[RESOLVED] PBX was working perfectly with VP, now inexplicably PBX not starting

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

I have the current version of PBX. I am working with Windows 7. Up until yesterday it worked perfectly with my 25 VP tables, including some B2S backglasses. When I restarted it this morning, PBX won't load. Originally I had PBX configured to start with windows startup. Yesterday It worked for a few restarts, but then stopped loading at windows start up. So I disabled startup with windows. PBX then started working again. After a few restarts of PBX, it just stopped loading. I restarted the computer several times to no avail.

Here is the log text:

11:35:54.4 9/17/2014: PinballX - Version 1.87

11:35:54.8 9/17/2014: Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 64-bit (1.9GB)

11:35:54.8 9/17/2014: Loading Settings

11:35:54.8 9/17/2014: Initialize Component

11:35:54.8 9/17/2014: Initialize Display

11:35:54.9 9/17/2014: Loading PlugIns

It appears to stop attempting to load once it reaches " Loading Plugins ".

I get this same log every time I try to start PBX.

Here is the ini. ?

[Display]

Monitor=0

rotate=270

Windowed=False

WindowWidth=480

WindowHeight=720

WindowX=0

WindowY=65

PlayFieldBrightness=230

WheelTextColor=ffffffff

WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000

InfoTextColor=ffffffff

InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000

FilterTextColor=ffffffff

FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000

MenuColor=ffffa500

[backGlass]

monitor=1

x=0

y=0

width=1680

height=1050

[DMD]

Enabled=False

monitor=1

x=360

y=780

width=930

height=300

AutoPositionPinMAME=True

UsePinMAME=False

[FileSystem]

EnableFileMatching=True

[interface]

DesktopModeEnabled=False

EnableAdditionalDetail=True

ShowSystem=True

ShowRatings=True

OneClickLaunch=True

[Audio]

StreamVolume=90

SampleVolume=90

PlaySoundInVideos=True

[startup]

playsound=False

playvideo=False

StartWithWindows=No

[KeyCodes]

quit=9

left=162

right=164

select=67

rotate=82

pageleft=33

pageright=34

exitemulator=88

ingame=80

screenshot=83

screenshotbackglass=66

instructions=73

volumedown=109

volumeup=107

[JoyCodes]

quit=10

left=0

right=1

select=

rotate=3

pageleft=4

pageright=5

exitemulator=6

ingame=13

instructions=14

[Text]

Line1=Free Play

Line2=Press Start

[FuturePinball]

Enabled=False

WorkingPath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-

TablePath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-\Tables

Executable=Future Pinball.exe

Parameters=/open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender

LaunchBeforeEnabled=false

LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=

LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe

LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False

LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True

LaunchAfterEnabled=False

LaunchAfterWorkingPath=

LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe

LaunchAfterHideWindow=False

LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True

MouseClickFocus=True

[VisualPinball]

Enabled=True

WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Pinball

TablePath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Pinball\Tables

Executable=VPinball921.exe

Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"

LaunchBeforeEnabled=false

LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=

LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe

LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False

LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True

LaunchAfterEnabled=False

LaunchAfterWorkingPath=

LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe

LaunchAfterHideWindow=False

LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True

[ExitScreen]

Enabled=True

EnableExit=True

EnableShutdown=True

[startupProgram]

Enabled=False

WorkingPath=

Executable=notepad.exe

Paramaters=

HideWindow=true

WaitForExit=false

[ExitProgram]

Enabled=false

WorkingPath=

Executable=notepad.exe

Paramaters=

HideWindow=False

WaitForExit=

[AttractMode]

Enabled=True

Timer=1

ShowFor=15

MuteAudio=False

[system_1]

Name=Pinball FX2

Enabled=False

WorkingPath=C:\Steam

TablePath=C:\Steam\Tables

Executable=PinballFX.exe

Parameters=

SystemType=0

[system_2]

Name=MAME

Enabled=False

WorkingPath=C:\- EMULATORS -\- MAME -

TablePath=C:\

Executable=mamep64.exe

Parameters=[TABLEFILE]

SystemType=0

[AutoExit]

Enabled=True

Minutes=15

[Login]

Enabled=True

[internal]

lastselected=Creature from the Black Lagoon (Midway 1992)Creature from the Black Lagoon (FS) - 1.2.AlphaMod. VP9 - UnclewillyVisualPinball

filter_year=

filter_company=

filter_custom=

filtername=Tables

[setupWizard]

EmuPath1=C:\Emulators

AssetPath1=C:\Assets

RomPath1=C:\Roms

DefaultPathPrompt=True

DownloadDatabasePrompt=True

DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True

WizardMode=0

CustomArray=

SearchArray=

SavePosition=False

SectionIndex=7

SearchText=

EmulatorIndex=0

EmulatorGroupIndex=0

DaphneIndex=0

HTMLAppsIndex=0

ExternalAppsIndex=0

RadioStationsIndex=0

NewsFeedsIndex=0

MappedDrivesIndex=0

SystemIndex=0

ShowPanel=True

FontSize=1

WindowState=2

WindowSize=650,503

WindowLocation=306,64

[GameListManager]

onlinemode=false

[Plugin_1]

Enabled=False

Name=PlugInSpeech.dll

[Plugin_2]

Enabled=False

Name=QuickLaunch (PinballX Edition).dll

[Plugin_3]

Enabled=False

Name=Xpadder Plugin.dll

I know PBX works with my computer and VP ! I was just playing my tables yesterday ! Anyone have any ideas ?

[Draco1962]

Is that a complete log.txt file? If not please provide a complete copy.

Also, when copying/pasting your log,txt and pinballx.ini file contents in the post, please use the following BBC codes to place within "spoilers"

 [spoiler]Your Pasted Text[/spoiler] 

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

Yes. That is the entire log.txt file. UPDATE: After restarting PBX @ 15 times somehow it started playing again. I played a few tables but then one of the tables caused PBX to crash. I tried to restart PBX again but to no avail. The log.txt file is the same.

[Tom Speirs]

Ensure you have no plugins enabled. Open up the Plugin Manager.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

What and where is the plugin manager ? Is that something in PBX settings ?

[nullPointer]

Go to:

Start > All Programs > PinballX > PlugIns

You'll want to verify that none of the plugins listed therein have been enabled.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

Go to:

Start > All Programs > PinballX > PlugIns

You'll want to verify that none of the plugins listed therein have been enabled.

No Plugins enabled. Once again after @ 15 tries PBX started again, but then crashed again after playing and exiting just one table.

[Draco1962]

Does this seem to be occuring randomly across all tables or only with specific tables? If occuring with specific tables, have you tried removing them to see if things stabilize? Have you checked Event Viewer (in Windows) to see if were any other applications crash notifications with PinballX or perhaps other OS-related events that may be impacting?

[Tom Speirs]

Sounds to me like you have multiple copies running at the same time. Check task manager.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

It seems to happen randomnly.Task manager shows PBX under the services tab, not the application tab. I always kill it in task manager before I try restarting. Here's a new development: Now VP wont let me assign any key to add coins/credit to play the tables.This almost looks like a weird virus.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

It seems to happen randomnly.Task manager shows PBX under the services tab, not the application tab. I always kill it in task manager before I try restarting. Here's a new development: Now VP wont let me assign any key to add coins/credit to play the tables.This almost looks like a weird virus.

I meant that PBX shows under the processes tab, not the app tab.

[Draco1962]

You mean like this?

That would be correct for Windows 8. The Task Manager is organized a little differently compared to Win 7 and prior.

[Tom Speirs]

Well, I don't think its a bug in PinballX. I realise that does not help much but at least you know to look elsewhere.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

Ok. I resolved the VP add coin problem. I have been tinkering with PBX. It seems as though if I double click PBX (4-5 times in row) it will eventually start up. However, it crashes as soon as I select a table. If I only use one monitor, PBX runs properly. When I use the two extended monitors is when the problem occurs.

[Draco1962]

Do you have the most up-to-date display drivers from the GPU manufacturer installed? Sometimes the ones installed by Windows are not up-to-date and can cause display and other issues.

Can you also provide an updated copy of your log.txt files - 1 when running on one monitor and 1 immediately upon crash? Thanks!

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

PBX won't start with just one monitor anymore. It gives me the same log text. I don't have plugins enabled.

[Draco1962]

Do you have the most up-to-date display drivers from the GPU manufacturer installed? DId you try swapping the monitors for testing 1 monitor at a time? A little information about your hardware may help us help you better - CPU/Mobo, GPU(s), etc. You may also want to take a look at Device Manager for any issues showing with your GPU, possibly Event Viewer to see if something shows like an application failing.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

A little more info. I am using a 40 inch led lcd tv for display 1 and a 22 inch acer computer monitor for display 2. I disabled the acer monitor and ran PBX just using the television. It works perfectly ! So it seems as though the monitor or the graphics card that may be giving PBX fits ?

Here is the log.txt with the acer monitor disabled and PBX running as it should.

19:54:47.9 9/19/2014: PinballX - Version 1.87

19:54:47.9 9/19/2014: Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 64-bit (1.9GB)

19:54:48.0 9/19/2014: Loading Settings

19:54:48.0 9/19/2014: Initialize Component

19:54:48.0 9/19/2014: Initialize Display

19:54:48.1 9/19/2014: Loading PlugIns

19:54:48.4 9/19/2014: Hiding Cursor

19:54:48.5 9/19/2014: Hiding Taskbar

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: CPU: Pentium® Dual-Core CPU E5500 @ 2.80GHz

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce 210

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: Displays: 1

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: Load Game List

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: Loading Database: Visual Pinball

19:54:48.6 9/19/2014: Finding and matching artwork and videos

19:54:48.7 9/19/2014: Loading Game Statistics and Scores

19:54:49.4 9/19/2014: Loading Surfaces

19:54:49.7 9/19/2014: Finished Loading Surfaces

19:54:49.7 9/19/2014: Initialize Audio

19:54:49.8 9/19/2014: Set Keyboard Controls

19:54:49.8 9/19/2014: Initialize Joystick

19:54:49.9 9/19/2014: No Joysticks Attached

19:54:49.9 9/19/2014: Started

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Exiting

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Showing Taskbar

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Unhiding Mouse Cursor

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Disposing Plugins

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Saving Settings

19:55:11.8 9/19/2014: Bye

The GPU is NVIDIA GeForce 210. I updated it a few days ago from the NVIDIA website.

[Draco1962]

Does your GPU support HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, and VGA? What type of connector are you using with the Acer? I had an NVidia card once that was a little iffy on one output but was better on another. This was a long time ago (not with PinballX but in general). If you are using VGA, try DVI or DisplayPort instead so your outputs are all digital as opposed to mixing digital with analog.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

OK. I pulled the ACER X223W VGA from the NVIDIA card and connected it through the integrated video card of the computer to troubleshoot whether it was the NVIDIA card or not. SAME problem. My ACER monitor's driver is updated, or atleast that is what windows tells me ? Could it just be the wrong type of monitor, since I get the same issue even when I use the integrated card for the monitor ?

[Draco1962]

You could check the Acer website to see if they have a driver for that model. Did you try testing it using DVI on either GPU instead of VGA?

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

I was just thinking that. Do you think a VGA to DVI converter can do the trick ?

[Draco1962]

You could try but I don't think so. The goal of the test is to see if there is an issue with the digital /analog mix, or the VGA inputs on the monitor itself by bypassing VGA altogether. If bypassing the VGA by using digital IO only does not work, then it may be that the monitor is the culprit regardless. If using exclusively digital IO resolves the issue on the Acer, then trying digital IO for both monitors would be the next test.

[p1nba11p1ay3r]

I just thought about something. VP 921 runs perfectly stand alone.There is no crash or monitor problem. So . . . if VP works stand alone with both monitors, shouldn't that mean that the monitor is not the culprit ? Or can PBX conflict with the monitor ?

[Draco1962]

I am by far not a PinballX expert, but it could be in how it is trying to render the output as it is passing through the frontend. Would still be worth a shot to test full digital, IMO. Also could try altering your display resolution on the Acer?