Start-up Problem

[brayv]

Hi everyone,

Total newbie here. I'm sure I'm making an obvious mistake - but I'd be very grateful if anyone could help me out.

Gamex has been successfully installed. I intend to use it for Mame only. Running basic Windows XP setup. When I launch Gamex, it gives me the startup screen - then goes totally black. I need to close the window to exit. Happens if I run in full-screen or window mode. Tried different resolutions - but that doesn't seem to be the problem - especially since I get the start-up screen. Log is posted below. Thanks!

=============================

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: GameEx: Version 10.39: Starting Log

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Operating System Name: Windows XP

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: .net Framework 3.0 Installed

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: .net Framework 3.5 Installed

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Intel® Atom CPU 230 @ 1.60GHz, 895MB

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: 1.6Ghz - 2 Cores or CPU's

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Running Randomize()

20:28:58.4 2/18/2010: Loading PlugIns

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Running Misc startup tasks

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Setting Menu types

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Opening Configuration File

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Getting Configuration Values

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Using Theme: Default - BlueEx - MCE1024x768

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - BlueEx - MCE1024x768

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Is Media Center running?

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

20:28:58.5 2/18/2010: Media Center Mode 2

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Snap Delay set to: 2

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Get other settings

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Start work for Form

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Getting Original Screen Size

20:28:58.6 2/18/2010: Opening Database Connection

20:28:58.7 2/18/2010: Initializing Component

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: Retrieving resolution setting

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: MAME EXE file is: mame.exe

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: ROM Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame\roms

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Vincent Bray\Desktop\Arcade\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: controls.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Vincent Bray\Desktop\Arcade\GameEx\data\controls.ini

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: History.dat is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Vincent Bray\Desktop\Arcade\GameEx\DATA\history.dat

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Vincent Bray\Desktop\Arcade\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini

20:28:58.8 2/18/2010: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Vincent Bray\Desktop\Arcade\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Loading Controls.ini map file

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Snap Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: AVI Snap Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Flyer Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Cabinet Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Title Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: PCB Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Panel Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Manual Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Icon Path: Not Found

20:28:58.9 2/18/2010: Marquee Path: Not Found

20:28:59.0 2/18/2010: Loading Custom Emulators

20:28:59.0 2/18/2010: Loading Emulator 1: [Arcade] Arcade (MAME)

20:28:59.3 2/18/2010: Using 2D Animations

20:28:59.3 2/18/2010: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS

20:28:59.3 2/18/2010: Using Title Font: Joystix

20:28:59.3 2/18/2010: Game Launcher Mode Enabled

20:28:59.3 2/18/2010: Initialising DirectDraw

20:28:59.4 2/18/2010: Applying GameEx is Loading Image

20:28:59.4 2/18/2010: Creating DirectDraw Device

20:28:59.4 2/18/2010: Using Device: Primary Display Driver

20:29:00.0 2/18/2010: 443mb video memory available

20:29:00.0 2/18/2010: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces

20:29:00.0 2/18/2010: Creating Primary Surface - Windowed Mode

20:29:00.1 2/18/2010: Creating Back Buffer

20:29:00.2 2/18/2010: Loading graphic Surfaces

20:29:00.2 2/18/2010: Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 60hz

20:29:00.3 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Flags

20:29:00.3 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs

20:29:00.5 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Volume

20:29:00.5 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Arrows

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surface Unselected

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Snaps

20:29:00.6 2/18/2010: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars

20:29:00.7 2/18/2010: Creating Fonts

20:29:00.7 2/18/2010: Creating Game Font

20:29:02.1 2/18/2010: Creating Game Font Faded

20:29:04.6 2/18/2010: Creating Title Font

20:29:04.7 2/18/2010: Restoring Title Font From Cache

20:29:04.8 2/18/2010: Creating Menu Font

20:29:04.8 2/18/2010: Creating Font Black

20:29:05.1 2/18/2010: Creating Font Black Small

20:29:05.3 2/18/2010: Fonts Created Succesfully

20:29:05.3 2/18/2010: 416mb video memory left available

20:29:05.3 2/18/2010: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

20:29:05.3 2/18/2010: Initialising Bass Audio Library

20:29:05.3 2/18/2010: Attempting to load game list

20:29:05.4 2/18/2010: Applying Language/Text

20:29:05.4 2/18/2010: Text/Language: English

20:29:06.0 2/18/2010: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo

20:29:06.0 2/18/2010: Loading last used Game List

20:29:06.1 2/18/2010: Cannot Load Play List. Check Path and filename

20:29:06.1 2/18/2010: Creating DirectSound Device

20:29:06.1 2/18/2010: Trying: Primary Sound Driver

20:29:06.1 2/18/2010: Loading Sound Files

20:29:06.2 2/18/2010: DirectSound Device Created Successfully

20:29:06.2 2/18/2010: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support

20:29:06.5 2/18/2010: Unable to create a joystick device

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Custom Background: C:\Assets\MAME\Snaps

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Custom Background Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Snap Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Snaps

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 1:

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 1 Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 2:

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 2 Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 3:

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Custom Art Path 3 Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Control Panel Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Controls

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Instructions Path:

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Instructions Path Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Database:

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: Database Does not exist

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Title Snap Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Titles

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Box Art Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Boxes

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Cart Art Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Cartridges

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Validating: Emulator_1: Manual Path: C:\Assets\MAME\Manuals

20:29:06.7 2/18/2010: Warning: Emulator_1: MAPFile Does Not Exist

20:29:07.0 2/18/2010: Initializing MCE Remote

20:29:07.1 2/18/2010: Playing intro sound file

20:29:07.1 2/18/2010: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!

20:29:07.1 2/18/2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame

20:29:12.6 2/18/2010: Exiting GameEx!

20:29:12.7 2/18/2010: Saving Settings

20:29:12.8 2/18/2010: Disposing Plugins

20:29:12.8 2/18/2010: Closing database connection

20:29:12.9 2/18/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit

[Tom Speirs]

Sounds like a video issue to me. What video card do you have and do you have the latest manufacturer supplied drivers? I notice your running an on Atom so I am guessing its a netbook? It could be your video card is not up to it. Although Ive known Gameex to run pretty well on netbooks. It does not require a special video card normally. I suspect updating xp to the latest patches and updating your video card drivers should sort it out for you.

[Brian Hoffman]

Sounds like a video issue to me. What video card do you have and do you have the latest manufacturer supplied drivers? I notice your running an on Atom so I am guessing its a netbook? It could be your video card is not up to it. Although Ive known Gameex to run pretty well on netbooks. It does not require a special video card normally. I suspect updating xp to the latest patches and updating your video card drivers should sort it out for you.

Just to add I have a Atom motherboard, pico psu etc... Gameex works fine. Have you tried choosing a diffrent theme?

[brayv]

Sounds like a video issue to me. What video card do you have and do you have the latest manufacturer supplied drivers? I notice your running an on Atom so I am guessing its a netbook? It could be your video card is not up to it. Although Ive known Gameex to run pretty well on netbooks. It does not require a special video card normally. I suspect updating xp to the latest patches and updating your video card drivers should sort it out for you.

Thanks -while not a netbook, it is a pretty basic computer. New, using an NVIDIA graphics card. And, I switched the card settings from "quality" to "performance". Runs great now. Thanks for the support and for a great product!