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NEWS: GameEx 10.90 Beta


Tom Speirs

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Tom - so far so good. 10.92 installed here as well. I think some of the problems I have had can be classed as a.) noob needing to make some tweaks, and b.) n00b needing to clear cache. I really like the speed of the redraws. Even with avisnaps showing in place of the text list, all very good!

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Tom - so far so good. 10.92 installed here as well. I think some of the problems I have had can be classed as a.) noob needing to make some tweaks, and b.) n00b needing to clear cache. I really like the speed of the redraws. Even with avisnaps showing in place of the text list, all very good!

I appreciate you taking the time out to help me test, noob or not ;)

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Still not working for me. Where can I find the cache that needs to possibly be deleted?

.:EDIT #1:. And also, for me anyways the foreground is the only thing that shows. I can't see my preview snaps or the video AVI snaps either. I tried clearing the cache and no luck. :(

.:EDIT #2:. All my foreground and background images are displaying correctly for MAME though. Puzzling.

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Still not working for me. Where can I find the cache that needs to possibly be deleted?

.:EDIT #1:. And also, for me anyways the foreground is the only thing that shows. I can't see my preview snaps or the video AVI snaps either. I tried clearing the cache and no luck. :(

.:EDIT #2:. All my foreground and background images are displaying correctly for MAME though. Puzzling.

Following clearing the cache with negative results, did you reboot?

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No, but I will try that right now. I did in fact delete the cached PNG files in the data folder though.

I'll do it again and try the reboot and post my results.

.:EDIT #1:. Deleted cache-.png files and rebooted without success. I'm actually gonna delete the DATA folder and reinstall GameEx and try again.

.:EDIT #2:. Deleted the whole DATA folder, rebooted, reinstalled GameEx, rebooted again, and tried again, still not working. :(

.:EDIT #3:. For whatever reason, the attract mode only seems to kick in if I'm on the main menu. If it's on any other screen it will just sit there on that screen. Man, I am really having some fun issues here... Maybe I'm jinxed, or GameEx is just sick of being on my dedicated cabinet. :)

.:EDIT #4:. Scratch that, attract mode only kicks in if I don't touch anything. If I play a game and go back to the main screen, it just sits there and does nothing. If I move the cursor at all, same result. Why oh why have you forsaken me GameEx? *LOL*

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No, but I will try that right now. I did in fact delete the cached PNG files in the data folder though.

I'll do it again and try the reboot and post my results.

.:EDIT #1:. Deleted cache-.png files and rebooted without success. I'm actually gonna delete the DATA folder and reinstall GameEx and try again.

.:EDIT #2:. Deleted the whole DATA folder, rebooted, reinstalled GameEx, rebooted again, and tried again, still not working. sad.gif

.:EDIT #3:. For whatever reason, the attract mode only seems to kick in if I'm on the main menu. If it's on any other screen it will just sit there on that screen. Man, I am really having some fun issues here... Maybe I'm jinxed, or GameEx is just sick of being on my dedicated cabinet. smile.gif

.:EDIT #4:. Scratch that, attract mode only kicks in if I don't touch anything. If I play a game and go back to the main screen, it just sits there and does nothing. If I move the cursor at all, same result. Why oh why have you forsaken me GameEx? *LOL*

You mentioned installing a new power supply. How did the HDD check out and have you run any tests on your RAM?

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HDD checked out just fine (I run tests when I monthly maintenance) and there were no errors in it that chkdsk could find. I also should mention that I do regular defrags in addition to monthly maintenance. The HDD is a 7200 so speed is fine, and since it's a SATA drive I don't expect there to be any problems with cables or anything.

I just ran a RAM test after reading your post to be sure, and that checks out also (I just added new GreatSkill RAM with the most beautiful heat spreaders eight months ago). The main reason I went with a better power supply is because I have since added a WS HP monitor to my cabinet and I wanted to be sure that it was getting ample power. I was also hoping that would help with the random PJ64 crashes (which it didn't incidentally).

I just inherited a Dell Optiplex GX240 P4 tower the other day and I intend to rebuild that and replace the one in the cab with it in hopes it will get rid of some of the problems with the AMD processor that's in there now (ie can't get SSF to even load), and it's a bit faster than my current setup (AMD Semperon).

Maybe it's time to start in on the refurbishing and testing now, but that's not gonna be ready for some time since I'll need to invest in new RAM.

.:EDIT #1:. Hmm... Upon further inspection of the LOG file, it seems GameEx is disabling my attract mode although it's enabled in the Advanced Config. I don't know if it makes any difference, but I'll post it here. Any further suggestions?

23:16:16.7  6/2/2010:  GameEx: Version 10.92: Starting Log
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: Operating System Platform: Win32NT
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: Operating System Name: Windows XP
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: .net Framework 1.1 Installed
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: .net Framework 2.0 Installed
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: .net Framework 3.0 Installed
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: .net Framework 3.5 Installed
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: AMD Sempron(tm) 3000+, 1023MB
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: 2Ghz
23:16:16.8 6/2/2010: Running Randomize()
23:16:17.2 6/2/2010: Loading PlugIns
23:16:17.3 6/2/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
23:16:17.3 6/2/2010: Running Misc startup tasks
23:16:17.3 6/2/2010: Setting Menu types
23:16:17.3 6/2/2010: Opening Configuration File
23:16:17.3 6/2/2010: Getting Configuration Values
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: Using Theme: Default - BlueBox
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - BlueBox
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: Launching HideOS.exe
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
23:16:17.4 6/2/2010: Hiding Taskbar
23:16:17.5 6/2/2010: Is Media Center running?
23:16:17.5 6/2/2010: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
23:16:17.7 6/2/2010: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
23:16:17.7 6/2/2010: Media Center Mode 2
23:16:17.7 6/2/2010: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
23:16:17.8 6/2/2010: Custom Game Device Input enabled: Getting custom codes
23:16:18.1 6/2/2010: Snap Delay set to: 5
23:16:18.1 6/2/2010: Get other settings
23:16:18.1 6/2/2010: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
23:16:18.2 6/2/2010: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
23:16:18.2 6/2/2010: Start work for Form
23:16:18.2 6/2/2010: Getting Original Screen Size
23:16:18.2 6/2/2010: Opening Database Connection
23:16:20.0 6/2/2010: Initializing Component
23:16:20.7 6/2/2010: Retrieving resolution setting
23:16:20.7 6/2/2010: Initialising Windows Media Player Component
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: MAME Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: Model 2 Path Path is: M:\Emulators\M2
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: Model 2 EXE file is: emulator.exe
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: Model 2 emulator with command line support detected
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: Use Model 2 on. emulator.exe will launch Sega Model 2 games
23:16:20.8 6/2/2010: MAME EXE file is: mame.exe
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: ROM Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\roms
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: Catver.ini is located at: M:\Emulators\MAME\catver.ini
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: controls.ini is located at: M:\Emulators\MAME\controls.ini
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: History.dat is located at: M:\Emulators\MAME\history.dat
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: nplayers.ini is located at: M:\Emulators\MAME\nplayers.ini
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: command.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\command.dat
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: M:\Emulators\MAME\mameinfo.dat
23:16:20.9 6/2/2010: Loading Controls.ini map file
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Snap Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\HitF12
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: AVI Snap Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\videos
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Flyer Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\flyers
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Cabinet Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\cabinets
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Title Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\titles
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: PCB Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\pcb
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Artwork Preview Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\artworkgameex
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Panel Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\cpanel
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Manual Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\manuals
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Icon Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\mame32icons
23:16:21.0 6/2/2010: Marquee Path is: M:\Emulators\MAME\extras\marquees
23:16:21.1 6/2/2010: Loading Custom Emulators
23:16:21.1 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 1: SONY PlayStation
23:16:21.3 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 2: NINTENDO N64
23:16:21.3 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 3: NINTENDO SNES
23:16:21.4 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 4: NINTENDO NES
23:16:21.4 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 5: SEGA Genesis
23:16:21.5 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 6: SEGA CD
23:16:21.5 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 7: SEGA Master System
23:16:21.5 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 8: NEC TurboGrafx 16
23:16:21.6 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 9: ATARI 7800
23:16:21.6 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 10: ATARI 5200
23:16:21.6 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 11: ATARI 2600
23:16:21.7 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 12: COLECOVision
23:16:21.7 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 15: NINTENDO GameBoy Advance
23:16:21.7 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 16: NINTENDO GameBoy Color
23:16:21.7 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 17: SEGA GameGear
23:16:21.8 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 19: Windows PC Games
23:16:21.8 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 20: Windows PC Games
23:16:21.8 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 22: NEOGEO Pocket
23:16:21.8 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 23: ATARI Lynx
23:16:21.8 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 25: PINBALL Tables (Originals)
23:16:21.9 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator 26: PINBALL Tables
23:16:21.9 6/2/2010: Loading Emulator Group 1: WINDOWS PC Games
23:16:21.9 6/2/2010: Using Version 3 Themes Animations
23:16:21.9 6/2/2010: Using General Font: Arial Black
23:16:21.9 6/2/2010: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS
23:16:22.0 6/2/2010: Initialising Direct3D
23:16:22.4 6/2/2010: Applying GameEx is Loading Image
23:16:22.7 6/2/2010: Setting Resolution to 1680x1050 32 bit color
23:16:22.7 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces
23:16:23.4 6/2/2010: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
23:16:23.5 6/2/2010: Creating Back Buffer
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Version 2 Theme being used. Loading.
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Loading Button Data
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Loading Font Data
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Loading Layout Data
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Loading Taskbar Data
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Loading graphic Surfaces
23:16:23.9 6/2/2010: Display is running at: 1680x1050 16bit color, 60hz
23:16:24.0 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Flags
23:16:24.2 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
23:16:24.6 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Volume
23:16:24.6 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Arrows
23:16:24.6 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
23:16:24.6 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar
23:16:24.8 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
23:16:24.8 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
23:16:24.9 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
23:16:24.9 6/2/2010: Creating Surface Unselected
23:16:24.9 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Snaps
23:16:24.9 6/2/2010: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
23:16:25.6 6/2/2010: Creating Fonts
23:16:25.6 6/2/2010: Creating Game Font
23:16:26.0 6/2/2010: Creating Game Font Faded
23:16:26.2 6/2/2010: Creating Title Font
23:16:26.2 6/2/2010: Restoring Title Font From Cache
23:16:26.7 6/2/2010: Creating Font Black
23:16:26.8 6/2/2010: Creating Font Black Small
23:16:27.0 6/2/2010: Fonts Created Succesfully
23:16:27.0 6/2/2010: 0MB Video Memory Used
23:16:27.0 6/2/2010: Initialising Bass Audio Library
23:16:30.2 6/2/2010: Creating instance of global keyboard hook
23:16:33.8 6/2/2010: Attempting to load game list
23:16:33.8 6/2/2010: Starting GameExtender on: 192.168.1.8:5146
23:16:33.8 6/2/2010: Applying Language/Text
23:16:33.8 6/2/2010: Text/Language: Custom
23:16:33.9 6/2/2010: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -joy -video d3d -noka
23:16:33.9 6/2/2010: Loading last used Game List
23:16:34.9 6/2/2010: Creating DirectSound Device
23:16:35.0 6/2/2010: Trying: Primary Sound Driver
23:16:35.0 6/2/2010: Loading Sound Files
23:16:35.2 6/2/2010: DirectSound Device Created Successfully
23:16:35.2 6/2/2010: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support
23:16:35.6 6/2/2010: Using Device Quad USB Force Feedback Joypad (MP-8800)
23:16:35.6 6/2/2010: Using Device Quad USB Force Feedback Joypad (MP-8800)
23:16:35.6 6/2/2010: Using Device Quad USB Force Feedback Joypad (MP-8800)
23:16:35.6 6/2/2010: Using Device Quad USB Force Feedback Joypad (MP-8800)
23:16:35.8 6/2/2010: Initializing MCE Remote
23:16:35.8 6/2/2010: Playing intro sound file
23:16:35.8 6/2/2010: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!
23:16:35.8 6/2/2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame
23:16:37.9 6/2/2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully
23:21:42.3 6/2/2010: Starting Attract Mode
23:21:42.3 6/2/2010: Reading MAME hall of fame
23:21:42.9 6/2/2010: Disabling Attract Mode
00:11:22.6 6/3/2010: Exiting GameEx!
00:11:22.7 6/3/2010: Saving Settings
00:11:24.3 6/3/2010: Disposing Plugins
00:11:24.4 6/3/2010: Closing database connection
00:11:24.4 6/3/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit

I can also see that GameEx is detecting my theme as a Version 2 theme instead of a version 3 theme. Wonder if that has anything to do with my overlay issues?

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Log looks fine to me. its disabling attract mode as it cant find a game run. If its an issue its not related to the Beta. Ill have a look at the blue balls theme, see if I can duplicate the foreground issue. I know I fixed the issue with MA theme foreground issue.

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Okay... So I took out all the foreground images from the theme and the problem has gone away. I can see the background plain as day now. I wondered if the problem wasn't that GameEx was having a tough time pulling out absolute black from the overlays? If I change the images to transparent PNGs instead of black overlays, maybe it will work for me? I'll give it a try and see.

I also am updating my MAME list to see if that brings my attract mode back. As always, I'll keep you posted on my situation. I have to get the kids from school first though.

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HDD checked out just fine (I run tests when I monthly maintenance) and there were no errors in it that chkdsk could find. I also should mention that I do regular defrags in addition to monthly maintenance. The HDD is a 7200 so speed is fine, and since it's a SATA drive I don't expect there to be any problems with cables or anything.

I just ran a RAM test after reading your post to be sure, and that checks out also (I just added new GreatSkill RAM with the most beautiful heat spreaders eight months ago). The main reason I went with a better power supply is because I have since added a WS HP monitor to my cabinet and I wanted to be sure that it was getting ample power. I was also hoping that would help with the random PJ64 crashes (which it didn't incidentally).

I just inherited a Dell Optiplex GX240 P4 tower the other day and I intend to rebuild that and replace the one in the cab with it in hopes it will get rid of some of the problems with the AMD processor that's in there now (ie can't get SSF to even load), and it's a bit faster than my current setup (AMD Semperon).

Maybe it's time to start in on the refurbishing and testing now, but that's not gonna be ready for some time since I'll need to invest in new RAM.

Well, I had to ask as I was having an issue not very long ago when I first installed Win 7 x64, added a 1.5TB WD Green, and increased RAM from 4 to 8GB (max my machine will allow). Barely 3 months after the upgrade I started having some issues with apps not responding - at first for just a few seconds, gradually going up to 5 mins at the longest. I googled for answers - most pointed to a bad video driver update. I reinstalled the Dell factory drivers for my nVidia 8000 GTS, but had the same results. I installed direct from nVidia and still the same issue. I googled again for more answers and the one that stood out (from MS of course) was that my RAM must be bad. I went so far as to reduce it back to my original 4 GB - same issues, so I guess MS was either wrong, or all of my sticks - old and new - were bad. I chose to ignore the advice about the RAM, reinstalled my 8GB bunch, grabbed a copy of Memtest and, well, it said the RAM was good. I eventually bit the bullet, slicked my Win 7 install for a new one and installed all MS updates. So far, 6 months later, nothing wrong. The only thing I did different was install all the MS updates prior to installing my anti-virus/anti-malware suite (was running MS Secrity Essentials in original install of the OS, now running Norton 360). It is my belief, although not totally confirmed, is that I had a critical update that did not install correctly due to the anti-virus software. Now, I do not allow my system to install updates until I have a chance to disable my anti-virus software, then I note which updates are installing and let 'em rip. I have since seen the same issue with Vista and XP so who knows if for certain if it was a malformed update installation. This new practice (and actually an old 'best practice'), however, has helped to resolve most if not all other minor annoyances since.

BTW - Why doesn't my Game Card show the Bosconian snap instead of Asteroids?

Edited by Adultery
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Well attract mode is working now. I made some changes to ZiNc and forgot to run a list update. So far so good. Next step is to try and add a transparent png and see if I can get the foreground images to show up. I'll let you know.

@Draco: Yeah, three passes later with Memtest and all was well. I think there's a deeper issue here, but I have yet to pinpoint it. As far as your gamercard goes, if you check out the gamercard thread you'll see that I too have similar problems. Glad to see it's not confined to my local machine... I'm gonna go run Asteroids and see if the picture shows up in my tag. Then we'll know that it's certain games as opposed to a random issue.

.:EDIT:. What do ya know... Asteroids screen shot showed up. :) Draco, could you try and run Pac-Man and see if it doesn't show up for you? That's one game that never displays a screen shot for me.

.:EDIT #2:. Damn, I thought I might really be on to something there. I also eliminated the video icon possibility... I thought maybe the problem was isolated to emulators that use zCarl's AVIs for icons. No dice. I can live without the foreground images though. However, that doesn't mean I intend to quit looking for a solution!

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Well attract mode is working now. I made some changes to ZiNc and forgot to run a list update. So far so good. Next step is to try and add a transparent png and see if I can get the foreground images to show up. I'll let you know.

@Draco: Yeah, three passes later with Memtest and all was well. I think there's a deeper issue here, but I have yet to pinpoint it. As far as your gamercard goes, if you check out the gamercard thread you'll see that I too have similar problems. Glad to see it's not confined to my local machine... I'm gonna go run Asteroids and see if the picture shows up in my tag. Then we'll know that it's certain games as opposed to a random issue.

.:EDIT:. What do ya know... Asteroids screen shot showed up. smile.gif Draco, could you try and run Pac-Man and see if it doesn't show up for you? That's one game that never displays a screen shot for me.

.:EDIT #2:. Damn, I thought I might really be on to something there. I also eliminated the video icon possibility... I thought maybe the problem was isolated to emulators that use zCarl's AVIs for icons. No dice. I can live without the foreground images though. However, that doesn't mean I intend to quit looking for a solution!

Well, just played a quick round of Pac-Man - let's see fi the card updates correctly here.. I know it updated when I go to my gamer card (have it set as a home page option to open in a new tab to test).

.:EDIT:. Appears it updated with Pac-Man screen

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Well what the hell? :/

I give up on using a V4 theme with foreground images. I can't get it to work for me, and I've tried just about everything I can think of to try. Sad day in my house.

I wonder what difference you and I have as far as Pac-Man goes? That's pretty unusual, provided you're using the same snaps I am and you didn't make your own...

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Incidentally, how come I've never been able to find the emulator's foreground PNG you asked me to delete before? Here's a copy of exactly what is in my DATA folder, and I know at least one emulator has a foreground image (since I just tested it after trying to restore a DLL file that may or may not have been missing)... Maybe I'm getting closer to an answer here?

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Well what the hell? :/

I give up on using a V4 theme with foreground images. I can't get it to work for me, and I've tried just about everything I can think of to try. Sad day in my house.

I wonder what difference you and I have as far as Pac-Man goes? That's pretty unusual, provided you're using the same snaps I am and you didn't make your own...

I would like to learn how to setup the foreground images at some point, but am pretty content with my last theme. Will probably post a help comment or two in the Theme Editor thread.

Not too sure what the difference is, unless the snaps are not overwriting the snap for the previous game played. Not sure where I would go to confirm that, though.

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Incidentally, how come I've never been able to find the emulator's foreground PNG you asked me to delete before? Here's a copy of exactly what is in my DATA folder, and I know at least one emulator has a foreground image (since I just tested it after trying to restore a DLL file that may or may not have been missing)... Maybe I'm getting closer to an answer here?

Ah ok, I forget about emu foregrounds, I was referring to regular foregrounds. Should be fixed for the final release. Thanks for your help.

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