Help: A couple of newbie questions about Mala button mapping

[Mikecouil]

So I have everything mapped in my custom controller overlay and the games are all working fantastic.  The only issue I'm having is exiting a game once in it.  The first dumb question (and I did read the FAQ) is how do I get the options window back open? It prompted me the first time I started but I can't figure out how to get back in it now.  I'm assuming this is a MAME keyboard map and not Mala, but if it is Mala, what do I need to do to map the ESC button so I don't have to use the keyboard? If it is in MAME, same question applies  

Thank you so much.  I'll be taking all pics tonight and posting up my newly completed built from scratch project tomorrow. 

[BadMouth]

The only issue I'm having is exiting a game once in it.

That's mapped in the emulator.  What emulator are you trying to exit?

The first dumb question (and I did read the FAQ) is how do I get the options window back open?

While in Mala, right click with mouse.

I'm assuming this is a MAME keyboard map and not Mala, but if it is Mala, what do I need to do to map the ESC button so I don't have to use the keyboard? If it is in MAME, same question applies  

Press TAB while in MAME to access the menu to remap buttons.

What interface is your controller using?  If it's a keyboard encoder, you may need to disable multiple keyboards in mame.ini
If it's enabled, it treats each keyboard as an individual device and will only accept input from the specific keyboard that has been mapped (keyboard 1, keyboard 2, etc)  If disabled, the same key from any of keyboards should work.

[Mikecouil]

I'm trying to exit MAME.  I've gone through every one of the interface options and I see no way to exit.  I'm currently using the ESC key on the keyboard.

The encoder is the xin mo or whatever it's called.  It came in a package deal with all the buttons and joysticks for a real nice price.

Now at least I know it has to be done in MAME though so I can get back to trouble shooting while waiting for an answer

[BadMouth]

Now at least I know it has to be done in MAME though so I can get back to trouble shooting while waiting for an answer

Press TAB while in MAME to access the menu to remap buttons.

I'm at work, so don't have access to the menu options at the moment and don't remember the exact names.
You want to go into the "map controls for all games" and then either "other controls" or "user interface" IIRC.
IIRC, the one you want to remap is CANCEL UI.  I'd map it to esc OR the gamepad button that the xin mo shows up as.
That way you can use either.
Just map it to one, then click on it again and map it to the other.

[Mikecouil]

That did the trick.  Thank you SO much.