Everything just hangs at the nag screen

[drunkenpirateking]

I cannot seem to get past the nag screen. I've tried a lot of stuff, letting it sit for a really long time, hitting buttons, etc etc. Only the "1" button works that brings me to the donation page. Here's my log -

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: GameEx: Version 11.71: Starting Log

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Operating System Name: Windows 7

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Operating System Version: 6.1.7600

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Aero running

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: .net Framework 3.0 Installed

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: .net Framework 3.5 Installed

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5400+, 3071MB

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: 2.82Ghz - 2 Cores or CPU's

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Running Randomize()

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Loading PlugIns

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Running Misc startup tasks

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Setting Menu types

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Opening Configuration File

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Getting Configuration Values

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Using Theme: Default - Media Center

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Media Center

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Using Images from theme: Default - Media Center V1\MEDIA\

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Launching HideOS.exe

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Hiding Taskbar

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Is Media Center running?

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Media Center Mode 2

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Snap Delay set to: 2

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Get other settings

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Start work for Form

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Getting Original Screen Size

08:40:57.2 5/7/2011: Opening Database Connection

08:40:57.3 5/7/2011: Initializing Component

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Retrieving resolution setting

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: MAME Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: MAME EXE file is: mame.exe

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: ROM Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\roms

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Catver.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: controls.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\data\controls.ini

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: History.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\history.dat

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: command.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\command.dat

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Loading Controls.ini map file

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Snap Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\snap

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: AVI Snap Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\video

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Flyer Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\flyers

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Cabinet Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\cabinets

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Cabinet 3D Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\cabinets3d

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Title Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\titles

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: PCB Path: Not Found

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Panel Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\cpanel

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Manual Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\manual

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Icon Path is: C:\GameEx\DEMO\MAME\icons

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Marquee Path is: F:\Mame 32\MAME Plus + 6000 Roms + Extras Deluxe [www.SpaTorrent.com]\marquees

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Loading Custom Emulators

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Loading Emulator 1: Atari 5200

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Loading Emulator 2: Nintendo SNES

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Loading Emulator 3: Nintendo N64

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Using Version 3 Themes Animations

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS

08:40:57.4 5/7/2011: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS

08:40:57.5 5/7/2011: Initialising Direct3D

08:40:57.6 5/7/2011: Setting Resolution to 1280x1024 32 bit color

08:40:57.6 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces

08:40:57.8 5/7/2011: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode

08:40:57.8 5/7/2011: Creating Back Buffer

08:40:57.8 5/7/2011: Loading graphic Surfaces

08:40:57.9 5/7/2011: Display is running at: 1280x1024 32bit color, 60hz

08:40:57.9 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs

08:40:58.0 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Volume

08:40:58.0 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Arrows

08:40:58.0 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text

08:40:58.0 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Toolbar

08:40:58.0 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds

08:40:58.1 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls

08:40:58.1 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo

08:40:58.1 5/7/2011: Creating Surface Unselected

08:40:58.1 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Snaps

08:40:58.1 5/7/2011: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars

08:40:58.4 5/7/2011: Creating Fonts

08:40:58.4 5/7/2011: Creating Game Font

08:40:58.5 5/7/2011: Creating Game Font Faded

08:40:58.6 5/7/2011: Creating Title Font

08:40:58.6 5/7/2011: Restoring Title Font From Cache

08:40:59.0 5/7/2011: Creating Font Black

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Creating Font Black Small

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Fonts Created Succesfully

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Initialising Bass Audio Library

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

Any thoughts?

[fRequEnCy]

Perhaps the issue here is also related as it seems to be getting stuck at the same place in the log. I'll direct Tom to this thread to get his input. Thank you for the report and sorry for the inconvenience.

[Draco1962]

@fReq and Tom - same issue reported here at the same location in the log file by ebifri :

20:06:36.9 2011/05/06: Initialising Bass Audio Library

20:06:36.9 2011/05/06: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Initialising Bass Audio Library

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

The ebifri had updated from a previous version (original version unknown at this point).

@drunkenpirateking - Did you update from a previous version or is this from the direct download?

[fRequEnCy]

@fReq and Tom - same issue reported here at the same location in the log file by ebifri :

20:06:36.9 2011/05/06: Initialising Bass Audio Library

20:06:36.9 2011/05/06: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Initialising Bass Audio Library

08:40:59.1 5/7/2011: Creating instance of global keyboard hook

The ebifri had updated from a previous version (original version unknown at this point).

@drunkenpirateking - Did you update from a previous version or is this from the direct download?

Yes I know. Which is why I posted the same link you did!

[Draco1962]

Yes I know. Which is why I posted the same link you did!

Yes I know. Which is why I posted the same link you did!

[Adultery]

Love the black comedy!

What exactly is the global keyboard hook anyway? Maybe this is the key to figuring out this problem, as I have never noticed this in the log before. Wonder if it has something to do with pressing '0' ingame to temporarily return to GameEx? I noticed this on accident playing Road Rash II the other night.

It may have always taken you to the game info screen and I just never noticed it before?

[drunkenpirateking]

This was a direct download of 1.0, then I applied both the 1.1 and 1.2 updates. However, I ended up deleting everything, then just trying the 1.0 and got the same result, for what it's worth. Is there any more information y'all need from me?

[Adultery]

I think he means what GameEx version?

[Draco1962]

The current GameEx version is 11.71. Did you have a previous version installed and, if so, did you update to the latest via update within GameEx after receiving a notification within that an updae was available?

[mesk]

This was a direct download of 1.0, then I applied both the 1.1 and 1.2 updates. However, I ended up deleting everything, then just trying the 1.0 and got the same result, for what it's worth. Is there any more information y'all need from me?

I believe what you are talking about is Hyperspin

With HS you download HS 1.0 then apply the .exe updates 1.1 & 1.2

[drunkenpirateking]

oh whoa. Sorry, I was talking about something else. I'm currently building this computer and dealing with lots of software and got confused. Yes, I was talking about hyperspin, which I'm also trying but am kind of unimpressed with.

Anyway, it was a direct download from the site, so it'd be 11.74.

[Adultery]

From which version of GameEx wxas this updated?

[drunkenpirateking]

I'm sorry, I must sound like an absolute blithering idiot. I think I'm juggling too much stuff at once, so I 'm going to concentrate on GameEx for right now.

I downloaded 11.71, which is the version on the download page of the gameex site. I don't see any means to update. To be clear, I haven't gotten past the nag screen ever, it's not like I had it working, upgraded and then it stopped. From what I gather it should ask me to update once I've gotten it started?

[Adultery]

Only if a new version comes out, and then only after the nag screen.

Are you using a keyboard? It's a dumb question I know, just want to make sure it's not an iPac or something.

.:Edit:. You have installed framework 2.0 and up right?

.:edit #2:. Nevermind. I missed your log in post #1 somehown

[drunkenpirateking]

Yes, I'm using a keyboard for the time being. As stupid as this may be...do I have to hit something at the nag screen to get past it? I've tried every key on the keyboard, but is there something I may be missing?

[Adultery]

No it should just load after about 30 seconds.

Gotta be something missing somewhere... like one more piece of the puzzle is still out there somewhere. Try disabling any intro videos you may have running, and if there isn't one try disabling mame support so we can isolate this (or try to).

[drunkenpirateking]

Mame is disabled, still won't load up.

[Adultery]

It's a long shot, but could you try disabling your antivirus software and/or firewall and try running GameEx again?

[drunkenpirateking]

firewall, antivirus and windows updates turned off. Still nothing. Also, esc. should close the program, right? Because it doesn't, I have to close it in the Task Manager.

[Adultery]

It isn't gonna work because GameEx can't initiate the keyboard hook for whatever reason. ESC will only function if GameEx is able to successfully load up.

.:edit:. What anti-virus software are you running on the machine in question?

[drunkenpirateking]

Ah. Ok. So the problem is with the keyboard hook? Is there anything I can do about that?

[fRequEnCy]

Ah. Ok. So the problem is with the keyboard hook? Is there anything I can do about that?

Have already directed Tom to this thread. Seems he's here now to give his input. Best to wait on that instead of doing some much work unless it's something we know that can be fixed. Please wait for Tom!

[Adultery]

I think Tom will need to step in here. He would know better what to do.

Ahh freq beat me again!

[Draco1962]

I would ensure that you have the most up-to-date video drivers installed for your graphics adapter and sound card drivers. My guess is that you have about 3-4 GB of RAM installed with onboard video (built into the motherboard). Also make sure you have the latest DirectX version installed. If you have just built this machine it is possible that you may be butting head against a driver issue. I woul probably limit my attention to one application at a time. You picked GameEx so you are in good hands with a very supportive and knowledgeable member base. Work with that for now.

[drunkenpirateking]

Ok, I just tried installing gameex on another machine and it worked like a charm, no problem whatsoever. The first thing I noticed was the audio. maybe the game machines just never got that far, but I'm on the search for updating all my mobo drivers. Also, in trying to get pcsx2 to work a couple days back, I installed every form of visual basic and direct x i could find multiple times (like a dolt). Should I worry about that?