Out of Range error on D9200

[gamecaptor]

First off, I have a Wells Gardner D9200 monitor (mounted horizontally), an ArcadeVGA video card (running supplied drivers) and Windows XP.

Now my problem is that some games, while running under MAME32 (running default settings), give me an Out of Range error. Some games in particular are: Egg Venture, Galaxy Gunners, Lethal Justice and Nitro Ball (there are MANY others, but these are ones that come to mind). No here is what I'm really confused about. Some games (Galaxy and Nitro) I can change the rotation and they work (but this sucks, because it makes my neck hurt Others (Egg and Lethal) the rotation does not work. So my question is this, is there a way to setup MAME so it will auto adjust itself/the monitor so all the games will play? Please feel free to ask me for more detailed info if you should need it. Thanks in advance.

[AlanS17]

It sounds like your monitor is uncomfortable with either the resolutoin or refresh rate you're giving it. I'm tempted to say it's the refresh rate. I can't speak for MAME32, but I know MAME messes with the video card settings. I know the ArcadeVGA should take care of this, though, so I don't know for sure. I would recommend a program that allows you to tweak your video settings. Also try using your command line switches (I'm assuming they're the same for MAME) to lock in on a desired resolution and refresh rate.

Do you see Windows ok on the monitor? If so, what resolution and refresh rate are you running Windows?

[gamecaptor]

Hey AlanS17. Thanks for the reply. Yes, I can see Windows fine. I'm running at 640x480@ 60 Hz with 32 bit color (and the Wells Gardner utility to run in interlaced mode). I was under the impression that the combination of this Arcade Monitor D9200, the ArcadeVGA card and MAME32 I would not need to adjust any settings, but that has obviously turned out to not be the case.
According to MAME.DK these paticular games are set to run at:
Egg Venture
screen type:  raster  
screen orientation:  horizontal  
screen aspect:  4 x 3  
resolution x:  512 pixels  
resolution y:  236 pixels  
colors used:  32768  
video frequency:  60.00 Hz  

Galaxy Gunners
screen type:  raster  
screen orientation:  vertical  
screen aspect:  3 x 4  
resolution x:  256 pixels  
resolution y:  352 pixels  
colors used:  256  
video frequency:  60.00 Hz  

Lethal Justice
screen type:  raster  
screen orientation:  horizontal  
screen aspect:  4 x 3  
resolution x:  512 pixels  
resolution y:  236 pixels  
colors used:  32768  
video frequency:  60.00 Hz  

Nitroball
screen type:  raster  
screen orientation:  vertical  
screen aspect:  3 x 4  
resolution x:  240 pixels  
resolution y:  320 pixels  
colors used:  2048  
video frequency:  60.00 Hz  

Since Nitroball and Galaxy Gunners are both vertical orientations, that sort of explains why when I rotate them they work. But then how do I "force" my monitor to readjust itself to play them horizontally? And for the other two, I just don't know

[AlanS17]

Well when you run MAME try adding a switch like:

-r 640X480

That will force a resolution of that size on the game (which it really ought to be doing already anyways). Have you tried using the official MAME?

Plus you may want to try installing PowerStrip. It really does a great job of taking control of the video card away from Windows and putting it in your hands. You can find it at:

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/

Using this program I got all games working on a standard arcade monitor using opfiicial MAME so there really shouldn't be any reason it wouoldn't work for you with the good monitor you have.

You may want to drop Andy from Ultimarc a line. He should DEFINITELY know how to help you. (Since he made the ArcadeVGA)

He's a member on these boards, but he's not always here. I know Ultimarc has their own boards, and I think he watches those better. Plus I'm sure he'd answer an email. Everybody likes that guy.

[gamecaptor]

Once again, thanks for the reply AlanS17. Your input is appreciated. I'm really partial to Mame32 only because I really like the front end interface. Maybe I should start another thread for which front-end people prefer. In any case, I

[StephenH]

Try running at a resolution of 800x600 or lower at 60Hz in 31Khz mode, or under 400x300 in 15Khz mode.

[AndyWarne]

You could try all of the ArcadeVGA resolutions on the desktop and see if any of them give the out of range error. They should not, because they are all in spec for this monitor.

Try clicking on the Galaga taskbar icon and selecting each of the 30-odd resolutions from 240 X 240 upwards one at a time. They should not give the error. If they do, then something is not right such as drivers not installed correctly. Drop me an email.

Andy