Mame Trouble

[katuuuz]

Long time no see guys. Hello especially to Tom, Headkaze, Brian Hoffman, Adultury, and bkenobi! Hope all is well with the old gang.

If you want to cut through the banter, my question is down by the astericks ***

MAME cab #2 is on the way, and of course I will be using GameEx (which is looking great since the last time I saw it a few years ago) as my front end as I did back in 2006. I know I've resurfaced with aspirations of a mini mame cabinet within the last year, but it is finally manifesting, and it will stand at a dwarfing 43" high. (Just ordered some parts, and am trying to put the finishing touches on this perfectly sized dell dimension 4600c mini i picked up on craigslist). It will be strictly for vertical mame games.

I'm going to document the build on BYOAC, so I will post links as I do so.

I've posted my problem on the BYOAC forums, and figureded I'd come fishing for that always-loved gameex support I once knew so well. Basically I've got gameex configured how i want it, and I'm ready to start the build. The only thing I'm lacking is hi-score support for Donkey Kong if you want me to be particular. I don't mind if some games aren't hi-score-save compatible, but that happens to be a popular one amongst my friends and I. Here goes:

***********

I'm running MAME32 106 as I did back in the day. From my findings, because this build is pre-108, it supports hi-score saves. Unforunately, not for a plethera of games, including Donkey Kong. I've found that sticky at BYOAC linking me to mame0133u3 and its version-specific .diff file, I just don't know how to use a version of mame that doesn't have GUI support. I unzipped the file, and alls that was inside was a CFG directory, and a mame.exe. Upon running mame, it says I need to specify my rom path and to take a look at the cfg file. I did so, and alls that was in there was this a default config file with this script inside:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- This file is autogenerated; comments and unknown tags will be stripped -->
<mameconfig version="10">
    <system name="default" />
</mameconfig>

not sure what to do. Basically, let me sum up this page of words up into one sentence: Can someone please help me to have a version of mame that saves hi-scores, especially those achieved in Donkey Kong???

Thanks.

Look forward to hearing from you

[Draco1962]

Long time no see guys. Hello especially to Tom, Headkaze, Brian Hoffman, Adultury, and bkenobi! Hope all is well with the old gang.

If you want to cut through the banter, my question is down by the astericks ***

MAME cab #2 is on the way, and of course I will be using GameEx (which is looking great since the last time I saw it a few years ago) as my front end as I did back in 2006. I know I've resurfaced with aspirations of a mini mame cabinet within the last year, but it is finally manifesting, and it will stand at a dwarfing 43" high. (Just ordered some parts, and am trying to put the finishing touches on this perfectly sized dell dimension 4600c mini i picked up on craigslist). It will be strictly for vertical mame games.

I'm going to document the build on BYOAC, so I will post links as I do so.

I've posted my problem on the BYOAC forums, and figureded I'd come fishing for that always-loved gameex support I once knew so well. Basically I've got gameex configured how i want it, and I'm ready to start the build. The only thing I'm lacking is hi-score support for Donkey Kong if you want me to be particular. I don't mind if some games aren't hi-score-save compatible, but that happens to be a popular one amongst my friends and I. Here goes:

***********

I'm running MAME32 106 as I did back in the day. From my findings, because this build is pre-108, it supports hi-score saves. Unforunately, not for a plethera of games, including Donkey Kong. I've found that sticky at BYOAC linking me to mame0133u3 and its version-specific .diff file, I just don't know how to use a version of mame that doesn't have GUI support. I unzipped the file, and alls that was inside was a CFG directory, and a mame.exe. Upon running mame, it says I need to specify my rom path and to take a look at the cfg file. I did so, and alls that was in there was this a default config file with this script inside:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- This file is autogenerated; comments and unknown tags will be stripped -->
<mameconfig version="10">
    <system name="default" />
</mameconfig>

not sure what to do. Basically, let me sum up this page of words up into one sentence: Can someone please help me to have a version of mame that saves hi-scores, especially those achieved in Donkey Kong???

Thanks.

Look forward to hearing from you

Are you running 64-bit or 32-bit OS? I just compiled my first version of MAMEUI64 1.40u2 using Headkaze's Compiler. Had some fun trying to figure out where I was going wrong but after realizing that I need to actually "read" the instructions and overcome some access rights to the directories, it was smooth as silk. Like you, I am more familiar running the GUI versions. After compiling it with the latest patches (including hi-score support) all is working great!

[Brian Hoffman]

Sure! Hit me up.... In a nut shell, you download Mame 106 source. Download the DIFF from MKChamp. Use Bens mamecompiler.

Unzip the mame source, fill in the paths in Bens program, Patch using the DIFF, then compile mame.

Once you have your MAME.exe, drop it in your mame directory. Make a folder called "HI" in the mames directory. HI score files get saved there... Also grab the latest HISCORE.dat

[katuuuz]

Sure! Hit me up.... In a nut shell, you download Mame 106 source. Download the DIFF from MKChamp. Use Bens mamecompiler.

Unzip the mame source, fill in the paths in Bens program, Patch using the DIFF, then compile mame.

Once you have your MAME.exe, drop it in your mame directory. Make a folder called "HI" in the mames directory. HI score files get saved there... Also grab the latest HISCORE.dat

Hey man, glad to see you!

Something about compiling mame makes me anxious. Not ready to take a bite that big into the unknown at the moment. Plus, besides the hi-score issue I have no real reason to have a personal compilation of mame, so I think.

Anyhow, I tried taking matters into my own hands and decided to just download mame32v108 against my own will. I was basically trying to avoid upgrading, but whatever. This was the first version on MKCHAMPS page supporting the .diff file. Got it working, I successfully achieved a hi-score in DK, exited, and rebooted to find it on top of the leader board. Yay. It seems as if all it does is a save state automatically, which, if it works, is fine with me. My only gripe now is the fact that upon booting DK i get a not-so-1981 video game message stating the savestate has been loaded successfully. Anyway to get rid of that? Also, upon launching different games it says "unable to load savestate" (because it hasn't created one yet). I'd like to rid that too.

Lastly, can you explain to me how this hi-score.diff actually works? Does it create a savestate upon breaking the hi-score, or does it just make a state as you exit the game?

Oh yeah, and am I the only one who can't hear jump man's footsteps or the bounce noise when he jumps?

Anyhow, the main issue is resolved.

[Brian Hoffman]

Hey man, glad to see you!

Something about compiling mame makes me anxious. Not ready to take a bite that big into the unknown at the moment. Plus, besides the hi-score issue I have no real reason to have a personal compilation of mame, so I think.

Anyhow, I tried taking matters into my own hands and decided to just download mame32v108 against my own will. I was basically trying to avoid upgrading, but whatever. This was the first version on MKCHAMPS page supporting the .diff file. Got it working, I successfully achieved a hi-score in DK, exited, and rebooted to find it on top of the leader board. Yay. It seems as if all it does is a save state automatically, which, if it works, is fine with me. My only gripe now is the fact that upon booting DK i get a not-so-1981 video game message stating the savestate has been loaded successfully. Anyway to get rid of that? Also, upon launching different games it says "unable to load savestate" (because it hasn't created one yet). I'd like to rid that too.

Lastly, can you explain to me how this hi-score.diff actually works? Does it create a savestate upon breaking the hi-score, or does it just make a state as you exit the game?

Oh yeah, and am I the only one who can't hear jump man's footsteps or the bounce noise when he jumps?

Anyhow, the main issue is resolved.

Well here it goes..

The DIFF file (MKCHHAMP) does several things.

1. Removes NAG screens and MOST messages.. Game loading,rom disclaimers,Game not working and probably even your save state messages.

2. Lets mame save games hiscores. Alot of MAME games use NVRAM files to store scores etc... But not all games store this info and since MAME strives to be accurate they removed the ability to save hiscores in newer versions of mame via .hi files a long time ago.. MKChamp re enables it. I believe the HISCORE.dat has all the info per Game or Driver that tells it how to save, and in the HI directory .hi files are created that stores your data. Whew

Lastly it was not to recently that the sound board in DK games has been emulated... In some games that the sound does not work mame uses SAMPLES, which are recorded sound bytes in the form of WAV files. In the mame directory you will put your SAMPLES in the SAMPLES folder.

Unless you feel like updating your MAME and Roms to the newest versions, I would aquire the samples pack.

[katuuuz]

Well here it goes..

The DIFF file (MKCHHAMP) does several things.

1. Removes NAG screens and MOST messages.. Game loading,rom disclaimers,Game not working and probably even your save state messages.

2. Lets mame save games hiscores. Alot of MAME games use NVRAM files to store scores etc... But not all games store this info and since MAME strives to be accurate they removed the ability to save hiscores in newer versions of mame via .hi files a long time ago.. MKChamp re enables it. I believe the HISCORE.dat has all the info per Game or Driver that tells it how to save, and in the HI directory .hi files are created that stores your data. Whew

Lastly it was not to recently that the sound board in DK games has been emulated... In some games that the sound does not work mame uses SAMPLES, which are recorded sound bytes in the form of WAV files. In the mame directory you will put your SAMPLES in the SAMPLES folder.

Unless you feel like updating your MAME and Roms to the newest versions, I would aquire the samples pack.

ok in the midst of compiling. how do i tell what version os i have? 32 or 64? it's windows xp pro 2002 service pack 3

[Brian Hoffman]

ok in the midst of compiling. how do i tell what version os i have? 32 or 64? it's windows xp pro 2002 service pack 3

You would know.. X64 editions have a boot screect that Says Windows XP X64 not to mention all the trouble you would have findong 64 bit drivers.

Oh ya... you would know.. LOL

32bit im sure.

[katuuuz]

You would know.. X64 editions have a boot screect that Says Windows XP X64 not to mention all the trouble you would have findong 64 bit drivers.

Oh ya... you would know.. LOL

32bit im sure.

sweet, let me try this out. going for dual core like in kaze's screen shot.

[katuuuz]

First attempt resulted in failure. Wasn't able to create a mame.exe. This is a lot more trouble than i was expecting, but I will have to get it right to make this build even worth it. Not sure what I did wrong, I followed the instructions to a T. Got to go to bed now. Will be trying again soon.

[headkaze]

Make sure you read the section for Older Versions of MAME

The "Dual Core" setting just compiles using extra threads so it's quicker. It doesn't have anything to do with the processor you have (except you should probably only use it if you have a dual core processor).

[katuuuz]

Make sure you read the section for Older Versions of MAME

The "Dual Core" setting just compiles using extra threads so it's quicker. It doesn't have anything to do with the processor you have (except you should probably only use it if you have a dual core processor).

Hey kaze, what's shaking?

Ok as I lie in bed last night I was mulling over what could have gone wrong (ps my last attempt was with the latest versions of mame source and diff files) when I realized I'm pretty sure I forgot to tick the mameui box before hitting go. Hopefully by doing so I can compile mame once and for all.

Along with this note, I was reading through draco's compile thread and at the end he said he is getting error to load savestate messages as well. If I may take a stab at this one, I believe that's because any newly played game doesn't have the hi score saved yet to load. But this raises a question in my eyes: I thought this compiler was supposed to mask all messages like this. I.e. "state successfully loaded". That's the only real reason I'm compiling mame.

[Draco1962]

I found an interesting page here regarding hi score saves. Even with the hi score diff patch, some games will not save a hi score file in the Hi folder, saving to nvram instead. I confirmed this while playing Satans Hollow. It generated a new nvram file, but no hi score file, yet retained the high score. REgardless it still continues to show the "Error" Failed to open file for load operation" prompt in attract mode and before each game I start through MAME - within GamEx and outside of GameEx through the MAME GUI.

[katuuuz]

I found an interesting page here regarding hi score saves. Even with the hi score diff patch, some games will not save a hi score file in the Hi folder, saving to nvram instead. I confirmed this while playing Satans Hollow. It generated a new nvram file, but no hi score file, yet retained the high score. REgardless it still continues to show the "Error" Failed to open file for load operation" prompt in attract mode and before each game I start through MAME - within GamEx and outside of GameEx through the MAME GUI.

Yeah dude, I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of this somehow. Donkey kong is the initial reason for my build, and saving hi scores is definitely a necessity as far as I'm concerned. I'm pretty particular about the games looking/functioning properly. I definitely will be interested in hiding those name messages as well. I may or may not have to travel to long island tomorrow, but if I don't I'll be up for a weekend of troubleshooting I you are. If either one of us can figure it out maybe it'd be best to add the entire name compilation to a .zip archive and trade off. I'll be on later, this is being sent from my iPhone so excuse any grammatical errors.

[IMBerzerk]

Draco,

IIRC, those nvram files are important to games that actually had ROM chips in them to save the high-scores. The MAME Devs are so devoted to making MAME as close to the original game function that they do not allow games to save high-scores unless they have the NVRAM or you recompile with the high-score.diff.

Back in the 80s, most cabinets lost the scores and reset all back to default once you shut them for the night. The NVRAM file is how the base MAME build saves the high score IF the game was capable of saving the scores. But once patched, it creates the hi score files. I forget which version this started with, but it racked everyone that used older versions of MAME. Users were posting like mad flagging MAME as broken etc.

Or something like that...

IMBerzerk

[katuuuz]

Ok, so I've got my hi-score problem sorted out... sort of. I successfully downloaded and compiled a version of MAME0140u2 with the no nag/hi score patches. Works like a charm.... until I launch from GameEx.

I originally had MAME32v106 in the directory C:\Mame32 with all the roms/titles/marquees/etc. So I placed the new compiled version of MAME in C:\MAME and moved the roms/cabs/panels/nvram/flyers/marquees folders from the original MAME32 folder into it too. Went into GameEx config and changed all the paths so that they check out, and updated the romslist after doing so.

I attatched an image of what the screen looks like when I launch from Gameex. When I launch the game from MAME by itself, it looks as if it should.

[katuuuz]

FIXED. Hi-score file corrupt. deleted it, set a new hi score, and we're back in business.

[Draco1962]

Ok, so I've got my hi-score problem sorted out... sort of. I successfully downloaded and compiled a version of MAME0140u2 with the no nag/hi score patches. Works like a charm.... until I launch from GameEx.

I originally had MAME32v106 in the directory C:\Mame32 with all the roms/titles/marquees/etc. So I placed the new compiled version of MAME in C:\MAME and moved the roms/cabs/panels/nvram/flyers/marquees folders from the original MAME32 folder into it too. Went into GameEx config and changed all the paths so that they check out, and updated the romslist after doing so.

I attatched an image of what the screen looks like when I launch from Gameex. When I launch the game from MAME by itself, it looks as if it should.

Have you experienced the "Error" Failed to open file for load operation" prompt while in attract mode or launching a game from MAME or GameEx? I am half tempted to try compiling again, but not sure if it is going to matter at this point. I miught see if I can get a copy of someone else's MAMEUI140u2 compilation to see if the error persists or not.

[katuuuz]

Have you experienced the "Error" Failed to open file for load operation" prompt while in attract mode or launching a game from MAME or GameEx? I am half tempted to try compiling again, but not sure if it is going to matter at this point. I miught see if I can get a copy of someone else's MAMEUI140u2 compilation to see if the error persists or not.

Here are some pre-compiled versions. I downloaded the top one, and it works fine. Thanks to WhereEaglesDare:

http://*****.com/mame/compile/patched/

I believe they are 32bit versions, not sure about 64.

[katuuuz]

New problem has arisen. Because this version of make doesn't have the windows GUI I can't figure it out.. When I launch mame.exe outside of gameex then hit esc during a game, it brings me back the the romlist instead of closing the program. Hence, when I hit escape to back out of a game in gameex, I get an error from windows and it asks me if I want to send an error report Microsoft. I'm pretty sure it's because mame is trying to display the rom list while gameex is trying to do the same. Basically, how could I make it so that esc during a mame game exits mame in full?

[Brian Hoffman]

New problem has arisen. Because this version of make doesn't have the windows GUI I can't figure it out.. When I launch mame.exe outside of gameex then hit esc during a game, it brings me back the the romlist instead of closing the program. Hence, when I hit escape to back out of a game in gameex, I get an error from windows and it asks me if I want to send an error report Microsoft. I'm pretty sure it's because mame is trying to display the rom list while gameex is trying to do the same. Basically, how could I make it so that esc during a mame game exits mame in full?

I didnt realize it did that.. I ll look into it.. It is strange that you are the first to report it... Mame has been listing games with its own mini UI for quite some time now.

[katuuuz]

I didnt realize it did that.. I ll look into it.. It is strange that you are the first to report it... Mame has been listing games with its own mini UI for quite some time now.

Solved it by downloading a pre-no nag/hi compiled version of mame32 which solved the problem and gave me my windows style GUI. Sorry I forgot to report it solved.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Draco1962
This thread is now closed. If the problem re-occurs, please start a new thread.