MaLa Beta Testing Closed

[loadman]

I will have a look and get you that info as soon as I can hook it back up to the network. But in the meantime, are you saying that it should be playing the selection sound each time the game selection changes? Because it does not do that if I hold the joystick up or down (repeat mode). It only plays the sound once, when I release the joystick. Last year's beta played the selection sound repeatedly. It's possible I missed an option but I was alt-tabbing back and forth from my old install's options dialog to the new install's so I'm pretty sure I transferred every last option.

I am at work but I will check last years beta tonight. So no answers yet from further testing but ........

They way it is supposed to work is:

MaLa will play sound and display everything on every move while scrolling unless you have scroll delays enabled. This should be the same result using keyboard, mouse or Joystick.

Scroll delays are HIGHLY recommended to have enabled other wise on every movement MaLa would try and play sound, snap video etc which could slow down your scrolling quite a bit depending on the speed of your PC.
There are 'exceptions' you can set. Typically, Text and Snap refresh pretty fast so they are common exceptions.

Anyway, if you could send your ini file and logs that would be great.

I will test with multiple version of MaLa tonight

[andrewbean90]

Houston i think we have a bug it doesnt responed when it trys to generate the game list

2010/06/16  04:49:57.85   Error: Exception Message: List index out of bounds (0), Object Function: DisplayMarquee, Exception Class: EListError, Object Class: TTimer

[andrewbean90]

very weirds goin on I finally opened mala I closed mala after putting it in my 105a folder as in rewirte over the old mala which had a gamelist already set up and it doesnt close i have to go to the taskbar and right click close and it closes it was completely responsive too.

[TheShanMan]

OK, I actually did miss one option when transferring all my settings from the old mala - the GUI sounds option for delayed stuff. So now the joystick properly makes the sound I've set while holding the joystick up/down instead of only happening when I release the joystick.

I don't see any setting that's causing the mouse problem, however. The stuff that is set for delay just never occurs with the mouse. Apparently mala keeps thinking it needs to delay and never is triggered to display that stuff.

I discovered another problem. When mala resumes from standby, there is a big black square on top of everything else. Changing the selection makes it go away.

I'm emailing you my ini file, log file, and a screen capture of the black square problem.

[TheShanMan]

BTW, the kids played on the mame cab last night while I did some repairs on a couple of my dedicated arcade games, and I heard no complaints from them so apparently mala did well.

EDIT: I should also state that with the new beta I'm back to using suspend mode as it currently isn't having any focus issues when the computer comes out of suspend. Hopefully I won't have any more trouble with that.

Also, I think I forgot to say this. I am VERY happy to have shifting of my analog joystick actions!!! It is SO nice to be able to idiot proof mala by "hiding" all of the next/prev gamelist/emulator stuff.

[loadman]

Thanks for the testing and feedback everyone.  

I don't see any setting that's causing the mouse problem, however. The stuff that is set for delay just never occurs with the mouse. Apparently mala keeps thinking it needs to delay and never is triggered to display that stuff.

Fixed 

I should add an issue that has bugged me since day one of using MaLa. I often adjust settings without pulling a mouse out of the cabinet (keyboard only), and the tab order of everything in the options dialog is all over the map. There is no predicting where the cursor is going to jump to next when you hit tab (unless you memorize it). Any chance of you setting the tab order of all the sub-dialogs?

Fixed 

...Working on some other bugs this weekend

[wolfsoft]

I am using the newest mala verision 1655 and set only the mame 0.138 path, roms, and let mala generate the xml file
It aborts with: Unexpected error. Mala will terminate now...
at the point when: Please wait! Collecting games..  is on screen.
The mala error logs says:
2010.06.18  13:29:00.70   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 7C912C4E in module 'ntdll.dll'. Write of address 004041B9, Object Function: SaveBiosList, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TPopupList

Any thoughts

Thanks

[R0UNDEYEZ]

Its not a huge deal, but while you are fixing bugs I thought i'd mention it again since i don't know if you saw my other thread here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101556.msg1087629#msg1087629 where I first mentioned it..
to rehash, basicly when you add a game  to a gamelist through mala whatever info players.ini needs to display how many players the game has  and if they are alternating or simultaneous is not included. The only gamelists I got showing that  info in mala were ones made with romlister.

[loadman]

I am using the newest mala verision 1655 and set only the mame 0.138 path, roms, and let mala generate the xml file
It aborts with: Unexpected error. Mala will terminate now...
at the point when: Please wait! Collecting games..  is on screen.
The mala error logs says:
2010.06.18  13:29:00.70   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 7C912C4E in module 'ntdll.dll'. Write of address 004041B9, Object Function: SaveBiosList, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TPopupList
Any thoughts
Thanks

I just did a xml generate with .135 then again with .138 and it worked fine.
Thoughts:
* Does this happen on another PC as sometimes ntdll.dll is a victum of virus or trojan.
* If you want you can email me your mala.ini and a relevant extract of the mala.exe.log file (with logging in verbose mode please)

Its not a huge deal, but while you are fixing bugs I thought i'd mention it again since i don't know if you saw my other thread here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101556.msg1087629#msg1087629 where I first mentioned it..
to rehash, basicly when you add a game  to a gamelist through mala whatever info players.ini needs to display how many players the game has  and if they are alternating or simultaneous is not included. The only gamelists I got showing that  info in mala were ones made with romlister.

I use those details in the gamlist (like alternating or simulataneus) to light the right LED (using MaLa hardware) and I don't use romlister.
Make sure you have contols.ini set in mala (mame config -additional) before you refresh your gamelist

[andrewbean90]

ya i got tat too 1 or twice times its  weird

[wolfsoft]

I done it.
But I don't know how.
I added some Additional and newer Catver.ini, Controls.ini, Nplayers.ini and it works
Thanks

I am using the newest mala verision 1655 and set only the mame 0.138 path, roms, and let mala generate the xml file
It aborts with: Unexpected error. Mala will terminate now...
at the point when: Please wait! Collecting games..  is on screen.
The mala error logs says:
2010.06.18  13:29:00.70   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 7C912C4E in module 'ntdll.dll'. Write of address 004041B9, Object Function: SaveBiosList, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TPopupList

Any thoughts

Thanks

[jimmy2x2x]

I've got an issue with Daphne not getting focus with the 'other emu config / execution / window state' option set to hidden

This doesn't happen all the time, but if I use mala for a while running various emu's sooner or later it will launch Daphne without focus, the video is full screen, but there is no audio and the controls don't function - I have to alt-tab to Daphne then it all works.

If I change this window state option to normal, then the emu always gets focus.

another unrelated issue: Using volume up/down displays a 16bit number in decimal and doesnt wrap properly (try going up and down a couple of times)

Thanks!

[wolfsoft]

Hi Loadman,

i am currently setting up a new mala system with a Layout called retrogui
I am using mala 1655 and its not remark the last emulator /layout / gamelist

I show you an example:
a) start mala its showing the all games list from mame
b) I switch to another emulator eg. 3DO (with another layoutdesign)
c) exit mala
d) start mala
e) mala shows the 3DO Layout with AllGames List of mame...



Thanks for your time
Do I missing something

Klaus Wolf
from Germany

PS: Great FRONTEND!!!

[Celsius]

I'm creating and adjusting some layouts atm and am really happy to see the ability to use GIF's, but is there a way to make them transparent (for flashing arrows or a moving joystick) or would it be possible to implement it if not

[loadman]

I'm creating and adjusting some layouts atm and am really happy to see the ability to use GIF's, but is there a way to make them transparent (for flashing arrows or a moving joystick) or would it be possible to implement it if not

I had a look at the wrapper and it does not appear to be an option  

Others...

Thanks for the info. I am working on the reported issues  

I done it.
But I don't know how.
I added some Additional and newer Catver.ini, Controls.ini, Nplayers.ini and it works

Keep in mind you need to do a 'Refresh Main Game list' to apply the extra data from controls.ini and nplayers.ini.

This will update the main (all games) list. If you want to pass this update onto you custom list then on the game lists tab choose the lists then click the 'Update all lists' button

Here is the code logic when you do this:

If nplayers.ini (if present) then  it uses that to number of players /alternating etc
otherwise it will use controls.ini (if present) to set number of players /alternating etc

 TheGame.FInputPlayers

.....Then the following is set from the mame.xml:

    FName:                 string;       // rom name
    FRomOf:                string;       // master oder bios name
    FCloneOf:              string;       // master rom name
    FSourcefile:           string;       // driver name
    FDescription:          string;       // game title
    FYear:                 Integer;      // year
    FManufacturer:         string;       // manufacturer
    FGenre:                string;       // game genre
    FInputButtons:         Integer;      // control panel button count
    FInputCoins:           Integer;      // control panel coin count
    FInputPlayers:         string;       // player count, nplayers information
    FInputControl:         string;       // kind of game control
    FVideoScreen:          string;       // kind of video screen
    FVideoOrientation:     string;       // vertical or horizontal
    FVideoWidth:           Integer;      // width of the screen
    FVideoHeight:          Integer;      // height of the screen
    FDriverStatus:         string;
    FDriverColor:          string;
    FDriverSound:          string;
    FDriverEmulation:      string;
    FDriverGraphic:        string;

the rest is set from controls.ini (if present):
          
    FControls:             string;       // game controls from controls.ini
    FJoyUp:                string;
    FJoyDown:              string;
    FJoyLeft:              string;
    FJoyRight:             string;
    FButton1:              string;
    FButton2:              string;
    FButton3:              string;
    FButton4:              string;
    FButton5:              string;
    FButton6:              string;
    FButton7:              string;
    FButton8:              string;
    FDetails:              string;

ACTION:

I will make a note on the config screen so this is more apparent.

I will add an option to right click to see all metadata on selected game so you can see current state.

I think that will help  

[R0UNDEYEZ]

Are the details in the version of 'controls.ini' you have set?

After you got the latest controls.ini did you refresh the game list?

The details were in there which is what led me to think mala was not including the needed info in the lists since the same games info showed up on a separate list created with romlister.I have remade the original list I was having issues with, but tomorrow I will try and set up another test list to see if I can replicate the issue since its sounding like i just fail.

[loadman]

Are the details in the version of 'controls.ini' you have set?

After you got the latest controls.ini did you refresh the game list?

The details were in there which is what led me to think mala was not including the needed info in the lists since the same games info showed up on a separate list created with romlister.I have remade the original list I was having issues with, but tomorrow I will try and set up another test list to see if I can replicate the issue since its sounding like i just fail.

It is a bit confusing so I have just added the option on right click to see the metadata.

I have also made so helpful comments on the config screen . Done   

[loadman]

I discovered another problem. When mala resumes from standby, there is a big black square on top of everything else. Changing the selection makes it go away.
I'm emailing you  a screen capture of the black square problem.

Now Fixed (I think) 

Hi Loadman,
i am currently setting up a new mala system with a Layout called retrogui
I am using mala 1655 and its not remark the last emulator /layout / gamelist
I show you an example:
a) start mala its showing the all games list from mame
b) I switch to another emulator eg. 3DO (with another layoutdesign)
c) exit mala
d) start mala
e) mala shows the 3DO Layout with AllGames List of mame...
Thanks for your time
Do I missing something
Klaus Wolf
from Germany
PS: Great FRONTEND!!!

Thanks. Now Fixed  

[loadman]

Some changes to help 'Rotate Mame with MaLa' , with different 'Flavours' of MAME... I hope  

[64bitcraft]

Error when right clicking while in 'all games' gamelist, mousing over 'add game to gamelist'

2010/07/10  21:56:04.37   Error: Exception Message: Cannot open file C:\Program Files\MAME\MaLa105\Add game to list.ml1, Object Function: GetGameListExtension, Exception Class: EFOpenError, Object Class: TPopupList

[loadman]

Error when right clicking while in 'all games' gamelist, mousing over 'add game to gamelist'

2010/07/10  21:56:04.37   Error: Exception Message: Cannot open file C:\Program Files\MAME\MaLa105\Add game to list.ml1, Object Function: GetGameListExtension, Exception Class: EFOpenError, Object Class: TPopupList

D'oh!      Fixed. Thanks for reporting  

 

Some changes to help 'Rotate Mame with MaLa' , with different 'Flavours' of MAME... I hope  

Even more changes made in this area..   

[I/O]

Hmmm. I have no reason to upgrade, though tried this for fun. There is some issue with background music volume. I can not hear it. Also, I notice there is no volume bar on the track listing page, though there is another tab that has volume bars, which are grayed out. Plus, it takes forever to go from configuration 'okay' back to FE mode, and takes forever to quit.

These may only be issues on my system....

[loadman]

Hmmm. I have no reason to upgrade, though tried this for fun. There is some issue with background music volume. I can not hear it. Also, I notice there is no volume bar on the track listing page, though there is another tab that has volume bars, which are grayed out.

Yes, That will be fixed in the next beta. I was working on that today in fact.  Yes The Volume control has moved

[Trap]

I've been using this beta version for a while now and it had been working great for me in xp. I've upgraded the computer in my cabinet and i'm now running windows 7.  I'm having trouble with the hotkey feature now.  In windows 7, it seems as though it sends the original key code of the button i'm pressing then the hotkey'd key code. ie in visual pinball, i'm using the hotkeys to make "esc" = "Q" to quit out of it.  Pressing "Q" on my keyboard exits VP and returns me to mala.  Using the hotkeys, it brings up the menu then returns me to the VP editor, exactly what it would do if I had pressed "ESC" then "Q" on my keyboard. 

[Trap]

Awesome FE btw.  Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this.

[loadman]

In windows 7, it seems as though it sends the original key code of the button i'm pressing then the hotkey'd key code. ie in visual pinball, i'm using the hotkeys to make "esc" = "Q" to quit out of it.  Pressing "Q" on my keyboard exits VP and returns me to mala.  Using the hotkeys, it brings up the menu then returns me to the VP editor, exactly what it would do if I had pressed "ESC" then "Q" on my keyboard.  

I just tested it and it worked on my Windows 7 Pro.  

Is there some other windows setting that might be confictig with HotKeys on your setup  

Are you able to test with notepad or something what keys are being replaced?

[capitaineflam25]

Hi,

i'm using Mala 1.6.5.9 on my cab for 2 weeks and i have a little problem when using "random game selection", Mala crashes this way:

Code: [Select]

2010/07/27  15:06:51.57   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 0044CBBC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 00000004, Object Function: DisplayInfo, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TTimer

The random game selection is launched with a joystick button and the shift key assigned to another joystick button

[loadman]

Hi,

i'm using Mala 1.6.5.9 on my cab for 2 weeks and i have a little problem when using "random game selection", Mala crashes this way:

Code: [Select]

2010/07/27  15:06:51.57   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 0044CBBC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 00000004, Object Function: DisplayInfo, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TTimer

The random game selection is launched with a joystick button and the shift key assigned to another joystick button

I just tried to recreate what you described and it did not crash.

Can you post or email your mala.in

[capitaineflam25]

Here is the ini.

[loadman]

Here is the ini.

Still not crashing....

I will send you a PM on suggestions to narrow down where the problem is.

(LATER)

You sent me a PM saying

i realized that shift+button leads to random game, it crashes when i use SHIFT from on joystick and the button from one other joystick.

I never designed or tested for that usage (@ Joy's with shared shift).  Having said that ideally you don't want your App to crash .... I will ponder

[loadman]

In other news:

I have made some significant changes in the area for Audio volume control.

Part of the change is independent control of Muzac and Video levels. Main Volume is alternate 'wav' volume level.

A new version is available for download 1.660

Unless there a some Major bugs found with this soon I will make it an official release.

[kako121]

The matter of the audio volume control works fine fine...

Thanks Loadman  

To nobody fails him MaLa with the videosnaps they put in the screensaver? 

[capitaineflam25]

Hi,

i'm facing a new non critical bug when closing 1.6.6: here is my ini and log in verbose mode:

[Tazmania67]

Hi there,
I have build my own cocktail cabinet with 4 controls. So i configured mala for horizontal and vertical use.

I think i found 2 errors:

On all versions: Mala starts the wrong game on startup, when splash-screen is enabled.

On last 2 versions (1.65 & 1.66) On vertical use, mala draws a white line above the pictures (marquee, snap & controlpanel)
I have tried adjusting my layout, re-configuring mala, but i can't get rid of them.
On horizontal use all works well.

Thanks for looking into this.

[capitaineflam25]

I've upgraded to Mame 0.139 and MalaFe crashes when i'm trying to refresh the game list:

Here is the log line:

Code: [Select]

2010/08/01  20:11:21.35   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 77D1A685 in module 'ntdll.dll'. Write of address 004041B9, Object Function: SaveBiosList, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TPopupList


[wolfsoft]

Today I have the same prob with an older Version 1.62g.
After removing the following pathes at the Additional Tab it works for me
Catver.ini
Controls.ini
Nplayers.ini

Hope this helps...

[capitaineflam25]

Today I have the same prob with an older Version 1.62g.
After removing the following pathes at the Additional Tab it works for me
Catver.ini
Controls.ini
Nplayers.ini

Hope this helps...

You're right, this workaround works well ! Thanks !

[loadman]

Today I have the same prob with an older Version 1.62g.
After removing the following pathes at the Additional Tab it works for me
Catver.ini
Controls.ini
Nplayers.ini

Hope this helps...

You're right, this workaround works well ! Thanks !

Did you have to remove all three to stop the crash. I am just wondering if it is one in particular ?

[wolfsoft]

I don't know whitch one is the "bad" part.
I removed all three make the "update" to the new mame and set the three pathes again

[empardopo]

Loadman, i'm testin the last version of MALA.

I put four videos in a directory. I've activated the use screensaver check and display videos in ramdom order check and MALA only displays three videos. Are there any problem with this?
Then I put only two videos in the directory and MALA displays only one video. Both videos are OK. I can display both videos in WMP without problems.