c:\emulators\Sony PlayStation\Controls\

InstructionsPath=

WorkingPath=D:\EVERYTHING\Games\Old School Gaming\Emulators\Sony Playstation\epsxe170

MapKeys=True

WaitBeforeKeys=

SendKeys=

ReplaceDash=False

ReplaceUnder=True

Capitals=False

RemoveBrackets=True

ShowDesktop=True

Debug=False

MAPFile=[Console] Sony Playstation.map

AlsoLaunch=

Command=ePSXe.exe -nogui -slowboot

LaunchBefore=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /M:"[RomPath]\[RomFile]""

LaunchAfter="C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /U

configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (Process Close)

ExcludedFiles=

CustomBackground=psbak.png

PlayMusic=False

DontShowInfo=

PlaySelectionMusic=False

SelectionMusicFolder=

PCGame=False

DATABASE=[Console] Sony PlayStation

UseDbName=

GamesIn7Zips=False

MergeSets=

PlayInScreenSaver=False

ShowMostPlayed=False

RandomMostPlayed=False

CDCheck=False

CDCheckFile=

CustomArtName1=

CustomArtPath1=

CustomArtName2=

CustomArtPath2=

CustomArtName3=

CustomArtPath3=

[GENERAL]

DumbyValue=

[Brian Hoffman]

Change.. of course you will need to download the supplied attachment.

LaunchBefore=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /M:"[RomPath]\[RomFile]""

to

LaunchBefore= C:\Wait.exe "[RomPath]\[RomFile]""

of course you can substitute the path if you dont want the wait exe in your c drive.

Let me know if it works.

EDIT.. Opps I ll fix this later.. Use the megaupload instead till I can get my attachment issue figured out.

Edit 2: I fixed it. Megaupload removed

Wait.zip

[we1dont7die]

You Da Man. I will try this when I get off work and will post results.

[chriss]

why do you want to use alcohol to mount images?

did i miss something? i set up epsxe to just launch the iso files...

[Brian Hoffman]

  chriss said:

why do you want to use alcohol to mount images?

did i miss something? i set up epsxe to just launch the iso files...

Well he is using psx emu not epsxe and his ISOs are in bin cuw and other format that the emu does not nativley support.

[gryhnd]

  Brian Hoffman said:

Well he is using psx emu not epsxe and his ISOs are in bin cuw and other format that the emu does not nativley support.

PDQ on the Q.T., K?

OMG gtg ttyl, k?

;-) Sorry. Couldn't help myself. That sure was a ton of abbreviations in there and it made me LOL.

[we1dont7die]

wait.exe crashes right after i choose the game in gameex. basically as soon as its launched. Attached are screentshots of the error messages for three games I've tried. Maybe it has something to do with the quotation marks or something.

[Brian Hoffman]

  we1dont7die said:

wait.exe crashes right after i choose the game in gameex. basically as soon as its launched. Attached are screentshots of the error messages for three games I've tried. Maybe it has something to do with the quotation marks or something.

Try this one and make sure there is no double quotes on your command

LaunchBefore= C:\Wait.exe "[RomPath]\[RomFile]"

Ill be in the chat for a few.

Wait.zip

[we1dont7die]

So in short, Brian Hoffman is a mastermind. He's compiled me a script which solves my problem and should solve anyone elses problem with this. Only thing is, he made the script custom for me so i guess a general script could be posted shoiwing what paths to replace with your own and then compile.

Heres my ahk script

Wait.zip

[we1dont7die]

OK. to use this you first need to install AutoHotKey. After that, download the file in my last post. extract that file inside, right click it and hit edit.

It will look like this:

;

; AutoHotkey Version: 1.x

; Language: English

; Platform: Win9x/NT

; Author: A.N.Other <myemail@nowhere.com>

;

; Script Function:

; Template script (you can customize this template by editing "ShellNew\Template.ahk" in your Windows folder)

;

#NoEnv ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.

SendMode Input ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.

SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir% ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

RunWait, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /M:"%1%"

ExitApp

Change the path that is written in bold with the path to YOUR axcmd.exe. Replace the I: with the letter of the alcohol virtual drive. Leave the M:, that just tells alcohol to Mount.

after that, save and exit. then right click the file and hit compile script. put the newly created wait.exe in your c: drive at the root. ie "c:\wait.exe"

change the Launch Before to C:\Wait.exe "[RomPath]\[RomFile]" and the Launch After to (assuming your path is like mine) (remember to change the I: in this one too) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxCmd.exe" I: /U

Now you can run *ANY* CD Image file with ePSXe through GameEx.

[Brian Hoffman]

Nice instructions, I prefer the PSX emu tho.. Its faster and has less headaches as it doesnt need plugins and the FF series is da bomb!