[Drakendoder]

Hi all,

Adding windows games into gameex has been not much of a problem so far, and i think i've added about twenty so far. The last 2 games, Altitude via Steam and Trine (running independently), suddenly have risen the following problem: Exiting the games doesn't return me to game-ex. After exiting, Game-ex is still runnning in the process-manager, but even alt-tabbing my way back into it doesn't do the trick. I have to forcefully end the program with Taskmanager, and start it back up again to get it working properly again. Also, and this goes for both games, the ambient-music from game-ex menus keeps playing while in-game where normally of course it doesn't. It leads me to believe game-ex doesn't take its 'normal' action when launching a game, but somehow remains in a more active-role process-wise(?). But thats just guessing, because i basically have no clue. The fact that it happens to two unrelated games two times in a row, after twenty games that do not have these problems (and still don't), makes me fear i may have toggled a switch in the gameex-config i wasn't supposed to. But i have no idea if this is true (and i can't remember fiddling with anything), nor do i know if this actually is the problem. Any ideas..anyone? Thanks for any help in advance

[bkenobi]

GameEx is probably waiting for a process to end. Perhaps the game uses a loader of some kind that's not exiting in a way GameEx likes? Post a log file for starters.

[Drakendoder]

okayyy....how do i open up a log-console ?

[fRequEnCy]

Drakendoder, on 10 March 2010 - 01:28 PM, said:

okayyy....how do i open up a log-console ?

How to ask for help can be found here by one of our members, Tempest. It explains all the things that will be asked by us when needing help.

[Drakendoder]

allright here goes...thanks to tempest whoms presence is even there when he isn't there

this is the start..

18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: GameEx: Version 10.35: Starting Log
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Operating System Platform: Win32NT
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Operating System Name: Windows 7
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Operating System Version: 6.1.7600
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Aero running
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Initializing Vista/Windows 7 volume control
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: .net Framework 2.0 Installed
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: .net Framework 3.0 Installed
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: .net Framework 3.5 Installed
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: AMD Phenom™ II X4 965 Processor, 4095MB
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: 3,4Ghz - 4 Cores or CPU's
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Running Randomize()
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Loading PlugIns
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup
18:47:42.4 11-3-2010: Launching and waiting: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\batchesforgameex\Startup.bat
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Running Misc startup tasks
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Setting Menu types
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Opening Configuration File
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Getting Configuration Values
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Using Theme: ArcadeHeaven
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: ArcadeHeaven
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Launching HideOS.exe
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: GameEx will check for media insertion (may affect performance)
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Hiding Taskbar
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Is Media Center running?
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode
18:47:54.6 11-3-2010: Media Center Mode 2
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Custom Keyboard Input enabled: Getting custom codes
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Custom Game Device Input enabled: Getting custom codes
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Snap Delay set to: 2
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Get other settings
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Desktop set to Hide ICONS and set Background to Black
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Using DirectInput for keyboard input
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Start work for Form
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Getting Original Screen Size
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Opening Database Connection
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Initializing Component
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Retrieving resolution setting
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: MAME Path is: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Arcade\MameUI64
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: daphne Path is: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Laser Disc
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: daphne EXE file is: Daphne.exe
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Use daphne on. Daphne.exe will launch games
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Model 2 Path Path is: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Arcade\Sega Model 2
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Multi Core/Hyper Threading detected. Looking for emulator_multicpu.exe
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Model 2 EXE file is: emulator_multicpu.exe
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Model 2 emulator with command line support detected
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Use Model 2 on. emulator_multicpu.exe will launch Sega Model 2 games
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: MAME EXE file is: mameui64.exe
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: ROM Path is: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Arcade\MameUI64\roms
18:47:54.7 11-3-2010: Catver.ini is located at: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\GameEx10\DATA\catver.ini
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: History.dat is located at: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\GameEx10\DATA\history.dat
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: nplayers.ini is located at: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\GameEx10\DATA\nplayers.ini
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\GameEx10\DATA\mameinfo.dat
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Controls.ini map file
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Snap Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: AVI Snap Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Flyer Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Cabinet Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Title Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: PCB Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Panel Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Manual Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Icon Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Marquee Path: Not Found
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Custom Emulators
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 1: Atari 2600
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 2: Nintendo N64
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 3: Nintendo NES
18:47:54.8 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 4: Nintendo SNES
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 5: Sega 32x
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 6: Sega CD
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 7: Sega Genesis
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 8: [Console] Sega Dreamcast (nullDC)
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 10: Sony Playstation
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 11: Future Pinball
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 12: Capcom CPS Arcade
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 15: Nintendo GameCube en Wii
18:47:54.9 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 16: MSX
18:47:55.0 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 17: [Arcade] Arcade (ZiNc)
18:47:55.0 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 18: Arcade Sega Model 2
18:47:55.0 11-3-2010: Loading Emulator 19: [PC] Microsoft Windows
18:47:55.1 11-3-2010: Using Version 3 Themes Animations
18:47:55.1 11-3-2010: Using General Font: Ageone bold
18:47:55.1 11-3-2010: Using Title Font: Ageone bold
18:47:55.1 11-3-2010: Initialising DirectDraw
18:47:55.1 11-3-2010: Applying GameEx is Loading Image
18:47:55.2 11-3-2010: Creating DirectDraw Device
18:47:55.2 11-3-2010: Using Device: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
18:47:55.4 11-3-2010: -1806mb video memory available
18:47:55.7 11-3-2010: Setting Resolution to 1680x1050 32 bit color
18:47:55.7 11-3-2010: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces
18:47:55.7 11-3-2010: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode
18:47:55.7 11-3-2010: Creating Back Buffer
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Version 2 Theme being used. Loading.
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Loading Button Data
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Loading Font Data
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Loading Layout Data
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Loading Taskbar Data
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Loading graphic Surfaces
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Display is running at: 1680x1050 32bit color, 59hz
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Flags
18:47:55.8 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs
18:47:55.9 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Volume
18:47:55.9 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Arrows
18:47:55.9 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text
18:47:55.9 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar
18:47:55.9 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Surface Unselected
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Snaps
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Fonts
18:47:58.7 11-3-2010: Creating Game Font
18:47:59.1 11-3-2010: Creating Game Font Faded
18:47:59.8 11-3-2010: Creating Title Font
18:48:02.2 11-3-2010: Creating Font Black
18:48:02.2 11-3-2010: Creating Font Black Small
18:48:02.4 11-3-2010: Fonts Created Succesfully
18:48:02.4 11-3-2010: -1909mb video memory left available
18:48:02.4 11-3-2010: Creating instance of global keyboard hook
18:48:02.4 11-3-2010: Initialising Bass Audio Library
18:48:02.4 11-3-2010: Attempting to load game list
18:48:02.5 11-3-2010: Applying Language/Text
18:48:02.5 11-3-2010: Text/Language: Custom
18:48:02.6 11-3-2010: MAME CMD options: -skip_gameinfo
18:48:02.6 11-3-2010: Loading last used Game List
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Loading Music Play List
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Loading Playlist Directory
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Creating DirectSound Device
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Trying: Primair geluidsstuurprogramma
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Loading Sound Files
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: DirectSound Device Created Successfully
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Looking for Device: Logitech Cordless RumblePad 2 USB
18:48:02.7 11-3-2010: Device Created
18:48:02.8 11-3-2010: Initialising DirectInput for Keyboard support
18:48:02.8 11-3-2010: Initializing MCE Remote
18:48:02.9 11-3-2010: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx!
18:48:02.9 11-3-2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame
18:48:03.1 11-3-2010: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully

(then a bunch of errorcodes regarding non-existing assets-paths for just about every emulator....this has always been the case, but if you want i can c/p it also...it's just very long...for all emulators in fact)

18:48:25.8 11-3-2010: Running: cmd.exe /c E: E:\PC Games\Trine\trine.exe
18:49:20.6 11-3-2010: Exiting GameEx!
18:49:20.6 11-3-2010: Saving Settings
18:49:26.0 11-3-2010: Disposing Plugins
18:49:26.0 11-3-2010: Closing database connection
18:49:26.1 11-3-2010: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit
18:49:26.1 11-3-2010: Launching and waiting: D:\ArcadeHeaven\Programmatuur\batchesforgameex\OnExit.bat
18:49:26.2 11-3-2010: Media Center was not open when starting GameEx, so not launching

In the interval 18:48:25.8 till 18:49:20.6 i was having the same problems as usual with this game -> background music gameex still playing during the game, and on exiting i don't return to game-ex but in this case was able to return and safely exit after alt-tabbing my way back into it. Perhaps that was the case because i ran game-ex on my primary screen, not my secondary (wich is running standalone as a primary device when i start up game ex normally). I hope this helps, but have a feeling more info will be needed, so ask me and i try to deliver Thanks!,

[Drakendoder]

just for completion purposes, i ran game-ex under 'normal' conditions where i can't get back into game-ex with Alt-tab like in the previous post, the log is identical except for resolution, and this is the last part...

19:05:05.5 11-3-2010: Running: cmd.exe /c E: E:\PC Games\Trine\trine.exe
19:06:47.9 11-3-2010: Exiting GameEx!
19:06:48.0 11-3-2010: Saving Settings <-- last line in the log

Exiting game-ex was done through TaskManager, where i had to shut it down. When i've exit the game, and am looking at my desktop while i'm unable to return to game-ex, the music is still playing though, and Taskmanager says it's working fine. When i rightclick in the taskmanager, to manually maximise game-ex, i get a black hiding-os screen but am not able to return to the menu-screen, nor does game-ex respond to my ESC-key that would normally exit the program instantly

[TSpeirs]

Can you post a list of running tasks when GameEx is in that state. Do you see any called "cmd"? or anything else which would perhaps be from part of the game?

Just to confirm its not an issue with GameEx - can you try setting up again from scrach as a new emulator one of the games that previously worked. This will rule out (or in) if its a bug in GameEx. Id like to be sure.

Are you saying GamEEx starts to Play Ambience when you exit the game (o try to)?

[Drakendoder]

TSpeirs, on 11 March 2010 - 07:30 PM, said:

Can you post a list of running tasks when GameEx is in that state. Do you see any called "cmd"? or anything else which would perhaps be from part of the game?

no "cmd", GameEx is the only task listed when i've quit the game, and i am not returning to game-Ex but am left at my desktop with AmbienceMusic from GameEx menu playing on my speakers

Quote

Just to confirm its not an issue with GameEx - can you try setting up again from scrach as a new emulator one of the games that previously worked. This will rule out (or in) if its a bug in GameEx. Id like to be sure.

i'm not sure what you meant, but i deleted the link for a Windows-Game that worked fine, and made a new .lnk for the list. Again, the game worked fine. Mind you, every game still works great except the two(Altitude, Trine) i mentioned.

Quote

Are you saying GamEEx starts to Play Ambience when you exit the game (o try to)?

No, when i press 'Play this Game' the music stops, and the game starts up. About 4-5 seconds in-game when you still get the introscreens from developers and so on, the music from Game-Ex starts playing again, and in fact doesn't stop anymore. It keeps playing when i exit the game, although i'm not returning to the GameEx menu and taskmanager tells me it's running fine.


i'm really clueless about this one. I checked all parameters from the .lnk-files but couldn't find any differences between the games that have and do not have this problem

thanks for the help so far guys,

[dreamer]

i have over 200 pc game running in gameEX whit no problem i have a folder whit all short cuts in one folder heres my config
[Emulator_9]
Enabled=True
STARTPAGENAME=PC games
TITLETEXT=PC games
StartPageLogo=pc
ROMFilter=*.lnk
RomsInFolders=False
RomPath=C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\games
SnapPath=
WorkingPath=C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\games
MapKeys=False
WaitBeforeKeys=
SendKeys=
ReplaceDash=True
ReplaceUnder=True
Capitals=True
RemoveBrackets=True
ShowDesktop=False
Debug=False
MAPFile=
AlsoLaunch=
Command=""[RomPath]\[RomFile]""
OLDatZip=
TitlePath=
BoxPath=
LaunchBefore=
LaunchAfter=
CartPath=
configFile=
ExcludedFiles=
CustomBackground=
PlayMusic=
PCGame=False
DATABASE=
DumbyValue=
GamesIn7Zips=
PlayInScreenSaver=True
ManualPath=
lastgame=
DontShowInfo=
ShowMostPlayed=
RandomMostPlayed=
CDCheck=
CDCheckFile=
ControlPanelPath=
InstructionsPath=
PlaySelectionMusic=
SelectionMusicFolder=
UseDbName=
CustomArtName1=
CustomArtPath1=
CustomArtName2=
CustomArtPath2=
CustomArtName3=
CustomArtPath3=
MergeSets=

[TSpeirs]

When the music starts GameEx thinks the process has ended and is returning. This is because the game uses a loader. You need to setup up an advanced config and put all the games processes in it.

[dreamer]

its advancedconfigeditor/process wait, then add game exe
tom tell me if iam wrong

[twotone8]

hrm. i'm having the same problem. i'm sure the advice posted here will help.

also, i've been wondering how to put multiple pc games into one 'emulator' category. the idea of putting several different shortcuts into one 'rom' directory is a great idea.

is there any way to do this for pc games that need you to mount an iso? is it possible to create a batch file that can launch daemon tools on a specific game to game basis?

edit: figured it out. managed to get the game in question working without the loader, and created a batch file to get it all mounted and ready.

i was stumped with this problem when the loader was being used. i'm glad there was an alternative .exe apart from the loader, because i simply could not figure out what process was preventing gameex from restoring. i hope the op has more luck.

[Drakendoder]

allright, this is a bit ackward

In light of what you said i tried finding out what 'loaders' were used during the startup of the process, but couldn't find any in the Taskmanager processes list. So i figured my best bet would be launching AutoHotkey WindowSpy to see if anything popped up there, and sure enough i was amazed at how many exes were loaded in a brief second during the intros. Exactly at the point where normally GameEx Music starts to play again. I couldn't find those exe-files in the directory anywhere, so i tried googling them......they were all Trojans, Malwares etc.

I updated my free AVG as soon as possible (it had been disabled for 3 weeks, right before i 'got' Trine, and had been a bit lazy at fixing it) and sure enough red flags were flying all over the place. The ackward part of course is that you don't get these Trojans, Malwares and such if you have a legal copy, only when obtained on the darker sides of the web. So i guess i'm rightfully punished, but for the record i would like to state i'm no enemy of the PCgaming-Industry as i have bought just about over 50 games, most of them with the sole purpose of rewarding its developers. I do like to try before i buy though, so i'm guilty for that as charged

Altitude, the other game, i in fact did buy legally but obviously there seem some problems with steam loading up as well probably confusing Steam. I also have StreetFighter IV through steam(also legally), but there i have it all working inside a AHK-script wich probably makes it all 1 process in the eyes of GameEx. Okay now i gotta run, i hear sirens roaring up into the streets... BB is everywhere

[Drakendoder]

the silence is deafening, just close the thread and bury it already

[Tempest]

Okee DoKee.