CRTEmuDriver for Windows 7 test results

[bulbousbeard]

I had a mostly successful experience with the Windows 7 CRTEmuDriver.

Here was my setup:

* Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
* 4550 HD video card (primary port was DVI so I used a DVI --> VGA adapter)
* JPAC
* 15khz standard arcade monitor
* UME64 binary that Calamity posted.

Here's the main problem: after I exit MAME, the Windows desktop stays at the resolution that the game was running at. Other than that, following Calamity's excellent instructions, everything seemed to work fine.

[Calamity]

Hi bulbousbeard,

Thanks for the feedback. Just in case it could help with your issue, please try this version of GroovyUME that contains the latest patches for W7 that are not yet in the official build:

http://www.aburamushi.net/calamity/groovyume64_0153.015a.7z

I built that one specifically for the AVGA 3000 users (sean_skroht & Sledge), but I'm wondering if the issue you're seeing could be related.

[bulbousbeard]

Hi bulbousbeard,

Thanks for the feedback. Just in case it could help with your issue, please try this version of GroovyUME that contains the latest patches for W7 that are not yet in the official build:

http://www.aburamushi.net/calamity/groovyume64_0153.015a.7z

I built that one specifically for the AVGA 3000 users (sean_skroht & Sledge), but I'm wondering if the issue you're seeing could be related.

Hi Calamity,

That is the UME build I was using. Maybe that's the problem. Should I try another build?

Thanks!

[Calamity]

Even if the version number is the same it's a different build, I hadn't made that link public so you couldn't have been using that build unless someone passed you the link

[bulbousbeard]

Calamity,

Good news. I found out what was going on.

So, if you don't have a multisync monitor (standard res only), you have to do that monitor swap.

When you swap monitors, you have to select 640x480 30hz (interlaced) or whatever mode it can handle, and this is fine.

What I did wrong was this: after selecting 640x480 30hz (interlaced), it displayed properly, so I just closed the display settings window.

This won't work, though, because you have to manually RE-SET the resolution after the cable switch again or it won't save that 30hz value. After I did that (essentially, set it to 6480x480 30hz (interlaced) twice (once when swapping to the LCD, the second time after swapping over to the CRT), it saved the value. So it wasn't even a GroovyMAME problem.

It seems to work perfectly now. This is PRETTY GOOD. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty GOOD.

[Calamity]

Hi bulbousbeard,

This won't work, though, because you have to manually RE-SET the resolution after the cable switch again or it won't save that 30hz value.

That's actually very interesting and it may explain some of the issues that some users have been seeing (the case of Sledge comes to my mind, where the desktop mode wouldn't stick after restart with an HD 4350). Maybe the reason I haven't seen it here is because I do all the process on a multisync monitor so I don't have to swap cables. I guess we could figure out a method to automate this all a little bit so people don't stumble on this problem.

Thanks for testing!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Just saw this.  I'll need to do some testing myself on my Win 7 rig and my Betson arcade monitor.  Stay tuned...

DeLuSioNaL29

[Sledge]

Calamity,

Good news. I found out what was going on.

So, if you don't have a multisync monitor (standard res only), you have to do that monitor swap.

When you swap monitors, you have to select 640x480 30hz (interlaced) or whatever mode it can handle, and this is fine.

What I did wrong was this: after selecting 640x480 30hz (interlaced), it displayed properly, so I just closed the display settings window.

This won't work, though, because you have to manually RE-SET the resolution after the cable switch again or it won't save that 30hz value. After I did that (essentially, set it to 6480x480 30hz (interlaced) twice (once when swapping to the LCD, the second time after swapping over to the CRT), it saved the value. So it wasn't even a GroovyMAME problem.

It seems to work perfectly now. This is PRETTY GOOD. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty GOOD.

Before you worked out the 'fix', each time you rebooted into windows, was the resolution ok? or was it running at 60hz (out of range of arcade screen?)
Or was it just an issue of the resolution not changing back to 640x480 after mame exited?

[bulbousbeard]

No, rebooting was out of range and I had to re-do the swap each time, and exiting MAME didn't reset it to the right resolution.

[Sledge]

No, rebooting was out of range and I had to re-do the swap each time, and exiting MAME didn't reset it to the right resolution.

and then after the 'fix', it boots to the correct resolution every time?

[bulbousbeard]

What did I just say?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHtWEH0euh4#t=0m28s

[Sledge]

What did I just say?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHtWEH0euh4#t=0m28s

You said your main issue was:

after I exit MAME, the Windows desktop stays at the resolution that the game was running at. Other than that, following Calamity's excellent instructions, everything seemed to work fine

Nothing about windows not BOOTING at the wrong resolution..
So i was just wanting to confirm what the issue was, and what fixed it before i go to the trouble of testing it all again

[bulbousbeard]

Yes, booting was at the wrong resolution, too. Doing this fixed everything. It works just as well as it did in XP now.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hi all, I'm ready for testing but I can't seem to locate the beta Win 7 CRT Emu drivers.  Can someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

DeLuSioNaL29

[ArcadeBliss]

Do mp4 play in hyperspin for you correctly? My setup is just a green screen in hyperspin and WMP. WMP I got sorted out but HS plays sound but not video 

Yes, booting was at the wrong resolution, too. Doing this fixed everything. It works just as well as it did in XP now.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Got the drivers ... thanks.  I'll see if I can start testing this week...

[Sledge]

Yes, booting was at the wrong resolution, too. Doing this fixed everything. It works just as well as it did in XP now.

Well i tried doing what you did, but it didn't make any difference.. Win 7 still boots out of sync when connected to the arcade monitor.

Do mp4 play in hyperspin for you correctly? My setup is just a green screen in hyperspin and WMP. WMP I got sorted out but HS plays sound but not video 

Yes, booting was at the wrong resolution, too. Doing this fixed everything. It works just as well as it did in XP now.

I get green screen too... in hyperspin

[Calamity]

Well i tried doing what you did, but it didn't make any difference.. Win 7 still boots out of sync when connected to the arcade monitor.

I was afraid of hearing this. I guess we need to apply a brute force approach and use a program to set a 15 kHz video mode upon each reboot. BTW what exact brand/model was your HD 4350?

I get green screen too... in hyperspin

ArcadeBliss passed me this link to a modded driver that is said to solve the green screen issue: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=374236

I've not much time atm but I'd like to try and build a CRT Emudriver release based on that driver to see if it fixes the problem.

[Sledge]

Well i tried doing what you did, but it didn't make any difference.. Win 7 still boots out of sync when connected to the arcade monitor.

I was afraid of hearing this. I guess we need to apply a brute force approach and use a program to set a 15 kHz video mode upon each reboot. BTW what exact brand/model was your HD 4350?

For this test i actually used the HIS HD4850.

But i think i noticed something weird..
When booting with the LCD attached, after setting the resolution, it boots, then goes out of range... automatically, then i swap to the CRT, and i get a picture.
Booting with nothing, or the CRT attached, i get an out of sync picture on the CRT..

[Calamity]

For this test i actually used the HIS HD4850.

Could you be more specific? I'd like to see a link to the exact thing, with pictures, etc.

But i think i noticed something weird..
When booting with the LCD attached, after setting the resolution, it boots, then goes out of range... automatically, then i swap to the CRT, and i get a picture.
Booting with nothing, or the CRT attached, i get an out of sync picture on the CRT..

That's interesting. It probably means that the problem is related to the drivers not detecting your monitor, thus defaulting to a "safe" mode. I assume you have seen the same behaviour with both outputs?

As a note, there's a way to force the arcade monitor to get detected, by means of soldering 75 ohms resistors between the color lines and ground of the VGA cable.

[Sledge]

For this test i actually used the HIS HD4850.

Could you be more specific? I'd like to see a link to the exact thing, with pictures, etc.

But i think i noticed something weird..
When booting with the LCD attached, after setting the resolution, it boots, then goes out of range... automatically, then i swap to the CRT, and i get a picture.
Booting with nothing, or the CRT attached, i get an out of sync picture on the CRT..

That's interesting. It probably means that the problem is related to the drivers not detecting your monitor, thus defaulting to a "safe" mode. I assume you have seen the same behaviour with both outputs?

As a note, there's a way to force the arcade monitor to get detected, by means of soldering 75 ohms resistors between the color lines and ground of the VGA cable.

This is the card...
http://www.hisdigital.com/us/product2-31.shtml
Only tested the Primary Port..

I did wonder about doing that with the resistors, but my knowledge of such things is limited, and i already nearly blew up the monitor once.. so am even more nervous now

[Sledge]

ArcadeBliss passed me this link to a modded driver that is said to solve the green screen issue: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=374236
I've not much time atm but I'd like to try and build a CRT Emudriver release based on that driver to see if it fixes the problem.

I wonder if there will be something there to help with the install on windows 7/8 as well?

Unsigned or test mode install not necessary even for Windows 8 x64

[Calamity]

I wonder if there will be something there to help with the install on windows 7/8 as well?

Helping in what sense?

[Sledge]

I wonder if there will be something there to help with the install on windows 7/8 as well?

Helping in what sense?

so that we don't have to use test mode on win7, and can install the drivers on Win8.

[Calamity]

so that we don't have to use test mode on win7, and can install the drivers on Win8.

No, I don't think that's even possible when you patch the binary files as we do.

[cools]

That bit of protection is the entire reason why I binned my Windows 8 installation permanently. All for stopping people doing stupid stuff, but making it that awkward was just ridiculous.

[Calamity]

Once things are up and running we might take up a collection to buy a code signing certificate for $229:

https://www.globalsign.com/code-signing/microsoft-authenticode.html

In theory this would make it possible to use W8 too.

[sean_sk]

Once things are up and running we might take up a collection to buy a code signing certificate for $229:

https://www.globalsign.com/code-signing/microsoft-authenticode.html

In theory this would make it possible to use W8 too.

Sounds like a great idea!

[Sledge]

Once things are up and running we might take up a collection to buy a code signing certificate for $229:

https://www.globalsign.com/code-signing/microsoft-authenticode.html

In theory this would make it possible to use W8 too.

is that a once off? or every time you want to release a new driver you gotta get another?
Covers both Win7 & 8 ? Or seperate one  for each?

But yeah, sounds like a good idea!

[DeLuSioNal29]

I just read over the Certificate info on the link:

System Requirements:
Must use the same PC, Windows login/user profile, and browser for enrollment and certificate installation.

Will it still work?  Or am I interpreting it incorrectly?

DeLuSioNaL29

[Calamity]

is that a once off? or every time you want to release a new driver you gotta get another?
Covers both Win7 & 8 ? Or seperate one  for each?

The same certificate is valid for all versions of Windows. As far as I know you buy the certificate for 1 year period (or more) and you can sign as many programs as you need during that period. If you apply a timestamp as you sign the programs, the signature will still be valid even when the certificate expires (after 1 year). If you want to release a new version after the certificate has expired, you need to buy a new one. That's why we should only buy it when everything is up and running, and have 1 year since then to add any improvements or fix anything that could be wrong.

Must use the same PC, Windows login/user profile, and browser for enrollment and certificate installation.

Will it still work?  Or am I interpreting it incorrectly?

That only applies to the person that has to sign the software (me). Once signed with the proper certificate, you can distribute the software and Windows will recognize it as coming from a trusted publisher.

Just to clarify, with current CRT Emudriver for W7 the signature process is completely implemented, otherwise it wouldn't even load in W7 64 bits. It's only that I'm using a self-signed certificate. But because this certificate comes from me instead of a trusted publisher, this makes it necessary to turn W7 test-signing off so that the drivers are loaded. The problem with W8 is that it goes one step beyond so that test-signing can't be disabled permanently, you need to do it manually for each session. Using a proper certificate would overcome the need of disabling test-signing for both W7/W8.

[lolo40]

Hi,

Is there a link for the beta Win 7 CRT Emu drivers.
I love GroovyMAME on my xp machine and i want to test it on my new pc.
Thx.


Edit:
Thanks Calamity!

[DeLuSioNal29]

So I finally got around to messing around with these drivers.  I have a Betson 27" Multisync arcade monitor so I chose the D9800 which is close.  I had no issues with the installation.  Rebooted, and noticed that things slowed to a crawl.  After uninstalling Norton Internet Security it normalized, but every now and then things get slow when clicking on stuff.  (Mouse will freeze for a good 30 seconds)

MAME works great, I ran the VMMaker program (after editing the .ini file (using Static Table option).   Most of the games run in great resolutions and I used my monitors OSD to make them perfect.

Hyperspin - I'm getting the same green screen for my videos that everyone is experiencing.

However, I'm having trouble running my Steam games.  Some run in a funky resolution (Rayman Legends for example does not see 800 x 600 res AT ALL unless it's at 60Hz).  Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed will not run at all.  When going to the config screen for Sonic, MS .NET Framwork crashes with and unhandled exception.

MESS emulator runs well with consoles, but all other consoles I've tried will not load (BlueMSX, Nostalgia)

Any suggestions?

DeLuSioNaL29

[Calamity]

Hi DeLuSioNal29,

Thanks a lot for your report.

So I finally got around to messing around with these drivers.  I have a Betson 27" Multisync arcade monitor so I chose the D9800 which is close.  I had no issues with the installation.  Rebooted, and noticed that things slowed to a crawl.  After uninstalling Norton Internet Security it normalized, but every now and then things get slow when clicking on stuff.  (Mouse will freeze for a good 30 seconds)

Yeah this is a known issue, it happens the first time the API used for reporting modes is invoked, due to the driver having to manage a long mode list it becomes very slow. My guess is that the driver needs to validate each new custom mode against the connected monitors. This is why having 2 monitors connected makes the process even slower. For some reason this process is extremely more inefficient than it used to be with Windows XP.

The best approach, and probably the solution we all should be adopting for the present/future is to forget about the good old static/dynamic mode tables and start using "super resolutions". In order to build such a mode table, edit the ReslList.txt file with these contents:

Code: [Select]

## Desktop ##

 640 x 480 @ 60.000000 desktop

## Super resolutions ##
2560 x 240 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 248 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 256 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 264 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 272 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 280 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 288 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 296 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 304 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 320 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 336 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 344 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 352 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 360 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 368 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 376 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 384 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 392 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 400 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 416 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 432 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 448 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 464 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 480 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 480 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 496 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 496 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 512 @ 59.000000 super
2560 x 544 @ 55.000000 super
2560 x 560 @ 54.000000 super
2560 x 768 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 800 @ 60.000000 super
Then in vmmaker.ini, disable ListFromXml, and run it.

In mame.ini, set:

Code: [Select]

resolution 2560x0
cleanstretch 2
This should be enough. Notice that depending on your monitor you may not need all the resolutions I added in ReslList.txt, so create your own that fits your needs.

Hyperspin - I'm getting the same green screen for my videos that everyone is experiencing.

This is a problem with the specific driver we used as a base for CRT Emudriver (according to ATI it was the most stable/refined version of the drivers that was available for legacy cards, ha ha).

(I'm tempted to argue that the primary goal of this project is not to play mp4 videos inside a Flash-based menu, but I'll refrain myself and all I'll say is this is an unfortunate setback and I'll redo the whole thing based on well tested version of the drivers)

However, I'm having trouble running my Steam games.  Some run in a funky resolution (Rayman Legends for example does not see 800 x 600 res AT ALL unless it's at 60Hz).  Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed will not run at all.  When going to the config screen for Sonic, MS .NET Framwork crashes with and unhandled exception.

MESS emulator runs well with consoles, but all other consoles I've tried will not load (BlueMSX, Nostalgia)

You may need to add 800x600 to the above list (and set a monitor preset in vmmaker.ini which allows it)

Usually the fact that a program doesn't load is enterely its own fault. Programmers are sometimes lazy and assume things they shouldn't assume. Things like that a certain mode will exist, or that the whole list of modes will be below a certain number. You can only try to figure out what their wrong assumptions were and hope to be able to reproduce an environment where they don't crash. Fortunately the only 2 differences when using CRT Emudriver as compared with a normal setup are:

1.- The mode list is much longer than usual. This can make poorly coded programs to crash. Making the list shorter will solve the problem. Using magic resolutions in XP or super resolutions in W7 fixes this too with no compromises.

2.- The lack of some or all common vesa-like modes: 640x480@60, 800x600@60, 1024x768@60. Some programs will just expect these modes to exist. You may need to add them. Notice that often these modes do not exist because VMMaker can't create them for your frequency ranges allowed by your monitor.

 

[Calamity]

I want to thank all the beta testers for their reports. I think it's time to release the beta version so more people can test it, and in the meantime I'll be finishing the new version of VMMaker.

I've rebuilt the beta version based on the "reloaded" release created by kevsamiga1974 here. This release should fix the green screen when playing mp4 videos, and much more things (more info).

Download CRT Emudriver 13.1-1.2b W7 x64 - BETA (reloaded)

Installation notes:

1.- For safety, make sure UAC is enabled until you have everything up and running. This will avoid installation issues.
2.- Run the Setup program on the package with ADMIN RIGHTS enabled.
3.- DO NOT restart the system when W7 prompts you to do so, let the Setup program finish, allow it to set TEST mode on.
4.- CRT Emudriver for W7 doesn't boot in 15 kHz automatically after restart. You need to enable it manually, but this is a little tricky unless you have a multisync monitor. If you have standard arcade monitor, here are the steps you MUST follow:

  4.1.- Install the driver using a computer monitor (LCD or CRT 31 kHz capable monitor)
  4.2.- Once installed, turn the computer off and plug your arcade monitor.
  4.3.- Boot the machine, with the arcade monitor *turn off* (keep it off to avoid bad frequencies in, not needed if you have a jpac)
  4.4.- Once you hear W7 sound so you're sure the boot process is ready, unplug the arcade monitor and plug the computer monitor on the same output you were using for the arcade monitor. The purpose of this thing is to avoid W7 reading the LCD's EDID during the boot process.
  4.5.- Now you should have a 31 kHz picture on your computer monitor. Go into screen properties, advanced, show all modes. In the list there should be this mode: 640 x 480 @ 30 Hz. 30 Hz stands for interlaced here. That's a 15 kHz mode. Select it and apply. Now your computer monitor should get out of sync.
  4.6.- Plug your arcade monitor now. You should get a stable picture.
  4.7.- Go *again* into screen properties, advanced, show all modes and re-select 640 x 480 @ 30 Hz and apply. This is required so that the mode "sticks" after the cable swap.
  4.8.- Now reboot, and if everything is all right, you should have a stable 15 Khz mode on your monitor since now on each restart.


In case you're going to use VMMaker and ArcadeOSD, make sure to use the ones in the package, and run them with admin rights. Magic resolutions won't work in W7, so make sure to disable it from vmmaker.ini (it's enabled by default).

Warning: CRT Emudriver for W7 can make your system slow on boot and mode switching depending on the length of the mode table. For this reason, using "super resolutions" is recommended, as explained here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440362.html#msg1440362

[sean_sk]

Thanks for the release Calamity. Great job! They'll be a lot of happy GM users here as a result of the release.

I might even swap out my AVGA for the spare HD4670 I have sitting around here and give the beta driver a test myself.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Agreed.  Nice job Calamity.

Quick question:  I'm editing my ReslList.txt to add the "super resolutions" and I have my Desktop running at 800x600, since that's the maximum that my Betson Multisync monitor supports.

Should I change the line that says:
## Desktop ##
 640 x 480 @ 30.000000 desktop

to be:

## Desktop ##
 800 x 600 @ 60.000000 desktop

D

[Calamity]

You can keep both:

## Desktop ##
 640 x 480 @ 30.000000 desktop
 800 x 600 @ 60.000000 desktop

However, make sure the 800x600 resolution is being generated (open Modeline.txt after VMMaker finishes its job), some presets won't allow that res to be created.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Ok, the past week I've gotten to play with this new version.  (CRT_Emudriver_13.1_1.2b_W7x64_reloaded_beta)

I've solved most of my emulator issues by matching up my video settings in my config files to the modes listed in the ReslList.txt file.   

I also solved the issue I was having with some Steam games by adding the 800 x 600 option to the ReslList.txt file as well.  It now works flawlessly.  (Sonic Racing Transformed and Rayman Legends).  You were correct in that the programming was sloppy and it didn't know what to do if certain modes were missing in Windows.

However, I still have the green screen issue with the CRT emu driver for .MP4 files.  Outside of my FE it plays the audio only and black for video.  In Hyperspin, it plays the audio only and green for the video; the new driver didn't seem to solve it.

Is there something that I missed when uninstalling and re-installing the updated CRT emu drivers?  I did notice the the updated drivers did not install ATI Catalyst after I uninstalled it.  Could that be the problem?  I was searching for a way to disable hardware acceleration to see if that helped (based on what I've read for Windows 8 - I'm running Windows 7 64-bit).  But the absence of ATI Catalyst makes it difficult.  Any suggestions?

Again, can't say it enough Calamity, great work.  Also, I need to test more MAME games.  Any problematic ones that I should test?

DeLuSioNaL29

[Calamity]

Hi DeLuSioNal29,

I also had the problem with black video and I think I solved it by installing ffdshow. I downloaded several sample .mp4 files and they all played fine after that. I don't have HS here to test however.

I'd rather keep the video driver alone instead repacking the whole Catalyst suite and its associated bloat. Let's see if you can fix your issue with the codecs first.

[DeLuSioNal29]

That makes sense.  I had forgotten to mention that I tried loading the latest CCCP codecs package ( http://www.cccp-project.net/ ) and it had no effect.  Then I read just now that they had removed the ffdshow codec as of 2012.

So I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

D

[DeLuSioNal29]

Unfortunately installing the ffshow codecs didn't help.  I also tried installing VLC, then Shark007's codecs to no avail.

Edit:  Used some more Google-Fu and found this:
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1203700?tstart=0

It solved my issue.  You need top disable hardware acceleration for MP4s by using Youtube (it affects the MP4 settings globally).  Since the option to disable hardware acceleration is only available on Firefox when you right click the video, I needed to download it.  (It does not show this option for Internet Explorer or Chrome.)

No more green screen!  Since it's an Mp4 codec issue, it doesn't affect the hardware acceleration for the games (that I know of).  But I will need to do more testing.

D

[Calamity]

May you upload one of those mp4s somewhere so I can check here?

[DeLuSioNal29]

May you upload one of those mp4s somewhere so I can check here?

Give me a few minutes to dump it into my dropbox folder.  PM me your e-mail in the meantime.

Also, I failed to mention that the videos play black in windows now outside of the frontend but are fine in Hyperspin.  But again, they work fine in Hyperspin.

D

[androtaz08]

Hi Calamity love your work on xp, trying to upgrade to win 7. After getting the driver installed and running go maker I reboot and get stuck on the windows starting screen. I read that windows can be slow to boot after running vm maker so I left it over night and still in the morning I'm stuck on the screen. I tried going into safe mode and re running vm maker with the super res options but get the same thing.

[Calamity]

It solved my issue.  You need top disable hardware acceleration for MP4s by using Youtube (it affects the MP4 settings globally).  Since the option to disable hardware acceleration is only available on Firefox when you right click the video, I needed to download it.  (It does not show this option for Internet Explorer or Chrome.)

Hi DeLuSioNal29,

The purpose of using the Catalyst "reloaded" as a base for the Emudriver was to avoid the need of disabling hardware acceleration. Besides, the videos should be playing fine in WMP and VLC. May you check the driver version that's active in your system (in device manager, right click on the display adapter, you should see something like "Calamity" and 8.xx, the xx is the interesting bit), maybe it didn't get installed fine unless you uninstalled the previous one. I won't be able to test your videos until monday or tuesday. My understanding is that disabling hardware acceleration via Firefox only affects Flash based players. Hopefully some day Flash will disappear from the face of the Earth.

[Calamity]

Hi Calamity love your work on xp, trying to upgrade to win 7. After getting the driver installed and running go maker I reboot and get stuck on the windows starting screen. I read that windows can be slow to boot after running vm maker so I left it over night and still in the morning I'm stuck on the screen. I tried going into safe mode and re running vm maker with the super res options but get the same thing.

Hi androtaz08,

Did you follow these instructions: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440986.html#msg1440986
You shoud get it working before trying to use VMMaker.

[androtaz08]

Ok I restored from last good setup and reinstalled the driver. Rebooted and every is fine. I haven't run vm makers and I have all the resolutions I need to run groovymame perfectly. However hyperspin will not launch. I have to play around more with the super resolutions as I understand they take the make of the magic ones.

[androtaz08]

got everything 100 % working now. only thing is after the bios screen and before start up say out of range on my d9800. small nitpick but this didn't happen on my old setup with xp. any ideas as to why?

[Calamity]

small nitpick but this didn't happen on my old setup with xp. any ideas as to why?

IIRC you need to run:

bcdedit /set bootux basic

This will make enable 640x480@60 (31kHz) during the boot logo, good enough for your D9800 or a standard arcade monitor with a J-PAC.

Keep in mind W7 still boots at 1024x768@60 (48kHz) and stays there for a couple of seconds before going into 640x480. This is specially troublesome if you're planning to set dual boot, because the W7 boot menu is hardcoded to 48 kHz. There's no way around that I know of, and this can actually kill your monitor. I only switch my monitor on after a few seconds when I know the Windows logo (the basic one) is already on screen.

[bulbousbeard]

A JPAC should protect against the 48khz signal, right?

I'd like to know if I'm blowing up my monitor.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I had the same issue when I switched to Windows 7.  But I have a multisync monitor (Betson) so I'm thinking it's OK?  I have an out of sync error message that pops up on the monitor.

I'll give that boot option a shot when I get home...

bulbousbeard, I've included my RegMdIns.txt and ReslList.txt files below as requested.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Calamity,

My version that's installed is 8.951.1.0 (see pic below)

DeLuSioNaL29

[Calamity]

Thanks DeLuSioNal29, that's the correct version indeed.

Your videos are playing fine here, but only with VLC. In WMP the video is black.

[cools]

small nitpick but this didn't happen on my old setup with xp. any ideas as to why?

Keep in mind W7 still boots at 1024x768@60 (48kHz) and stays there for a couple of seconds before going into 640x480. This is specially troublesome if you're planning to set dual boot, because the W7 boot menu is hardcoded to 48 kHz. There's no way around that I know of, and this can actually kill your monitor. I only switch my monitor on after a few seconds when I know the Windows logo (the basic one) is already on screen.

I thought "No GUI boot" got rid of the boot logo?

[cools]

These drivers don't work with an X600 do they? :facepalm:

[Calamity]

I thought "No GUI boot" got rid of the boot logo?

Yeah but it makes things worse because the black screen is actually 1024x768 for the whole boot process: http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26482
Besides, I found that you can't enable a second monitor if you hide the boot logo... funny.

These drivers don't work with an X600 do they? :facepalm:

Only DX10 cards are supported

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/graphics/display/20091028221422_ATI_Limits_Official_Windows_7_Support_to_DirectX_10_Graphics_Cards.html

[DeLuSioNal29]

Your videos are playing fine here, but only with VLC. In WMP the video is black.

Was this before or after you disabled Flash hardware acceleration in Firefox on Youtube?  I'll try installing VLC again to see if it clears the problem.

Also, did you have a look at Hyperspin's video playout?  I can throw a basic version in my test Dropbox folder which should play a video in the menu, regardless if you have any emulators set up or not.  You just need to toss it on your C: drive for the file associations to work.

DeLuSioNaL29

[DeLuSioNal29]

I'll give that boot option a shot when I get home...

I tried the msconfig "base video" option for 640x480 and it didn't make any difference for my multisync monitor [it just changed my desktop from 800x600 (my maximum res for my Betson monitor) to 640x480].  The boot up still remained out of sync.  But I'm pretty sure I'm safe as my monitor displays "out of sync" instead of the unsupported res which may damage the monitor).

D

[Calamity]

I tried the msconfig "base video" option for 640x480 and it didn't make any difference for my multisync monitor [it just changed my desktop from 800x600 (my maximum res for my Betson monitor) to 640x480].  The boot up still remained out of sync.  But I'm pretty sure I'm safe as my monitor displays "out of sync" instead of the unsupported res which may damage the monitor).

Do it from command line, forget about the msconfig option, use an elevated command prompt.
(I did this last year and I had forgotten the details)

[Calamity]

Was this before or after you disabled Flash hardware acceleration in Firefox on Youtube?  I'll try installing VLC again to see if it clears the problem.

I didn't touch hardware acceleration either in Fireforx or Youtube. Don't have this box connected to the internet to check youtube anyway.

Also, did you have a look at Hyperspin's video playout?

Don't have HS either. Pass me those files so I can check offline, thanks.

[cools]

Hmm, well I've pulled the 4350 out of another box (the PCB colour matches the motherboard in the new machine, which is nice) so that'll be fine for Win 7. That 1024x768 bootup shouldn't bother my monitor either, it's direct VGA in and it filters out signals it doesn't like.

XP would be fine bar the messing I need to do for the SSD to be treated nicely. But 7 boots in seconds so I'd rather stick with it.

Even if it does drive me nuts without a mouse - keyboard navigation on 7 is far more frustrating than XP.

[cools]

I want to thank all the beta testers for their reports. I think it's time to release the beta version so more people can test it, and in the meantime I'll be finishing the new version of VMMaker.

MSVCR100.dll missing error. Stock 64bit Win7 Home Premium SP1-U, no updates (machine has no internet connection).

[cools]

4.- CRT Emudriver for W7 doesn't boot in 15 kHz automatically after restart.

Mine did. I suspect it's because I had base video/no gui boot enabled permanently before installing the driver. I've subsequently unticked base video as it was reverting to 320x240 every reboot, rather than the selected in ArcadeOSD 640x480i.

[cools]

Success.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1-U, no updates. HD 4350. No GUI Boot and Base Video ticked in MSCONFIG
Installed the CRT_Emudriver beta drivers as admin. MSVCR100.DLL error. Asks to enable test mode, tick yes. Rebooted.
Came up in 320x240 15khz.
Selected 640x480i in ArcadeOSD.
Unticked base video.
Rebooted.
Run GroovyMAME as Admin, all working perfectly.

Modeswitching is fast after the initial MAME load time (first run after boot).

Not touched any INI files except for VMMaker.ini. VMMaker is saying no compatible driver found (monitor is connected to \\.\DISPLAY1 according to the debug log) so it does nothing, but the modes built into the driver are all appearing in ArcadeOSD quite happily and GM is picking the right ones.

The driver version is 8.951.1.0, Calamity signed.

[Sledge]

I'm still on the old drivers...
Disabled hardware acceleration through firefox, and videos show fine in HS..
Not sure if i need to install the new drivers or not lol?

[Calamity]

Hi cools,

I think the MSVCR100.DLL error happens because I packed the wrong version of dpinst.exe, I need to check. You simply need to install the visual c++ redistributable package to hide this error but this didn't happen with the previous drivers.

Regarding VMMaker, make sure to run it with ADMIN RIGHTS (it does work).

Using No GUI Boot caused problems for me with not being able to add a secondary monitor, this is a bug with ATI drivers I guess. Anyway using two monitors in W7 is not a real possibility in W7 with these drivers because things turn really slow, but just commenting this so you don't go crazy.

It's a shame that flash doesn't work without disabling hardware acceleration as it was the reason I built this new package. I wonder if ripping off the basic driver files is the cause of this and I really need to use the whole "reloaded" package to fix this.

[cools]

I think the MSVCR100.DLL error happens because I packed the wrong version of dpinst.exe, I need to check. You simply need to install the visual c++ redistributable package to hide this error but this didn't happen with the previous drivers.

2010 version, yeah? http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=26999 Prefer not to but no doubt I'll need it for something else so I'll give that a go.

Regarding VMMaker, make sure to run it with ADMIN RIGHTS (it does work).

I did. Right click run as admin, and later with UAC off. It runs but says driver not found. Will try once I've fixed the MSVCR100.DLL

Using No GUI Boot caused problems for me with not being able to add a secondary monitor, this is a bug with ATI drivers I guess. Anyway using two monitors in W7 is not a real possibility in W7 with these drivers because things turn really slow, but just commenting this so you don't go crazy.

Not something I'm worried about, cab only has one screen

[cools]

Nope, installing the Visual C++ redist fixes the setup error but VMMaker still doesn't work (as admin)

[Calamity]

Nope, installing the Visual C++ redist fixes the setup error but VMMaker still doesn't work (as admin)

What VMMaker are you running? Only the one provided with the package should be used with W7. It has worked for everyone indeed
 

[cools]

Yes, that one.

It's in C:\CRT_Emudriver

It runs fine, just says it can't find a compatible driver and that the registry won't be updated.

Unless that error is a lie? Hangon, I've noticed some weirdness where I've had to reinstall the driver again a couple of times - perhaps it's doing what it should but not telling me. I'll check.

[cools]

Right, okay.

VMMaker clears all the custom modes from the registry, but doesn't repopulate it. It generates all of its working files okay (I modified the "desktop" one to 800x480 @ 30 and that appears in the other text files).

However, if I set "Any_Catalyst" to 1 in VMMAKER.INI that does the trick and allows VMMaker to work normally.

[Calamity]

Sorry cools, you're totally right. I must have forgotten to add the new signature (8.951.1.0) to VMMaker. In the meantime using "AnyCatalyst" is the way to go.

[cools]

No problem I'm pleased with how well it works, the slow mode switching I was concerned about doesn't appear to be an issue whatsoever - there's a short freeze when starting GM (or anything that has to access the resolutions) for the first time after boot, but once done it's fine.

[Calamity]

Regarding the green screen issue, I've done further research and the "reloaded" driver actually fixes the issue, but unfortunately as soon as I patch the driver to add the "emudriver" features the issue reappears (probably for a completely different reason):

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?p=4835350#post4835350

The problematic feature here is DXVA. This is the hardware accelerated video support, used by Flash & HS to display mp4 encoded videos. The workaround by now is to force Flash not to use hardware acceleration as explained in previous posts (via Firefox).

[cools]

Having problems making super resolutions.

VMMaker appears to make them (they appear in the modeline file etc) but the only custom resolution available after rebooting is the 640x480 desktop one.

Just me?

[Calamity]

Having problems making super resolutions.

VMMaker appears to make them (they appear in the modeline file etc) but the only custom resolution available after rebooting is the 640x480 desktop one.

Just me?

This is odd. Does it only happen with super resolutions? Is VMMaker able to install any other resolutions at all?

[cools]

Yeah, it's fine with everything else, it even generates its own super wide resolutions when processing the MAME XML. If they didnt appear in the results text files I'd think it was my mistake. I'll do some more digging soon.

It'd really help me if vmmaker and groovy presets and syntax were synchronised though, I know that 31k with fake scanlines is A weird setup but it's far more authentic on the monitor I'm using than its 15k.

[Calamity]

You can test this:

- Download Winmodelines (http://www.geocities.ws/podernixie/htpc/modeline-en.html), and make sure the modelines are present.
- Make sure the modes are not being hidden by Windows. In ArcadeOSD, disable the "Lock unsupported modes" option.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I tried the msconfig "base video" option for 640x480 and it didn't make any difference for my multisync monitor [it just changed my desktop from 800x600 (my maximum res for my Betson monitor) to 640x480].  The boot up still remained out of sync.  But I'm pretty sure I'm safe as my monitor displays "out of sync" instead of the unsupported res which may damage the monitor).

Do it from command line, forget about the msconfig option, use an elevated command prompt.
(I did this last year and I had forgotten the details)

OK, I figured I'd provide some more info here as well.  With the default startup (haven't done it from the command line yet or msconfig) My CRT monitor displays:  Out of Sync HF 38-40kHz, VF 47-160Hz  48.3  60Hz.

Will this command line function correct this problem?  Do you have the exact syntax that I could try from my CMD prompt?

Thanks in advance!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Calamity]

Out of Sync HF 38-40kHz, VF 47-160Hz  48.3  60Hz.

Yeah that's 1024x768

Will this command line function correct this problem?  Do you have the exact syntax that I could try from my CMD prompt?

bcdedit /set bootux basic

[DeLuSioNal29]

And how do you undo it? (Just in case)

Edit:  Nevermind, I found info on how to backup the BCD using tbe /export command.  I can always restore it using the /import command.

Read more here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709667%28v=ws.10%29.aspx

I need to read up more on this when I have some spare time.  It allows you to disable the boot screens:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/ff794272%28v=winembedded.60%29.aspx

DeLuSioNaL29

[Sledge]

I need to read up more on this when I have some spare time.  It allows you to disable the boot screens:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/ff794272%28v=winembedded.60%29.aspx

Is that for embedded windows only?

[DeLuSioNal29]

]
Is that for embedded windows only?

I believe it's for Windows 7.  "Windows embedded" is a whole different OS.

D

[Sledge]

]
Is that for embedded windows only?

I believe it's for Windows 7.  "Windows embedded" is a whole different OS.

D

Well the link you have is for windows embedded

[retrorepair]

Ok, I'm having some real issues here, most of which I am sure it due to me not keeping up with things and misunderstanding what has changed.

So my work flow is this:

Installed W7
Installed the beta CRTemu driver as admin, allowed test mode
rebooted
PC monitor now out of range, connected to arcade monitor and resolution is 320x240, managed to get 480i enabled thanks to arcadeosd
reboot
arcade monitor now a mess, resolution seems to have defaulted to 1024x768 
connected arcade monitor, reboot again
PC monitor now out of range, go back to arcade monitor, resolution once again 320x240

I figured something went wrong, so I uninstalled the driver and started again

Installed driver as admin, allowed test mode to be enabled again, rebooted with arcade monitor plugged in
Again, it's defaulted to 1024x768
rebooted with the pc monitor attached and guess what? 320x240 

I have a feeling I will be going back to XP pretty soon, any idea what's happening though or what I'm doing wrong?

[retrorepair]

As it goes, where are the instructions mentioned in the first post of this thread? I seem to be totally misunderstanding what I need to do here.

[Calamity]

Hi retrorepair,

Follow the instructions here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440986.html#msg1440986

Pay special attention to step 4.7,  it's probably related to your issue. For some reason this problem happens to some users, we still don't know the exact cause but it is fixable.

[Calamity]

Another possible strategy: once you have the arcade monitor showing 320x240, without rebooting try reinstalling the driver again, just run Setup again and answer yes when it asks it you want to override the already existing driver*. Then reboot to check if the resolution stays.

*During driver installation, the screen will go out of sync for an instant, as the new driver instance is initialized. If you're scared about your monitor getting damaged switch it off during this step.

[retrorepair]

Ok well I used Display Driver Uninstaller from Guru3D and started again.

I have a problem with this point:

  4.5.- Now you should have a 31 kHz picture on your computer monitor. Go into screen properties, advanced, show all modes. In the list there should be this mode: 640 x 480 @ 30 Hz. 30 Hz stands for interlaced here. That's a 15 kHz mode. Select it and apply. Now your computer monitor should get out of sync.

The mode isn't listed 

I'll try your second suggestion but something tells me it's not installing right.

My card by the way is this exact one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141313972643?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I'm also running Windows 7 Ultimate

I was also a bit confused by which XML mode I should select in VMMaker.ini since you say magic/static/dynamic modes shouldn't be used, yet they are the only modes there. I can't see an option for super modes.

[retrorepair]

Ok, tried second method, I reinstalled when it was in 320x240 but as it was installing it changed the res to 1024x768 again 

[Calamity]

Super resolutions are explained here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440362.html#msg1440362

I'd bet the drivers are installing fine. It's more of an issue of what your previous resolution was I believe. For some reason Windows remembers it and tries to set it back under some circumstances. In my case I use a multisync monitor for the whole process (no cable switching) and it works perfectly. If you manage to install the driver with your arcade monitor attached all the time, it should work.

[Calamity]

Ok, tried second method, I reinstalled when it was in 320x240 but as it was installing it changed the res to 1024x768 again 

Go back to Windows default driver, by uninstalling the driver from device manager. Then set your desktop to 640x480. Then reinstall the driver.

[retrorepair]

Super resolutions are explained here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440362.html#msg1440362

I'd bet the drivers are installing fine. It's more of an issue of what your previous resolution was I believe. For some reason Windows remembers it and tries to set it back under some circumstances. In my case I use a multisync monitor for the whole process (no cable switching) and it works perfectly. If you manage to install the driver with your arcade monitor attached all the time, it should work.

I guess I will need to adjust the hold on my monitor to get it to sync to 31k then (even if it's doubled, I can probably make it out).

In that link you say to use super modes but you don't say how. In VMMaker.ini there's only three options, static, dynamic and magic. Unless I'm not supposed to be using VMMaker at all?

I tried setting it to 640x480 before installing the driver by the way, I even restarted to make sure it was set. As I was installing the driver it set the resolution to 320x240 but when connected to the arcade monitor, when I reset it once again set the res to 1024x768.

Should I try adding the resistors to the RGB lines? Will that help? I'm running a JPac if that helps.

[retrorepair]

I've just realised I can't even set the resolution to 640x480 60hz as when your driver is installed the lowest refresh in the windows mode list is 72hz 

[Calamity]

I've just realised I can't even set the resolution to 640x480 60hz as when your driver is installed the lowest refresh in the windows mode list is 72hz 

That's really odd. Is it the same thing in ArcadeOSD?

[retrorepair]

Ok well yes it is weird, because now I have gone into arcadeOSD and all the resolutions are there now EXCEPT 640x480  60i/30hz

640x480 72p, 75p and 85p are all there but greyed out. In fact there are no interlaced modes listed at all.

[Calamity]

In that link you say to use super modes but you don't say how. In VMMaker.ini there's only three options, static, dynamic and magic. Unless I'm not supposed to be using VMMaker at all?

Either static or dynamic will work, just set both XML options to dynamic (1). And run VMMaker (with admin rights).

Should I try adding the resistors to the RGB lines? Will that help? I'm running a JPac if that helps.

No sure it would help. I'd be an interesting experiment anyway. I'm assuming you're using the same output as in XP don't you?

BTW Sledge was having the same issue, he somehow managed to solve it, let's see if he comes to the rescue.

[Calamity]

Ok well yes it is weird, because now I have gone into arcadeOSD and all the resolutions are there now EXCEPT 640x480  60i/30hz

640x480 72p, 75p and 85p are all there but greyed out. In fact there are no interlaced modes listed at all.

Then use a progressive resolution for the desktop. Yeah, you're having the same issue Sledge had. For some reason interlaced modes are being filtered out. This seems to happen with some cards. Maybe try the disabling the "Lock modes this monitor can show" option in advanced display settings, this will probably show the whole uncensored mode list.

[retrorepair]

Ok I'll try them anyway, can't hurt I guess. Thanks for the info on the super modes.

By the way, I told ArcadeOSD not to lock unsupported modes, selected 480i and nothing happened, it's outputting 800x600

EDIT: Just noticed me and Sledge have the same card, Radeon HD 4850 

[retrorepair]

Ok, now I've restarted and connected the arcade monitor. THIS time, we have 800x600 and 640x480 60p is in the windows advanced list!!

640x480@60p is also now the lowest mode listed in ArcadeOSD. When I set "lock unsupported modes" in arcadeOSD it tells me that actually the resolution is 120p!! So I've made sure it's set at 60p.

I'm going to try a restart now in 640x480 and then plug in the arcade monitor.

[retrorepair]

Well, it's not lying, the arcade monitor cannot sync to it(even doubled), I'm sure it's running at 120p.

Also when I keep the pc monitor connected it just stays in that mode so I am at a loss as to what I can do now. 

[Calamity]

I never meant that you used 640x480@60p, by progressive I meant something in the 15 kHz range. Aren't you seeing any of those in the advanced display options with the unlocked mode list?

Try booting in 640x480, press F8 during boot to enter the menu.

[retrorepair]

Nope, 720x480 30i is there but it's the lowest interlaced mode in the unlocked list. The absolute lowest res in the list is 640x480 59p

I never meant that you used 640x480@60p, by progressive I meant something in the 15 kHz range

Yeha I know but since you said installing the driver while the arcade monitor is attached I thought I would see if I could do that. Guess not!

BTW, even after running VMMaker modeline.txt and modelist.txt are empty 

[Calamity]

Nope, 720x480 30i is there but it's the lowest interlaced mode in the unlocked list. The absolute lowest res in the list is 640x480 59p

Didn't you try that one?!?

BTW, even after running VMMaker modeline.txt and modelist.txt are empty 

That's suspicious, probably you don't even have the custom modes installed. May you paste here what's being prompted by the VMMaker's console?

[Calamity]

Oh damned, I forgot to mention, with the "reloaded" version you must use the "AnyCatalyst = 1" option in vmmaker.ini, otherwise the driver won't be recognized.

[retrorepair]

Didn't you try that one?!?

Yeah, it's lying again, not an interlaced mode.

That's suspicious, probably you don't even have the custom modes installed. May you paste here what's being prompted by the VMMaker's console?

You mean the output of the console window yeah? I've attached my ini too.

I do have AnyCatalyst set to 1 

[cools]

Post your resllist.text, I'm betting you made the same mistake as I did on my first play with Vmmaker and the syntax isnt quite perfect.

[Calamity]

Yeah it must be a problem with ReslList.txt. I specifically posted it as a code section so users could just copy/paste with the exact format.
Also, use the "CUSTOM" preset just as it is defined by default.

[retrorepair]

Ah, for some reason it's decided to paste it all in one line in ReslList.txt!

I'll fix it and cross my fingers!

Cheers fellas

[retrorepair]

Ok so it found and generated 16 modes.

The difference now is that when MAME is on the arcade monitor all modes are interlaced. I still can't get it to sync on the arcade monitor from boot.

Windows is now in 640x480 permanently, but at 72khz when booting from the arcade monitor. However when the PC monitor is plugged in at boot, it outputs 480i.

[Calamity]

So does 640x480@60i appears now in the unlocked list (display properties not ArcadeOSD)? Can it be selected?

[Sledge]

In that link you say to use super modes but you don't say how. In VMMaker.ini there's only three options, static, dynamic and magic. Unless I'm not supposed to be using VMMaker at all?

Either static or dynamic will work, just set both XML options to dynamic (1). And run VMMaker (with admin rights).

Should I try adding the resistors to the RGB lines? Will that help? I'm running a JPac if that helps.

No sure it would help. I'd be an interesting experiment anyway. I'm assuming you're using the same output as in XP don't you?

BTW Sledge was having the same issue, he somehow managed to solve it, let's see if he comes to the rescue.

It does sound like a similar issue doesn't it... Though i'm not exactly sure what fixed it and now i'm too scared to change anything
To be noted though.. i'm still on the original drivers, not the reloaded ones..

BUT i didn't have an issue with modeline.txt and modelist.txt not being populated i don't think...
I just followed the instructions, and kept trying with setting the resolution multiple times (before rebooting etc), and installs, until it worked..
currently using super resolutions as well.. (and not hiding unsupported resolutions )

(Sorry i wasn't here earlier.. i was in bed .. and now i have to go to work )

[retrorepair]

So does 640x480@60i appears now in the unlocked list (display properties not ArcadeOSD)? Can it be selected?

When connected to the arcade monitor at boot and I change to the PC monitor 640x480@60i appears in the unlocked list only. When I connect the PC monitor at boot the modelines generated are all there.

I'd be interested to try the pre-reloaded driver to see if anything changes.

[Calamity]

I'd be interested to try the pre-reloaded driver to see if anything changes.

Use this link.

[cools]

Just a thought, would changing the monitor type in Windows help with this? http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj133967(v=vs.85).aspx http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff568432(v=vs.85).aspx

[Sledge]

Ok, so while playing around with a few things, i lost my 640x480 resolution 'sticking' on my machine.. back to how it was before...
tried setting it to 640x480 again through drivers etc, but if i started windows with the arcade screen connected it wouldn't sync.
If i started with an LCD it would boot, then go out of range, then i'd connect the arcade and it would be fine.. tried all sorts of things..

The thing that ended up working, was an archive i have here called switchres.zip
Inside there's 3 files..
640x288.exe (i think)
640x480.exe
800x600.exe

I ran 640x480 while the LCD was connected, it goes out of sync, i switch to arcade, so far so good... shut down, restart,  GOLD! machine boots at 640x480 and it sticks..
Not sure where i got the files from originally, i can't find them now.. but i DO have them here...
There's another util called quickres (sits in taskbar and allows you to choose any of your supported resolutions by the looks), which COULD do the same thing, but i haven't tried..

[cools]

Some more messing about - I cannot get super resolutions to work whatsoever. In fact I'm really struggling with anything in ReslList.txt - I'd like to get 1280x768 interlaced in there if possible (my minimum YRes is set to 384) but it only ever generates a modeline for 1294x944...

I've copied and pasted the list made by Calamity, removed the two duplicate entries, ran VMMaker which generates modelines as here:

Code: [Select]

Modeline "640x480_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 25.450 640 664 760 808 480 491 493 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "1264x944_60 31.47KHz 60.00Hz" 50.350 1264 1312 1504 1600 944 973 977 1049 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "1368x1024_54 31.40KHz 54.00Hz" 54.010 1368 1416 1616 1720 1024 1070 1074 1163 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "1368x1024_55 31.49KHz 55.00Hz" 54.410 1368 1416 1624 1728 1024 1061 1065 1145 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x384_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 384 443 445 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x392_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 392 447 449 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x400_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 400 451 453 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x416_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 416 459 461 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x432_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 432 467 469 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x448_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 448 475 477 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x464_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 464 483 485 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x480_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 480 491 493 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x496_58 31.50KHz 58.23Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 496 507 509 541 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x512_57 31.50KHz 56.55Hz" 101.810 2560 2656 3040 3232 512 523 525 557 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "2560x800_60 31.47KHz 60.00Hz" 101.710 2560 2656 3040 3232 800 901 905 1049 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "5120x480_60 31.50KHz 60.00Hz" 203.620 5120 5312 6080 6464 480 491 493 525 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "5120x496_58 31.50KHz 58.23Hz" 203.620 5120 5312 6080 6464 496 507 509 541 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "5120x512_57 31.50KHz 56.55Hz" 203.620 5120 5312 6080 6464 512 523 525 557 -hsync -vsync

However in ArcadeOSD only the top 3 modelines appear. They are also not there if I show unsupported modes.

Running using the XML import is absolutely fine however and works well.

[Calamity]

The thing that ended up working, was an archive i have here called switchres.zip
Inside there's 3 files..
640x288.exe (i think)
640x480.exe
800x600.exe

Thanks a lot Sledge!

Those files are from Ultimarc indeed, they can be downloaded here: http://www.ultimarc.com/Switchres.zip

@retrorepair, before you test with the files pointed by Sledge, please check the new Arcade_OSD I've attached to this thread. Once you select a mode, there's a new option named "Set as default display mode", you need to select it and then make sure to select "Keep" before exiting the program*. I'm using a different method now to set the desktop mode just like the above programs do, hopefully now the modes stick.

*if for some reason you loose the program window upon mode switch, pressing "2" should bring it back.

[Calamity]

Some more messing about - I cannot get super resolutions to work whatsoever.

The only thing I can think off is that we're stumbling on a max dotclock value. May you try replacing the 2560x values by 1280x?

[retrorepair]

The thing that ended up working, was an archive i have here called switchres.zip
Inside there's 3 files..
640x288.exe (i think)
640x480.exe
800x600.exe

Thanks a lot Sledge!

Those files are from Ultimarc indeed, they can be downloaded here: http://www.ultimarc.com/Switchres.zip

@retrorepair, before you test with the files pointed by Sledge, please check the new Arcade_OSD I've attached to this thread. Once you select a mode, there's a new option named "Set as default display mode", you need to select it and then make sure to select "Keep" before exiting the program*. I'm using a different method now to set the desktop mode just like the above programs do, hopefully now the modes stick.

*if for some reason you loose the program window upon mode switch, pressing "2" should bring it back.

Thanks Calamity, though it still won't stick  I set as desktop mode AND set as default display mode. Reset the machine and.. 1024x768 

I'm actually not sure those Ultimarc packages will work either since although they may force 640x480, I do wonder if it will be interlaced or progressive. I will try it now anyway.

[retrorepair]

I ran 640x480 while the LCD was connected, it goes out of sync, i switch to arcade, so far so good... shut down, restart,  GOLD! machine boots at 640x480 and it sticks..
Not sure where i got the files from originally, i can't find them now.. but i DO have them here...
There's another util called quickres (sits in taskbar and allows you to choose any of your supported resolutions by the looks), which COULD do the same thing, but i haven't tried..

So I tried it but as expected, when I ran it on the LCD all I got was 640x480 progressive. Even if it sticks it's not interlaced so it won't sync on my 15khz arcade monitor.

 

*EDIT* I restarted and yep, stuck with 640x480 but progressive so still won't sync on the arcade monitor.

[retrorepair]

Just a thought, would changing the monitor type in Windows help with this? http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj133967(v=vs.85).aspx http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff568432(v=vs.85).aspx

It's clear that since the monitor isn't providing EDID info then windows is freaking out and defaulting to what it considers a standard safe resolution. An EDID override as described in your first link would be the answer, I just don't know how to do it or what to include in it.

[retrorepair]

Should I try adding the resistors to the RGB lines? Will that help? I'm running a JPac if that helps.

No sure it would help. I'd be an interesting experiment anyway. I'm assuming you're using the same output as in XP don't you?

Well guess what? With 75ohm resistors on each R, G and B line tied to ground it syncs in 640x480, 15khz every time connected to the arcade monitor! EVERY time!!

It does of course reduce the brightness quite a bit so it's not ideal. I guess it does prove it absolutely needs EDID info if this is what the resistors are supposed to circumvent.

I'd hate to see what it would look like without the RGB amplifier built into the J-PAC 

The other problem I am having of course is the issue with MAME and resolutions/refresh rates. Right now I have a ton of resolutions available but all are 60p so none of the refresh rates in MAME are correct. Your suggestion of the "super" resolutions only gave me a handfull of interlaced modes, no progressive modes or accurate refresh rates.

[Calamity]

Well guess what? With 75ohm resistors on each R, G and B line tied to ground it syncs in 640x480, 15khz every time connected to the arcade monitor! EVERY time!!

That's very good news! At least we now know it's a problem related to monitor detection. I think I already asked but do the other output have the same problem?

I guess it does prove it absolutely needs EDID info if this is what the resistors are supposed to circumvent.

Not at all. It does prove it is related to monitor detection. EDID info is a separate thing and not required at all as you're seeing. I do know this because I have a Soft-15kHz EDID dongle and it doesn't help when it comes to monitor detection.

The other problem I am having of course is the issue with MAME and resolutions/refresh rates. Right now I have a ton of resolutions available but all are 60p so none of the refresh rates in MAME are correct. Your suggestion of the "super" resolutions only gave me a handfull of interlaced modes, no progressive modes or accurate refresh rates.

Aren't you using GroovyMAME? Those modes are supposed to be used with it. GroovyMAME will recalculate the required refresh on the fly, you'll have the right refresh for all games. On the other hand the "super" resolutions just work, do check the modelines list to see what it's doing.

Now, in case you wanted to test any further: before you put the resistors, the issue seems to be (as it was in Sledge's case) that the system can't see the interlaced modes on boot (because your monitor is not detected and the system thinks they're not safe), so setting for instance 640x480@60i will be automatically reverted to 1024x768*. But I'd say that if you tried to set a 15 kHz progressive mode like 640x240 (or whatever other that you have but not a 31 kHz one!) with the new option "set as default display mode" maybe it would stick (in case it's working as it is supposed).

*1024x768 is the default resolution in W7. However you can force W7 to use a lower resolution by default. From an elevated cmd, run "bcdedit /set vga on" and reboot. At least this might force the system to fall back to a mode that is readable throught the j-pac.

BTW the EDID overrides wouldn't help here either (I might be wrong, if so let me know). The problem happens deep inside the display driver when it doesn't detect that a monitor is connected. The EDID override wouldn't be considered in this situation.

[retrorepair]

I think I already asked but do the other output have the same problem?

I have not checked but I will. I don't think it will display the desktop on the second output though?

It does prove it is related to monitor detection. EDID info is a separate thing and not required at all as you're seeing. I do know this because I have a Soft-15kHz EDID dongle and it doesn't help when it comes to monitor detection.

Yes I've been reading up, apparently it just bumps up the current draw so the card knows there is a monitor there. I guess since I am already drawing current I need to work out what value is actually required. This way I should be able to keep most of my brightness and extend the life of my gfx card.

Aren't you using GroovyMAME? Those modes are supposed to be used with it. GroovyMAME will recalculate the required refresh on the fly, you'll have the right refresh for all games. On the other hand the "super" resolutions just work, do check the modelines list to see what it's doing.

I did this as I did last time (in fact it's the very same VMMaker.ini) and now it's only finding 3 modes despite me making sure I copied your list exactly. When I run GroovyMAME now it tells me it can't open the registry entry, 2560x0 is not available and it couldn't find a mode to match my specs.

Now, in case you wanted to test any further: before you put the resistors, the issue seems to be (as it was in Sledge's case) that the system can't see the interlaced modes on boot (because your monitor is not detected and the system thinks they're not safe), so setting for instance 640x480@60i will be automatically reverted to 1024x768*. But I'd say that if you tried to set a 15 kHz progressive mode like 640x240 (or whatever other that you have but not a 31 kHz one!) with the new option "set as default display mode" maybe it would stick (in case it's working as it is supposed).

I can try that, sure.

[Calamity]

I did this as I did last time (in fact it's the very same VMMaker.ini) and now it's only finding 3 modes despite me making sure I copied your list exactly.

Use the attached file.

When I run GroovyMAME now it tells me it can't open the registry entry, 2560x0 is not available and it couldn't find a mode to match my specs.

You need to launch GM with ADMIN RIGHTS, it's the only way it can access the registry and to its stuff with the refresh rates.

[cools]

Are the duplicated lines in the file critical? I'll try a max resolution tomorrow, that makes sense although should the mode exist but crash rather than not exist at all?

[retrorepair]

Thanks for the file, it found 31 modes this time! I guess because the file was created on a Mac, it didn't like the formatting? Looked identical to me but obviously not!

So it looks like it's all working now! 

I will tell you guys right now as well, a bit of testing with mmpork's attract mode on both xp x64 and W7 x64, W7 is MUCH faster, I'd say a good 20% or more! Guess all this work is well worth it.

I'll do some more testing on some games I know can be a bit funny but I have high hopes 

Will let you know about setting the desktop to a progressive mode too. I guess it won't be practical but could lead to an answer. I can tell you before though when the desktop decided to default to 320x240, a reboot went back to 1024x768, though I guess I didn't set it again so I will try it out.

Thanks for all the help Calamity and everyone else, hopefully this will aid in making GroovyMAME even better 

[Sledge]

Some more messing about - I cannot get super resolutions to work whatsoever.

The only thing I can think off is that we're stumbling on a max dotclock value. May you try replacing the 2560x values by 1280x?

Except that if we are both using the same card.. HD4850.. that shouldn't be an issue...
What brand is yours Retro? Mine's Saphire..

That's very good news! At least we now know it's a problem related to monitor detection. I think I already asked but do the other output have the same problem?

But mine doesn't supply an EDID either...

[cools]

4350 here

[retrorepair]

I'm not sure cools is using a HD3850. In terms of dot clocks though, I have always found with this card that 8.5 is the best minimum to work with. Just remember to set it in mame.ini and VMMaker.ini

Not sure what make it is, it's this one here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ATi-Radeon-HD-4850-1GB-DVI-x2-TV-out-PCIe-gaming-graphics-card-CLEAN-amp-TESTED-/141313972643?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=kcOdkLEaZvTnfabjUz2hK8JtItY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

BTW, I'm also suffering from green videos in hyperspin.

[Calamity]

Are the duplicated lines in the file critical? I'll try a max resolution tomorrow, that makes sense although should the mode exist but crash rather than not exist at all?

Not sure what you mean by duplicated lines...
Regarding the max dotclock, the modes could be discarded by the driver in the first place by checking against the max-min ranges taken from your video card bios.

[Sledge]

I'm not sure cools is using a HD3850. In terms of dot clocks though, I have always found with this card that 8.5 is the best minimum to work with. Just remember to set it in mame.ini and VMMaker.ini

Not sure what make it is, it's this one here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ATi-Radeon-HD-4850-1GB-DVI-x2-TV-out-PCIe-gaming-graphics-card-CLEAN-amp-TESTED-/141313972643?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=kcOdkLEaZvTnfabjUz2hK8JtItY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

BTW, I'm also suffering from green videos in hyperspin.

That looks the same as mine..

re: green screen.. did you disable hardware acceleration through youtube vids? (firefox needed)

[Calamity]

Regarding the resistors, hopefully someone made something like this:

http://rumorscity.com/2013/12/06/how-to-create-dummy-plugs-for-your-graphics-cards/

... but that worked as a passthrough connector. It could be even cooler if it was integrated in a DVI-VGA connector.

[retrorepair]

It'd be easy to do, it's just a shame this needs extra hardware really.

Calamity, what are the specs of VGA and your typical arcade monitor? In terms of milliamps and volts?

[Calamity]

I was struggling with the green videos issue last week. It turns out it is HDCP, digital content protection stuff. These guys are having the same problem: http://www.monitortests.com/forum/Thread-AMD-ATI-Pixel-Clock-Patcher

Once you modify a single byte in the driver .sys, it disables DXVA. I guess this is by design, to make it hard to crack the driver to copy movies etc. Flash uses DXVA by default, so you must disable hardware acceleration through Firefox. Fortunately there are workarounds for most video acceleration issues derived from this. I was afraid the driver was intrinsically damaged due to the patches so games might suffer from this but it looks like it's just a "feature" after all.

[Calamity]

It'd be easy to do, it's just a shame this needs extra hardware really.

Calamity, what are the specs of VGA and your typical arcade monitor? In terms of milliamps and volts?

No idea, the only reference I've seen is this one (scroll down for the "If your PC does not sense your monitor" bit): http://www.geocities.ws/podernixie/htpc/cables-en.html

[cools]

Are the duplicated lines in the file critical? I'll try a max resolution tomorrow, that makes sense although should the mode exist but crash rather than not exist at all?

Not sure what you mean by duplicated lines...
Regarding the max dotclock, the modes could be discarded by the driver in the first place by checking against the max-min ranges taken from your video card bios.

480 and 496 are repeated in the file.

So vmmaker doesn't just insert mode lines into the registry, it actually calls the driver to add them, and records the results in modeline.txt?

Should have time to play some more tonight, I'll try with not so super resolutions

[cyb]

I have successfully installed the driver but I have not ran vmmaker or hooked up my crt yet.

I'll be using a sony PVM. In regards to resilist.txt:

Code: [Select]

640 x 480 @ 60.000000 desktop
do I need to change the refresh to 30 or leave it as is?

also, for the super resolutions. this one for example:

Code: [Select]

2560 x 240 @ 60.000000 superDo I need to change the h-res to 1280 or leave it at 2560?

I wasn't totally sure if these resolutions were only meant to be used on a 31k capable monitor or not...

My current setup is a little strange, I'm running two different video cards. My main card is a gtx 750ti and I also have the hd4350 installed for crt emudriver. I hope everything will play nice together. I will report back with my findings.

[Calamity]

Code: [Select]

640 x 480 @ 60.000000 desktopdo I need to change the refresh to 30 or leave it as is?

Not necessarily. Depending on the monitor preset you choose, that one will be done as 60i or 60p.

also, for the super resolutions. this one for example:

Code: [Select]

2560 x 240 @ 60.000000 superDo I need to change the h-res to 1280 or leave it at 2560?

You shouldn't need to do that for low vertical resolutions. Maybe the issue reported by Cools has to do with a combination of his using of high vertical resolutions (31 kHZ) with superwide modes and his particular card's BIOS. I never had an issue with superwide modes.

I wasn't totally sure if these resolutions were only meant to be used on a 31k capable monitor or not...

That list was meant to be monitor independent, then depending on the preset you choose some modes will actually be calculated and some will just produce a virtualized mode. With some testing you can trim that list so that only the actual super resolutions you need are created.

My current setup is a little strange, I'm running two different video cards. My main card is a gtx 750ti and I also have the hd4350 installed for crt emudriver. I hope everything will play nice together. I will report back with my findings.

Then make sure to edit vmmaker.ini to point to the right \\.\DISPLAY, use ArcadeOSD or the MAME log or whatever method to find out what \\.\DISPLAY# your hd4350 is mapped to, e.g. \\.\DISPLAY1, \\.\DISPLAY5, etc.

[Calamity]

480 and 496 are repeated in the file.

Ok I see it now My mistake.

So vmmaker doesn't just insert mode lines into the registry, it actually calls the driver to add them, and records the results in modeline.txt?

No, it only inserts the modelines into the registry, so it is possible that a modeline appears in modeline.txt but later during boot the driver simply rejects it.

[cools]

Gotcha. Okay, I'll try with both 15khz and 31khz and see what I find. I do see some very high resolutions in ArcadeOSD if I show unsupported modes, but I guess those are the ones baked into the driver.

I'm still very happy with how it works with method 1 though, I've got 120 modes in the registry and the only slowness is a 6 seconds freeze when Windows goes from the "Welcome" screen to the shell.

[cools]

Super resolutions using the standard 15KHz VMMaker monitor_preset line and the posted ReslList.txt work fine, as does Groovy. I also get these weird entries added that appear from nowhere:

Code: [Select]

Modeline "664x496_59 15.91KHz 59.04Hz" 13.860 664 696 760 872 496 499 504 539 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "664x496_60 16.18KHz 60.06Hz" 14.090 664 696 760 872 496 499 504 539 interlace -hsync -vsync
Modeline "728x544_54 15.85KHz 54.02Hz" 15.110 728 760 832 952 544 547 552 587 interlace -hsync -vsync
Off to try some higher resolution stuff...

[Calamity]

Super resolutions using the standard 15KHz VMMaker monitor_preset line and the posted ReslList.txt work fine, as does Groovy. I also get these weird entries added that appear from nowhere:

Those are modes that couldn't be calculated through the current monitor_preset for being out of range and because of this are virtualized. Check the Modelist.txt file for details regarding the original mode.

[cools]

Aha, okay I see them. Would I be right in assuming I want to avoid those wherever possible and put modes in that do work?

Anyway, I'm done testing. You were correct regarding the dot clock maximum. Any time a resolution requires a dotclock > 100, it's rejected by the driver even though it appears in the ModeLine.txt. 2560 in 31KHz is a failure. It's just over the tipping point.

I think I'll stick with my 120 modes 31KHz setup. I temporarily set the monitor to arcade_15_25_31 for testing (with associated monitor_specs lines) and cringed whenever it resynced. I don't fully grasp how many modes should be in ReslList.txt for super modes to be effective with all the different refresh rates available in MAME, and the little freeze when Windows loads isn't in any way a problem.

[Calamity]

Anyway, I'm done testing. You were correct regarding the dot clock maximum. Any time a resolution requires a dotclock > 100, it's rejected by the driver even though it appears in the ModeLine.txt. 2560 in 31KHz is a failure. It's just over the tipping point.

Aah, yes... I forgot to fix this in VMMaker! It's just a problem with the dotclock value overflowing when it's higher than 100, but it's a problem with VMMaker, not the driver. I had already fixed this in the most recent versions of GroovyMAME, but still hadn't in VMMaker. Thanks for reporting this, I'll fix it as soon as possible. In the meanwhile if you want to use super resolutions, use Winmodelines to add the modes, just use the list generated by VMMaker in Modelines.txt and simply paste it inside the Winmodelines text box.

[cools]

  I'm happy enough for now. Just discovered that VMMaker uses both the XML AND the ReslList.txt at the same time, so by emptying the latter (except for my desktop 688x512@57 resolution, which is the largest 4:3 progressive mode my monitor can handle. It also centres and sizes 512p at the same as 480p, which is nice) I've got the list of modes down to 76 and the boot freeze is under 2 seconds.

[cyb]

I have successfully run vmmaker with the super resolutions. Groovymame is working well with the super resolutions when the PVM is plugged in by itself. It doesn't seem to play nice when I have other displays attached, either to the HDMI of my 4350 or my other video card. I dont really consider that a problem because I'm just using my pc as a test system. I will be configuring a separate computer for exclusive crt emudriver usage.

A few issues I've noticed so far:

Mortal Kombat 2 will not sync for me. log attached.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 has slight tearing in the scrolling player select graphic on the top of the screen when using d3d and frame delay. When using ddraw the tearing is gone but there is a slight stutter in the scrolling. I've attached the logs.

So far I don't think I want to go back to xp 64. You rock calamity! donation heading your way.

[Calamity]

Hi cyb,

First of all, make sure you run GM with ADMIN RIGHTS, otherwise it won't be able to access the Windows registry in order to use the required refresh rates.

Mortal Kombat may just be using a refresh (54 Hz) that is off in relation to your current monitor vfreq adjustment.

Regarding the tearing with frame delay & d3d, yes it does exist with high resolutions (although I haven't seen it yet at 240p). In order to use ddraw, maybe a value of 9 for frame_delay is too high, bear in mind ddraw is slower at scaling than d3d.

[juice84]

Sorry if this has been asked before elsewhere in these forums... I am having trouble getting this to work with my current setup.  Trying to get this setup for use with my New Astro City/MS29.  I have a radeon 4870 and fresh install of w7 x64, the drivers install fine and I'm now in test mode.   Ran VMMaker and initially ArcadeOSD let me switch to 320x240 but upon reboot my resolution goes back to 1920x1080, and none of the low resolutions are selectable in ArcadeOSD anymore.  Am I missing something for the install?, noticed it says update registry disabled.  Again sorry, I'm really new to the Arcade scene.  Thanks Calamity for all of your work on these drivers.

[cyb]

Hi cyb,

First of all, make sure you run GM with ADMIN RIGHTS, otherwise it won't be able to access the Windows registry in order to use the required refresh rates.

Mortal Kombat may just be using a refresh (54 Hz) that is off in relation to your current monitor vfreq adjustment.

Regarding the tearing with frame delay & d3d, yes it does exist with high resolutions (although I haven't seen it yet at 240p). In order to use ddraw, maybe a value of 9 for frame_delay is too high, bear in mind ddraw is slower at scaling than d3d.

Hi Calamity,

I totally forgot about running groovymame as admin. Thanks for the reminder! That solved my MK2 sync issue.
Changing frame_delay to 1 solved the tearing in SFA3 in d3d and the stuttering in ddraw. Is d3d preferable over ddraw in w7? I didn't really notice any input lag differences between the two.

Also, should I disable Aero?

[Calamity]

Hi juice84, set AnyCatalyst=1 in vmmaker.ini and remind running vmmaker with admin rights.

[juice84]

Hey Calamity, thanks for the reply.  Just read your post in regards to step 4.7 as well which I think I may have been the issue.  I'll give it another shot when I get home tonight, think everything should work though.  Thanks again

[retrorepair]

Just a quick one, now that the modes are all working properly, some games won't show the MAME config menu properly. It will come up but will be totally blank. I've noticed this so far with DoDonPachi Dai Fukkatsu and the other SH3 cave games, so I'd guess any game that runs in 320x240.

I'll take a look at other games tonight.

[cools]

Having some problems with D3D and frame_delay in CPS1 games that didn't happen with XP. Running them without frame_delay or running with DDRAW is fine, but with the combination games accelerate and decelerate randomly.

[Calamity]

Just a quick one, now that the modes are all working properly, some games won't show the MAME config menu properly. It will come up but will be totally blank. I've noticed this so far with DoDonPachi Dai Fukkatsu and the other SH3 cave games, so I'd guess any game that runs in 320x240.

I'll take a look at other games tonight.

Hi Retrorepair,

Thanks for reporting. Yes, I'm aware of this, and some stretching issues with the menus too, due to the weird aspect ratio caused by super resolutions. I'll focus on this and other issues for the next release.

[Calamity]

Having some problems with D3D and frame_delay in CPS1 games that didn't happen with XP. Running them without frame_delay or running with DDRAW is fine, but with the combination games accelerate and decelerate randomly.

Hi cools, this could actually be caused by enabling -frame_delay with a too low number. If a certain driver can be emulated very fast by MAME on your CPU, if you set -frame_delay too low a second or subsequent re-entry in the same vertical retrace period is possible. This will increase speed by 2 or just erratically. Check again by increasing -frame_delay a bit.

[cools]

Righto, I'll try bumping it up a bit.

[juice84]

Thanks again Calamity, everything is now working great.  Just a quick question, is there a way to make groovymame autofill the screen so there is no black borders on certain/most games?

[lettuce]

I had the same issue when I switched to Windows 7.  But I have a multisync monitor (Betson) so I'm thinking it's OK?  I have an out of sync error message that pops up on the monitor.

I'll give that boot option a shot when I get home...

bulbousbeard, I've included my RegMdIns.txt and ReslList.txt files below as requested.

In theory this is correct but multisync monitor are not design to be switched between frequencies so rapidly and so frequently as windows would cause the monitor to do and would more than likely fail within  a year or so due to the stress put on the monitor. That why the monitors i bought are just 15khz and not multi sync...i guess another route is get a 31khz monitor

[cyb]

Am I doing the proper procedure to automatically rotate vertical games? In mame ini, under core switchres options, I set orientation to "rotate" but when I started any vertical game it would freeze at "initializing". If I set orientation to "horizontal" I can start vertical games in horizontal mode and then rotate it under display options and they work fine.

[Calamity]

Am I doing the proper procedure to automatically rotate vertical games? In mame ini, under core switchres options, I set orientation to "rotate" but when I started any vertical game it would freeze at "initializing". If I set orientation to "horizontal" I can start vertical games in horizontal mode and then rotate it under display options and they work fine.

Well it shouldn't freeze at all. But anyway, try deleting the cfg files (inside the cfg folder): if you've been rotating the game from the ui these changes are saved in the cfg files that may in turn mess with the -orientation option. Besides, you should use "rotate_r" or "rotate_l" instead, to avoid some games being upside down.

[cyb]

I think I figured it out. when I use a 2560 x 240 super resolution, groovymame freezes when loading a vertical game with orientation  set to "rotate_l" or "rotate_r" in mame.ini. However, if I use a 1280x240 resolution it loads the game just fine. Do I really even need to use 2560x240,256, etc. super resolutions instead of 1280x240? I can't really tell a difference between the two.

[Endprodukt]

I had the same issue when I switched to Windows 7.  But I have a multisync monitor (Betson) so I'm thinking it's OK?  I have an out of sync error message that pops up on the monitor.

I'll give that boot option a shot when I get home...

bulbousbeard, I've included my RegMdIns.txt and ReslList.txt files below as requested.

In theory this is correct but multisync monitor are not design to be switched between frequencies so rapidly and so frequently as windows would cause the monitor to do and would more than likely fail within  a year or so due to the stress put on the monitor. That why the monitors i bought are just 15khz and not multi sync...i guess another route is get a 31khz monitor

I heard people saying this and talked to an TV Technician who repaired arcade monitors for more than 20 years. He said that the monitor can take the stress. Any reason why he could be wrong?

[cyb]

I think I figured it out. when I use a 2560 x 240 super resolution, groovymame freezes when loading a vertical game with orientation  set to "rotate_l" or "rotate_r" in mame.ini. However, if I use a 1280x240 resolution it loads the game just fine. Do I really even need to use 2560x240,256, etc. super resolutions instead of 1280x240? I can't really tell a difference between the two.

Did some more testing and I CAN automatically rotate vert games with 2560x0 resolutions, I just forgot to set aspect to 4:3 in the ini.

[Andypc]

Huge thanks to Calamity and everyone helping to test these drivers. I am about to re-install Retrorepair's set-up s on a new larger hard drive and wondered where to grab the most up to date version of the drivers and software.

Do I need to compile a special version of Groovymame to use with these drivers? 

[Sledge]

Here you go:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440986.html#msg1440986

No need to compile special GM..

[planexcvs]

Finally giving this a go, but I'm getting stuck on step 4.5. I've tried redoing the steps again and I've installed Calamity's emudriver as an administrator. Every time I do the swap from Nanao MS9 back to my LCD monitor, it shows the full native resolution (which is 1920 x 1200 @ 60hz it seems) rather than the expected 30hz.

When I get to show all modes from the screen properties, the lowest setting I see is 640x480 at 50hz, and there are no 30hz options. I tried 50hz and plugging it back into the Nanao via J-Pac, but I get a flickering triple screen.

The LCD I'm using doesn't have a VGA plug in so I have to use an HDMI-DVI adapter to connect to the HDMI and I'm wondering if that's screwing the whole process up.

[Sledge]

So your LCD only has HDMI?
No DVI to connect to?
What card are you using?

[Calamity]

The LCD I'm using doesn't have a VGA plug in so I have to use an HDMI-DVI adapter to connect to the HDMI and I'm wondering if that's screwing the whole process up.

Yes, this is probably the problem. You need to operate on an analog output, either VGA or DVI-I (not DVI-D). For this task, I  think you can't use a digital-only monitor (I've never had one).

[planexcvs]

So your LCD only has HDMI?
No DVI to connect to?
What card are you using?

Radeon HD 4550. My LCD has a DVI-D, but not DVI-I per Calamity's suggestion.

Yes, this is probably the problem. You need to operate on an analog output, either VGA or DVI-I (not DVI-D). For this task, I  think you can't use a digital-only monitor (I've never had one).

Ah ok. That sounds like the problem. My monitor only has DVI-D, HDMI and Display Port. I'll have to get another monitor with VGA from Craigslist or the junkyard.

[planexcvs]

Ok, I got a monitor with a vga port. Uninstalled the drivers, reinstalled again. Did the monitor swap and was able to switch over to 30hz interlaced, 640x480 true color once. Plugged in the arcade monitor and turned it on, wasn't able to see anything so I couldn't keep the settings after selecting apply. It also caused my LCD monitor to go out of frequency range so I had to use a third monitor to see what happened and start over.

The arcade monitor seems to be out of frequency now, because I only get a picture during boot, but not on Windows login or desktop. I re-tried the steps again and noticed when I checked to see all modes, I no longer get the 30hz interlaced option. Only 50, 59, 60, 75 and 85hz.

I'm baffled as to what to do next if the Nanao won't even show a flickering image beyond the boot screens.

[Calamity]

I'm baffled as to what to do next if the Nanao won't even show a flickering image beyond the boot screens.

I'd say you're using the wrong output. Switch to the other one, probably the DVI-I by means of a DVI-VGA adapter.

[planexcvs]

Actually, I've been using the same output (DVI). My adapter is a DVI-A-VGA adapter which should work like a DVI-I.  The only other output I have is a display port.

I'll try again with uninstalling and reinstalling everything through the VGA monitor.

When I do the swap back to the arcade monitor after selecting 30khz, should the monitor already be on or it doesn't matter?

[Calamity]

(Sorry planexcvs, I accidentally edited your post when answering)

Actually, I've been using the same output (DVI). My adapter is a DVI-A-VGA adapter which should work like a DVI-I.  The only other output I have is a display port.

Oh I see. I haven't seen cards like that, all the ones I've used had either VGA+DVI or DVI+DVI.

I'll try again with uninstalling and reinstalling everything through the VGA monitor.

My advice is not reinstalling the driver again, it will consume your time for nothing. It is a matter of setting the proper resolution to the proper output, that's all.

When I do the swap back to the arcade monitor after selecting 30khz, should the monitor already be on or it doesn't matter?

I'd say it doesn't matter.

Somewhere above in this thread I posted a new version of ArcadeOSD that might help you setting the right resolution.

[planexcvs]

Edit: Nevermind. Realized I needed to connect the keyboard plug from the Jpac to get rid of the rolling picture.

[planexcvs]

Ok so I was able to get the desktop to display clearly on the Nanao MS9, albeit not permanently. Probably a similar problem to retrorepair. Using ArcadeOSD to keep the resolution is not working for me. I guess maybe it's showing green screen and static? I had to use the 640x480 30khz option from show all modes which would show up fine on the Nanao.

It seems to desync if Windows goes to sleep or after a reboot. I swapped back to the LCD once, which it went out of range and swapped to the Nanao where it worked again, but now that's not working either.

I realized I had magic resolutions enabled and disabled that in VMMaker.ini which enables static. Any Catalyst is set to 1. Mindotclock is set to 8.0. I ran VMMaker. I seem to be stuck where it's generating a static mode table. How long is that supposed to take? Because it's been over an hour since it's doing that. I do have a full mame rom set (20000+).

Windows went to sleep on the Nanao and lost it's sync, so I had to switch back to the LCD and now my interlaced resolution options or any options,  it seems, that I could use for the arcade monitor are all gone. What I should do to get those back without reinstalling the driver?

[Calamity]

Hi planexcvs,

You really don't want to create a static mode table, it will fail (too many variants). Create a *dynamic* mode table instead.

Your problem sounds like a detection problem, same as Retrorepair's. Probably using the resistors trick will work.

[Calamity]

I've moved the custom EDID messages (by Cools, Doozer, Elvis, etc.) to a separate thread, so they can be found more easily in the future:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140215.msg1447520.html#msg1447520

[bent98]

I've been away for a longtime and wanted to upgrade my version of groovymame Mame. hyperspin build etc.. I noticed this thread about windows 7 testing and its got me curious. If I upgraded from XP 64 bit to win 7 64 will it work the same as my current setup? I have an ATI 4850 and Bil labs quad sync monitor.

[Sledge]

I've been away for a longtime and wanted to upgrade my version of groovymame Mame. hyperspin build etc.. I noticed this thread about windows 7 testing and its got me curious. If I upgraded from XP 64 bit to win 7 64 will it work the same as my current setup? I have an ATI 4850 and Bil labs quad sync monitor.

It SHOULD... maybe a LITTLE harder to get going.. if you don't get any issues...
all i can suggest is image your HDD as it is, then give it a go.. If you're not happy, then it's easy to switch back.

[theillest]

Hi Guys,
awesome thread you got going here.  As a noob that is starting from scratch can you point me to the right links of software and utilities that I'll need? GroovyMame version? VMMaker? ArcadeOSD? what ever else i need . 

So far i have a win7 64-bit system with an ATI x600.

Sorry for asking for so much, alot of the instructions I've read are a little over a year old and include instruction for soft15kz which i don't know if it is still instructions.  Thanks a bunch!!

[cools]

You'll need a new graphics card, the x600 isn't supported.

[theillest]

You'll need a new graphics card, the x600 isn't supported.

can you point me in the right direction?  I seen x600 on the emu drivers list of campatible cards, however i know this doesn't necessarily pertain to W7 64-bit.  is there a better list I should reference?

[cools]

A HD 4xxx.

[Andypc]

I tried installing the CRTEmuDriver for Windows 7. Windows 7 gave a message about not allowing two of the drivers to install as they did not have the correct driver signature, however it completed and installed the main driver. After installing Windows 7 started booting to the "Windows Boot Menu" and you had to press "Enter" for Windows to continue booting. Windows 7 had been booting direct into windows before installing the driver. I was able to get a stable 15Khz picture on my arcade machine, but I can't see the boot menu to know when to press "Enter". In trying to solve the boot issue, Window 7 restored to earlier point, before the the CRTEmuDriver had installed

I tried a couple of things to stop the Boot Menu appearing and finally tried:-

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu no

This caused windows not to boot correctly and restore. Why did installing CRTEmuDriver cause the Boot Menu to appear.

[Calamity]

awesome thread you got going here.  As a noob that is starting from scratch can you point me to the right links of software and utilities that I'll need? GroovyMame version? VMMaker? ArcadeOSD? what ever else i need . 

Hi theillest,

For VMMaker & ArcadeOSD, use the ones contained in the package here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440986.html#msg1440986

For GroovyMAME, always the most recent version.

You can use any HD 2xxx, HD 3xxx or HD 4xxx, but you should go for an HD 4xxx.

[Calamity]

This caused windows not to boot correctly and restore. Why did installing CRTEmuDriver cause the Boot Menu to appear.

Maybe you didn't let the installer finish and restarted the system when W7 prompted you to do so? This prevents the installer from enabling "test mode", which is necessary in order to use modded drivers with W7. Not sure though, I hadn't seen this issue before.

[Andypc]

I went right through to the "Test Mode" ok, before restarting windows. The driver appear to have installed ok as I got 640x480@30Hz to display correctly on my arcade monitor. The system just started going into the Boot Menu everytime and needed you to press "Enter to load windows 7. Trying to remove that and boot straight into windows caused the restore. Are all the drivers supposed to install? Should I disabled driver verification before installing?

[Calamity]

I went right through to the "Test Mode" ok, before restarting windows. The driver appear to have installed ok as I got 640x480@30Hz to display correctly on my arcade monitor. The system just started going into the Boot Menu everytime and needed you to press "Enter to load windows 7. Trying to remove that and boot straight into windows caused the restore. Are all the drivers supposed to install? Should I disabled driver verification before installing?

The driver contains 3 "infs", probably for different chipsets. Only 1 out of 3 will get installed, the others will be reported as unneeded. So that is not the problem. Driver verification (test signing) only applies to the boot process so it's just fine to disable it after installing the driver, as the installer does. My understanding is that the issue you're seeing can't be related to the driver. Have you connected a normal monitor when the boot menu is shown to check is there's any error message?

[Andypc]

The driver contains 3 "infs", probably for different chipsets. Only 1 out of 3 will get installed, the others will be reported as unneeded. So that is not the problem. Driver verification (test signing) only applies to the boot process so it's just fine to disable it after installing the driver, as the installer does. My understanding is that the issue you're seeing can't be related to the driver. Have you connected a normal monitor when the boot menu is shown to check is there's any error message?

Yes and there is no error message, just the "Boot Menu" you normally have if you have more than one operating system installed, even though there is only one option (Windows 7). Also you have to press "Enter" to continue, it doesn't count down for 30 Sec's and then load anyway.

I will try and install the driver again and see what happens.

[Andypc]

I just reinstalled the drivers and it's now booting straight to Window 7 and I have it displaying on my arcade monitor Looking at the Device Manager it still shows that the Display Adapter doesn't have a driver installed. Is that correct?

[Calamity]

I just reinstalled the drivers and it's now booting straight to Window 7 and I have it displaying on my arcade monitor Looking at the Device Manager it still shows that the Display Adapter doesn't have a driver installed. Is that correct?

No, you should have a driver installed. I wonder if you had UAC enabled as recommended during driver installation and made sure the installer has admin rights etc.

[Andypc]

How do I enable UAC?

[Calamity]

How do I enable UAC?

It should be enabled unless you disabled it.

[cools]

I disabled UAC right after installing Windows. No point having it on the cab machine imo

[Andypc]

The driver had installed correctly,  it was the on board graphics that still needed a driver installed. Unfortunately the shift function is not working on the J-pac Retrorepair modded. I have been in touch with Andy at Ultimarc and have ordered another J-pac. I'm hoping the mod can be done to the VGA cable rather than mod another J-pac?

Is there any risk to the chassis or graphics card by adding the resistors?

Please excuse me if this has been covered before, but I'm new to Grooymame.  I ran VMmaker but not with the super resolutions and all seemed to go well. Some game run fine in Groovymame, however some i.e. Irem games (Kung Fu Master, R-Type are squashed in the centre of the screen and other PGM & CPS2 (Knights Of Valour 2, Xmen Vs Street Fighter)  are cutting of half the picture. 

[Calamity]

Hi Andypc,

So you didn't need to add the resistors? Are you using the same j-pac still? Maybe the shift function is not working because there's an stuck button, that's a common cause. I don't know if the there's any risk to damage the chassis, never did this mod myself.

Regarding GM, please open a separate thread, post a log (groovymame romname -v >romname.txt) so we can see what's going on.

[Andypc]

I'm still using the J-pac with the resistors until  the new one arrives. Am going to mod the VGA cable on the new one rather than the J-pac.  All the buttons are working fine and the self test shows no problems, but shift function not working 

[retrorepair]

Here's a question, how do you get Elsemi's model 2 emu to run in a decent res? If I try 2560x480 (like groovymame runs 24khz stuff in low res) the image is great but the text is all bunched up.

I imagine this is an issue with the emulator (c'mon mamedev) but maybe there's a work around?

[retrorepair]

I might add, the usual m2emu problem of the audio/video skipping rears it's ugly head once again with vsync enabled.

For the record, the setup I had trouble with earlier on a MS9 does not occur on my B&O MX7000 TV. Setup goes exactly as it should have.

AndyPC btw has the same cabinet and PC I did (the exact one, he bought it from me).

[Andypc]

I posted this in another thread, but forgot to put it here. Setting Groovymame to run as administrator solved my issue and the games are all starting at the right resolution I also sorted the shift problem with the J-pac it was the coin switch stuck on which was the only thing I hadn't checked  Mega Happy. I can now play some games. Thanks for all your help.

p.s. Now trying to get Groovymame running right in my other cab with an ArcadeVGA.

[Andypc]

A couple of questions. When playing Type-X games like SFIVAE with the Type-X Loader is there anyway to force v-sync in the driver? Also Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back display a blank screen even though you can hear the game running?

[premuto]

work the new crtemudirver for w7 in more models of ati cards, for example hd5450?

[cyb]

Is there a version of catalyst control center that can be used with the crt w7 beta drivers?

[Calamity]

work the new crtemudirver for w7 in more models of ati cards, for example hd5450?

No.

[Calamity]

Is there a version of catalyst control center that can be used with the crt w7 beta drivers?

Here is the original package I used to build the CRT Emudriver for Windows 7 "reloaded" version: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=374236

If you find a way to install the CCC alone, then you'll have it. Maybe install the whole package then force the installation of CRT Emudriver over it might work.

Any reason you want CCC?

[cyb]

I wanted to output composite sync on the vga cable and as far as I was aware CCC had an option to do so.

[Paradroid]

Pretty sure that WinModelines can be used to set composite sync without having to install CCC.

Please post a thread reporting your results with composite sync... I tried building a VGA to SCART cable with composite sync but could never get it to work.

[cyb]

thanks for the tip! gave it a try but it didn't work.

[8BitMonk]

I've begun the switch from an AVGA to Groovymame + CRTEmuDriver + Radeon HD + Windows 7 with mostly good results so far.

Here's my setup: AMD Phenom II Black 3.2 / Radeon HD 4870 1GB / Win 7 pro x64 / Betson Imperial 27” Trisync

* Everything is set to run as ADMIN

Changes to VMMaker.ini defaults

• Changed mame paths to where I extracted Groovymame
• ListFromXML = 0
• MonitorType = d9800 (closest to my monitor)
• ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1
• ModeTableMethod_XML = 1
• AnyCatalyst = 1

Changes to Groovymame mame.ini defaults

• monitor d9800 (later changed to arcade_15_25_31)
• cleanstretch 2
• frame_delay 1
• resolution 2560x0
• skip_gameinfo 1
• disable_nagscreen_patch 0
• disable_loading_patch 1 (on 0 my joysticks did not work)
• cheat 1

Changes to ReslList.txt

• super resolutions added
• 800x600 @ 60.000000 desktop added
• should nes, master system, turbo grafx entries be removed?

Installing the CRTEmuDriver beta went fine though I did notice a ‘Device Updated’ and a ‘Not needed’ indication (screenshot below) not sure if that’s normal.



After installing the driver I made my VMMaker.ini edits (above) and ran VMMaker which seemed to go fine except that it only created 57 mode lines (screenshot below) and I thought it would be 120 for my card.



After the Driver and VMMaker install I restarted and hooked up to my arcade monitor. I got the out of sync flash from my OSD (as delusional29 was) prior to the windows login screen (later I tried running bcdedit /set bootux basic from an elevated cmd prompt but no luck getting rid of it).The resolution was initially funky but I was able to set the desktop to 800x600 using ArcadeOSD and it sticks.   

Game Testing
I’ve initially tried just a handful of games, robotron, 1943, pacman, ms pacman and street fighter II. At first a couple of the games were distorted or extended off the screen. I discovered this was from the monitor d9800 setting in the mame.ini. Confusing since it’s what I used in the VMMaker setup, is supposed to be the closest preset to my monitor and what delusional29 was using with the same monitor. Anyway, changing to the standard trisync preset arcade_15_25_31 fixed the issue and all of the games then looked and played great. Showing game info in mame it seems to be picking the super resolutions for all of them. I also tested running Mortal Kombat Komplete, Injustice, SFIV and Geometry Wars out of Steam and they all look and play great at high quality settings.

Custom Preset
Since I had issues with the d9800 setting I’d like to create a custom preset for the Betson. Can anyone coach me on how to do this. I have a link to the manual with the needed info:
44-4070-VR Manual.pdf. Calamity discussed creating it in this thread but I couldn’t infer enough from it to do it myself.

Feedback?
So does all of this seem normal? This is my first foray into Groovymame and CRTEmu world so any feedback is appreciated. It appears to be running as it should but I have zero reference and little experience so far. My main concerns/questions are:

• There were fewer modelines created by VMMaker than I anticipated (57 vs. 120). Is this normal and maybe because I’m using the super resolutions and dynamic tables?
• I used the d9800 monitor preset for VMMaker and it ended up not working as the monitor setting in my mame.ini. Seems odd
• The sync error from my OSD on boot up is a little concerning since some of the commentary in this thread has said it’s no problem and some that it could damage your monitor.
• When I set disable_loading_patch 1 my joysticks (U360’s) didn’t work.
• Should I remove the listings for nes, master system, turbo grafx etc. that existed in the ReslList.txt file before I added the super resolutions and 800x600 line?
• Not really sure how to test for accuracy within games other than playing them or bringing up the info screen in mame.

Thanks!

[cools]

If you're using resolution wildcard 2560x0 then you should only have the "super" resolutions and your desktop resolution in the Resllist.txt file. Remove all the other entries as they are pointless.

I *think* you also need ModeTableMethod_Custom = 0 rather than 1, but I'm not 100% certain on this one.

The D9800 preset is definitely wrong for your monitor. Personally I'd stick with the arcade_15_25_31 and port the values from that preset to what VMMaker requires, and use it in both places.

The reason you only get 57 is because you're using ListFromXML = 0 - it'll only make modelines for whatever is in Resllist.txt (which is fine because you're using super resolutions - you only need a very limited number of modelines).

[8BitMonk]

Thanks for the help cools. 

I *think* you also need ModeTableMethod_Custom = 0 rather than 1, but I'm not 100% certain on this one.

I think I read to set them both to 1 when using super resolutions by Calamity in another thread.

The D9800 preset is definitely wrong for your monitor. Personally I'd stick with the arcade_15_25_31 and port the values from that preset to what VMMaker requires, and use it in both places.

That's what I thought. Creating my own preset would probably be even better. Doesn't seem like it'd be terribly difficult with a little coaching since I have all of the numbers from the service manual.

Can I re-run VMMaker any time I make .ini changes? I originally ran it right after the driver update so I wasn't sure if they had to be done in unison.

[cools]

Yes, you can re-run it at any time. You need to reboot for the last run to take effect every time.

If you've got all the standard numbers for the monitor in the manual, it'd be good to use those Quite the luxury.

[8BitMonk]

Yeah it WOULD be a luxury if I knew exactly how to match them up.  Most of the values seem to be on pages 7-8 but there isn't a direct 1-1 comparison for all. It also doesn't break them out by 15/25/31 like the arcade_15_25_31 preset does.

44-4070-VR Manual.pdf.

[Calamity]

Hi 8BitMonk,

I'm fairly impressed about how quick you got this working by yourself, congratulations.

It's normal that the driver only installs one of it's .inf files, the other two are for other chipsets.

Keeping the default resolutions in ReslList.txt is good in case you're going to use other emulators apart from MAME, otherwise it's ok to remove them. Keeping them in XP made sure you got a resolution list longer than 17 modes, which was necessary in XP but it's no longer in W7.

The issue regarding the disable_loading_patch 1 and the U360’s is really odd and anyway should affect all builds using MKChamp's patch, so maybe do a search to see if someone else is experiencing it.

The best way to see the difference with your previous setup is testing games that run at refresh rates different than 60 Hz, then check they're running at 100% speed and that the scrolls are smooth. Typical games to test, Irem games (rtype, loht, dbreed), bublbobl, snowbros, etc. Be careful with vertical games however. Some that are 256 or more lines tall like 1942 won't run at 100% unless you rotate your monitor. This is normal and due to CRT limitations.

[Sledge]

Some that are 256 or more lines tall like 1942 won't run at 100% unless you rotate your monitor. This is normal and due to CRT limitations.

Oh for crying out loud Calamity... you're making it difficult for me to resist getting a second cabinet !!!

[8BitMonk]

Thanks for the feedback Calamity. It was fairly easy to setup after scrounging the forums and various sites a bit.

I've quickly become a convert from my AVGA setup after seeing the results first hand. There is definitely a noticeable difference, thank you for all of your hard work! 

The testing method you mention is basically how I've been doing it. I'll be reporting my results with my specific monitor in this thread.

[Paradroid]

I've quickly become a convert from my AVGA setup after seeing the results first hand.

Worth the extra effort, hey?

Welcome to the Smooth Scrolling Club.

[8BitMonk]

I have indeed seen the light. All hail GroovyMAME!! 

[Lenin Stimpy]

Hi all,

Is the driver on page one of this thread the most recent release?

Thanks

[cools]

Just facepalmed - thought I'd try giving super resolutions a go and forgot the 100k pixel clock bug still exists 

[yatzr]

I successfully set this up on one computer several weeks ago, and now I'm trying to set it up on another, but I'm running into an issue...I'm sure it's user error.  I'm using a standard 15khz arcade monitor.  I used the reslist.txt from the first page of the thread and followed the installation instructions.  All of my resolutions are showing up in arcadeOSD and I can switch to any of them just fine.  The problem, however, is that whenever I run a game in groovymame, it says it can't find a video mode that meets your specs.  I output a log with "mame romname -v > romname.txt", and in that log it looks like it found all my resolutions, but after each one it says "- locked".  I've been running everything as administrator, so I'm just really confused now.

I've tried going through the whole process a couple times now.  I'll keep trying though...it feels like I'm probably just messing up one small thing during the process.

edit: I just noticed that whenever I run vmmaker, it always says "No compatible video driver found" and disables the registry update.  I've tried reinstalling the driver and setting the full path in vmmaker.ini.  I'm guessing this has something to do with my problem though?

[cools]

Anycatalyst = 1

[yatzr]

Anycatalyst = 1

I got it working with this, but now I have another question.  I ended up reformatting this new machine and started over from scratch, but included anycatalyst=1 this time.  Groovymame is working perfect and the games are looking great.  However, in arcadeOSD, the available resolutions are just the ones listed in reslist.txt (e.g. 2560xXXX).  Is that expected?  On the previous machine, (and this machine before I reformatted), arcadeOSD would list all of the typical 15khz resolutions (e.g. 320x240).  I'm wondering if I messed up on the previous machine and just got lucky that groovymame was working.  I apologize if that's already been discussed, I didn't see it mentioned.

[yatzr]

I ran into another interesting problem.  My monitor is rotated vertical, so I set the switchres orientation option to "vertical" in mame.ini.  However, when I do this, the mame in-game menu is missing all of its text.  I see the blue dialog and the yellow highlight for the currently selected row, but I see no text in any of the rows.  I can still select options and it'll go into the next menu, but again I see no text.  If I change the orientation back to "horizontal", then the in-game menu works fine.  This only seems to be happening when I use the super resolutions and vertical orientation.  I spent about an hour searching around online for this, but came up with nothing, so thought I'd ask here.  I did try changing the uifont in mame.ini, but that didn't help either.  Any ideas?

[cools]

The ingame menu when rotated is a known GM bug, nothing to do with Win 7

[wp34]

I'm having some issues getting this working in Windows 7.  It has been a while since I set GroovyMame up on my XP rig so it is very possible I'm missing something.

Here is what I have -
D9800 Monitor
4550 HD video card
groovyume64_0153.015a (linked in this thread)
CRT Emudriver 13.1-1.2b W7 x64 - BETA (reloaded) (linked in this thread)
"Super Resulution" settings described here - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440362.html#msg1440362

I was able to install the driver but when I go into OSD I'm not seeing any of the same resolutions I see on my XP setup.  Nothing below 640x480 shows.  "Driver is not compatible" shows under "Attach OSD to current monitor"

When I run VMmaker (ListFromXML=0,  MonitorType="D9800", AnyCatalyst=1) I get "No compatible video driver found (registry update disabled). 

When I run GroovyMame (as Admin) I get a ton of errors including "SwitchRes: Failed opening system\controllerset001\services\VGAsave\Device0 registry entry" and "-resolution value not available: 2560x0"

Hopefully I missed a step.  I've been extremely happy with GroovyMame on XP but would like to upgrade my PC to Windows 7 if at all possible.

[wp34]

Ignore my questions.  My video card died and I decided to go back to Windows XP for now.

[lolomc2]

Just a post to say thank you for this driver Calamity.

It did not worked the way I did the first time (fresh W7 ultimate ed installation + full update, then I tried the way you describe...)

So, I destroyed the partition and did again a fresh install of W7. Installed VNC. Then I made the first set of windows update. But this time I took care about uncheking ATI driver selected by Windows update and remove the update from the list.
I did not understand how but jsut after reboot, I had the image on my monitor (Sony 32'' CRT 16/9). I changed the resolution to 640x480 with VNC and then full update except hidden ATI update.

Everything work just fine. I'll finally have the occasion to waste a lot of time on dolphin + MKGP2 + G25 

[Calamity]

Just a quick note to say that a new package for Windows 7 (http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=65) is available. This one fixes the problem that required "AnyCatalyst" to be used. Apart from that, the binary files are still the same, so if you have an already working system there's no real need to update.

It's important however that you get the latest versions of VMMaker & Arcade OSD (1.4) because these do contain fixed specific for Windows 7, as well as proper support for "super" resolutions.

[8BitMonk]

Great news! Does the update fix the issues below?

• Vmmaker bug, when the pixelclock is over 100 they get filtered out
• When there are two possible resolutions to choose from and both require fractional scaling and also both allow for perfect vertical refresh then the determining factor is the highest resolution

[cools]

1 is fixed, I'm using super exclusively on my win 7 cab now and its ace. 2 is Groovy dependent and that's not been updated yet.

[8BitMonk]

Excellent, that should help me get rid of some of the ini files.

[8BitMonk]

Unfortunately the update didn't help me. Still need all of my 200+ ini files to correct the issue with groovymame using the highest resolution as the determining factor. At least the super resolutions are there now though!

Also noticed that following the instructions at the top of the ResList.txt file for setting up the VMMaker.ini file didn't seem to work. Ie. in order to get the resolutions had to turn on anycatalyst, generate the XML files and set ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1

[cools]

You definitely want mode table method custom to be 0, and list from XML 0 as well. Otherwise vmm will drop frequencies

[Calamity]

Also noticed that following the instructions at the top of the ResList.txt file for setting up the VMMaker.ini file didn't seem to work. Ie. in order to get the resolutions had to turn on anycatalyst, generate the XML files and set ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1

If you're still using the previous driver, then AnyCatalyst will still be required. But the rest of instructions should work just fine without listing from xml, tested here.

[8BitMonk]

Ok I'll rerun it again with those settings, after it didn't work I just matched what I had used before. Why do you use 0 for the table method when the notes in the ini say that 0 is intended to be used with custom ini files? I didn't notice it drop any resolutions, it created 120.

[cools]

Disable listfromxml, you don't want it if you're using super resolutions.

[8BitMonk]

Ok seemed to run fine with those turned off, thanks. Must've just been the anycatalyst giving it a problem.

Calamity, did you  notice that 2560x496 is listed twice?

[Calamity]

Ok seemed to run fine with those turned off, thanks. Must've just been the anycatalyst giving it a problem.

Calamity, did you  notice that 2560x496 is listed twice?

Yeah, I already fixed that in the updated files: http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=65

[8BitMonk]

It's still duped in the ResList - super.txt file in that download.

2560 x 496 @ 60.000000 super
2560 x 496 @ 60.000000 super

[cools]

It's fixed in the driver download, just not in the separated VMMaker/OSD one.

[Calamity]

It's fixed in the driver download, just not in the separated VMMaker/OSD one.

Thanks, I'll fix it.

[blontic]

Anybody having any issues with win7 and hyperspin? I am using super resolutions and I can load groovymame directly and games look great. But Hyperspin just doesn't start. If I remote to the PC it works so it does seem like a driver issue.

[Sledge]

Win7 and Hyperspin work fine for me..

[lettuce]

Ok seemed to run fine with those turned off, thanks. Must've just been the anycatalyst giving it a problem.

Calamity, did you  notice that 2560x496 is listed twice?

Ok excuses my ignorance but why would you want a res that's 2560???

[Calamity]

Anybody having any issues with win7 and hyperspin? I am using super resolutions and I can load groovymame directly and games look great. But Hyperspin just doesn't start. If I remote to the PC it works so it does seem like a driver issue.

How many custom video modes are listed by ArcadeOSD (or how many lines do you have inside Modeline.txt)?

[Calamity]

Ok excuses my ignorance but why would you want a res that's 2560???

Because at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

[adder]

Hi Lettuce, have a read of this lot linked below, some really good information here which helped me as i was quite lost with groovymame and related tools, but this lot below helps
http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewforum.php?id=1

[adder]

....at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

Calamity, i was wondering regarding this scaling, does it make no difference in the 'quality' of this scaling depending on if you are using direct3d or directdraw?

[lettuce]

Ok excuses my ignorance but why would you want a res that's 2560???

Because at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

ah so its for 31hz monitors to achieve a 15khz resolution?

[blontic]

Anybody having any issues with win7 and hyperspin? I am using super resolutions and I can load groovymame directly and games look great. But Hyperspin just doesn't start. If I remote to the PC it works so it does seem like a driver issue.

How many custom video modes are listed by ArcadeOSD (or how many lines do you have inside Modeline.txt)?

Hi Calamity,

I have 14 lines in my modeline.txt file. Groovymame is running correctly it's just Hyperspin doesn't even start. When I installed the GPU drivers I had to install the MS Visual C++ 2010 redist before it would work otherwise I would get errors. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26999

Hyperspin works if I RDP to the PC just not when ran locally.

The driver install said it only installed 1 driver but in Add/Remove programs I can see 3 (see attachment) Just wondering if it's correct.

I also added the following lines to the top of my ume.ini file. Not sure if that's correct
      resolution 2560x0
      cleanstretch 2

Thanks,

b

[Sledge]

Ok excuses my ignorance but why would you want a res that's 2560???

Because at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

ah so its for 31hz monitors to achieve a 15khz resolution?

Not at all...
If i understand it correctly (kind of)... it's just an ultrawide resolution but with the correct height.. and the picture we want is 'plonked' in the middle with the 'extra' horizontal lines stretching off the sides of the screen...

[cools]

....at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

Calamity, i was wondering regarding this scaling, does it make no difference in the 'quality' of this scaling depending on if you are using direct3d or directdraw?

I'm using directdraw here (Win 7) and there are no scaling artifacts.

[lettuce]

Ok excuses my ignorance but why would you want a res that's 2560???

Because at such a high resolution you can do fractional stretching on the horizontal axis without any visible artifacts while keeping the vertical integer scaled.

ah so its for 31hz monitors to achieve a 15khz resolution?

Not at all...
If i understand it correctly (kind of)... it's just an ultrawide resolution but with the correct height.. and the picture we want is 'plonked' in the middle with the 'extra' horizontal lines stretching off the sides of the screen...

Right ok, so what's the benefit of doing this then over having a normal 4:3 resolution?, I take it this is 100% safe to use on 15khz monitors then?

[cools]

The CRT_Emudriver benefit is you only need half a dozen resolutions in the registry. There's no significant benefit to this other than Windows 7 loading more quickly. There are some* (* I don't remember which) games that have black side borders when an exact width mode isn't available natively. On a super resolution setup these go full screen width.

Depending on your monitor, you may only need (once there's a GM bug fixed) 1 or 2 custom "super" resolutions in the registry to support every game in MAME.

However, on a *non* ATi supported card - provided you can create a custom "super" resolution (Intel and Nvidia drivers support this) you can get excellent GroovyMAME results without resolution switching by using cleanstretch 2 and this super res. You run Windows and GM in 2560x480@60, and a good percentage of games behave properly (bar some being too fast/too slow) - this also avoids the picture/sync collapse you get when moving from frontend to game and back.

[lettuce]

The CRT_Emudriver benefit is you only need half a dozen resolutions in the registry. There's no significant benefit to this other than Windows 7 loading more quickly. There are some* (* I don't remember which) games that have black side borders when an exact width mode isn't available natively. On a super resolution setup these go full screen width.

Depending on your monitor, you may only need (once there's a GM bug fixed) 1 or 2 custom "super" resolutions in the registry to support every game in MAME.

However, on a *non* ATi supported card - provided you can create a custom "super" resolution (Intel and Nvidia drivers support this) you can get excellent GroovyMAME results without resolution switching by using cleanstretch 2 and this super res. You run Windows and GM in 2560x480@60, and a good percentage of games behave properly (bar some being too fast/too slow) - this also avoids the picture/sync collapse you get when moving from frontend to game and back.

Thanks Cools

When Claimity officially releases 0.155 ill start playing around with this on my new 15khz monitor, just need to decided weather Win 7 or XP x64 is best.

Did you ever get a satisfactory outcome when you were trying a 31khz monitor to play 15khz games back last year?

[cools]

Yes, it didn't require these but I'm using them anyway for the boot speed. The settings are all documented on the new forum.

[Sledge]

So, if the drivers are installed, the 'super' resolutions are available in arcadeOSD, but mame gives an error of 'no suitable resolution could be found that meets your specs' etc..
Where would we look to fix it?
Gmame is being run as admin of course.. as far as i know the ini is correct..

[Calamity]

Where would we look to fix it?

Maybe in the logs?

[Sledge]

Where would we look to fix it?

Maybe in the logs?

Yep.. Waiting for him to send them to me, but was wondering if there was a common mistake made that would cause it..

[Sledge]

Setting lock unsupported modes to zero fixed it..
Does that always have to be turned off?

[premuto]

test:

ati hd 4550 on port dvi
windows 7 ultimate x64

drivers and instalation all ok

hyperspin work fine, but groovymame dont start in hyperspin,

anyone have a optimize mame.ini with all changes (resolution 2560x0, cleanstrech 2, etc)?

[blontic]

Anybody having any issues with win7 and hyperspin? I am using super resolutions and I can load groovymame directly and games look great. But Hyperspin just doesn't start. If I remote to the PC it works so it does seem like a driver issue.

How many custom video modes are listed by ArcadeOSD (or how many lines do you have inside Modeline.txt)?

Hi Calamity,

I have 14 lines in my modeline.txt file. Groovymame is running correctly it's just Hyperspin doesn't even start. When I installed the GPU drivers I had to install the MS Visual C++ 2010 redist before it would work otherwise I would get errors. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26999

Hyperspin works if I RDP to the PC just not when ran locally.

The driver install said it only installed 1 driver but in Add/Remove programs I can see 3 (see attachment) Just wondering if it's correct.

I also added the following lines to the top of my ume.ini file. Not sure if that's correct
      resolution 2560x0
      cleanstretch 2

Thanks,

b

So i tested this again on a fresh build and it's the drivers that break Hyperspin. I install them and Hyperspin doesn't load. I remove them and use the Windows driver and it works. This is without even running VMMaker. If I run VMMaker it doesn't make a difference.
I don't get any errors when installing the drivers and it boots into test mode. Any ideas? I run the driver install as admin.

[Sledge]

Tried a fresh install of hyperspin?
I was having issues once.. had to do a fresh install of HS for it to work again..
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?29481-How-to-install-HyperSpin

[Calamity]

So i tested this again on a fresh build and it's the drivers that break Hyperspin. I install them and Hyperspin doesn't load. I remove them and use the Windows driver and it works. This is without even running VMMaker. If I run VMMaker it doesn't make a difference.
I don't get any errors when installing the drivers and it boots into test mode. Any ideas? I run the driver install as admin.

Hi Blontic,

Try disabling Flash hardware acceleration as explained here: http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=379#p379

[blontic]

So i tested this again on a fresh build and it's the drivers that break Hyperspin. I install them and Hyperspin doesn't load. I remove them and use the Windows driver and it works. This is without even running VMMaker. If I run VMMaker it doesn't make a difference.
I don't get any errors when installing the drivers and it boots into test mode. Any ideas? I run the driver install as admin.

Hi Blontic,

Try disabling Flash hardware acceleration as explained here: http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=379#p379

Thanks Calamity,

I installed Firefox and disabled hardware acceleration but it still doesn't make a difference. Hyperspin doesn't start at all. Youtube doesn't have much flash content so I just used this link instead http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html#main_Find_Flash_Player_version_type_and_capabilities__Flash_developers_only_

This is the only error I see which is in my app event log

Activation context generation failed for "D:/HyperSpin/HyperSpin.exe".Error in manifest or policy file "D:/HyperSpin/HyperSpin.exe" on line 0. Invalid Xml syntax.

[Calamity]

Check this, (the final post): https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/376f1310-94c4-43a4-8376-32a16c3e091b/error-in-manifest-or-policy-file-side-by-side-error-59?forum=w7itproperf

[blontic]

Check this, (the final post): https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/376f1310-94c4-43a4-8376-32a16c3e091b/error-in-manifest-or-policy-file-side-by-side-error-59?forum=w7itproperf

Thanks i'll take a look. I found I had to have MS Visual C++ 2010 redist installed otherwise I would get an error installing the driver. Could you tell me what versions I should have installed?

[Thamiel]

Having a go with a Windows 7 setup at the moment.

Setup:

* Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
* 4350 HD
* 31k Arcade Monitor (using lcd to setup atm)

Getting the msvcr100.dll error even after installing the c++ redist package. Installer says one of the 4 devices installed correctly, attempt to run VM before restarting and it dosn't find a compatible driver and dosn't update the registry. PC restarts in low res modes, have to get into safe mode to uninstall the driver. Tried AnyCatalyst 1 and still the same issue.

[Sledge]

Are you running all the programs/installers with admin rights?

[Thamiel]

Thanks for the reply, yeah definitely installing/running everything with admin rights.

[Calamity]

Thamiel, just ignore the msvcr100.dll error. Only 1 device must get installed. If you run VMMaker before restart, you need to point to the proper \\.\DISPLAY#, which is not "1" until you restart... so run VMMaker, see the proper display number prompted in its window (e.g. \\.\DISPLAY7), then edit vmmaker.ini with it and re-run VMMaker. This way it will be able to point to the proper registry key and you'll get 31 kHz after restart. Since, then, restore the display number in vmmaker to the proper value.

[cools]

Useful for removing the test mode watermark? http://deepxw.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/remove-watermark-v03-build-20081210.html

[Thamiel]

Thamiel, just ignore the msvcr100.dll error. Only 1 device must get installed. If you run VMMaker before restart, you need to point to the proper \\.\DISPLAY#, which is not "1" until you restart... so run VMMaker, see the proper display number prompted in its window (e.g. \\.\DISPLAY7), then edit vmmaker.ini with it and re-run VMMaker. This way it will be able to point to the proper registry key and you'll get 31 kHz after restart. Since, then, restore the display number in vmmaker to the proper value.

Gave it a go with a fresh install of Win7.

-Installed Win7
-Installed CRTEMU drivers as admin, .dll error occurs, driver not signed error occurs, installer says drivers installed correctly.
-Run VMMAKER as admin, 4 displays listed (display1, displayv1, displayv2, displayv3) only display1 listed as connected. VMMAKER cannot find a compatible driver so nothing is written to the registry. 20 modes generated from my super resolutions (same as cools ones, worked fine on my XP machine).
-Restart PC, black screen after Windows loading logo. Switched monitors to try and see whats going in, Windows is using a 240p resolution. Definitely not the standard 640x480 31k res from my ReslList.

This is the error I get at the end of the CRTEMU driver install: http://www.64k-tec.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/unsigned_driver.png

That wording, not the specific driver I linked to obviously. Is it possible my Windows 7 copy is quarantining the driver and that's why VMMAKER can't find it?

[krick]

@Thamiel

Here's the install instructions from the driver download page (currently down, but there is a link to a mirror site in my signature)...

When installing CRT Emudriver in Windows 7, some extra caution must be taken:

1.- Run the Setup program with ADMIN RIGHTS enabled.
2.- DO NOT restart the system when W7 prompts you to do so, let the Setup program finish, allow it to set TEST mode on.
3.- CRT Emudriver for W7 doesn't boot in 15 kHz automatically after restart. You need to manually enable a 15 kHz mode from Arcade OSD.
4.- Remind to always run VMMaker with ADMIN RIGHTS.
5.- Windows 7 does not support "magic" resolutions. Use "super" resolutions instead.

[Thamiel]

@krick

Thanks mate, defintely done that a few times though.

UPDATE: Restarted the PC in safe mode to uninstall the drivers and have another crack, upon getting back into normal Windows (in test mode) it automatically installed a video driver and told me to restart. Restarted and checked the driver in device manager and it had automatically installed Calamitys' drivers...ran VMMAKER just to see what would happen, sure enough it found the catalyst driver correctly and generated a mode list from cools super resolutions. Just copying some roms across now to see if it's handling things correctly. Utterly bizarre chain of events...

UPDATE2: GM is picking the right resolutions! Also comparing between WinXP 64 and Win7 64 there's quite a performance boost. Ibara and Pink Sweets are running 100% constantly without the need for triple buffer.

[Calamity]

-Installed CRTEMU drivers as admin, .dll error occurs, driver not signed error occurs, installer says drivers installed correctly.

Signature error? Are you using the latest package (the one you can get from Krick's mirror) or the "beta" package linked previously in this thread?

[Thamiel]

-Installed CRTEMU drivers as admin, .dll error occurs, driver not signed error occurs, installer says drivers installed correctly.

Signature error? Are you using the latest package (the one you can get from Krick's mirror) or the "beta" package linked previously in this thread?

I used the one I grabbed from the Eiusdemmodi site a few days back. That's the same one that's mirrored on Kicks site right?

[Calamity]

I used the one I grabbed from the Eiusdemmodi site a few days back. That's the same one that's mirrored on Kicks site right?

Thanks. That's odd, I thought the signature problem had been solved. As you see, even if prompting the error Windows is taking the drivers fine after reboot... So it makes me think that in some systems the certificate only takes effect after the system is restarted (?).

[Thamiel]

I'd say that's whats happening, just upgraded to a low profile 4650 and installed the driver again. Installed, reboot, run VMM, reboot, done.

[R-Typer]

Hi!

Does crt_emudriver_13.1_1.2b_w7_64  work under windows 8.0 64bit? I installed it on mine and it works fine. All resolutions are available in arcade_osd and groovy mame plays and finds correct resolution for each game. Plus other emulators such as dolphin and pcsx2 work beautifully!!! And much faster than the xp.

Only VMMaker.exe says that "no compatible video driver found (registry update disabled). So I cant create my resolutions for winuae and some other emulators.

How do I go around this? Is this possible at all?

Thank you!
//sasha

[haynor666]

I've successfully tested Radeon 4350 with latest drivers and soft15kHz but still there one small issue with interlaced resolutions.

On windows xp 640x480i was visible as 640x480@60 but on windows 7 is 640x480@30. And here is problem - I've set MAME to sync to monitor refresh so now all games that uses interlaced resolutions runs at about 50% of speed. On windows xp there wasn't any problem. Is there any solution to bypass this?


Additionally some Taito Type X games does not show picture (like Battle Fantasia) because insist to work at 640x480@60. Some games however still works with 640x480@30.

[Sledge]

On windows xp 640x480i was visible as 640x480@60 but on windows 7 is 640x480@30. And here is problem - I've set MAME to sync to monitor refresh so now all games that uses interlaced resolutions runs at about 50% of speed. On windows xp there wasn't any problem. Is there any solution to bypass this?

-video d3d & -frame_delay 1 should fix that I think..

[Calamity]

On windows xp 640x480i was visible as 640x480@60 but on windows 7 is 640x480@30. And here is problem - I've set MAME to sync to monitor refresh so now all games that uses interlaced resolutions runs at about 50% of speed. On windows xp there wasn't any problem. Is there any solution to bypass this?

-video d3d & -frame_delay 1 should fix that I think..

I don't think he's using GroovyMAME, which btw is the solution. Indeed, GM switches to ddraw automatically for interlaced modes, because ddraw is not affected by the halved refresh issue.

[Sledge]

Ahh OK.. I just assumed he was using groovymame seeing as though he was posting in the GM forums

[Calamity]

Hi!

Does crt_emudriver_13.1_1.2b_w7_64  work under windows 8.0 64bit? I installed it on mine and it works fine. All resolutions are available in arcade_osd and groovy mame plays and finds correct resolution for each game. Plus other emulators such as dolphin and pcsx2 work beautifully!!! And much faster than the xp.

Only VMMaker.exe says that "no compatible video driver found (registry update disabled). So I cant create my resolutions for winuae and some other emulators.

How do I go around this? Is this possible at all?

Thank you!
//sasha

Hi R-Typer,

Sorry for my late answer. I'm very interested in this. My understanding is that CRT Emudriver should indeed install fine and be compatible with Windows 8. But because it needs to put the system in Test Mode, it will only be loaded provided you enable the test signing feature manually by pressing F8 on boot, and contrary to W7, this needs to be done each time you restart the system, so it's not useful in practice.

My guess is that the modelines have been installed in the registry but it's actually the default ATI driver shipped with W8 what's being loaded (so VMMaker wouldn't be recognizing it). This default driver does support custom modes too, but it won't allow you to modify the timings dynamically which is required for proper GM support. You can check which one of the drivers is active in the device manager. CRT Emudriver will be signed as "Calamity".

[sean_sk]

it needs to put the system in Test Mode

Just in regards to that Calamity, are you looking to set up a donation page soon so that we can get a Driver Signing Certificate for the driver? One of the reasons why I'm not using it at the moment is that I cant have Windows in 7 in test mode cause it mucks up a couple of customizations I have, plus it adds some time to my boot up sequence. Otherwise I'd really really love to use it.

[Calamity]

Just in regards to that Calamity, are you looking to set up a donation page soon so that we can get a Driver Signing Certificate for the driver? One of the reasons why I'm not using it at the moment is that I cant have Windows in 7 in test mode cause it mucks up a couple of customizations I have, plus it adds some time to my boot up sequence. Otherwise I'd really really love to use it.

Maybe at some point in the future. I'd like to see if there's any chance of getting the newer chipsets working. The certificate is valid for 1 year, so if I buy it now it might expire before I can get my hands on the other stuff.

[sean_sk]

Maybe at some point in the future. I'd like to see if there's any chance of getting the newer chipsets working. The certificate is valid for 1 year, so if I buy it now it might expire before I can get my hands on the other stuff.

Yep sure, makes sense. When you say "newer chipsets", if you mean HD 5000 and newer, I have a HD 5970 lying around. So if you need people to help test the drivers then let me know.

[haynor666]

On windows xp 640x480i was visible as 640x480@60 but on windows 7 is 640x480@30. And here is problem - I've set MAME to sync to monitor refresh so now all games that uses interlaced resolutions runs at about 50% of speed. On windows xp there wasn't any problem. Is there any solution to bypass this?

-video d3d & -frame_delay 1 should fix that I think..

I don't think he's using GroovyMAME, which btw is the solution. Indeed, GM switches to ddraw automatically for interlaced modes, because ddraw is not affected by the halved refresh issue.

So basically I'm stuck with this ?

[Calamity]

So basically I'm stuck with this ?

Stuck exactly with what?

[sean_sk]

So basically I'm stuck with this ?

Hi haynor666

Just a little puzzled why you're using soft15k if you're using crt_emudrivers with a Radeon HD 4350. If you use Groovymame (instead of regular mame) with your card and the crt_emudrivers then you shouldn't need to use soft15k.
Groovymame automatically uses direct draw when it selects an interlaced resolution for a game to prevent the 50% speed issue you are experiencing. Groovymame also has the advantage of auto selecting the right resolution for each game, provided you take the time to properly set up the available resolutions using VMMaker that comes included with crt_emudriver.
GM also has a fix that allows switching from interlaced resolution to progressive resolution using direct draw in Windows 7.
There are various posts in the Groovymame forum on how to use it.

[haynor666]

Sure, I can switch to groovymame but still there problems with taito type x games.

Also I prefer manually choose resolution for each driver and/or game for example I'm playing 256x192 games (driver ninjakd2) in 304x240. Reason is simple - scanlines is visible too much for me.

EDIT. It seems that GroovyMAME will solve almost all of my problems. Now i have to figure it how to force Taito Type X games to work correctly :/

[Calamity]

Now i have to figure it how to force Taito Type X games to work correctly :/

Check this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141253.0.html

[Sledge]

Not really sure where to put this, but i figure it would be seen here the most...
Another good reason to use Win 7, is that Windows 'Remote Desktop Connection' works just as well as teamviewer etc, but without the issues of installing the mirror driver.
Only caveat is that you have to have a password enabled for log on, but then remove it when you've finished of course..

[sean_sk]

but then remove it when you've finished of course..

Not necessary.

In "Run" type "control userpasswords2" (without quotes of course) and then, in the box that pops up, untick "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer." Then in the new box that pops up type the password twice (the one that you originally created for the account) and then "OK" it.

What this does is it allows you to keep the password for the account (so that you can continue to use Remote Desktop Connection and other services that require the password to exist) but disables the requirement of having to enter the password in at every PC startup or login, if that's the reason why you mentioned about removing it in the first place.

[haynor666]

After many hours of testing and tweaking I've noticed that some vector games cannot sync to 100% anymore. Why asteroids works ok games from cinemat.c and sega80v.c and aztarac do not. Those game are always sync to about 62% of speed. I tried enabling frame_delay, switching video from d3d to ddraw and again ddraw to d3d and still the same. Probably problem is related to halfed refresh rates of interlaced resolutions (or maybe my Asus 4350 making tricks again).

Originally under XP x64 Tac/Scan picks 768x576@49,5 and works fine but under 7 x64 does not.
The same situation is with Sundance. Under XP x64 picks 640x480@59,981 and works fine but under 7 x64 with exactly the same resolution does work at 79 %.

[Calamity]

Hi haynor666,

I'm not sure what your settings are. Bear in mind that in W7 GroovyMAME needs enabling DirectDraw for all interlaced modes in order to get the refresh right, you can see it in its logs. Because vector games will always be assigned interlaced modes you can bet DirectDraw will be used for them, unless forcing otherwise via command line or ini files.

All I can say is my main testing box is a modest P4 3.2 GHz with an Asus HD 4350 and all vector games I've tested run at 100% both in XP and W7. I'd say there's something odd with your system (considering the facts in your other thread too).

[haynor666]

From mame.ini:
video auto
frame_delay 0
syncrefresh 0
sleep 0
throttle 1

So those game should work in ddraw when it's needed. Forcing ddraw does not change situation. Official mame works the same way with:
throttle 0
syncrefresh 1
resolution 768x576