Advanced configuration and "launch before"

[stigt]

Hi all, I'm having a problem with my no$gba/no$zoomer setup. It loads and exits with an advanced configuration file, no problems there. The problem is that I also want to use an xpadder profile for my gamepad in combination with this advanced configuration.Somehow the xpadderprofile fails to launch (I use an xpadder profile with no problems on all other emulators, so I guess the combo with the advanced configfile seems to be the problem).

This is the ini for my DS setup:

[Emulator_27]
Enabled=True
STARTPAGENAME=Nintendo DS
TITLETEXT=Nintendo DS
StartPageLogo=
ROMFilter=*.nds
RomPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo DS\Games
RomsInFolders=
SnapPath=
TitlePath=
BoxPath=
CartPath=
ManualPath=
ControlPanelPath=
InstructionsPath=
WorkingPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo DS\No$gba17
MapKeys=
WaitBeforeKeys=
SendKeys=
ReplaceDash=False
ReplaceUnder=True
Capitals=False
RemoveBrackets=True
ShowDesktop=False
Debug=False
MAPFile=
AlsoLaunch=
Command=NO$Zoomer.exe "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"
LaunchBefore=D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\nds.xpadderprofile
LaunchAfter=D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\blank.xpadderprofile
configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (ALT+X, No$Zoomer)
ExcludedFiles=
CustomBackground=nds.png
PlayMusic=
DontShowInfo=
PlaySelectionMusic=
SelectionMusicFolder=
PCGame=
DATABASE=[Handheld] Nintendo DS
UseDbName=
GamesIn7Zips=
MergeSets=
PlayInScreenSaver=
ShowMostPlayed=False
RandomMostPlayed=False
CDCheck=
CDCheckFile=

And this is the advanced configfile:

# This is an advanced emulator configuration file. It does things such as allow keyboard only emulators to be operated by a gamepad, wait for additional processes to exit and map keys. If this file is used it overrides the MAPKeys setting for the emulator.

[GENERAL]

# Enabled. Use this.

Enabled=True

#Make MCE Back button and X-ARCADE Escape and SlikStik Escape to close emulator process

MapBack=False

#Make Escape key close emulator process

MapEscape=False

#When exiting an emulator via the above mappings, you can specify keys in the send keys format to send instead of having GameEx close the process to cleanly exit the emulator. Such as the Q Key or ALT F4 which is %{F4}

KeysToSendOnExit=%{VKEY 120}

#Wait for keys to be processed by the emulator

EmuWaitForKeys=True

#Additional processes to wait to exit or close on exit. Dont include the .exe. Leave blank not to use.

Process1=NO$GBA
Process2=
Process3=
Process4=

[JOYMAPPING]

# For mapping a GamePad to keys
# Specify a virtual key code to send when the specific joystick control is pressed. Look at vkcodes.htm for codes.

JoymappingEnabled=False

Left=
up=
Right=
Down=
Button1=
Button2=
Button3=
Button4=
Button5=
Button6=
Button7=
Button8=
Button9=
Button10=
Button11=
Button12=
Button13=
Button14=
Button15=
Button16=

[GAMEPADEXIT]

#MAP Gamepad controls to exit and make controls exit process

MapGamePadExit=False

#Flag the controls that exit a game by placing True next to each control. To not use the control as part of the combination use a 0

Left=
Down=
Right=
Up=
Button1=
Button2=
Button3=
Button4=
Button5=True
Button6=True
Button7=True
Button8=True
Button9=
Button10=
Button11=
Button12=
Button13=
Button14=
Button15=
Button16=

[MOUSEMAPPING]

# For registered users, the ability to control the mouse with a gamepad and/or directional keys. 
# For example for PC strategy games.
# Apparantly this functionality is similar to the software Pinnacle profiler. Remember you can setup an emulator
# as one PC game. Specify enabled, and mousespeed 0-20. 20 Being fastest. This setting overrides the directional
# mapping for the above and buttons 1 and 2 Button 1/CTRL becomes left mouse. Button 2/ALT Right mouse

MouseMappingEnabled=False
MouseSpeed=0

[BLOCKKEYS]

# Use this section to disable and block key presses and mouse clicks.
# To disable the mouse clicks use code 1 for left mouse button, 
# 2 for right button and 4 for middle button

Enabled=False

BlockKey_1=1
BlockKey_2=2
BlockKey_3=4
BlockKey_4=
BlockKey_5=

[KEYBOARDREMAP]

# Remap Keys for the emulator. Specify from the from key, which is the key you wish to replace the to key
# This should be good enough for real time gaming. Registered version feature. Look at VKCodes.htm for codes.

Enabled=False

Remap_1_From_VK=
Remap_1_To_VK=

Remap_2_From_VK=
Remap_2_To_VK=

Remap_3_From_VK=
Remap_3_To_VK=

Remap_4_From_VK=
Remap_4_To_VK=

Remap_5_From_VK=
Remap_5_To_VK=
Remap_6_From_VK=
Remap_6_To_VK=
Remap_7_From_VK=
Remap_7_To_VK=
Remap_8_From_VK=
Remap_8_To_VK=
Remap_9_From_VK=
Remap_9_To_VK=
Remap_10_From_VK=
Remap_10_To_VK=
Remap_11_From_VK=
Remap_11_To_VK=
Remap_12_From_VK=
Remap_12_To_VK=
Remap_13_From_VK=
Remap_13_To_VK=
Remap_14_From_VK=
Remap_14_To_VK=
Remap_15_From_VK=
Remap_15_To_VK=
Remap_16_From_VK=
Remap_16_To_VK=
Remap_17_From_VK=
Remap_17_To_VK=
Remap_18_From_VK=
Remap_18_To_VK=
Remap_19_From_VK=
Remap_19_To_VK=
Remap_20_From_VK=
Remap_20_To_VK=
Remap_21_From_VK=
Remap_21_To_VK=
Remap_22_From_VK=
Remap_22_To_VK=
Remap_23_From_VK=
Remap_23_To_VK=
Remap_24_From_VK=
Remap_24_To_VK=
Remap_25_From_VK=
Remap_25_To_VK=
Remap_26_From_VK=
Remap_26_To_VK=
Remap_27_From_VK=
Remap_27_To_VK=
Remap_28_From_VK=
Remap_28_To_VK=
Remap_29_From_VK=
Remap_29_To_VK=
Remap_30_From_VK=
Remap_30_To_VK=
Remap_31_From_VK=
Remap_31_To_VK=
Remap_32_From_VK=
Remap_32_To_VK=

Any ideas?

Greets,

Arjen

[stigt]

64 views, no replies.

Nobody has any suggestions as to what the problem may be?

Regards,

Arjen

[headkaze]

I haven't setup XPadder before but have you checked how your launching it in your other profiles? You sure you don't need a "start" at the beginning of that LaunchBefore/After line?

[bkenobi]

FWIW, I use a script to load my XPadder profiles. I think the reason was that XPadder was causing focus problems and/or unreliable profile switching unless the app was already open. I originally had a call to change the profile the same way you have, but it didn't work for me the way I wanted it. I'm probably using an old version of XPadder at this point, so maybe these issues have been fixed.

[stigt]

Hi guys, thanks for thinking with me.

In other emulator setups xpadder profiles are launched the same way. I only have to change the profiles when starting up an emulator, xpadder itself is launched together with Gameex with the "launch on startup don't wait" command (Tweaks/Performance menu).

I figured something else out: It is not the advanced config as a whole which causes the problem, I use an advanced config with my Dolphin setup in combination with an xpadder profile with no problems.

I guess the problem is in the advanced config command which instructs GameEx to wait for closure of no$gba.exe:

#Additional processes to wait to exit or close on exit. Dont include the .exe. Leave blank not to use.

Process1=NO$GBA
Process2=
Process3=
Process4=

Could this commandline prevent the launch of the xpadder profile?

Hmmm...very strange

[Tom Speirs]

Im pretty sure you need to speciy executable files for the launch options.

[stigt]

Im pretty sure you need to speciy executable files for the launch options.

Hi Tom, thanks for your reply. The following config works as it should however, using the same technique of changing an xpadderprofile?

[Emulator_26]
Enabled=True
STARTPAGENAME=Nintendo Gamecube
TITLETEXT=Nintendo Gamecube
StartPageLogo=gcube
ROMFilter=*.gcz
RomPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\ISO
RomsInFolders=
SnapPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Artwork\Screen
TitlePath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Artwork\Title
BoxPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Artwork\Box
CartPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Artwork\Cartridge
ManualPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Manuals
ControlPanelPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\Controls\gamecube.png
InstructionsPath=
WorkingPath=D:\Emulation\Nintendo Gamecube\SVN\6095
MapKeys=
WaitBeforeKeys=
SendKeys=
ReplaceDash=False
ReplaceUnder=True
Capitals=False
RemoveBrackets=True
ShowDesktop=True
Debug=
MAPFile=
AlsoLaunch=
Command=Dolphin.exe -e "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"
LaunchBefore=D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\gamecube.xpadderprofile
LaunchAfter=D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\blank.xpadderprofile
configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (ALT+F4)
ExcludedFiles=
CustomBackground=gcube.png
PlayMusic=
DontShowInfo=
PlaySelectionMusic=
SelectionMusicFolder=
PCGame=
DATABASE=[Console] Nintendo GameCube
UseDbName=
GamesIn7Zips=
MergeSets=
PlayInScreenSaver=
ShowMostPlayed=False
RandomMostPlayed=False
CDCheck=
CDCheckFile=
lastgame=

Although the "launch before" commandline doesn't launch an executable, it still applies the correct profile to xpadder, which is running in the background all the time.

[headkaze]

Maybe try

LaunchBefore=start "D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\nds.xpadderprofile"
LaunchAfter=start "D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\blank.xpadderprofile"

[stigt]

Maybe try

LaunchBefore=start "D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\nds.xpadderprofile"
LaunchAfter=start "D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\blank.xpadderprofile"

Thanks for your suggestion Headkaze, I tried it but still no luck. I tried everything I could think of, maybe there is another way to launch no$gba with no$zoomer without using an advanced configuration?

[bkenobi]

Like I said, I was unable to get XPadder to work using the launch before/after commands just like you are attempting. My solution was to use a script that would basically do what you have above, but in a file with a different extension (ahk I think). If you figure out another way, have at it!

[fRequEnCy]

Thanks for your suggestion Headkaze, I tried it but still no luck. I tried everything I could think of, maybe there is another way to launch no$gba with no$zoomer without using an advanced configuration?

I remember some posts a long time ago about problems with certain things using launch before. My suggestion would be to try the Also Launch setting in Emulator Setup. If that doesn't work then another solution would be to create a script to launch no$gba with no$zoomer. If scripted correctly then GameEx won't steal focus when trying to launch.

[stigt]

Hi Frequency, I tried using the "also launch" option, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to work. It seems a script is needed then. Bkenobi, would you mind posting the script that you use for this combo? Maybe I can use it for my setup with some changes?

Regards,

Arjen

Edit:

OK, I tried to make a script (my first, so be gentle...) which seems to do the job, but I think there must be a better and more efficient way to do it.

This is my script for running the NDS game "Blood Bowl":

#NoEnv
SendMode Input
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

Run D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\nds.xpadderprofile
Run D:\Emulation\Nintendo DS\No$gba17\No$zoomer.exe
WinWaitActive Insert Cartridge...

Send Blood Bowl.nds {Enter}

KeyWait, y, D
ExitApp

I set the Y key to exit no$zoomer, so when "y" is pressed, both no$zoomer and the script finish, and GameEx takes over. So far so good.

However this method forces me to make a separate script for every NDS game I have (and set the ROM filter to *.ahk)

Is there a way to transfer the "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]" string into the script? that would make things a lot easier.

Any help is appreciated.

[Tempest]

Parameters are passed to an AHK script as the variables %1%, %2%, etc.

You can call your script like this: MyScript.exe "[Rompath]\[Romfile]"

and change: Send Blood Bowl.nds {Enter}

to: Send %1% {Enter}

You could also change the keywait to: Process, Wait, No$zoomer.exe

But if what you have works, then don't worry about it.

All Code is untested.

[stigt]

Parameters are passed to an AHK script as the variables %1%, %2%, etc.

You can call your script like this: MyScript.exe "[Rompath]\[Romfile]"

and change: Send Blood Bowl.nds {Enter}

to: Send %1% {Enter}

You could also change the keywait to: Process, Wait, No$zoomer.exe

But if what you have works, then don't worry about it.

All Code is untested.

Hi Tempest,

I tried your suggestion, and compiled the following runnds.ahk script into a runnds.exe file. I changed the commandline to: runnds.exe "[ROMFILE]" (because only the cartridgename needs to be written in no$zoomer, not the pathname), but it doesn't work, no game runs and it returns to the GameEx screen.

runnds.ahk:

#NoEnv
SendMode Input
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

Run D:\Emulation\Xpadder\Profiles\nds.xpadderprofile
Run D:\Emulation\Nintendo DS\No$gba17\No$zoomer.exe
WinWaitActive Insert Cartridge...

Send %1% {Enter}

KeyWait, y, D
ExitApp

Edit: forget it.. stupid me ...I forgot to change the working path after moving the file. Everything works as it should now.

Thanks to everybody who helped me with this problem. Proves again what a great forum this is!

Cheers,

Arjen

[bkenobi]

There's no way to have No$Zoomer take the cartridge name on the command line? Other than that, seems like a nice, simple wrapper to me!

[Tempest]

Stigt - I missed your edit, and just sat looking at the code wondering what could be wrong.

I'm glad you got it sorted out.