[PLUGIN] QuickLaunch

[stigzler]

Thanks for the link. It hurt me head Good info for the future, though.

Wondering whether it would speed things up in large nested iterative batch processes?

Oh, and why on earth did I persist with batch for so long? After this project's finished, I'm filing for amicable divorce and running off with VisBas.

[aldub516]

[Adultery]

Yup I'm aware of this actually. I fixed the same issue for the Virtual Drive Loader. The issue is that the quotes are getting stripped from the rom path for some reason so paths with spaces aren't parsing correctly.

I'll update this plugin shortly.

[aldub516]

thank you. I actually read through the whole quicklaunch thread you originally made, trying to find a solution. As you can see from the board, im pulling my hair out with new endless problems. Atleast i know this problem has a solution. I shall patiently await your update. Thank you sir!

[Adultery]

Updated to 1.1.1

• [1.1.1] Fix for integrated MAME support
• Updated GameEx base code to latest stable version
• Fixes for stripping quotes and other illegal argument chars in variables
• Other code and bug fixes

Get it from the usual places.

[Adultery]

This is fixed.

[aldub516]

i was literally typing a very polite time estimate on it, as i know zero about what updating a plugin requires on your end, and the new reply box popped up. Thank you.. Kid tested, me approved. Thanks brotha!

[stigzler]

Adultery, old bean. Run into a mysterious error - could be my end, but wondering whether something to do with the plugin. Wondering whether it's to do with spaces in paths when booting apps.

Attached two logs - Quicklaunch - Copy.log boots app no problems. Quicklaunch.log doesn't boot same .exe in a different location and shows errors in the log. Relevant log lines:

Working:

29/03/2015 12:28:50 : [DEBUG] REPLACE EXTENDED VARIABLES: EXT CMD OUT=-gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx"
29/03/2015 12:28:50 : [DEBUG] Launcher initialized!
29/03/2015 12:28:50 : [DEBUG] prc=C:\Users\Steve\Scripts\Projects\CPWizBiz\Code\CPWizBiz_Release\CPWizBiz.exe args=-gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" wait=False thread=False
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Start Event_GameExit! &attract=False
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Deep variable check started...
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Checking for 7-zip...
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] 7-zip check complete!
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Checking for roms in folders...
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Roms in folders check complete!
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : [DEBUG] Deep variable check completed!
29/03/2015 12:29:19 : GameEx Emulator Mode [1] initialized!
29/03/2015 12:29:25 : Thank you for using QuickLaunch!

Not working:

29/03/2015 12:31:02 : [DEBUG] REPLACE EXTENDED VARIABLES: EXT CMD OUT=-gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx"
29/03/2015 12:31:02 : [DEBUG] Launcher initialized!
29/03/2015 12:31:02 : [DEBUG] prc=C:\Emulators\Controls Software\Test Installations\CPWB Beta Test\CPWizBiz.exe args=-gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" wait=False thread=False
29/03/2015 12:31:02 : [DEBUG] [ERROR] Could not start this process!
29/03/2015 12:31:02 : [DEBUG] The requested operation requires elevation
29/03/2015 12:31:19 : [DEBUG] Start Event_GameExit! &attract=False
29/03/2015 12:31:19 : [DEBUG] Deep variable check started...
29/03/2015 12:31:19 : [DEBUG] Checking for 7-zip...
29/03/2015 12:31:20 : [DEBUG] 7-zip check complete!
29/03/2015 12:31:20 : [DEBUG] Checking for roms in folders...
29/03/2015 12:31:20 : [DEBUG] Roms in folders check complete!
29/03/2015 12:31:20 : [DEBUG] Deep variable check completed!
29/03/2015 12:31:20 : GameEx Emulator Mode [1] initialized!
29/03/2015 12:31:23 : Thank you for using QuickLaunch!

EDIT: Thinking it may be spaces in the path, as following from command line works:

"C:\Emulators\Controls Software\Test Installations\CPWB Beta Test\CPWizBiz.exe" -gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx"

EDIT 2: Hmmm... weird. It MAY be my end! Small change in my batch file on squashing a different bug (changing %CD% to %~dp0) seemed to get it all working again... Ignore above!!!

EDIT 3: Nope - ignore Edit 2 - still getting the issue. This is driving me potty...

QuickLaunch - Copy.txt

QuickLaunch.txt

[Adultery]

Those bugs are my favorite! :-)

[stigzler]

Hmmm... back to the error despite the change. Would you be able to take a look, Mr A?

[Adultery]

Well it looks to me like the log says you need elevation to run that process, as in you don't have the proper privileges?

Either way wrapping the arg in quotes is all you can really do. But the debug logging is pretty straight forward here.

[stigzler]

Hmmm.. what does "requires elevation" mean? The exe is compiled from a batch file with administrator manifest included. I was hoping this would reduce any problems.

Further testing revealing not sure it is about spaces in file paths. Placed exe in 'space-free' path - was working before, but now not Same error, on two occasions:

29/03/2015 17:59:13 : [DEBUG] prc=C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.exe args=-gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" wait=False thread=False
29/03/2015 17:59:13 : [DEBUG] [ERROR] Could not start this process!
29/03/2015 17:59:13 : [DEBUG] The requested operation requires elevation
29/03/2015 17:59:44 : [DEBUG] Start Event_GameExit! &attract=False

------------

29/03/2015 18:01:08 : [DEBUG] Launcher initialized!
29/03/2015 18:01:08 : [DEBUG] prc=C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.exe args=-gm "Super Mario Kart" -dbs "[Console] Nintendo SNES" -em "Snes9x" -im "Super Mario Kart (USA)" -ct "Racing" -dv "Nintendo" -yr "1992" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Snap" -si "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Title" -ti "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" -gb "A collection of Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr., are out to win the Super Mario Kart championship. Using Mode 7 scaling, the first true kart game on the SNES has you collecting coins to boost your speed while using shells and bananas to stop others on the track. There are 4 cups in all to race for, Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup, each with a selection of tracks to race on (based in Bowser's Castle, Super Mario World and more). Plus, a 2 player battle mode is on offer, where the first to pop the three balloons wins." wait=False thread=False
29/03/2015 18:01:08 : [DEBUG] [ERROR] Could not start this process!
29/03/2015 18:01:08 : [DEBUG] The requested operation requires elevation
29/03/2015 18:01:22 : [DEBUG] Start Event_GameExit! &attract=False

---------------

However, when I run from command line, launches fine (the two amended cmd line launches):

C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.exe -gm "Super Mario Kart" -dbs "[Console] Nintendo SNES" -em "Snes9x" -im "Super Mario Kart (USA)" -ct "Racing" -dv "Nintendo" -yr "1992" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Snap" -si "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Title" -ti "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" -gb "A collection of Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr., are out to win the Super Mario Kart championship. Using Mode 7 scaling, the first true kart game on the SNES has you collecting coins to boost your speed while using shells and bananas to stop others on the track. There are 4 cups in all to race for, Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup, each with a selection of tracks to race on (based in Bowser's Castle, Super Mario World and more). Plus, a 2 player battle mode is on offer, where the first to pop the three balloons wins."

C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.exe -gm "WipEout 3" -dbs "[Console] Sony Playstation" -em "PCSX-R" -im "Wipeout 3" -ct "" -dv "" -yr "" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Snap" -si "Wipeout 3.png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Sony_Playstation\Title" -ti "Wipeout 3.png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx"

Apologies A, but as you know, strictly hobby coding, so my knowledge is hit and miss. Could you shed any more light or have any suggestions?

EDIT: OK - dropped the administrator manifest and so far seeming to do the trick... lesson learned: never assume something acts like it is named - I'm guessing the manifest requires rather than grants administrator rights. Not needed registry writing with this app - so hoping shouldn't cause problems. Thanks for your replies.

[stigzler]

Dammit. I'm really sorry to keep pestering you on this, Adultery, but after 6 months of working on this, I'm desperate to get it packaged up and out there so I can get me life back!

I'm not sure whether this is the plugin, or whether it's the batch compiler. Basically, different error this time. When I use Quicklaunch with the bat file, all works well. However, when I point quicklaunch to the exe, there's problems with the resulting cmd line received by the exe. Are they sent differently? As I say - it could be the batch compiler. Included below the two different scenarios (grabbed within the app via %CmdCmdLine%):

Quicklaunch>Compiled .exe:
%CmdCmdLine%:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /c C:\Users\Steve\AppData\Local\Temp\ytmp\tmp6051.bat "C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.exe" -gm "Super Mario Kart" -dbs "[Console] Nintendo SNES" -em Snes9x -im "Super Mario Kart (USA)" -ct Racing -dv Nintendo -yr 1992 -sp I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Snap -si "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tp I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Title -ti "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tm 0 -fe GameEx -gb "A collection of Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr., are out to win the Super Mario Kart championship. Using Mode 7 scaling, the first true kart game on the SNES has you collecting coins to boost your speed while using shells and bananas to stop others on the track. There are 4 cups in all to race for, Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup, each with a selection of tracks to race on (based in Bowser's Castle, Super Mario World and more). Plus, a 2 player battle mode is on offer, where the first to pop the three balloons wins."


Quicklaunch>Uncompiled .bat:
%CmdCmdLine%:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /c ""C:\Emulators\tempCPWBTest\CPWizBiz.bat" -gm "Super Mario Kart" -dbs "[Console] Nintendo SNES" -em "Snes9x" -im "Super Mario Kart (USA)" -ct "Racing" -dv "Nintendo" -yr "1992" -sp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Snap" -si "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tp "I:\EmuTests\assets\Nintendo_SNES\Title" -ti "Super Mario Kart (USA).png" -tm "0" -fe "GameEx" -gb "A collection of Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr., are out to win the Super Mario Kart championship. Using Mode 7 scaling, the first true kart game on the SNES has you collecting coins to boost your speed while using shells and bananas to stop others on the track. There are 4 cups in all to race for, Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup, each with a selection of tracks to race on (based in Bowser's Castle, Super Mario World and more). Plus, a 2 player battle mode is on offer, where the first to pop the three balloons wins.""

Weirdly - the exe launched version - there's an extra call in the cmd line ("C:\Users\Steve\AppData\Local\Temp\ytmp\tmp6051.bat"). Also, one less set of quotes from C:\Emluators\tempCPWBTest.... onwards. It's these missing quotes that are messing things up.

Does quicklaunch handle exes and bats differently, or is it likely to be the compiler?

Really sorry to pester!

[Adultery]

It could be but I'm not sure. Chances are that it's doing something differently with the batch file, its a split off the regular file launching process. I'll have to look into the code to know for sure.

I didn't really make it to handle complex batch files, that was really more of a quick addition.

I'll look into it though when I have a free minute to do so. I'm leaning more towards it being something on your end because of the extra quote there, but again it might be in code and no-one has had that issue and reported it.

Either way I'll look into it, but if you really didn't want to wait on me just keep using the exe?

[stigzler]

Thanks fella. I'm gonna do some cmd line testing of both the bat + exe to see what happens via that route. Will post the results.

[Adultery]

A you noted... It's unusual that the exe is just extracting the bat to a temp file and there is two different paths there (one to the exe and one to the bat in your temp directory) and in the bat its missing that 2nd path but just outputting a quote?

The discrepancy is in the two lines at the top, and that isn't from my log, I assume it's yours. So something is happening where it wants a 2nd path and not getting it.

Are you looking for the 2nd path that's missing or something?

[stigzler]

It WAS the compiler! There's an option to hide the console output for the final exe. This rather randomly inserted the extra quotes I needed.

How on earth do you stay sane given all your coding, Adultery? Whilst perversely enjoyable (it's like a large blank white jigsaw) I swear it's had me tearing my hair out!

Thanks for all your help.

[Adultery]

Well I got into it because I enjoy the pursuit and the puzzle. It's really the challenge that makes it rewarding for me. Using the finished project is really more of a cool side effect.

It seems like you underwent a really big project first, and I started small and worked my way up the more comfortable I got. You're far more ambitious than I was.

Either way, congrats and I'm always happy to help when I can.

[MisterB]

Any updates on the PBX version? Don't want to nag, just curious if I should wait or look into other options.

[Adultery]

I've been working on it.

[stigzler]

Me again!

OK - so my Quicklaunch version showing as 1.1.3 - is there a 1.1.3? Thread showing 1.1.1!

Anywhoos - little difficulty - not launching something correctly. Looking at the log, it might be quotes not being put around the launch app - breaks with spaces in the path?

Log attached...

sorry Adultery.

QuickLaunch - Copy.txt

[Adultery]

That's correct, my threads are a bit behind.

Ahh yeah, that may be. Not sure I ever encapsulated the exe with quotes before either?

I can fix that. Probably not until tomorrow though, I'm at a mother's day thing.

[stigzler]

No worries. tbh - gonna have to walk away from this tonight, as all got weirdly convoluted + maxed out on it all.

Thanks and enjoy mum's day!

Hold fire on it. I've got a horrible sinking feeling I'm going down the path I trod above again...

(batch compilers, temp files and the like - I'm gonna have to look into it properly. Dammit - will this all ever end? )

[stigzler]

Gawd. I'm having a nightmare. Ignore issues above - was me using wrong emu + pointing towards the wrong file!

However, now having issues with plugin during proper setup. Firstly - I downgraded to 1.1.1 to see if helped + can't find 1.1.3 anywhere!

Secondly, still playing up. Attached log. It appears to just stop mid-process - no clues towards errors.

I moved the script it calls to a path with no spaces - makes no difference. Backed up this end until can get Quicklaunch restored to its resplendent glory...

Further testing - this is intermittent - occasionally works - other times stalls...nightmare

Any ideas?

QuickLaunch - Copy.txt

[Adultery]

Yeah, some of this is likely due to your downgrade. You should be able to get the latest version from the draclabs installer or on the download page. I'll double check when I get home though.

If not let me know.