Krischelj

Still nothing... I can't seem to get this resolved... Tom? Any thoughts?

No, I haven't tried to download the latest DX from MS... I'll give that a try and see what happens. Good call! Thanks!

I checked and rechecked the codec for Karaoke. It's installed. I even reinstalled my OS, and installed GE, updated Windows, tried Karaoke, installed the update for GE, tried Karoake again, still nothing. I reconfirmed that I can run the Karaoke songs with lyrics in Windows Media player, which I think is the engine that runs karaoke in GE, and it runs fine. Just can't seem to get it to run correctly in GE. I've tried everything that I've found in this forum, and other sites online, but just can't seem to get it to work on my MAME box. I can get it to run great on another machine, just not the one that has nothing else installed. That's why I've chalked it up to a "lost cause". I'll continue to check the forum for updates or maybe someone else having the same problem, but as of right now, I don't have a resolution.

I guess it's a lost cause? Can anyone help me???

ffdshow is not installed on this machine. Any chances that may be the problem? ffdshow is a video codec, right? It makes sense that it may be required, no??

Hmm... well I put a fresh OS on my box, installed JUST the bare minimum for apps. Did all my updates from Microsoft along the way. Installed my video driver, audio driver, and then GameEx. GX installed all the key components, one by one, and the only option I checked during the install was Karaoke. I ran the app once and then closed it so I could enter the reg key for the registration. I then relaunched GX, but suprise suprise, karaoke showed my one file that I moved to the default c:\karaoke folder when I tried to launch it, the screen faded away like it was going to give me a special treat, but alas, it dropped back to GX. So, my question is... Is there any additional software or updates that need to be done, OTHER than what's installed by default when I install GX? Do I have to go out and find an update for DX9? Or the .Net updates? Somthing along those lines? Like I said before, I got this to run perfectly on another box, but the OS has been installed for quite some time, and I'm sure I"ve updated all the software a time or two. Again, the karaoke files play fine when launching them in MP9, just not GameEx. I'm sure it's something right under my nose, I just can't put my finger on it.

UPDATE Well, I tried the karaoke feature in GX on another box and it works great. So, back to the drawing board. I am reformating my cab computer right now, and will install fresh copy of GX with only the karaoke component. We'll start there and see what happens. I will let you know as soon as it's done.

That's where I was going with it at first as well, but after some thinking, I created a new KARAOKE folder and copied only ONE song (both files) into that folder and told GameEx that my karaoke path was this new folder. I had the same thing happening, so I went back into that folder and renamed both files (.MP3 and .CDG) to one word file names "jungle.mp3" and "jungle.cdg" Relaunched GameEx and the song showed up as "jungle" but when I tried to play it, I got the same thing... NOTHING HAPPENS. If I go to "start Karaoke" the screen goes black for a second or two, and then comes back to GameEx. I also got the same thing in the log file after exiting GameEx with this new configuration. Sigh, the plot thickens... Thanks for your ideas though! We'll get to the bottom of this thing yet! And hopefully it will help someone else out that ever runs into this problem instead of banging their head against a wall like I have been for the past week or so...

I've searched everywhere for those strings, but still can't find anything online. Any suggestions? It appears to be a problem with the .net?

16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: GameEx: Version 9.08: Starting Log 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Operating System Platform: Win32NT 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Operating System Name: Windows 2000 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Operating System Version: 5.0.2195 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: .net Framework 2.0 Installed 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4000+, 2046MB 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: 2.11Ghz - 2 Cores or CPU's 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Running Randomize() 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Loading PlugIns 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Checking for applications to Launch On Startup 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Running Misc startup tasks 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Setting Menu types 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Opening Configuration File 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Getting Configuration Values 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Using Theme: Default - Custom V2 Default 1024x768 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Checking for alternate Image Directory for Theme: Default - Custom V2 Default 1024x768 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Launching HideOS.exe 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Initialising Video/MNG DLL's 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Hiding Taskbar 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Is Media Center running? 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Checking/Creating LCD Registry values 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Check Media Center Exit/Start Mode 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Media Center Mode 2 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Video previews on. Warning: Only recommended on modern systems 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Snap Delay set to: 2 16:44:59.0 1/2/2008: Get other settings 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Reading MAME hall of fame 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Set: Find emulator artwork on best match basis 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Start work for Form 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Getting Original Screen Size 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Opening Database Connection 16:44:59.1 1/2/2008: Initializing Component 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: Retrieving resolution setting 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: Creating Radio Station Genres 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: Succesfully created station genres 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: MAME Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: MAME EXE file is: Mame32.exe 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: ROM Path is: D:\ROMS\MAME 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: Catver.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\catver.ini 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: controls.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\data\controls.ini 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: History.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\history.dat 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: nplayers.ini is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\nplayers.ini 16:44:59.2 1/2/2008: MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\Program Files\GameEx\DATA\mameinfo.dat 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Loading Controls.ini map file 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Snap Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\snap 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: AVI Snap Path: Not Found 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Flyer Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\flyers 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Cabinet Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\cabinets 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Title Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\titles 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: PCB Path: Not Found 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Artwork Preview Path: Not Found 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Panel Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\cpanel 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Manual Path: Not Found 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Icon Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\icons 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Marquee Path is: D:\EMULATORS\Mame32b\marquees 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Loading Custom Emulators 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Loading Emulator 1: Nintendo NES Games 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Loading Emulator 2: Super Nintendo 16:44:59.3 1/2/2008: Loading Emulator 3: Nintendo N64 16:44:59.4 1/2/2008: Loading Emulator 4: Sega Genesis 16:44:59.4 1/2/2008: Loading Emulator 5: Sega CD 16:44:59.6 1/2/2008: Using 3D Alpha Blended Animations. This could be slow 16:44:59.6 1/2/2008: Using General Font: Trebuchet MS 16:44:59.6 1/2/2008: Using Title Font: Trebuchet MS 16:44:59.6 1/2/2008: Attempting to load game list 16:44:59.7 1/2/2008: Initialising DirectDraw 16:44:59.7 1/2/2008: Applying GameEx is Loading Image 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: Creating DirectDraw Device 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: Using Device: Primary Display Driver 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: 247mb video memory available 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: Creating DirectDraw Surfaces 16:44:59.8 1/2/2008: Creating Primary Surface - Full Screen Mode 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Creating Back Buffer 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Version 2 Theme being used. Loading. 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Loading Button Data 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Loading Font Data 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Loading Layout Data 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Loading Taskbar Data 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Loading graphic Surfaces 16:44:59.9 1/2/2008: Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 75hz 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Misc and Dialogs 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Volume 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Arrows 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces GameEXlogo Text 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Toolbar 16:45:00.0 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Backgrounds 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Toolbar Controls 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces GameEx Logo 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surface Unselected 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Home & Exit 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Snaps 16:45:00.2 1/2/2008: Creating Surfaces Menu and List Bars 16:45:00.3 1/2/2008: Creating Fonts 16:45:00.3 1/2/2008: Creating Menu Font 16:45:00.3 1/2/2008: Restoring Menu Font From Cache 16:45:00.3 1/2/2008: Creating Game Font 16:45:00.3 1/2/2008: Creating Font Black 16:45:00.5 1/2/2008: Creating Font Black Small 16:45:00.6 1/2/2008: Creating Game Font Faded 16:45:00.6 1/2/2008: Creating Title Font 16:45:00.6 1/2/2008: Restoring Title Font From Cache 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Fonts Created Succesfully 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: 188mb video memory left available 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Creating instance of global keyboard hook 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Starting GameExtender Publisher 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Text/Language: English 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Applying Language/Text 16:45:00.7 1/2/2008: Initialising Bass Audio Library 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: MAME CMD options: -video d3d -joy -nowindow 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Loading last used Game List 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Setting Music Volume 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Cannot Load Play List. Check Path and filename 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Creating DirectSound Device 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Trying: Primary Sound Driver 16:45:00.8 1/2/2008: Loading Sound Files 16:45:00.9 1/2/2008: DirectSound Device Created Successfully 16:45:00.9 1/2/2008: Creating ICONS 16:45:00.9 1/2/2008: Recreating ICONS 16:45:01.1 1/2/2008: Initialising DirectInput for Gamepad support 16:45:01.1 1/2/2008: Using Device Logitech Dual Action 16:45:01.2 1/2/2008: Playing intro sound file 16:45:01.2 1/2/2008: Initializing MCE Remote 16:45:01.2 1/2/2008: Initialization OK! Starting GameEx! 16:45:01.2 1/2/2008: Testing Main Loop Once: Processing Frame 16:45:01.6 1/2/2008: Testing Main Loop Once: Main Loop ran successfully 16:45:09.1 1/2/2008: Loading Karaoke Cache 16:45:16.0 1/2/2008: Specified cast is not valid. 16:45:16.0 1/2/2008: at DvdCore.GeneralEngineClass.Open(String file) at l.a(Boolean A_0, Boolean A_1, String A_2, String A_3, Boolean A_4) 16:45:24.0 1/2/2008: Exiting GameEx! 16:45:24.0 1/2/2008: Saving Settings 16:45:25.0 1/2/2008: Disposing Plugins 16:45:25.0 1/2/2008: Closing database connection 16:45:25.1 1/2/2008: Checking for applications to Launch On Exit And yes, I am registered. Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the thought. Will GameEx launch another version of Karaoke other than the KaraokeDx? If I can get another version of it to work outside of GameEx, with it launch inside GameEx?

I have been trying to get the Karaoke feature to work for a while now. I've searched the threads and found other topics on this subject, but it seams that everyone's problem was that they didn't have the DirectX karaoke downloaded and installed. I do. I have uninstalled it, reinstalled it, downloaded different versions of it, reinstalled Gameex, and am running out of options. The next step I guess is to reinstall my OS. But if I can help it, I'd rather not. I'm running Windows 2000, and have no other software installed, other than the drivers for my video, audio, and gameex. I'm up to date on my Windows updates, have Media Player 9 installed, but still can't get the Karaoke to run inside Gameex. I can launch CDG files from within Media Player and they work fine. When I go to Gameex, the files appear, but when I click on a song, Gameex just stares at me and doesn't do anything. If I click on "start karaoke", the screen goes black and I can see a screen load in the background, but after a second or two, it returns me to Gameex. I'm pulling out the few strands of hair I have left... Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.