Menu text/graphics problem

[DQ76]

Hi all,

I'm having a graphics problem that I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with.

When I load any GameEx (with any theme), the menus, toolbars and some images remain stuck on the screen as you cycle through the menus, causing an overlapping effect.

In other words, if I'm on the main menu and click the Mame menu, I end up with both menus superimposed on one another, being completely unreadable.

Any ideas of what may be causing this? I tried removing some options like the 3D effects, flat menus, etc but no luck.

I've been using GameEx for several years and this is the first time that I have encountered this. Recently I upgraded to Windows 7 and updated GameEx (I was a year out of date in my version). I also upgraded my video card a few months ago. Not sure if any of those factors may be related to my issues here.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

[Tom Speirs]

Hi all,

I'm having a graphics problem that I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with.

When I load any GameEx (with any theme), the menus, toolbars and some images remain stuck on the screen as you cycle through the menus, causing an overlapping effect.

In other words, if I'm on the main menu and click the Mame menu, I end up with both menus superimposed on one another, being completely unreadable.

Any ideas of what may be causing this? I tried removing some options like the 3D effects, flat menus, etc but no luck.

I've been using GameEx for several years and this is the first time that I have encountered this. Recently I upgraded to Windows 7 and updated GameEx (I was a year out of date in my version). I also upgraded my video card a few months ago. Not sure if any of those factors may be related to my issues here.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

If I recall this is the issue with font resizing in vista and windows 7 wihthin the os itself. You need to choose xp compatible rendering. Alternativly Ive seen strange issues when using non official video drivers.

[DQ76]

If I recall this is the issue with font resizing in vista and windows 7 wihthin the os itself. You need to choose xp compatible rendering. Alternativly Ive seen strange issues when using non official video drivers.

Thanks for the input Tom.

I've been playing around with this my setup and the my PC graphics settings and had no luck until just now. It seems that the graphics problem is linked to "windowed" mode. If I use fullscreen mode, it displays correctly.

I did a forum search and didn't see anything regarding past problems with this. Any ideas if there might be something that would interfere in windowed mode?

Thanks!

[headkaze]

I've heard there are still issues with Windows 7 video drivers, so I think it will just be a matter of time before these issues are sorted out. I also think video card manufacturers seem to neglect DirectDraw a bit these days (while concentrating on Direct3D) so this is another issue to contemplate. Do you have the latest video driver installed?

[Tom Speirs]

Hi, can you post your log. It will show what OS your running etc.

Also as HK says, get the latest video drivers if not already.

[DQ76]

That would make sense regarding the drivers. I am up to date (9/27/09), but its certainly possible that bugs came about since Win7's official release. I may have to wait until the next Nvidia patch. Here is my log:

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: GameEx: Version 10.27: Starting Log

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Operating System Name: Windows 7

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Operating System Version: 6.1.7600

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Aero running

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Processor, 2046MB

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: 3Ghz - 4 Cores or CPU's

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Running Randomize()

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Loading PlugIns

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Running Misc startup tasks

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Setting Menu types

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Opening Configuration File

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Getting Configuration Values

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Using Theme: Default - BlueGlass

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - BlueGlass

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Is Media Center running?

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Media Center Mode 2

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Snap Delay set to: 4

01:06:02.0 11/22/2009: Get other settings

01:06:02.1 11/22/2009: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis

01:06:02.1 11/22/2009: Start work for Form

01:06:02.1 11/22/2009: Getting Original Screen Size

01:06:02.1 11/22/2009: Opening Database Connection

01:06:02.1 11/22/2009: Initializing Component

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Retrieving resolution setting

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Initialising Windows Media Player Component

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: MAME EXE file is: Mame32.exe

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: ROM Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\roms

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: controls.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: History.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\history.dat

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Loading Controls.ini map file

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\snap

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: AVI Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\avisnap

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Flyer Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\flyers

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Cabinet Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cabinets

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Title Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\titles

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: PCB Path: Not Found

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Panel Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\cpanel

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Manual Path: Not Found

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Icon Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\icons

01:06:02.2 11/22/2009: Marquee Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\marquees

01:06:02.3 11/22/2009: Loading Custom Emulators

01:06:02.3 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 31: SNES

01:06:02.3 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 33: NES

01:06:02.4 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 35: Sega Genesis

01:06:02.4 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 37: Sega Master System

01:06:02.5 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 38: Intellivision

01:06:02.5 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 39: Atari 2600

01:06:02.5 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 40: Coleco

01:06:02.6 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 42: Nintendo 64

01:06:02.6 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 43: Sony PlayStation

01:06:02.6 11/22/2009: Loading Emulator 44: Sony Playstation 2

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Using 2D Animations

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Using General Font: Microsoft Sans Serif

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Using Title Font: Microsoft Sans Serif

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Initialising DirectDraw

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Applying GameEx is Loading Image

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Creating DirectDraw Device

01:06:02.9 11/22/2009: Using Device: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT

01:06:03.1 11/22/2009: 1773mb video memory available

01:06:03.1 11/22/2009: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces

01:06:03.1 11/22/2009: Creating Primary Surface - Windowed Mode

01:06:03.1 11/22/2009: Creating Back Buffer

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Version 2 Theme being used. Loading.

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Loading Button Data

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Loading Font Data

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Loading Layout Data

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Loading Taskbar Data

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Loading graphic Surfaces

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Display is running at: 1360x768 32bit color, 60hz

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Flags

01:06:03.2 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs

01:06:03.3 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Volume

01:06:03.3 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Arrows

01:06:03.3 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text

01:06:03.3 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Toolbar

01:06:03.3 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surface Unselected

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Snaps

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Fonts

01:06:03.5 11/22/2009: Creating Game Font

01:06:03.6 11/22/2009: Creating Game Font Faded

01:06:03.7 11/22/2009: Creating Title Font

01:06:04.0 11/22/2009: Creating Menu Font

01:06:04.0 11/22/2009: Creating Font Black

01:06:04.1 11/22/2009: Creating Font Black Small

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: Fonts Created Succesfully

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: 1745mb video memory left available

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: Attempting to load game list

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: Applying Language/Text

01:06:04.2 11/22/2009: Text/Language: English

01:06:04.3 11/22/2009: Initialising Bass Audio Library

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Loading last used Game List

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Setting Music Volume

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Creating DirectSound Device

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Trying: Primary Sound Driver

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Loading Sound Files

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: DirectSound Device Created Successfully

01:06:04.4 11/22/2009: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support

01:06:04.5 11/22/2009: Using Device Logitech Dual Action

01:06:04.5 11/22/2009: Initializing MCE Remote

01:06:04.5 11/22/2009: Playing intro sound file

01:06:04.6 11/22/2009: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!

01:06:04.6 11/22/2009: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame

01:06:04.8 11/22/2009: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully

01:06:11.1 11/22/2009: Exiting GameEx!

01:06:11.1 11/22/2009: Saving Settings

01:06:11.1 11/22/2009: Disposing Plugins

01:06:11.1 11/22/2009: Closing database connection

01:06:11.2 11/22/2009: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit

01:06:11.2 11/22/2009: Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching

[Tom Speirs]

Are you certain your on the latest? I am using an nVidia 9400 on 7 here, and no issues. That date sounds too early. Could be wrong though.

Also you could try the default theme, to see if thats the problem.

[DQ76]

I'm pretty sure the driver is current. I ran Driveragent and it came up as being up to date. I tried doing an uninstall/reinstall also but it didn't help.

With your card, did you get your driver download from Windows Update, or from the manufacturer site? I had went with the Nvidia driver that Windows Update gave me.

Default theme gave me problems as well. The only one that ran fairly decent was your Tron theme. The background images came up as black, but the menus and whatnot were normal.

I appreciate your help/input in troubleshooting this. It appears it is some sort of anomaly with my system. I'll have to keep experimenting and see if I can stumble upon a fix.

[Tom Speirs]

I'm pretty sure the driver is current. I ran Driveragent and it came up as being up to date. I tried doing an uninstall/reinstall also but it didn't help.

With your card, did you get your driver download from Windows Update, or from the manufacturer site? I had went with the Nvidia driver that Windows Update gave me.

Default theme gave me problems as well. The only one that ran fairly decent was your Tron theme. The background images came up as black, but the menus and whatnot were normal.

I appreciate your help/input in troubleshooting this. It appears it is some sort of anomaly with my system. I'll have to keep experimenting and see if I can stumble upon a fix.

I got my driver from Nvidia.com. Worth a go perhaps? Like I said before the only other thing I know causes problems at least on Vista is the font resizing in windows. ie you make the font dpi bigger than the default, you have to use XP compatible rendering.

[headkaze]

Since when did Windows Update supply video card drivers? I thought they only had generic drivers. I would definately try the latest one from nvidia.com.

[Tom Speirs]

Since when did Windows Update supply video card drivers? I thought they only had generic drivers. I would definately try the latest one from nvidia.com.

Yeah, they do actually, but there not always completely up to date.

[Tom Speirs]

Just to let you know, I have been experiencing similar issues since Ive been working on the recent releases. It does seem to be a windows 7/vista driver related bug and it seems intermitent. Seems to only affect windowed mode.

[Talonius]

Intermittent is an understatement.

I had it constantly so I was playing with settings to see if I could fix it through the driver. Tried changing font size, thought for a short bit that "always show toolbar" was the issue, tried anti aliased fonts on and off (off is uuuggggggllllllyyyy ), tried switching to 16 color mode, tried turning on Windows XP compatibility, changed menu transitions, advanced graphics, turned vsync on and off, reduced and increased CPU usage, wait or don't for blitting.

Every time it seemed like the problem went away... only to resurface.

Then I figured, well, I'll have to run it full screen. Went back and verified everything was set back to normal. Half an hour later... no glitches.

This one's going to be fun to find.

Could it have anything to do with the 59Hz refresh rate that some LCDs appear to have under Windows 7? I've read of some other strange problems that has caused.

(Oh, and first post, really sweet front end, thank you, I will be registering. Just need to get clearance from the wife. )

[DQ76]

I'm kind of relieved to know that I'm not the only one who has come across this glitch. I'm assuming that it's one of those Windows bugs that will get fixed in a future driver update. In the mean time, I'll use the fullscreen mode.

I will still try downloading the official Nvidia driver as well. Tom's right, it is kind of hit and miss with Windows Update - sometimes it works fine, sometimes it messes up your settings.

Gotta love the "ironing-out-the-bugs" phase that follows a new Windows release