Problem with disappearing MAME config file when I add analog joycodes

[jimmer]

It's my first time with a U360, I'm using it in analog mode on a Sinistar panel.

The problem I'm having is that the default.cfg file with the default key allocations keep going blank. It happens when I put joycode codes like below into it

            <port type="P1_BUTTON1">
                <newseq type="standard">
                    KEYCODE_ENTER OR JOYCODE_1_BUTTON5
                </newseq>
            </port>

And it goes blank after playing 2 non-analog games WITHOUT the U360 plugged in. Eg I play Pengo and Qix and then when I go back to Pengo the keys have all reset to default (Ctrl,ALT, etc)

Anyone seen or heard of this problem before?
Any ideas ?

It's MAME 0171.

I'm working on segregating the analog games into a separate MAME folder so they don't interfere with the main games. But I expect to  have the same problems there if the games are run without the U360 being plugged in.

[Robbbert]

It's normal. If you unplug your joystick or controller, the MAME settings attached to it will vanish - and they won't come back.

The usual solution is to make your changes, exit MAME, then make default.cfg read-only.

[jimmer]

Thanks. It's strange that I didn't know this was a thing, maybe I read it years ago and then forgot because it never cropped up on my system.

[Vocalitus]

Thanks. It's strange that I didn't know this was a thing, maybe I read it years ago and then forgot because it never cropped up on my system.

Mamedevs like to mess with us from time to time.  You get used to it.