Getting Started

**technojeff** · December 4, 2005

Can anyone point me to a forum/article where I can get Mame started from within GameEx. I am running latest MAME32 v102 and GameEx programs from within Media Centre. But I can't seem to get anywhere. Mame seems to work OK, although I still need to configure it to work an X-Arcade joystick. (An help there will also be greatly appreciated.)

Here is a copy of the log.

16:08:32.1 04/12/2005: GameEx: Version 5.24: Starting Log

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Name: Windows XP

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Checking Registration

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Running Randomize()

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Running Misc startup tasks

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Setting Menu types

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Opening Configuration File

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Getting Configuration Values

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Using Theme: Default - GameLauncher

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - GameLauncher

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Text/Language: English

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Applying Language/Text

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Creating Scancodes.txt (List of DirectInput scan codes)

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Snap Delay set to: 1

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Is Media Center running?

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Media Center is running

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Media Center Mode 2

16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Closing Media Center

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Get other settings

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Using 2D Animations

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Backing up Registry Wallpaper Settings

16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Launching HideOS.exe

16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Hiding Taskbar

16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Start work for Form

16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Getting Original Screen Size

16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Loading ICON

16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Initializing Component

16:08:38.8 04/12/2005: Initialising Bass Audio Library

16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Loading default loading screen

16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Arcade Mode is on

16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Using General Font: HandelGothic BT

16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Using Title Font: HandelGothic BT

16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Initialising DirectDraw

16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Creating DirectDraw Device

16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Using Device: CONNECT 3D RADEON X300

16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color

16:08:40.1 04/12/2005: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces

16:08:40.1 04/12/2005: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode

16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Creating Back Buffer

16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Loading graphic surfaces

16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs

16:08:40.3 04/12/2005: Creating Surface Volume

16:08:40.3 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Arrows

16:08:40.4 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text

16:08:40.4 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Toolbar

16:08:40.5 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds

16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls

16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo

16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit

16:08:40.7 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Snaps

16:08:40.7 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars

16:08:40.8 04/12/2005: Creating Fonts

16:08:40.8 04/12/2005: Creating Menu Font

16:08:41.3 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font

16:08:41.7 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font Standard Size

16:08:42.0 04/12/2005: Creating Font Black

16:08:42.0 04/12/2005: Creating Font Black Small

16:08:42.1 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font Faded

16:08:42.5 04/12/2005: Creating Title Font

16:08:43.0 04/12/2005: Fonts Created Succesfully

It always seems to stop here, What comes next?

**Quazl** · December 5, 2005

What version of GameEx are you using?

Has it ever worked for you?

I had some problems like you where the log file didn't really tell me what was going wrong. This was because with my setup it had to do with 5.23. Once I upgraded to 5.24 then everything was groovy.

A few other questions:

Are you using mapped drives for your Roms?

Are you running on a secondary monitor?

Are you playing on a HDTV?

After you have set all the proper settings to guide GameEx to all of your Emu's, Rom's, Snaps's, and ect. then I would suggst that you open up Mame32 without GameEx and set all the setting that you would like to use. This would include resolutions, arcade sticks, sound properties, and whatever else you would like to set.

I don't know if this method is the way that Mr. Speirs suggests but it seems to work great.

**technojeff** · December 6, 2005

Thanks so much for your assistance, here are my comments etc.

I a using GameEx version 5.24, unfortunately I have not had it working at all so far. I am not using mapped ROMs or using a secondary monitor. The TV I am playing on is a Sony 40" LCD Bravia TV. It is set up for the PC at 1280x720, which is a HDTV setting.

The few ROMs I have are all situated in the D:/MAME/ROM directory.

Mame32 works OK, I havn't set up all the properties as yet, this is because I am just getting to grips with the program. I have managed to play the very old Road Fighter game sucessfully on the keyboard, but as yet I am struggling to get the PC to identify the X-Arcade joystick. (Using the X-Arcade test program

In the X-Arcade instructions it seems to be set up with a PS2 keyboard attached. It also suggests you need to have the NUM LOCK on. The problem I have is that the Keyboard is the Microsoft Media Centre IR Keyboard which doesn't have a NUM LOCK and also uses the USB connection.

Anyone got any thoughts on this tricky issue!

**Quazl** · December 6, 2005

The good news is this:

I also have an X-Arcade stick and am using a Hi-Def monitor to play my games on.

1. Goto Options -Default Game Options.

2. Goto the advanced tab and make sure that you are using Direct Draw. (I have had good results with this.) This is one of the options that can cause more problems though. Try it on and off.

3. In the advanced tab is where you should also specify the resolution that you want to play at. Does your monitor support 480i or 480p? If it does set the 'Size' drop-down box under the 'Resolution' sub section to 720*480 (the drop down box that probably has auto in it by default.) This will make all games basically display in 480p. I find that this setting is really good for almost all the Mame games. Put the depth to 32 if your graphics card can handle it, and put the refresh to whatever your monitor can handle. Most likely you should set it to 60.

4. Goto to the Direct3d tab and make sure that 'Direct3d' is checked. This is another one of those choices that can make things worse, but seems to work better in my opinion. Again try this on and off.

5. Now goto to the controllers tab and under the 'Default input layout' choose X-Arcade.

These setting make sure that all the games will basically run in 480p with the X-Arcade joystick as the preferred device for control.

The are probably not the best settings, but they are great for my 56" JVC and an X-Arcade joysitck. The screen is not displayed in 16:9, but I really don't want to play games in anything other then 4:3 aspect ratio.

One more step.

There is a setting in GameEx that basically either gives the control for the resolution to GameEx or not. It is under 'Display Settings' in the Easy Configuration proggy that comes with GameEx. Make sure that the 'Don't Switch Resolution' is set to 'GameEx Won't Change Resolution.'

I really hopes that this either works or gets us closer to the solution. If not then maybe a little info on your graphics card will help.

**Quazl** · December 6, 2005

I failed to see clearly your comments about the X-Arcade.

I had problems with mine as well.

I hope these questions don't offend you. I really don't know how you have it setup. I only ask these simplistic questions because I am ignorant of how you have it hooked up.

The X-Arcade joystick is hooked to the PS2 port on the computer and you have a PS2 keybaord hooked to the X-Arcade joystick?

Do you have a red light on you stick?

Which position is the switchh in on the back?

Are you trying to make a custom key configuration?

**Tom Speirs** · December 6, 2005

Can anyone point me to a forum/article where I can get Mame started from within GameEx. I am running latest MAME32 v102 and GameEx programs from within Media Centre. But I can't seem to get anywhere. Mame seems to work OK, although I still need to configure it to work an X-Arcade joystick. (An help there will also be greatly appreciated.)
Here is a copy of the log.
16:08:32.1 04/12/2005: GameEx: Version 5.24: Starting Log
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Platform: Win32NT
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Name: Windows XP
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Checking Registration
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Running Randomize()
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Running Misc startup tasks
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Setting Menu types
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Opening Configuration File
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Getting Configuration Values
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Using Theme: Default - GameLauncher
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - GameLauncher
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Text/Language: English
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Applying Language/Text
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Creating Scancodes.txt (List of DirectInput scan codes)
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Snap Delay set to: 1
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Is Media Center running?
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Media Center is running
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Media Center Mode 2
16:08:32.2 04/12/2005: Closing Media Center
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Get other settings
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Using 2D Animations
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Backing up Registry Wallpaper Settings
16:08:37.4 04/12/2005: Launching HideOS.exe
16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Hiding Taskbar
16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Start work for Form
16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Getting Original Screen Size
16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Loading ICON
16:08:38.7 04/12/2005: Initializing Component
16:08:38.8 04/12/2005: Initialising Bass Audio Library
16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Loading default loading screen
16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Arcade Mode is on
16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Using General Font: HandelGothic BT
16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Using Title Font: HandelGothic BT
16:08:39.1 04/12/2005: Initialising DirectDraw
16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Creating DirectDraw Device
16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Using Device: CONNECT 3D RADEON X300
16:08:39.2 04/12/2005: Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color
16:08:40.1 04/12/2005: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces
16:08:40.1 04/12/2005: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Creating Back Buffer
16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Loading graphic surfaces
16:08:40.2 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
16:08:40.3 04/12/2005: Creating Surface Volume
16:08:40.3 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Arrows
16:08:40.4 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
16:08:40.4 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Toolbar
16:08:40.5 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
16:08:40.6 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit
16:08:40.7 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Snaps
16:08:40.7 04/12/2005: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
16:08:40.8 04/12/2005: Creating Fonts
16:08:40.8 04/12/2005: Creating Menu Font
16:08:41.3 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font
16:08:41.7 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font Standard Size
16:08:42.0 04/12/2005: Creating Font Black
16:08:42.0 04/12/2005: Creating Font Black Small
16:08:42.1 04/12/2005: Creating Game Font Faded
16:08:42.5 04/12/2005: Creating Title Font
16:08:43.0 04/12/2005: Fonts Created Succesfully
It always seems to stop here, What comes next?

What's displaying on the screen at that point?

**technojeff** · December 6, 2005

What's displaying on the screen at that point?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thankyou for coming back to me

I clear the nag screen, by pressing 1. This takes me to your internet Paypal connection. I own up.... I actually close the donation screen but promise to donate once I get the interface fully operational! Honest.

Once the internet screen has cleared, I am left with the basic black screen with the task bar and start button showing. Nothing else is on the screen except the mouse pointer. I am clearly out of Media Centre and back in XP Professional desktop mode, with no icons showing.

I suppose I could try to run the task manager to see whether the GameEx or some batch is actually running.

If it helps, I have created a directory called D:\Mame into which I have unzipped and run Mame32 with all the associated sub directories. Using the GameEX basic configuration routine, I have pointed the program file to th D:\Mame directory, and the program is set to D:\mame\mame32.

By the way for anyone following this thread, th X-Arcade stick needs a USB adapter to get it to work with any remote mouse Keyboard such as the Media Centre Remote Keyboard. I have now purchased a serieal to USB adaptor ad will let everyone know how I got on.

Jeff

**Tom Speirs** · December 7, 2005

Thankyou for coming back to me
I clear the nag screen, by pressing 1. This takes me to your internet Paypal connection. I own up.... I actually close the donation screen but promise to donate once I get the interface fully operational! Honest.
Once the internet screen has cleared, I am left with the basic black screen with the task bar and start button showing. Nothing else is on the screen except the mouse pointer. I am clearly out of Media Centre and back in XP Professional desktop mode, with no icons showing.
I suppose I could try to run the task manager to see whether the GameEx or some batch is actually running.
If it helps, I have created a directory called D:\Mame into which I have unzipped and run Mame32 with all the associated sub directories. Using the GameEX basic configuration routine, I have pointed the program file to th D:\Mame directory, and the program is set to D:\mame\mame32.
By the way for anyone following this thread, th X-Arcade stick needs a USB adapter to get it to work with any remote mouse Keyboard such as the Media Centre Remote Keyboard. I have now purchased a serieal to USB adaptor ad will let everyone know how I got on.
Jeff

Have you tried waiting about 10-15 seconds, rather than pressing 1?

The desktop issue is fixed in the latest release.

**technojeff** · December 7, 2005

Have you tried waiting about 10-15 seconds, rather than pressing 1?
The desktop issue is fixed in the latest release.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you Tom,

Thank did resolve the issue. I have upgraded to your latest version, and was able to get the games loaded after carrying out the update routine. I am now off to get to grips with a working GameEx, and get all everything optimised for when the family come around at Christmas!

Thankyou for your assistance. Much apprciated.

Regards

Jeff

**Tom Speirs** · December 7, 2005

Thank you Tom,
Thank did resolve the issue. I have upgraded to your latest version, and was able to get the games loaded after carrying out the update routine. I am now off to get to grips with a working GameEx, and get all everything optimised for when the family come around at Christmas!
Thankyou for your assistance. Much apprciated.
Regards
Jeff

Glad you got it figured out. Feel free to ask here if you need anymore help.

Tom.

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