Area 51 issue in MAME

[trcroyle]

I'm having issues with Area 51. I can play through th first bit outside, but when it switches to indoors, every time I hit hte trigger the screen blacks out and the monitor gives a 'click' sound like it was switching resolutions. After a second or so the screen comes back like normal. Unfortunately the game keeps running while this is happening. After three or four attempted shots it's game over.

Any idea what's causing this? I'm running MAME 1.05 with mamewah as a front in. Windows xp pro, Arcadevga, Betson Imperial 27" monitor.

Thanks!

[AlanS17]

It sounds like maybe your gun is switching resolutions to calculate a shot. Without further info, that's the best guess I can come up with. I'm really at a loss, though.

Is your MAME configuration locked into a specific resolution? What gun are you using? What resolution is Windows running at? What build of MAME are you using?

There are a lot of unanswered questions here.

[SirPeale]

Once a game is running, resolutions shouldn't change at all. 

The only thing I can think of is something running in the background which is momentarily taking focus.

This happens *every* time the game goes "indoors?"

[trcroyle]

It sounds like maybe your gun is switching resolutions to calculate a shot. Without further info, that's the best guess I can come up with. I'm really at a loss, though.

Is your MAME configuration locked into a specific resolution? What gun are you using? What resolution is Windows running at? What build of MAME are you using?

There are a lot of unanswered questions here.

MAME resolution is set to auto
The gun is an Act Labs pc usb
Windows is running at 800x600 - I've tried setting it to 321x256 but the problem persists
MAME build is the standard command line MAME

It will also happen when the game is just in attract mode if I pull the trigger. Starting the game up, the first "scene" runs fine, but when it makes the transition to inside the hanger it starts up. Hogan's Alley works fine with this gun, only Area 51 seems to have the issue.

[Jess--]

I may be horribly wrong here.......

is it the act labs guns that flash the screen when you fire?

if it is it may be that the sudden change from dark to bright (for the flash) is proving too much for your monitor.

[AlanS17]

Once a game is running, resolutions shouldn't change at all. 

I'm not suggesting that the game switches resolutions. I'm suggesting that maybe the gun is switching resolutions. I just don't know enough about them to really sway one way or another, though. I'm just throwing out ideas. The whole light/dark thing seems to have credence. I just don't have a good suggestion as to why.

[Jess--]

if the light dark thing sounds like it may be the problem try increasing the screen volts slightly (you will need to reset your contrast / brightness to get your picture back how you like it) you may find that helps out.

[trcroyle]

if the light dark thing sounds like it may be the problem try increasing the screen volts slightly (you will need to reset your contrast / brightness to get your picture back how you like it) you may find that helps out.

Resolved!

It was totally the brghtness. I switched my desktop to sold black and started having the same issues. Dropped the brightness in half (which looks beter to me anyway) and Area 51 plays with no issues. Awesome!

Thanks to all who helped!