Mala crashing when switching emulators

[ragnar]

This is a new error on my box.  I just started work on per emulator layouts and I think there is an issue with loading the image.

This is from the log:

2010/10/16  00:42:16.53   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01EF0000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TTimer
2010/10/16  00:42:16.86   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01EF0000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TfrmMain

As a feature request, I would love to have the option to load all layouts (including images) at startup.  I checked the options and could not find such an option.

EDIT: Increasing the display delay in GUI->Options seems to help.  I boosted it from 80 ms to 250 ms.  I think the layout might not be loading (600 kb PNG image as background) prior to the dispaly dispaly time being hit.  So it might be trying to render things prematurely.

Just a guess.  I'm on year 10 of being a software engineer :-)

[loadman]

I will have a look. Thanks for reporting.

I can't reproduced even with png over 800kb

Are you using the latest version?

What method are you using to switch emulators?

Can you please post a 'subset' of the logs (set in debugmode) just before and during the crash.

Thanks

Loading all images at startup would be a significant code change.
- Do you load every layout that I find in the directory or just a subset?

[ragnar]

I will have a look. Thanks for reporting.

I can't reproduced even with png over 800kb

Are you using the latest version?

What method are you using to switch emulators?

Can you please post a 'subset' of the logs (set in debugmode) just before and during the crash.

Thanks

Loading all images at startup would be a significant code change.
- Do you load every layout that I find in the directory or just a subset?

My version is 1.7.1.0

I'm using a u360 (analog joystick) to switch between the various emulators.  I have 4 emulators setup up.  I have a custom "standard" layout that 3 of them use.  I am phasing in new ones and as a test I started with a layout for my N64 emulator.

Actually, I am using a slightly modified version of "N64 by dungbeetle46" found here:
http://malafe.net/index.php?page=layouts

Actually, I could zip my files and upload them here if you want.... actually I'll do that it a few minutes.

When I say load all images, I am only referring to the background image for a layout.  Not screenshots, etc.

Regarding "Can you please post a 'subset' of the logs (set in debugmode) just before and during the crash?"  As for debugging, how do I enable verbose debugging?  The two lines in my debug file repeat several times for each time the error occurs.

[ragnar]

the layout that is causing issues

UPDATE: After having this issue happen over and over again this morning, I can not reproduce it.  So when it happens next time, I'll update this thread.

[loadman]

Regarding "Can you please post a 'subset' of the logs (set in debugmode) just before and during the crash?"  As for debugging, how do I enable verbose debugging?  The two lines in my debug file repeat several times for each time the error occurs.

See Attached Pic.

Thanks for the upload. I will play with it.

[loadman]

Got it to crash straight away with this layout :

2010/10/17  10:09:10.93   Info: SetLayout: Layout Name= N64 (Project64 1.6)
2010/10/17  10:09:10.95   Info: Loading layout: C:\Executable\N64 (Project64 1.6).mll
2010/10/17  10:09:11.17   Debug **: GetLayoutPath: all files in MaLa dir in layout sub dirs C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\N64 (Project64 1.6)\N64.PNG
2010/10/17  10:09:11.43   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 005D9F3C in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 03270000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TPopupList
2010/10/17  10:09:15.46   Info: Showing taskbar
2010/10/17  10:09:15.48   Debug **: ShowMouse:
2010/10/17  10:09:15.48   Error: AppException: Terminating MaLa

I will investigate.

Later..

The error does not seem to be consistent.    It makes me think it is a bug in the Delphi graphics lib's.

Anyway, I changed MaLa so
- It doesn't crash in this scenario
- It has a 2nd attempt loading the graphic...

Please try this and see if you can work out if there is any set pattern. I give up for now.

http://www.malafe.net/files/download/MaLa1720.zip

[ragnar]

I have not tried the zip file you attached yet.

This is the error log i have:
2010/10/17  11:12:20.12   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01E70000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TTimer
2010/10/17  11:12:20.29   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01E70000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TfrmMain
2010/10/17  11:19:07.09   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 024E0000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TTimer
2010/10/17  11:19:07.12   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 00462A64 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 024E0000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TfrmMain
2010/10/17  11:19:13.89   Info: Showing taskbar
2010/10/17  11:19:16.14   Debug **: ShowMouse:
2010/10/17  11:19:16.14   Error: AppException: Terminating MaLa
2010/10/17  11:19:16.15   Info: Showing taskbar
2010/10/17  11:19:16.15   Debug **: ShowMouse:
2010/10/17  11:19:16.15   Error: AppException: Terminating MaLa
2010/10/17  11:19:16.18   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed

[ragnar]

Just happened as the first thign that happened when I started Mala.  Went to change emulators and BAM

2010/10/19  22:49:11.37   Info: Starting MaLa 1.7.2.0
2010/10/19  22:49:11.39   Info: LoggingLevel =  2
2010/10/19  22:49:11.39   Info: Starting usb LED/LCD device detection ...
2010/10/19  22:49:11.40   Info: Hardware1:
2010/10/19  22:49:11.40   Info: Hardware1:
2010/10/19  22:49:11.40   Info: Number Of Connected Hardware: 0
2010/10/19  22:49:11.40   Info: Finished usb LED/LCD device detection ...
2010/10/19  22:49:11.40   Info: Showing splash
2010/10/19  22:49:11.43   Info: Check plugin directory: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\plugins
2010/10/19  22:49:11.43   Info: Collecting event plugins (*.mplugin) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\plugins\
2010/10/19  22:49:11.43   Info: Found event plugin UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event plugin UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin loaded
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Function: PluginName found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Function: PluginCopyright found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaGameSelected found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaEmulatorSelected found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaListSelected not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaOrientationSwitch not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaScreensaverStart not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaScreensaverSwitch not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaScreensaverStop not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaAttractModeStart not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaAttractModeStop not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaGameStart found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaGameQuit found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaStart found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaQuit found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaTreeUp not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaTreeDown not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function: UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin PluginConfigure found!
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaConfigureStart not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.48   Info: Event Function:   UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin MaLaConfigureStop not found
2010/10/19  22:49:11.85   Info: Check backup directory: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\backups
2010/10/19  22:49:11.87   Info: Check to see if hook dll is required
2010/10/19  22:49:11.87   Info: Win98/ME Hook dll not loaded because OS is: WinXP
2010/10/19  22:49:11.87   Info: Computer name: ANON
2010/10/19  22:49:11.98   Info: Loading config params from ini file
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Setting params from ini file
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: HideMouse:
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Creating and loading mame cl conditions: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mame.clc
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Creating and loading mame info pages: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mame.mli
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Creating and loading other emu info pages: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\otheremu.mli
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Creating and loading filter sets: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mala.mlf
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: LoadFilterSets
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Info: Creating and loading other Emulators: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mala.mle
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: FormCreate: Loading Emu File mala.mle
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: FormCreate: Found Emu File mala.mle
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: LoadEmulatorList: Loading Standard List
2010/10/19  22:49:12.12   Debug **: Creating and loading layout ...
2010/10/19  22:49:12.14   Info: Collecting layout files (*.mll) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\
2010/10/19  22:49:12.14   Info: Creating and loading mala tree
2010/10/19  22:49:12.14   Debug **: CollectGamelistFiles:  EMU_MAME
2010/10/19  22:49:12.14   Info: Collecting game list files (mlg) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Info: Creating and loading bios
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Info: LoadBiosList
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Debug **: Muzac: Number of Sound devices present 1
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Info: Muzac: Creating audio object
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Info: Muzac: Loading Playlist into Memory from FILE: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mala.pls
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Error: LoadPlaylist: Playlist is empty
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Debug **: InitAudio: Muzac Volume set to 0
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Debug **: InitAudio: Video1 Volume set to 0
2010/10/19  22:49:12.15   Debug **: InitAudio: Video2 Volume set to 0
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Muzac: Set in Sequential
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Muzac: Set in No Loop
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Hardware: Loading mala lcd screens
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Hardware: Creating and loading mame lcd screens
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Hardware: Creating and loading jukebox lcd screens
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Creating and loading led config and attroct mode list
2010/10/19  22:49:12.17   Info: Collecting attract mode files (*.mlc) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\
2010/10/19  22:49:12.18   Info: LoadGameList : Loading C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\primary.mlg
2010/10/19  22:49:12.18   Info: Current Memory used: 9,640 K
2010/10/19  22:49:12.18   Info: Joystick 1 recalibrated
2010/10/19  22:49:12.18   Info: Joystick 2 recalibrated
2010/10/19  22:49:13.93   Info: Hiding splash
2010/10/19  22:49:13.93   Info: SetLayout: Layout Name= standard
2010/10/19  22:49:13.93   Info: Loading layout: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\standard.mll
2010/10/19  22:49:14.15   Debug **: GetLayoutPath: all files in a defined directory in layout sub dirs C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\standard\new.png
2010/10/19  22:49:14.15   Debug **: LoadPictureCustom: Loading: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\standard\new.png
2010/10/19  22:49:14.25   Info: Layout Alighment: =
2010/10/19  22:49:14.26   Debug **: GetLayoutPath: all files in a defined directory in layout sub dirs C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\standard\standardstartH.jpg
2010/10/19  22:49:14.70   Debug **: SetLayout: UseBGMusicFromLayout is NOT enabled
2010/10/19  22:49:14.70   Debug **: PlugIn Message: Switching to 0
2010/10/19  22:49:14.70   Debug **: Displaying Game List:
2010/10/19  22:49:14.70   Debug **: Cancel any Display & Video Delay due to list change
2010/10/19  22:49:14.71   Debug **: Video: Scroll restart
2010/10/19  22:49:14.71   Debug **: DisplayGameList: Gamelist= primary Total games = 37
2010/10/19  22:49:14.73   Debug **: Scroll Delay:
2010/10/19  22:49:14.73   Debug **: DisplayText:
2010/10/19  22:49:14.73   Debug **: DisplaySnap:
2010/10/19  22:49:14.76   Debug **: LoadPicture: C:\Emulation\Data\MAME\mame0139b\snap\nbajamte.png
2010/10/19  22:49:14.79   Debug **: Display Delay Enabled
2010/10/19  22:49:14.79   Info: Show Main Form
2010/10/19  22:49:14.79   Info: FormActivate:
2010/10/19  22:49:14.79   Debug **: FormActivate: NOT Playing Video on MaLa start
2010/10/19  22:49:14.79   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Selected= 22
2010/10/19  22:49:14.81   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Video1 NOT enabled/visable in layout
2010/10/19  22:49:14.81   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Video2 NOT enabled/visable in layout
2010/10/19  22:49:14.81   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Function End -------
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: timDisplayDelayTimer: Timer setting=250
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: timDisplayDelayTimer: Apply Snap, Marquee, CPanel and Definables if path set and imiage present
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: timDisplayDelayTimer: FDisplayDelaySelected = 22
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: DisplayMarquee:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: DisplayCPanel:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.04   Debug **: DisplayDefinable1:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.06   Debug **: LoadPicture: C:\Emulation\Data\MAME\mame0139b\cabinets\nbajamte.png
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayDefinable2:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayDefinable3:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayDefinable4:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayDefinable5:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Selected= 22
2010/10/19  22:49:15.10   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Video1 NOT enabled/visable in layout
2010/10/19  22:49:15.12   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Video2 NOT enabled/visable in layout
2010/10/19  22:49:15.12   Debug **: DisplayVideo: Function End -------
2010/10/19  22:49:15.12   Debug **: Saving Tracking Info
2010/10/19  22:49:15.48   Debug **: HideMouse:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Info: popMainPopup:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Debug **: ShowMouse:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Debug **: BuildEmulatorMenu:
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Info: Adding Emu to Menu: 0 N64 (Project64 1.6)
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Info: Adding Emu to Menu: 1 Atari 5200 (Atari800WinPLus)
2010/10/19  22:49:15.59   Info: Adding Emu to Menu: 2 Nintendo (fceux-2.1.4a)
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Debug **: BuildGameListMenu: Deleting Old Menu Items
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Debug **: BuildGameListMenu: GameList Count = Zero. Nothing to Delete
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Debug **: BuildGameListMenu: Creating new Menu Items
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Info: BuildGameListMenu: Adding New Menu 1 1 Button Games
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Info: BuildGameListMenu: Adding New Menu 2 BYOAC high score comp
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Info: BuildGameListMenu: Adding New Menu 3 CHARLIE
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Info: BuildGameListMenu: Adding New Menu 4 mature
2010/10/19  22:49:15.60   Info: BuildGameListMenu: Adding New Menu 5 primary
2010/10/19  22:49:17.50   Info: ######### Options / Properties Selected ###########
2010/10/19  22:49:17.50   Debug **: Plugin: SendConfigureStartEvent
2010/10/19  22:49:17.50   Info: Cancel any Display & Video Delay due to config Load
2010/10/19  22:49:18.46   Debug **: IsAppInRun:
2010/10/19  22:49:18.46   Debug **: Config Window data loaded, ready to display screen
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Info: Muzac: DrawPlayList from Memory (config)
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Debug **:  TfrmProperties.DrawPlayList: creating stringlist
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Debug **:  TfrmProperties.DrawPlayList: Loding stringlist from Player list
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Debug **:  TfrmProperties.DrawPlayList: Clearing box
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Debug **:  TfrmProperties.DrawPlayList: SoungsCount = 0
2010/10/19  22:49:18.78   Debug **:  TfrmProperties.DrawPlayList: No songs in list
2010/10/19  22:49:18.79   Debug **: Hardware- Properties.FillLEDConfigCombos: HW_LED_16_M
2010/10/19  22:49:23.82   Info: Options: OK Clicked. Collecting data
2010/10/19  22:49:23.82   Debug **: Plugin: SendConfigureStopEvent(1)
2010/10/19  22:49:23.82   Info: Collecting game list files (mlg) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\
2010/10/19  22:49:23.82   Info: Writing params to ini file
2010/10/19  22:49:24.95   Info: Muzac: Saving Playlist from Memory to FILE : C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\mala.pls
2010/10/19  22:49:24.95   Info: Muzac: Saving Playlist. Number of Songs to save= 0
2010/10/19  22:49:25.03   Info: Setting params from ini file
2010/10/19  22:49:25.04   Info: Collecting layout files (*.mll) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\
2010/10/19  22:49:25.04   Info: Collecting game list files (mlg) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\
2010/10/19  22:49:25.15   Info: Loading emulator: N64 (Project64 1.6)
2010/10/19  22:49:25.15   Info: Collecting game list files (ml0) in C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\
2010/10/19  22:49:25.15   Info: LoadGameList : Loading C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\All Games.ml0
2010/10/19  22:49:25.17   Info: Current Memory used: 15,352 K
2010/10/19  22:49:25.17   Info: Switching Layout
2010/10/19  22:49:25.17   Info: Switching layout: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\N64 (Project64 1.6)
2010/10/19  22:49:25.17   Info: SetLayout: Layout Name= N64 (Project64 1.6)
2010/10/19  22:49:25.28   Info: Loading layout: C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\N64 (Project64 1.6).mll
2010/10/19  22:49:25.68   Error: LoadPictureCustom: Error loading C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\N64 (Project64 1.6)\N64.PNG
2010/10/19  22:49:25.90   Error: Exception Message: Access violation at address 005D9F3C in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 02540000, Object Function: LoadPictureCustom, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Object Class: TfrmMain
2010/10/19  22:49:34.00   Info: Showing taskbar
2010/10/19  22:49:34.00   Error: AppException: Terminating MaLa
2010/10/19  22:49:35.54   Error: LoadPictureCustom: Error again loading C:\Emulation\FrontEnds\Mala\MaLa171\layouts\N64 (Project64 1.6)\N64.PNG
2010/10/19  22:49:35.56   Info: Layout Alighment: =
2010/10/19  22:49:36.26   Info: Game List: Hiding Blend Window to reveal new list
2010/10/19  22:49:36.26   Info: FormActivate:
2010/10/19  22:49:36.29   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed

[ragnar]

OK, I was trying to use the png file in this thread (the larger file of the two):
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106719.0

I was getting access violations in MalaLayout.exe

I saved the png as a bitmap and that seemed to have fixed the problem.

Is it possible that the PNG files alpha channel is a problem?  I think the image linked above has alpha assigned but I thought it was not being used.