NEWS: GameEx 11.43

[GoTheBunnies]

Also what is cpu usage like when running?

My log follows Tom - CPU usage gets to 100% when I go into GameEx, but normalises pretty quickly. Seems to jump to 100% again whenever I go to play a game

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: GameEx: Version 11.44: Starting Log

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Operating System Name: Windows XP

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: .net Framework 1.1 Installed

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: .net Framework 3.0 Installed

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: .net Framework 3.5 Installed

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.80GHz, 2047MB

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: 2.8Ghz

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Running Randomize()

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Loading PlugIns

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Running Misc startup tasks

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Setting Menu types

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Opening Configuration File

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Getting Configuration Values

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Using Theme: Default - BlueEx - MCE1024x768

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - BlueEx - MCE1024x768

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Launching HideOS.exe

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

12:22:00.0 18/12/2010: Hiding Taskbar

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Is Media Center running?

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Media Center Mode 2

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Custom Keyboard Input enabled: Getting custom codes

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Snap Delay set to: 2

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Get other settings

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: SlikStik support enabled

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Using DirectInput for keyboard input

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Start work for Form

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Getting Original Screen Size

12:22:00.1 18/12/2010: Opening Database Connection

12:22:00.2 18/12/2010: Initializing Component

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Retrieving resolution setting

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: MAME Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: daphne Path is: C:\Emulators\Daphne

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: daphne EXE file is: Daphne.exe

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Use daphne on. Daphne.exe will launch games

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: MAME EXE file is: mame.exe

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: ROM Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\roms

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Catver.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: controls.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\data\controls.ini

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: History.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\history.dat

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: command.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\command.dat

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Loading Controls.ini map file

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\snap

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: AVI Snap Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\Videos

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Flyer Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\flyers

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Cabinet Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\cabinets

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Cabinet 3D Path: Not Found

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Title Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\titles

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: PCB Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\pcb

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Artwork Preview Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\artwork

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Panel Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\cpanel

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Manual Path: Not Found

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Icon Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\icons

12:22:00.4 18/12/2010: Marquee Path is: C:\Emulators\Mame32\Mame_133\marquees

12:22:00.5 18/12/2010: Loading Custom Emulators

12:22:00.5 18/12/2010: Using 2D Animations

12:22:00.5 18/12/2010: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS

12:22:00.5 18/12/2010: Using Title Font: Joystix

12:22:00.5 18/12/2010: Initialising Direct3D

12:22:00.6 18/12/2010: Applying GameEx is Loading Image

12:22:01.2 18/12/2010: Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color

12:22:01.2 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces

12:22:01.4 18/12/2010: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode

12:22:01.4 18/12/2010: Creating Back Buffer

12:22:01.4 18/12/2010: Loading graphic Surfaces

12:22:01.5 18/12/2010: Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 75hz

12:22:01.6 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Flags

12:22:01.6 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Volume

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Arrows

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surface Unselected

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Snaps

12:22:01.7 18/12/2010: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars

12:22:01.9 18/12/2010: Creating Fonts

12:22:01.9 18/12/2010: Creating Game Font

12:22:02.1 18/12/2010: Creating Game Font Faded

12:22:02.2 18/12/2010: Creating Title Font

12:22:02.2 18/12/2010: Restoring Title Font From Cache

12:22:02.5 18/12/2010: Creating Menu Font

12:22:02.6 18/12/2010: Creating Font Black

12:22:02.7 18/12/2010: Creating Font Black Small

12:22:02.9 18/12/2010: Fonts Created Succesfully

12:22:02.9 18/12/2010: 3MB Video Memory Used

12:22:02.9 18/12/2010: Initialising Bass Audio Library

12:22:02.9 18/12/2010: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

12:22:03.6 18/12/2010: Attempting to load game list

12:22:03.7 18/12/2010: Applying Language/Text

12:22:03.7 18/12/2010: Text/Language: Custom

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: MAME CMD options: -nowindow -hwstretch -joy -skip_gameinfo

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: Loading last used Game List

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: Creating DirectSound Device

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: Trying: Primary Sound Driver

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: Loading Sound Files

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: DirectSound Device Created Successfully

12:22:03.8 18/12/2010: Creating ICONS

12:22:03.9 18/12/2010: Recreating ICONS

12:22:04.6 18/12/2010: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support

12:22:04.6 18/12/2010: Unable to create a joystick device

12:22:04.6 18/12/2010: Initialising DirectInput for Keyboard support

12:22:04.7 18/12/2010: Initializing MCE Remote

12:22:04.7 18/12/2010: Playing intro sound file

12:22:04.7 18/12/2010: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!

12:22:04.7 18/12/2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame

12:22:05.4 18/12/2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully

12:22:48.7 18/12/2010: Exiting GameEx!

12:22:48.8 18/12/2010: Saving Settings

12:22:50.1 18/12/2010: Disposing Plugins

12:22:50.1 18/12/2010: Closing database connection

12:22:50.2 18/12/2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit

[GoTheBunnies]

I'm happy to rollback a couple of updates to solve the problem - is that an option?

[fRequEnCy]

I'm happy to rollback a couple of updates to solve the problem - is that an option?

Rolling back a couple of updates is an option if you have a previous version of GameEx. If not then we do not archive previous versions. Tom is pretty good at bug fixes. Hopefully we can just find the fix soon.

[Tom Speirs]

Hi, Please your GameEx.ini too. Could you also please explain what it is atually that is slow?

[Adultery]

Quick question; do I set up the weather and then edit the theme I use to include this? Or will GameEx display it without a need for further changes?

.:EDIT:. Snap. I forgot it won't work for me. Disregard that post!

[GoTheBunnies]

Hi, Please your GameEx.ini too. Could you also please explain what it is atually that is slow?

Hi Tom -.ini attached.

Games lag in GameEx - for example, moving the ship across the screen in say Space Invaders, the ship will stop a few times along the way, just for a micro second. Play it in Mame and it's fine. I had the problem with this PC in the past, changed a few settings (cant remember what), and it was fine until this update.

Thanks

GameExconfig.txt

[Adultery]

I wonder if you're having sound buffer problems. I have this too, especially with Mortal Kombat 2. Just a small command line adjustment if that's the problem. If you guys figure something out it may just help me too so keep me posted!

[Tom Speirs]

ah ok sorry. I thought you were referring to GameEx itself lagging. I really cant see how it could be because of this update. When running a game is GameEx using up any cpu?

GameEx does do a couple of things in the background when running a game but not too much. Does it do the same thing when you run \data\runitgame.bat?

Things to try turning off would be your game card if your using one, GameExtender completely, auto exit game, check for media insertion. Are any of those things turned on?

[Tom Speirs]

Ive looked at your config. It looks as omptimised as can be. How much memory do you have in your system now? Also just check its not stopped being detected. That can happen I see 2mb in your log. That should be enough really but this does look like a memory issue. Do you have a lot of other stuff runnning on the machine? What does task manager look like when running GameEx and MAME? Whats the free memory and pagefile usage like? Also a while back people spoke about this and suggested defragging the page file.

[Tom Speirs]

Id also try making sure GameEx is not using DirectInput just to test by turning off custom keyboard controls.

[GoTheBunnies]

ah ok sorry. I thought you were referring to GameEx itself lagging. I really cant see how it could be because of this update. When running a game is GameEx using up any cpu?

GameEx does do a couple of things in the background when running a game but not too much. Does it do the same thing when you run \data\runitgame.bat?

Things to try turning off would be your game card if your using one, GameExtender completely, auto exit game, check for media insertion. Are any of those things turned on?

Thanks for having a look at this Tom - I've tried a few of your suggestions, without success - BUT I can confirm that I don't have the lagging problem when I run it through runitgame.bat, nor when I play it directly via Mame. What does that tell you?

Looked at drefragging my pagefile, but it only has 1 fragment, so doesn't look to be the issue.

[headkaze]

Few things you may want to try

1. Download Process Explorer and check GameEx's CPU usage while running MAME. May need to alt-tab between it and Process Explorer.

2. Try running GameEx in windowed mode and see if it yields any performance difference when launching MAME.

3. Download Process Monitor and filter GameEx.exe. What is GameEx doing while you're running a game?

4. Not sure what you mean by "defragging my page file". Just run the standard Disk Defragger (you can right click on your C: drive in Explorer and select Properties->Tools->Defragment Now). Note you defrag a disk not a file.

Also I couldn't see what video card you have in that log file. What video card do you have? If it's onboard I would seriously consider getting a card. Onboard video cards share RAM. It is much better to use a video card with dedicated RAM.

I understand these things popped up after an update so they may not be the issue. But the first two points may help Tom track down any introduced problem.

[Draco1962]

I know when addressing other issues with GTB in the past that it was recommended to install a more current graphics adapter/video card with its own RAM (at least 128MB but 256 MB or higher even better). This was recommended because of similiar issues with the videos, etc.

Just because there is no perceptible lag outside of GameEx does not necessarily make it a GameEx issue. Every program layer adds to the memory load, CPU/GPU cycles and information congestion in the data "pipes" and caches. This applies to videos, emus, web apps.

GoTheBunnies - we had discussed the lagging issue here and I was wondering if you had taken a look at the PC BIOS with regards to the video aperture settings as had been suggested, and if you are using a separate video card or onboard video?

[Adultery]

@Tom:

Love this update, weather looks really nice, and I like the scroller features.

If I could make just one suggestion for improvement: Could you either make the scroller speed adjustable or make it faster? It just moves too slow the way it is.

Also, if you have the same RSS feed on different pages, can you make it carry over instead of starting over from page to page? That would also be awesome!

I really do love the weather icons you made. It makes the landing and emulator pages just that much more attractive. Nice touch!!!

[GoTheBunnies]

Few things you may want to try

4. Not sure what you mean by "defragging my page file". Just run the standard Disk Defragger (you can right click on your C: drive in Explorer and select Properties->Tools->Defragment Now). Note you defrag a disk not a file.

Also I couldn't see what video card you have in that log file. What video card do you have? If it's onboard I would seriously consider getting a card. Onboard video cards share RAM. It is much better to use a video card with dedicated RAM.

I understand these things popped up after an update so they may not be the issue. But the first two points may help Tom track down any introduced problem.

Tom suggested defragging the pagefile - I was responding to that suggestion.

I'm using a NVidia Geforce FX5200 128mb graphics card - but thinking now I might need something bigger.

[GoTheBunnies]

GoTheBunnies - we had discussed the lagging issue here and I was wondering if you had taken a look at the PC BIOS with regards to the video aperture settings as had been suggested, and if you are using a separate video card or onboard video?

Yes, we have discussed it previously, and I thought I'd fixed it (until after this update ). I didn't change the video aperture settings in the BIOS - I couldn't find it in there (and after a few other tweaks the problem was fixed so didn't see the need to persist). Perhaps now I better have another look.

[Adultery]

My 256 still stutters on some games unless I mute the sound. It really may be a different issue entirely.

[Draco1962]

For the video aperture settings, you may need to search about the Asus site or the web for the version specific to your mobo (it was an Asus if I recall). If the video card you are using is an APG card, you may need to adjust these settings for optimal use.

One thing that I failed to ask previously. Is the PC you are using for your cocktail cab an HP or Compaq? If so, then next question I would ask is have you upgraded it it from its original configuration with a larger, faster, and/or additional hard drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.? Did you add additional fans for cooling? I ask these as one thing that many fail to consider when upgrading a pre-built system is the power supply that comes with the system is generally just powerful enough to manage the voltage needs of that configuration. Once you add a new drive or two, more powerful video card, etc. you end up exceeding the power supply's ability to keep up with the needs of the PC. Same goes for the number of fans. More upgrades usually means more heat, yet the base configuration is usually just enough to handle what was originally sold and cannot dissipate the additional heat generated. Under powered and overheating, if marginal, can cause inconsistant results.

But I would probably run the Process Explorer prgram that HK mentioned first before poking around much more. It may uncover something we haven't thought of and would make any other suggestions moot.

[GoTheBunnies]

For the video aperture settings, you may need to search about the Asus site or the web for the version specific to your mobo (it was an Asus if I recall). If the video card you are using is an APG card, you may need to adjust these settings for optimal use.

One thing that I failed to ask previously. Is the PC you are using for your cocktail cab an HP or Compaq? If so, then next question I would ask is have you upgraded it it from its original configuration with a larger, faster, and/or additional hard drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.? Did you add additional fans for cooling? I ask these as wone thing that many fail to consider when upgrading a per-built system is the power supply that comes with the system is generally just powerful enough to manage the voltage needs of that configuration. Once you ad a new drive or two, more powerful video card, etc. you end up exceeding the power supply's ability to keep up with the needs of the PC. Same goes for the number of fans. More upgrades usually means more heat, yet the base configuration is usually just enough to handle what was originally sold and cannot dissipate the additional heat generated. Under powered and overheating, if if marginal, can cause inconsistant results.

But I would probably run the Process Explorer prgram that HK mentioned first before poking around much more. It may uncover something we haven't thought of and would make any other suggestions moot.

It IS a HP - the only things I've upgraded are the Hard drive (to 500gb) and the RAM (to 2gb).

The video card is an AGP card - when you say adjust the settings for optimal use - that basically means playing around with the settings until I see a difference, right?

I'll download the Process Explorer program when I get home and will have a look at the results. What am I looking for? A discernable difference in the CPU usage when I run GameEx?

[Draco1962]

It IS a HP - the only things I've upgraded are the Hard drive (to 500gb) and the RAM (to 2gb).

The video card is an AGP card - when you say adjust the settings for optimal use - that basically means playing around with the settings until I see a difference, right?

I'll download the Process Explorer program when I get home and will have a look at the results. What am I looking for? A discernable difference in the CPU usage when I run GameEx?

In the BIOS, I usually recommend AGP at 4X, and Aperture no more than the total MB on the video card (so 64 MB or 128 MB) would be fine - try 64MB first, if that does not work, then try 128MB)

If you can locate the BIOS settings, also try disabling Video Caching.

As for the Process Explorer - while I haven't had need to run it, my guess is you are correct. Post whatever you can log following HK's instructions.

[GoTheBunnies]

Problem fixed! I couldn't find ANY video settings in the BIOS, but decided to remove the video card drivers and reinstall. It's now fine. The thing I don't get is that I already installed the latest drivers the last time I had the lagging problem. Anyway, whatever it was, it's now fine.

Thanks for everyone's input!

[Draco1962]

That's how it works some times. Uninstall/Reinstall vs overwriting (update) is how it often works for me regarding sound and video drivers. Glad to se y ou were able to resolve the issue!

[T. Goodchild]

The album/visualization showing up is actually meant to be an enhancment for v4 themes in this release. Im guessing you dont like it though!?

Sorry for the late reply.

I do like it but it only shows up on a conditional basis and is not a permanent fixture. In the real media center as you know the albumart/vis square remains present while cycling through menus. The only way I see it in GameEx is if I switch to a view I don't necessarily use ie fullscreen, or don't have a video snap. If it were treated as a theme object it would be different ie image1, image 2.

Also for some reason no album art has been appearing on my jukebox since the 11.2x- or 11.3x versions. I always test your latest builds but always default back to a much earlier direct draw (10.77) build since they worked fine back then. I have folder.jpg in all the folders and have even embedded the art itself into the mp3 using audioshell so I'm not sure why they haven't been appearing.