[RESOLVED] Crashing on first startup

[alnyden]

Hi,

I just set up GameEx, and am experiencing a crash on startup. I have an arcadeVGA card that can handle 800x600. I have tried every theme at that resolution with the same result. I have checked the Ultimarc website but I don't see any updated drivers for this card. The card has been working perfectly with MAME and other front ends such as Mamewah.

Thanks for any help.

Here is the log:

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: GameEx: Version 11.09: Starting Log

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Operating System Name: Windows XP

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: .net Framework 1.1 Installed

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 447MB

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: 2.1Ghz

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Running Randomize()

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Loading PlugIns

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Running Misc startup tasks

18:06:05.5 7/31/2010: Setting Menu types

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Opening Configuration File

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Getting Configuration Values

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Using Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - RedEx - Arcade800x600

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Launching HideOS.exe

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Arcade Mode is on

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Hiding Taskbar

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Is Media Center running?

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Media Center Mode 2

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Snap Delay set to: 2

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Get other settings

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: SlikStik support enabled

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Using DirectInput for keyboard input

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Start work for Form

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Getting Original Screen Size

18:06:05.6 7/31/2010: Opening Database Connection

18:06:05.7 7/31/2010: Initializing Component

18:06:05.8 7/31/2010: Retrieving resolution setting

18:06:05.8 7/31/2010: Initialising Windows Media Player Component

18:06:05.8 7/31/2010: MAME Path is: C:\mame088b

18:06:05.8 7/31/2010: MAME EXE file is: mame.exe

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: ROM Path is: C:\mame088b\roms

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: controls.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\data\controls.ini

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: History.dat is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DATA\history.dat

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: command.dat is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DATA\command.dat

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Loading Controls.ini map file

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Snap Path is: C:\mame088b\snap

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: AVI Snap Path is: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\video

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Flyer Path is: C:\mame088b\flyers

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Cabinet Path is: C:\mame088b\cabinets

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Title Path is: C:\mame088b\titles

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: PCB Path: Not Found

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Panel Path is: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\cpanel

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Manual Path is: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\manual

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Icon Path is: C:\mame088b\icons

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Marquee Path is: C:\mame088b\marquees

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Loading Custom Emulators

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Loading Emulator 1: Atari 5200

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Loading Emulator 2: Nintendo SNES

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Loading Emulator 3: Nintendo N64

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Using 2D Animations

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS

18:06:05.9 7/31/2010: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS

18:06:06.0 7/31/2010: Initialising Direct3D

18:06:06.0 7/31/2010: Applying GameEx is Loading Image

18:06:06.0 7/31/2010: Setting Resolution to 800x600 32 bit color

18:06:06.0 7/31/2010: Creating Surfaces

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: Creating Back Buffer

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: --**--

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: Error: Error in the application.

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3D.Texture..ctor(Device device, Int32 width, Int32 height, Int32 numLevels, Usage usage, Format format, Pool pool)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at w.c()

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at w.a(Bitmap& A_0, Device& A_1)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at w..ctor(Bitmap A_0, k A_1, n A_2)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at af.a(w& A_0, String A_1, k A_2, Boolean A_3, Boolean A_4)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at af.a(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Boolean A_3, Boolean A_4, Int32 A_5)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at af.a(Boolean A_0, String A_1, Boolean A_2)

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: at af..ctor()

18:06:06.1 7/31/2010: Closing database connection

18:06:06.2 7/31/2010: Disposing Plugins

18:06:06.2 7/31/2010: GameEx is exiting with errors

18:06:06.2 7/31/2010: Deleting search cache

18:06:08.3 7/31/2010: ERRORS DETECTED: EXITING

[Tom Speirs]

Hi, its Tom here. This sounds suspicously to me like the ArcadeVGA drivers are not correctly installed. You can verify this be seing if the quickres utility included will switch to all resolutions correctly.

Let me know.

[alnyden]

Hi Tom,

I don't see anything called a quickres utility in the GameEx folder.

Thanks,

Rich

[fRequEnCy]

Hi Tom,

I don't see anything called a quickres utility in the GameEx folder.

Thanks,

Rich

Not the GameEx folder but is included with your ArcadeVGA. If not then the utility can be downloaded at the Ultimarc site.

[alnyden]

You were correct. It was an issue with the video card. It is working correctly now. Thank you!

Rich

[ThumB]

ok i've tried every damn driver on this old machine (that btw used to run GameEx fine)

Can someone tell me whats up?

vid card is old (ONBOARD RIVIA TNT2 model 64)

here's my error

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: Error: Error in the application.

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at

Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3D.Texture..ctor(Device device, Int32 width,

Int32 height, Int32 numLevels, Usage usage, Format format, Pool pool)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at x.c()

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at x.a(Bitmap& A_0, Device& A_1)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at x..ctor(Bitmap A_0, l A_1, o A_2)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at ag.a(x& A_0, String A_1, l A_2, Boolean

A_3, Boolean A_4, Int32 A_5)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at ag.a(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean

A_2, Boolean A_3, Int32 A_4)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at ag.b(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at ag.a(Boolean A_0, String A_1, Boolean A_2)

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: at ag..ctor()

00:37:52.3 4/21/2011: Closing database connection

00:37:52.4 4/21/2011: Disposing Plugins

00:37:52.4 4/21/2011: GameEx is exiting with errors

00:37:54.7 4/21/2011: ERRORS DETECTED: EXITING

is there an old copy of gameex i can run to make this happen?

I'm only running mame 86 on it!

[Draco1962]

ThumB - can you submit your complete log file post crash and your gameex.ini file (will need to save as a txt file if you upload the ini file). Thanks!

[ThumB]

ok here are the two files. Thanks. I really appreciate it!

~ThumB

GameEx.txt

error.txt

[Tom Speirs]

ok here are the two files. Thanks. I really appreciate it!

~ThumB

Please try the default - media center theme.

If that does not work you can try a version prior to 11 which is before we mvoed to Direct 3D. You will have to find it elsewhere.

[ThumB]

so there's no archive of older versions?

[Draco1962]

ThumB - Do you mind answering some questions about your PC setup?

1. Can you confirm if you are using a mainboard with shared onboard video adapter? I ask because you only show 384 MB of RAM available.Usually an odd number like this indicates sharing of RAM between the PC and an onboard video adapter. Either that or you have one 256 MB stick in one RAM slot and 128 MB stick in a second, or, if 4 slots availabile 128 MB sticks across 3 slots. GameEx minimum recommendations is 512 MB RAM and not recommended for onboard video.

:EDIT: I reread the beginning post and you did say onboard video. Does your system support PCI or AGP Video cards?: You may be able to find a card that is compatible - would recommend 256 or 512 MB if you can find one.

2. Have you tried the default - media center theme as Tom has suggested? This is usually a good troubleshooting step to follow (along with providing subsequent error logs and gameex.ini copies - also noted that the theme you are using is scaled for 1024x768).

3. Have you tried tweaking GameEx to minimize the use of animated transitions, videos, etc. to see if you get a performance boost? Your log file shows that you have some settings that are recommended for faster systems such as video animations.

4. Are you up-to-date with the highest versions of DirectX and .net that your system will support?

[ThumB]

1. 384mb is perfectly normal. It's a board that has 3 slots and i've got 128 in each. Did i say this machine RAN GameEx just fine in the past?

2. I've changed the theme...no change in error.

3. The settings in question are NOT the issue as gameex does not start, therefore those settings are a mute point.

4. Yes.

As I asked earlier, is there just a palce I can get the older, non-Direct 3D version? I don't understand when Tom states "You will have to find it elsewhere." Are there no archives of older versions?

[Draco1962]

I understand your frustration and we are attempting to help. I will start over by pointing you to the Minimum System Requirements:

- Pentium 3 800Mhz CPU (or equivalent) - Your system is reporting in the error log as x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 3... 731Mhz. This is a Pentium 3 731Mhz system and does not meet the minimum recommended requirements.

- DirectX(DirectDraw) Compatible Video card, capable of 16 bit colour at 640X480.

[Your video card does not normally need to be too special unless using videos or DVD, although older motherboard onboard video is not recommended]

- DirectSound Compatible Sound Card.

- 256MB RAM (while you have 384MB RAM installed, it is being shared with your onboard video and may be using enough to put that available for the PC and programs at less that the 256MB minimum).

- Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP2), MCE, Vista, Windows 7

- 250MB Free hard drive space

- Microsoft .net framework 2 service pack 1

- Microsoft Direct X 9.0

- Windows Media Player 9 or above

You may be able to "google" for a torrent to download an older version. Tom does not store older versions for download. Most issues with previous versions are resolved in later versions and is counter productive in trying to provide troubleshooting support for the program accordingly.

If you have tried the default - Media Center and getting the same error, I recommend posting the log file just the same so that Tom can review. I also recommend again that you go through the Advanced Configuration utility and try minimizing use of animations and set the optimization settings to an older, lower-end model to see if you experience some improvement.

I would also recommend backing up the contents of your GameEx folder and downloading/installing GameEx (if you have not done so already) as opposed to updating and see if this resolves the problems you are having. Please let us know the results and post your gameex.ini and log files again as there will be updates from the previous submission that you may not notice, yet we will and may help us to guide you accordingly.

Regards

[ThumB]

Found a copy of Ver. 9 and it works like a charm!

Thank you for all your help!

I knew it worked in the past with this same setup.

Thanks again!

[Draco1962]

You're welcome (I think )! OK to mark this issue resolved?

[ThumB]

no thanks really!!! this can be closed.

[Adultery]

Honestly, you did a good job Draco. Marking as [RESOLVED] (when I get home).

[fRequEnCy]

Honestly, you did a good job Draco. Marking as [RESOLVED] (when I get home).

Great job team! Marked as [RESOLVED] now so save Adultery some work!

[ThumB]

I hope I didnt come across as ungreatful. :| I really do thank you for your help Draco. Once Tom mentioned the Direct 3D change, I knew that was the issue. I just was suprised that there were not older versions on the site.

Thanks again!

~ThumB

[Adultery]

No worries bro! Welcome to GameEx, we're here for ya!

[Draco1962]

Not a problem - I understand how frustrating it can be to have something not work that you really enjoy/ As Adultery said, we're here for ya. We have to start from simple to complex and ask a few questions to get to the root of the issue. Again, if yor rig can handle it, I would recommend an add-on graphic adapter if you can find one and turn off the onboard video. Even on an older machine, the returns can be well worth it.