Author Topic: I am so frustrated! Need help, please! (Read 3152 times)

Doom bucket · « **on:** February 14, 2007, 05:46:11 pm »

Ok, so I just got my arcade cabinet up and running... BUT, I can't get MAME working! I can't figure out how to interface my controls with it, or play games on it!

And I'm using a TV instead of a monitor, so I lowered the resolution as low as it could go... but now every XP window is so large that I can't move them around, or adjust any system settings. The DPI is too large but I can't adjust it, since when I go to the Display tab the bottom is cut off so I can't adjust it.

leapinlew · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:47:18 pm »

plug a monitor into it till you get it configured...

What encoder are you using? Is it PS2 or USB? If your going to ask for help - you need to provide even a shred of information so we can help.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:49:36 pm »

I did plug my monitor back into it, but the DPI settings are on the computer itself, so it's the same problem.

I don't think it has anything to do with my encoder, which is an iPac. My controls are detected in other programs, I just can't figure out how to use MAME. It has hundreds and hundreds of games listed in the menu, but none of them are games I actually have, and there doesn't seem to be an options menu for configuring it...

leapinlew · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:51:03 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 05:49:36 pm

I did plug my monitor back into it, but the DPI settings are on the computer itself, so it's the same problem.

I don't think it has anything to do with my encoder, which is an iPac. My controls are detected in other programs, I just can't figure out how to use MAME. It has hundreds and hundreds of games listed in the menu, but none of them are games I actually have, and there doesn't seem to be an options menu for configuring it...

1 problem at a time.

First lets deal with the monitor issue. Reboot your computer and hit F8 while it's booting up. Select the VGA option and once in reset your display settings. Let me know when thats working.

Crax · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:53:19 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 05:49:36 pm

It has hundreds and hundreds of games listed in the menu, but none of them are games I actually have, and there doesn't seem to be an options menu for configuring it...

What version/frontend of Mame are you using? Sounds like you are looking at a list of all games that Mame can emulate, and not Available games

Doom bucket · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:57:09 pm »

Well, restarting the computer has caused a new problem.

"Invalid system disk"

No CD is in the drive, so I don't know what this could be.

leapinlew · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:57:57 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 05:57:09 pm

Well, restarting the computer has caused a new problem.

"Invalid system disk"

No CD is in the drive, so I don't know what this could be.

If it's a floppy - I'll smack you.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:59:21 pm »

It couldn't be a floppy, since I don't have a floppy drive plugged in.

leapinlew · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:00:41 pm »

Wait. You didn't reboot it WHILE the DPI was large and the screen was set at lowest resolution did you? If so, the computer will be in an inconsistent state and cause an invalid system disk.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:02:46 pm »

Of course I did, because that's exactly what you told me to do. Reboot the computer and press F8.

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:03:13 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on February 14, 2007, 06:00:41 pm

Wait. You didn't reboot it WHILE the DPI was large and the screen was set at lowest resolution did you? If so, the computer will be in an inconsistent state and cause an invalid system disk.

Dude, you're mean.

leapinlew · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:04:12 pm »

lol.

Ok. Turn the computer off and give it another go. Make sure everything is plugged in snug.

This error is often caused by a bad hard drive or improper boot disk.

Crax · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:09:18 pm »

You should be able to tell if its trying to boot from the cdrom as it will light up. You may need to go into the bios to change your boot order.

markrvp · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:10:10 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on February 14, 2007, 06:00:41 pm

Wait. You didn't reboot it WHILE the DPI was large and the screen was set at lowest resolution did you? If so, the computer will be in an inconsistent state and cause an invalid system disk.

ROTFLMAO

Doom bucket · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:20:25 pm »

Well, how do I fix the display problem once I've got the computer back up and running?

leapinlew · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:21:57 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 06:20:25 pm

Well, how do I fix the display problem once I've got the computer back up and running?

The F8 solution is the fix. It's a safe mode for Windows that'll allow you to change your resolution.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:33:07 pm »

I switched the resolution and DPI back. I eventually just kept blind-tabbing until I accidentally adjusted it back to normal, once I got the computer back up and running by changing the boot order.

However, if I DON'T have the DPI and resolution set to low, I can't read any text when I use my TV. Yet, if I set it like that, all the windows are oversized and extend past the screen. Any ideas on what to do?

And I'm still lost on the whole mame thing. I have the mame32 version.

yalborap · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:36:02 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 06:33:07 pm

I switched the resolution and DPI back. I eventually just kept blind-tabbing until I accidentally adjusted it back to normal, once I got the computer back up and running by changing the boot order.

However, if I DON'T have the DPI and resolution set to low, I can't read any text when I use my TV. Yet, if I set it like that, all the windows are oversized and extend past the screen. Any ideas on what to do?

And I'm still lost on the whole mame thing. I have the mame32 version.

We'll set you up with a front-end that can be displayed on a TV that you can just have start at startup. Problem solved.

Now then, as for this, first, you're looking for an option to set it to show AVAILABLE games, not ALL games.

Then, you just want to configure its universal button settings to use your controls.

leapinlew · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:39:34 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 06:33:07 pm

I switched the resolution and DPI back. I eventually just kept blind-tabbing until I accidentally adjusted it back to normal, once I got the computer back up and running by changing the boot order.

However, if I DON'T have the DPI and resolution set to low, I can't read any text when I use my TV. Yet, if I set it like that, all the windows are oversized and extend past the screen. Any ideas on what to do?

And I'm still lost on the whole mame thing. I have the mame32 version.

What was the fix? How did you get the computer to boot back up.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:42:14 pm »

"Now then, as for this, first, you're looking for an option to set it to show AVAILABLE games, not ALL games."

Yes, I can see the available tab... there's nothing there... I put the roms in the rom folder(not unzipped!) and I ran the Audit check. The second time running the check, it said three games were detected, but they did not pass.

leapinlew · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:42:39 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 06:33:07 pm

I switched the resolution and DPI back. I eventually just kept blind-tabbing until I accidentally adjusted it back to normal, once I got the computer back up and running by changing the boot order.

However, if I DON'T have the DPI and resolution set to low, I can't read any text when I use my TV. Yet, if I set it like that, all the windows are oversized and extend past the screen. Any ideas on what to do?

And I'm still lost on the whole mame thing. I have the mame32 version.

Don't use Mame32... Your not going to be able to read it on a TV. Your looking at a full list of games. You need to explore front ends and using DOS mame. I recommend you put it up for the night and hit it with a fresh head tomorrow. You could use Mame32 if you were using a computer monitor.

leapinlew · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:43:15 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 06:42:14 pm

I put the roms in the rom folder(not unzipped!)

Did you unzip them all?

Doom bucket · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:50:50 pm »

The session timed out while I typed out a wordy reply to you, leapinlew, and I got logged out. But I didn't unzip any of the roms, changed the boot order to get the computer running, and it's 4:30 where I live, so I don't want to "put it up for the night"

leapinlew · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:55:14 pm »

Ok - you should plug a monitor in so you can get the setup right. You'll go blind trying to work on a computer displaying to a television.

Your next step should be checking out a front end and mame. I use Mala.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2007, 07:31:00 pm »

I tried Mala. It keeps getting mysterious errors, and demanding files I can't find such as controls.ini and history.dat. After refreshing the game list it got a major error and shut down, and even after deleting it from my computer entirely it won't reinstall.

leapinlew · « **Reply #25 on:** February 14, 2007, 07:45:43 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 07:31:00 pm

I tried Mala. It keeps getting mysterious errors, and demanding files I can't find such as controls.ini and history.dat. After refreshing the game list it got a major error and shut down, and even after deleting it from my computer entirely it won't reinstall.

We can fix those errors - they aren't a mystery. They are just a mystery to you.

So now that the computer is up and running - shall we work on Mala? I'll make you a deal. You update your PA with pictures and the whole shabang and I'll help you get Mala working. eh?

Doom bucket · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2007, 08:11:37 pm »

I would have taken pictures and posted them already if I had a camera lying around. But my friend borrowed it, and it looks like I won't be able to get it until tommorow, at the least. As soon as I get it, I'll share pictures right away.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:05:51 pm »

I keep on getting a Mala error. The website says it means this...

"This error occurs when loading a corrupt png image. Please convert your image to a proper png format."

no suggestions on how to fix it. any ideas?

Doom bucket · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:46:28 pm »

The maya website forum is in german and I can't figure out how to even make an account there

I've tried other frontends in the past few hours and none of them are very promising. The only one so far that seemed to work right away was AtomicFE. But it's got a wierd glitch where it constantly scrolls to the top of the screen even if I'm not pressing anything, so it won't allow me to select any roms...

I'm just so exhausted. Hours and hours trying to understand all these programs and getting them to work... I figured it'd be easier

leapinlew · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:50:02 pm »

Quote from: Doom bucket on February 14, 2007, 10:46:28 pm

I figured it'd be easier

Nothing worthwhile is easy.

If you want the easiest way out - I hear Game-ex is pretty painless. Costs money though.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #30 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:57:54 pm »

No, I think it's just this Mala error that's holding me back. As far as I can tell I did everything right, I put the snaps in the folder and linked up the controls.ini and all that. If I could understand what a corrupt png file is and how to fix it, I think I'd be back in business.

leapinlew · « **Reply #31 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:00:08 pm »

When does the error come up?

Doom bucket · « **Reply #32 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:08:02 pm »

When I try to install the program(I've tried like 4 times now with the same error), when I get to the end and click OK, it says it's refreshing the game list, then it does that for like, ten minutes, and the error pops up.

leapinlew · « **Reply #33 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:18:26 pm »

Are you pointing to the proper location of the snaps? Are your snaps unzipped?

Did you follow these instructions?
http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/mameconfig.html

leapinlew · « **Reply #34 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:29:17 pm »

Yawn!

Your exhaustion must be contagious. I got it now too. I'm going to bed. I'll be on tomorrow - maybe by then I can just send you both my mame and mala files you can just unzip them.

leapinlew · « **Reply #35 on:** February 16, 2007, 02:41:01 pm »

Bump! DoomBucket - whats your status? You should post your fixes as well. Your post may cause someone to not make the same mistake you did.

Doom bucket · « **Reply #36 on:** February 16, 2007, 04:39:26 pm »

It's working. The only game I can play on it is Marvel Vs Capcom. I don't know what the glitch with mala was all about, I simply reinstalled my computer again so perhaps I'll never know.

But yeah, I can only get Marvel Vs Capcom to play on it for some reason. I think it might have to do with the ROMs being non-USA region(like japanese shooters) but I have no idea how to fix that. I'm going to post the finished cabinet after this post.

Spaz Monkey · « **Reply #37 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:46:42 pm »

Um... when using MAME32, do you have a folder for each rom zip file? (ie, M:\MAME32\ROMS\PUCKMAN, M:\MAME32\ROMS\MVC, M:\MAME32\ROMS\TOKIO, ect.)


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