Issues with windows 7

[johnhelliwell]

I'm struggling getting Mala working with Win 7.  I get "attempt to create \.ini file failed"  I've tried to run as admin which doesn't make any difference.  Any idea what else I can try ?

[drventure]

You'll want to run as admin, or make sure that you have FULL rights in whatever dir structure you have mala and MAME installed in..

I have everything under a c:\games folder, and that folder I gave full rights to a specific user on the system.

Also, make sure that NONE of the files in MALA or mame are marked readonly (Not sure how they'd get set read only, but still, that's a possibility).

Finally, Make sure no other program has any of the files open (maybe a stuck backup, or an editor or something).

[johnhelliwell]

Thx for the reply.  Here's what I've done (but not been successful)

I've checked to make sure none of the files, or the directories they are stored in, are marked as read only.
The same file structure, I've made sure that every user has "full control"
I've created a separate HD partion and put Mala in there, again- all users have full control
Turned off User Account Control settings (set to never notify)
Run as admin each time

Still getting the same message.  Wish I still could use XP

Any ideas?

[drventure]

Can you post a screen shot of the error? Maybe there's some clue there.

It's odd that your getting the message \.ini

That's not a filename that mala would normally ever use. I'm wondering if you're either missing a file, or have a messed up config somewhere.

Maybe your mala.ini file is currupted.

can you post that as well?

[johnhelliwell]

drventure - you know there are people in life that are too dumb to be allowed anywhere near a PC.  And those people often end up on a forum asking what would seem like a sensible question, but in fact are hiding that fact that the system isnt the issue it's the user. 
I am that user.  I am too stupid to be allowed to play with a Mala system

Good news is that my problem has gone away (actually I've realised my stupid mistake and it wasn't in the slightest related to permissions )

Thanks for your suggestions.

[drventure]

it wasn't in the slightest related to permissions )

Cool. Glad you got it working. Mala's been pretty easy to work with for me.

Any chance you'd share the mistake? Anyone searching here might end up doing the same thing accidentally.

[johnhelliwell]

Well... if anyone searches for this issue and finds that my answers helps them they should also be banned

This was a new setup so when it came to the options/config screen I should have been hitting the button with the dots in it to set the MAME executable but I wasn't.  I was hitting the "Config button" .  That gave me the "no mame ini file found! create a standard mame ini (.ini)?".  So I was hitting "yes" to that which was when I was getting the "attempt to create /.ini file failed". 
So, having realised I've not been paying attention and pressing the wrong button, I hit the 3 dots button to set the path, and then the same for the ROM path, it's all working. 
Somehow I figured that the error message about creating the .ini file was related to permissions.  I must have spent 3 hours messing with permissions, reinstalling the OS, changing partions, trying older versions of Mala.
What a muppet.
Anyway - alls well that ends well

[drventure]

No worries. It's all good!