Author Topic: Huge, huge problem. (Read 8645 times)

Chukka · « **on:** October 11, 2009, 02:40:53 pm »

Hi,

I tried changing the Windows XP startup screen according to these instructions:

http://www.nwarwick.co.uk/Windows/ChangeXPBootScreen.html

I also deleted the recycling bin from the desktop by following these instructions:

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/115397-how-remove-recycle-bin-shortcut-your.html

Now, my Windows XP won't boot. Not even in Safe Mode :'(

What should I do???

Thanks in advance!

Epyx · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:02:26 pm »

Just do a repair installation. A repair installation will retain your existing files/settings but fix the windows system files.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Chukka · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:05:02 pm »

My CD-drive won't open. I don't know why?? Maybe because windows won't load??

Epyx · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:12:55 pm »

Your CD/DVD drive should have a small pin sized hole near the bottom of the tray. Inserting an unfolded paperclip gently into the hole will force the tray mechanism to open. The tray not opening shouldn't have anything to do with Windows working or not...if the drive is receiving power it should eject. Try powering down completely first and trying again...if not use the paperclip method I referred to.

Chukka · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:29:38 pm »

Is there any way to do the XP repair from an external drive?

BamBam · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:38:38 pm »

Quote from: Chukka on October 11, 2009, 03:29:38 pm

Is there any way to do the XP repair from an external drive?

There should be no need to if you have a valid copy of Windows XP.

Chukka · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:45:36 pm »

Quote from: BamBam on October 11, 2009, 04:38:38 pm

Quote from: Chukka on October 11, 2009, 03:29:38 pm
Is there any way to do the XP repair from an external drive?

There should be no need to if you have a valid copy of Windows XP.

"My CD-drive won't open. I don't know why?? Maybe because windows won't load??"

drventure · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2009, 06:32:08 pm »

It could be jammed. Esp if they sit at an angle or vertically.

There's usually a pinhole on the front of the CD drive.

Take a paperclip, straighten it and poke it in the pinhole, that will usually eject the disc (manually, though so once it partly out, you'll have to pull the tray the rest of the way.

Epyx · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:14:48 pm »

I mentioned that a few posts above

bkenobi · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:06:15 pm »

Try a different CD drive. If it's really jammed, you should get a new one.

Bender · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:07:14 pm »

I had to do this once or twice

it's most likely that the boot screen you replaced isn't the right format. XP is very picky about the resolution, bit depth, # of colors and even the interlacing of the image
I took the hardrive out put it in another enclosure and hooked it up to another machine and copied the boot screen back in
and put the HD back in the original machine and it booted up fine
then I did a bunch of research on the boot screen image info before I did it again

by the way I got that suggestion from this forum saved ---my bottom---!
Good Luck!

Finchbyrd · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:40:14 pm »

Use a program to change the boot screen, don't rename it or edit any kernals or anything. You'll brick, as you've witnessed.

Ummon · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:03:44 pm »

Quote from: Bender on October 11, 2009, 09:07:14 pm

by the way I got that suggestion from this forum saved ---my bottom---!
Good Luck!

Segue:

I can only guess that this is showing as censored because you have your settings that way - I don't - and if yer gonna cuss, you might as well let us see it. Eh?

drventure · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2009, 10:53:16 pm »

@epyx

Doh! Guess I should read more

What's a CD drive these days, 5$? If the pinhole trick doesn't work, I'd agree with kenobi. Pitch it.

Although, i've heard there's cool stuff you can do with the laser in those things.

Never tried anything myself... Yet....

Finchbyrd · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2009, 11:37:31 pm »

I've never heard of a drive not opening because of an OS, unless you went in there and started yanking cables it could be serious. Do the paperclip trick or yank it.

Bender · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:57:27 am »

Quote from: Ummon on October 11, 2009, 10:03:44 pm

Quote from: Bender on October 11, 2009, 09:07:14 pm
by the way I got that suggestion from this forum saved ---my bottom---!
Good Luck!

Segue:

I can only guess that this is showing as censored because you have your settings that way - I don't - and if yer gonna cuss, you might as well let us see it. Eh?

how's this?

Saved my shinny metal ass!

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:33:09 am »

Buy a new PC

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:27:16 pm »

First and foremost... Try updating the title of this topic. Can you be any more generic?

Perhaps you will get a greater response when you are specific in what you need help with.

Just a thought.

D

shatteredzman · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:40:54 pm »

A cd drive will open even with a faulty operating system, how else would you install the operating system on the computer for the first time? Your drive is most likely jammed, do what the others suggested and poke a paper clip in that hole, it will free the drive. If that doesnt work take the drive out of the computer and turn it over, shake it, tap it, or do whatever to try to loosen the jam. The drive doesnt even need to be connected to the data cable to open, just the power.

Chukka · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:44:51 pm »

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 01:27:16 pm

First and foremost... Try updating the title of this topic. Can you be any more generic?

Perhaps you will get a greater response when you are specific in what you need help with.

Just a thought.

D

Eat ####.

Thanks everyone else for their help. The CD drive wasn't working because the power wire wasn't connected properly. I got it working and used the XP CD to rebuild the boot.ini. The boot.bmp was the problem. Got it working now.

Thanks to all the helpful people except Delusional and BamBam.

severdhed · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:20:00 pm »

Quote from: Chukka on October 12, 2009, 01:44:51 pm

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 01:27:16 pm
First and foremost... Try updating the title of this topic. Can you be any more generic?

Perhaps you will get a greater response when you are specific in what you need help with.

Just a thought.

D

Eat ####.

Thanks everyone else for their help. The CD drive wasn't working because the power wire wasn't connected properly. I got it working and used the XP CD to rebuild the boot.ini. The boot.bmp was the problem. Got it working now.

Thanks to all the helpful people except Delusional and BamBam.

wow, that was rude

Hoopz · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:24:41 pm »

Chukka,

Don't be an ass. Hell, learn to read too.

eaconner · « **Reply #22 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:45:13 pm »

+1 Hoopz
+1 severdhed

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:31:46 pm »

Wow, didn't think I would offend you. Sorry Chukka.

As people can attest on this board, I'm all about helping people. My numerous posts and videos prove it. I was only trying to help you, since you appeared to be a newbie with under 20 posts.

P.S. - I was nice by not mentioning that it is also in the wrong section. It belongs in the software forum.

But now you know and everyone is happy!

Happy posting!

DeLuSioNaL

JODY · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:11:04 am »

Missed reading the post where you got it working. I was just about to recommend checking the power supply. If it isn't putting out the right voltage it can cause these issues. Won't let me delete this post....

Bender · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2009, 01:32:12 am »

Quote from: Chukka on October 12, 2009, 01:44:51 pm

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 01:27:16 pm
First and foremost... Try updating the title of this topic. Can you be any more generic?

Perhaps you will get a greater response when you are specific in what you need help with.

Just a thought.

D

Eat ####.

Thanks everyone else for their help. The CD drive wasn't working because the power wire wasn't connected properly. I got it working and used the XP CD to rebuild the boot.ini. The boot.bmp was the problem. Got it working now.

Thanks to all the helpful people except Delusional and BamBam.

I don't know if you were joking or not (I hope you were)
But dissing the long time members of the community, who are just trying to help is not a way to continue to get help in the future

Glad you got it working though

jasonbar · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:08:36 am »

Coming to this party late, but my $0.02:

Using the system mentioned in the referenced page (http://www.nwarwick.co.uk/Windows/ChangeXPBootScreen.html) worked just ducky for me.

Trying Bootskin 1.05a was awful. Got BSOD immediately upon boot on my laptop, my work PC, & my MAME cab (all running XP). Couldn't get it to work. vidstub.sys in c:\windows\system32\drivers was the culprit. A boot in safe mode & an uninstall of Bootskin did the trick. Many of the fixes on-line recommend using 1.02 instead. Nope, still get BSOD immediately upon boot (but with a different error, something about IRQ not being less than or equal to something...).

Thanks,
-Jason

PS--on Windows XP Pro, I was able to right click on the desktop & follow through a few buttons & such till I found an option to hide all desktop icons. Strangely, I can't find it on my Win XP Home on my laptop...

Chukka · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:46:31 am »

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 06:31:46 pm

Wow, didn't think I would offend you. Sorry Chukka.

As people can attest on this board, I'm all about helping people. My numerous posts and videos prove it. I was only trying to help you, since you appeared to be a newbie with under 20 posts.

P.S. - I was nice by not mentioning that it is also in the wrong section. It belongs in the software forum.

But now you know and everyone is happy!

Happy posting!

DeLuSioNaL

Sorry DeLuSioNaL. I've been reading your stuff for a long time and I know you're a good guy. I wasn't being serious

(well, a bit

)

Chukka · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:52:45 am »

Quote from: jasonbar on October 13, 2009, 03:08:36 am

Coming to this party late, but my $0.02:

Using the system mentioned in the referenced page (http://www.nwarwick.co.uk/Windows/ChangeXPBootScreen.html) worked just ducky for me.

Trying Bootskin 1.05a was awful. Got BSOD immediately upon boot on my laptop, my work PC, & my MAME cab (all running XP). Couldn't get it to work. vidstub.sys in c:\windows\system32\drivers was the culprit. A boot in safe mode & an uninstall of Bootskin did the trick. Many of the fixes on-line recommend using 1.02 instead. Nope, still get BSOD immediately upon boot (but with a different error, something about IRQ not being less than or equal to something...).

Thanks,
-Jason

PS--on Windows XP Pro, I was able to right click on the desktop & follow through a few buttons & such till I found an option to hide all desktop icons. Strangely, I can't find it on my Win XP Home on my laptop...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=53467.0

I actually used this first post for help and got it working almost the way I like it. The Taskbar still pops up for a second before the FE loads. And I still need to do something about the mouse cursor. Other than that, it's getting there. Now I just need a kick ass intro video like DeLuSioNaL's. Mine is horrible

Kman-Sweden · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:22:48 am »

About the mouse cursor.... I've posted this before but here it comes again...

Hiding windows: Damn those standard cursors!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok here's how you hide the cursor completely at startup of Windows XP... Remember who gave you this solution.

***************************************************************************
If you'd like to change the cursor in your control panel to let's say, a dinosaur or a tiny arrow. You'll still have the standard white arrow cursor displayed for about one second when you startup and shutdown Windows. This is because the standard cursor is shown before (and after) the user defined cursors are loaded. So to hide the cursor we need to replace the standard cursors....

The standard cursors are stored in the User32.dll file.

And to make things worse the user32.dll is backed up in dllcache.
We'll backup then edit the user32.dll and replace it in it's original place and in the dllcache.

You'll need the following..
1.) A blank cursor, or the smallest one you can live with showing at bootup and shutdown.
2.) A Windows XP install CD.
3.) ResHack program get it here ----> http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
4.) Administrator password to the PC (if any).

In this example I'll call the cursor for blank.cur.

Put you blank.cur in the cursors folder in your windows directory. (c:/windows/cursors)
Just so you know where you have it.

Download and extract Reshack to any folder. Run the "ResHacker.exe" from that folder.

Click on "File" and then "Open". Browse to the user32.dll file (c:\windows\system32\user32.dll) and open it.

Expand the cursor folder, here you'll find all standard cursors neatly setup in their own folders. Find the cursors you'd like to change. I chose to replace the "arrow" and the "arrow and hourglas". Rightclick on the flower-icon for the cursor you'd like to replace and choose "replace resource". Replace it with the blank.cur that we placed in c:\windows\cursors.

Repeat with any other cursors you'd like to replace.

The next IMPORTANT step is to select "SAVE AS"!!! not "save"!!
Save it as user32new.dll in the c:\windows\system32 folder.

Next step is to replace the user32.dll file(s).

Insert the WinXP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive and then restart the computer. Select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.

When the “Welcome to Setup” screen appears, press R to start Recovery Console.
Here you might be asked to enter the admin password.
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
cd windows\system32

To rename the User32.dll file, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
ren user32.dll user32.bak

Then rename the User32new.ddl to user32.dll by typing the following command, and the press ENTER:
ren user32new.dll user32.dll

The final step is to replace the backup windows stores in the dllcache folder.
copy your user32.dll to the dllcache folder by typing the following command,

and then press ENTER:
copy user32.dll c:\windows\system32\dllcache\

Press "Y" to overwrite the file and your done.
Take out the Windows XP cd and type exit in the prompt to exit the Recovery Consloe and restart your PC.

Now the arrow cursor at startup will be replaced with your blank.cur.
Note that when Windows has started the cursor that's set in cursors in your control panel WILL be shown.

ENJOY!

smalltownguy · « **Reply #30 on:** October 13, 2009, 06:49:09 am »

The big ticket here is to make sure you are not booted to the disk in which you want to change the user32.dll file on. Windows won't let you do it, since the file will be in use. More so, it will re-create the file upon exit. Kman's method is the 'standard,' although I do know of a few alternatives.

One alternative to doing this if you don't have easy access to an XP disc is to boot the computer to DOS using any other boot disk that will load your file system. I have the BartPE disc, so I used that.

Or, you could piggyback the drive on to another computer as a slave, and then you'll have the privileges you need to replace that .dll file, since it won't be in use as a system file.

This was the last thing I needed to do to completely hide all traces of windows on my setup. It is now impossible to tell that there's a PC in my cab. No blips, no nothing. I'm very pleased

whatever method you like

p.s. Shameless plug of my cab! An old video of my cab's start up/shut down. I used Bootskins. I have since upgraded the memory (fixes the blip at the start of MAME) and modified my MameWah layout to remove the gray square that flashes at startup. I'm working on a video now of my AimTrak, and I'll try to capture the startup routine in that. Will post then.

Kman-Sweden · « **Reply #31 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:58:50 am »

Cool how did you hide DOS pre-boot?

smalltownguy · « **Reply #32 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:00:17 am »

I'm using a CRT monitor, so it just takes that long to warm up.

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:25:40 pm »

You can view a great guide here: (This is what I use):
http://forums.maximusarcade.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=506

Here's an excerpt from that guide. I only used this part, as I don't really want MA to boot as my main shell.

"PART 3: Things you might as well do if you made it this far (all optional, but cool)

a) Hide the "Loading Settings" popup
-run regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

-Create a DWORD value called "DisableStatusMessages", and edit its value to the number 1
(or edit this dword if it already exists, which it likely doesn't)

b) Kill the Welcome and Startup/Shutdown screens
-in regedit go to:
HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Control Panel\Colors\Background

-change the value to: 0 0 0 (those are zeros, and the spaces ARE necessary)

-now, go to the Control Panel -> User Accounts and select "Change the way users log on or off". Uncheck "Use Welcome Screen"

c) Kill the pop-up bubbles like "USB device connected" "Not all Star Menu Objects can be shown", etc
-run regedit yet again and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

-Create a DWORD named "EnableBalloonTips", and give it a hex value of "0" (zero)

d) Get rid of the WinXP bootscreen
-This is how i did it. There are programs that can give you the full featured ones with progress bars, etc, but my new bootscreen is the "Winners don't use drugs" screen from old arcade games, so it's a static image. It's perfect.

Plus it's the easiest/least accident prone method of changing it.

-Make a 640x480 16-COLOR bitmap. It MUST be saved or converted to a 16-color bitmap. Or ask me for mine. Name it "boot.bmp" and keep it in your c:\windows directory

-Go to My Computer -> Properties -> Advance -> Startup and Recovery -> Settings

-Click "Edit Startup Options" and add the following to the end of what's there:
/bootlogo /noguiboot
(make sure you leave a space between the existing options and the ones you added above, and keep a space between the two new options while you're at it)"

P.S. - I'm almost done editing my intro for me to share with all to use.

DeLuSioNaL

Kman-Sweden · « **Reply #34 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:54:16 pm »

Quote from: smalltownguy on October 13, 2009, 06:49:09 am

The big ticket here is to make sure you are not booted to the disk in which you want to change the user32.dll file on. Windows won't let you do it, since the file will be in use.

You get around this problem using my guide since I "save as" the file and then rename the file, to the correct name when you're in the "Recovery Console".

DeLuSioNal29 ---> Nice work in shortening one of the longest posts in the Maximus Forum.

Chukka · « **Reply #35 on:** October 13, 2009, 05:42:39 pm »

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 13, 2009, 12:25:40 pm

You can view a great guide here: (This is what I use):
http://forums.maximusarcade.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=506

Here's an excerpt from that guide. I only used this part, as I don't really want MA to boot as my main shell.

"PART 3: Things you might as well do if you made it this far (all optional, but cool)

a) Hide the "Loading Settings" popup
-run regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

-Create a DWORD value called "DisableStatusMessages", and edit its value to the number 1
(or edit this dword if it already exists, which it likely doesn't)

b) Kill the Welcome and Startup/Shutdown screens
-in regedit go to:
HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Control Panel\Colors\Background

-change the value to: 0 0 0 (those are zeros, and the spaces ARE necessary)

-now, go to the Control Panel -> User Accounts and select "Change the way users log on or off". Uncheck "Use Welcome Screen"

c) Kill the pop-up bubbles like "USB device connected" "Not all Star Menu Objects can be shown", etc
-run regedit yet again and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

-Create a DWORD named "EnableBalloonTips", and give it a hex value of "0" (zero)

d) Get rid of the WinXP bootscreen
-This is how i did it. There are programs that can give you the full featured ones with progress bars, etc, but my new bootscreen is the "Winners don't use drugs" screen from old arcade games, so it's a static image. It's perfect. Plus it's the easiest/least accident prone method of changing it.

-Make a 640x480 16-COLOR bitmap. It MUST be saved or converted to a 16-color bitmap. Or ask me for mine. Name it "boot.bmp" and keep it in your c:\windows directory

-Go to My Computer -> Properties -> Advance -> Startup and Recovery -> Settings

-Click "Edit Startup Options" and add the following to the end of what's there:
/bootlogo /noguiboot
(make sure you leave a space between the existing options and the ones you added above, and keep a space between the two new options while you're at it)"

P.S. - I'm almost done editing my intro for me to share with all to use.

DeLuSioNaL

Everything else is fine except the taskbar now. It pops up twice (First loading LedWiz and then loading the FE) even though I have it switched to auto-hide and always minimize it before turning off the machine. Any ideas?

smalltownguy · « **Reply #36 on:** October 13, 2009, 05:48:41 pm »

If you're seeing the taskbar, then you must not be shelling MA. Was it your intent to run it as a shell, or are you just trying to keep explorer but hide it as best as possible?

I'm not aware of any way to completely remove all instances of windows showing itself if you load explorer as your shell, only if you shell your frontend.

Could be wrong.....

Kman-Sweden · « **Reply #37 on:** October 14, 2009, 02:46:35 am »

Smalltownguy is right. you need to hack the registry so your FE .exe is loaded instead of explorer.exe.
Have a look at the "Hide Windows" post in Maximus arcades fourm.

Chukka · « **Reply #38 on:** October 14, 2009, 03:39:23 am »

Quote from: smalltownguy on October 13, 2009, 05:48:41 pm

If you're seeing the taskbar, then you must not be shelling MA. Was it your intent to run it as a shell, or are you just trying to keep explorer but hide it as best as possible?

I'm not aware of any way to completely remove all instances of windows showing itself if you load explorer as your shell, only if you shell your frontend.

Could be wrong.....

No I wasn't planning on shelling MA. Will LedWiz etc. load properly if you don't start explorer?

Kman-Sweden · « **Reply #39 on:** October 14, 2009, 04:31:13 am »

Chukka · « **Reply #40 on:** October 14, 2009, 04:41:26 am »

How do you get them to run at startup?

EDIT: Actually I found something called XYNTService. That should do the trick.

njay · « **Reply #41 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:48:46 am »

use instantsheller from the gameex website under utilities

it even makes your mouse go away and you can add a new boot screen

smalltownguy · « **Reply #42 on:** October 14, 2009, 07:03:04 am »

speaking of boot screens, I thought I'd share my 'winners don't use drugs' bitmap

Finchbyrd · « **Reply #43 on:** October 14, 2009, 08:11:15 am »

Fantatic! Thanks for the logo. I'll add it to the folder of images that boot randomly with bootskin.

jasonbar · « **Reply #44 on:** October 19, 2009, 12:04:52 am »

Quote from: jasonbar on October 13, 2009, 03:08:36 am

Coming to this party late, but my $0.02:
PS--on Windows XP Pro, I was able to right click on the desktop & follow through a few buttons & such till I found an option to hide all desktop icons. Strangely, I can't find it on my Win XP Home on my laptop...

Re-found it. It's also on Windows XP home. Very easy to do--don't recall if it's documented around here...

Simply right-click on your desktop, select Arrange Icons By, then uncheck Show Desktop Icons in the list.

Simple.

Wonder why Microsoft didn't put this in the Display control panel next to the spot where you can define which system icons show & what the icons look like...

Oh, since MaLa crashes on me every now & then, I want to have just 1 obvious MaLa shortcut on my desktop for users to find & launch. The only thing that I couldn't turn off was the Recycle Bin, so I simply replaced the empty & full recycle bin icons w/ blank ones & turned off Auto Arrange of my desktop icons & just dragged it way down to the bottom right of the screen, where the icon was hidden & the "Recycle Bin" text is off the screen.

Hooray.

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #45 on:** October 19, 2009, 02:53:34 pm »

If you want to make it simpler, you could have a script running in the background to detect if MALA is running. If it isn't, then have the script launch MALA. You might need some kind of a timer to make sure it doesn't run when you are starting up (so you would have 2 instances). Anyway, just a thought to simplify if you can't figure out why it crashes.

jasonbar · « **Reply #46 on:** October 19, 2009, 02:57:45 pm »

That's a wonderful idea, because I realized that the desktop shows long enough during boot that the user would have the opportunity to launch that icon before MaLa launched itself, therefore having 2 instances of MaLa running.

Assuming that I know absolutely nothing about scripts, how would I possibly go about making such a script?

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #47 on:** October 19, 2009, 03:12:16 pm »

www.autohotkey.com or www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/

If you can manually do something on the computer, you can use AHK or AI to automate it! I use AHK, but AI is just as good with slightly different syntax from what I understand. You should check out the "SetTimer" and the "Process" AHK functions. I would expect this to only be a few lines of code. If you are familiar with any kind of coding, you should be able to pick either of these codes up very quickly. I could code something up right quick, but then you wouldn't have the fun.

jasonbar · « **Reply #48 on:** October 19, 2009, 04:01:57 pm »

Thanks--this should probably help w/ my gyrations necessary to launch both MaLa & CPWizard upon launch & getting focus back to MaLa!

I've downloaded AutoHotkey & started simple programming.

Using the Run, Sleep, & WinActivate commands, I can launch MaLa & CPWizard & then put focus back to MaLa after X seconds, when CPWizard is done launching.

2 questions:

1 - Can I just use the AutoHotkey.ahk default script & shell my PC to jump right into AutoHotkey.exe (and it will, by default, run that script)? Then I have full control over launching my applications & delays & window focus...

2 - How can I program AutoHotkey to recognize the difference between MaLa crashing (and wanting to restart MaLa right away) and me manually closing MaLa to get into Explorer & do some work on the cab? I suppose I could also hold down a hard-to-reach key when I exit from MaLa & AutoHotkey could look for that keystroke & decide if it should restart MaLa or not?

Thanks--very cool program...but I don't know if I'd define it as "fun"...

-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #49 on:** October 19, 2009, 05:00:14 pm »

You can use the sleep and winactivate commands if you want and use the script for startup directly (windows seems to be able to use AHK scripts as startup/shutdown scripts just fine as that's what I do). To do that, just point windows to the .ahk file and you'll be golden (alternately, compile the script to an exe).

As for crashes vs manual killing MALA, perhaps you could close the script on exiting MALA. That shouldn't run if MALA crashes...only if it exits gracefully. Of course, if you launch MALA again, you won't have the script running already. So, you might want to make the monitoring portion part of a script that launches when MALA starts.

Lots of ways to do it and none are wrong!

jasonbar · « **Reply #50 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:10:49 am »

Master Kenobi-

You have taught me how to fish. I thank you. AutoHotKey is a swell program & this here mechanical engineer re-discovered the joy of simple programming (after I'd re-discovered the joy of making a .CMD file a while back...).

Below is my AutoHotKey file that is in My Documents & that launches when I set C:\Program Files\AutoHotKey\AutoHotKey.exe to be my shell in RegEdit.

Works like a charm. I haven't yet had a MaLa crash to test it, but when I use Windows Task Manager to close MaLa rudely, it behaves as I wish.

This kills many birds with 1 stone: solves my CPWizard-steals-focus-from-MaLa problem, solves my EmuWave-MaLa-plugin-start-and-exit-sounds-get-clipped problem, lets me get back into not loading explorer.exe as my shell, & pops MaLa back up on-screen in the event of a crash (which I haven't yet been able to create on purpose, of course...for me, MaLa often is sensitive to too much mouse/keyboard activity in the first second or so after game exit & MaLa return).

Only one little item that I'd love to be able to implement. As you can see, I have a fun video game "close" sound play upon intentional or unintentional close of MaLa. That works great. But, under normal usage, the user will tap the PC's power button to shut down Windows & the PC altogether. My .AHK script doesn't trigger the fun sound when somebody shuts down the PC. AutoHotKey has a Shutdown command, but that is to trigger a Shutdown, not to detect a shutdown & do something. Any ideas here for some icing to spread upon this tasty cake?

Thanks!

-Learner Jason

; Launch MaLa & CPW, ensure MaLa focus, play random start & end sounds w/out clipping

; launch CPWizard minimized
run, C:\program files\cpwizard\cpwizard.exe -minimized

; generate random #...set high value to # of files in start sound directory, name all files #.wav
random, startsound, 1, 15

; play random start sound
soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Start\%startsound%.wav, wait

; launch MaLa
run, C:\emulators\mala\mala.exe

; make sure MaLa exists before continuing
winwait, MaLa

; as soon as MaLa loses focus, get it back
winwaitnotactive, MaLa
winactivate, MaLa

;Loop to monitor if MaLa closes
monitormala:

; wait for MaLa to close (intentionally or not)
winwaitclose, MaLa

;Check for MaLa close while holding down Exit Code Key
getkeystate, state, F10
if state = D
{
  ; generate random #...set 2nd # to # of files in exit sound directory, name all files #.wav
  random, exitsound, 1, 11

  ; play random exit sound
  soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Exit\%exitsound%.wav, wait

  ; launch Windows Explorer
  run, explorer

  ; exit script
  exit
}

;If MaLa exits w/out Exit Code Key...
else
{
  ; generate random #...set 2nd # to # of files in exit sound directory, name all files #.wav
  random, exitsound, 1, 11

  ; play random exit sound
  soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Exit\%exitsound%.wav, wait

  run, C:\emulators\mala\mala.exe

  winwait, MaLa
  winactivate, MaLa

  goto, monitormala
}

jasonbar · « **Reply #51 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:13:13 am »

PS--Chukka, sorry for any thread hijack--I don't think we've gone too too far off-topic, as we're still talking about methods of shelling & such...

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #52 on:** October 21, 2009, 02:53:25 pm »

Are you trying to play the shutdown sound before windows shuts down? If so, I'm sure there's a way to play a sound in AHK (just haven't tried before...beeps, yes...sound files, no).

Ahhh, ok. If that's what you want to do, try the "SoundPlay" command. The syntax is:

SoundPlay, Filename [, wait]

So, pick the filename then specify a wait time prior sending the shutdown command.

jasonbar · « **Reply #53 on:** October 21, 2009, 03:15:06 pm »

Thanks, but that's not quite it. I'm already using the SoundPlay command extensively (when launching MaLa or when MaLa closes without all of Windows shutting down).

So, the catch is being able to *detect* a shutdown that's occurring because somebody physically pushed the power button on the PC & play a sound before/during the actual shutdown.

I don't think AHK can do that. It's certainly not detecting a MaLa window close when all of Windows is shutting down.

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #54 on:** October 21, 2009, 03:53:52 pm »

Ahhh, I glanced at the code, but didn't read it thoroughly. I see what you are saying and it should be possible to detect a shutdown. Look at the OnMessage function in the documentation. There is even an example of how to do a detection of shutdown. Now, I don't know if there is a way to differentiate HOW Windows is shut down. Perhaps you could ask that question on the AHK forums though. They are VERY helpful when provided with a well thought out question that's supported by sufficient information.

jasonbar · « **Reply #55 on:** October 22, 2009, 01:57:55 am »

Thanks-

I spent the better part of today on this program.

Barked up lots of wrong trees...trees that were aaaalmost the right tree...

Finally got help at the AutoHotKey forum: xxxxxxxxxxxx

My final scripts, for reference:

AutoHotKey (launches as my Windows XP shell instead of explorer):

; Launch MaLa & CPW, ensure MaLa focus, play random start & end sounds w/out clipping

; run shutdown monitor script
run, C:\Documents and Settings\Customer\My Documents\shutdownmonitor.ahk

; launch CPWizard minimized
run, C:\program files\cpwizard\cpwizard.exe -minimized

; generate random #...set high value to # of files in start sound directory, name all files #.wav
random, startsound, 1, 20

; play random start sound
soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Start\%startsound%.wav, wait

;Loop to launch MaLa & monitor if MaLa closes
monitormala:

; launch MaLa
run, C:\emulators\mala\mala.exe

; make sure MaLa exists before continuing
winwait, MaLa

; as soon as MaLa loses focus, get it back
sleep, 1000 ; had to have a short pause here or regaining focus wouldn't work...
winwaitnotactive, MaLa
winactivate, MaLa

; wait for MaLa to close (intentionally or not)
winwaitclose, MaLa

;Check for MaLa close while holding down Exit Code Key
getkeystate, state, F10
if state = D
{
; generate random #...set 2nd # to # of files in exit sound directory, name all files #.wav
random, exitsound, 1, 16

; play random exit sound
soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Exit\%exitsound%.wav, wait

; launch Windows Explorer
run, explorer

; exit script
exit
}

;If MaLa exits w/out Exit Code Key...
else
{
; generate random #...set 2nd # to # of files in exit sound directory, name all files #.wav
random, exitsound, 1, 11

; play random exit sound
soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Exit\%exitsound%.wav, wait

goto, monitormala
}

And here's the concise shutdown monitor that detects shutdown & plays a sound & then shuts down. The only catch is that it can't distinguish between a restart from the Start Menu & a shutdown from the PC case button. Oh well...

shutdownmonitor.ahk:

#singleinstance ignore

SetTimer, soundoff, Off

OnMessage(0x11, "powerbutton")
Return

powerbutton(wParam, lParam)
{
SetTimer, soundoff, On
Return false ; abort shutdown
}

soundoff:
SetTimer, soundoff, Off

; generate random #...set 2nd # to # of files in exit sound directory, name all files #.wav
random, exitsound, 1, 16

; play random exit sound
soundplay, c:\emulators\mala\Sound-MaLa_Exit\%exitsound%.wav, wait

Shutdown,5

ExitApp

Return

Phew. Done!

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #56 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:13:39 pm »

Nice work! Isn't it satisfying coding it yourself rather than having someone else do it for you.

Btw, I didn't know about OnMessage to start with, so this has been informative for me too!

jasonbar · « **Reply #57 on:** October 23, 2009, 03:15:11 pm »

Glad you learned something too! Yah, it's satisfying to figure it out myself, but it's also been a big time-sink for me while I fuss with it. :]

Also, I had a big scare where I foolishly edited the script incorrectly so that it would simply shut down my PC as soon as the script launched, & I have my main script as my shell & the first thing it does is call the shutdownmonitor script, so I simply got a power-down every time I booted. =( Safe mode didn't work, as it was still shelling to my main script. Then I discovered a "safe mode with command prompt" option. Phew!

Anyway, a little further discussion & code optimization/explanation at the AHK forum: http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=304698

Thanks,
-Jason

bkenobi · « **Reply #58 on:** October 23, 2009, 03:33:13 pm »

Yeah, that would be pretty scary. I would have been all over google for that one!

BamBam · « **Reply #59 on:** November 01, 2009, 12:15:30 am »

Quote from: Chukka on October 12, 2009, 01:44:51 pm

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 01:27:16 pm
First and foremost... Try updating the title of this topic. Can you be any more generic?

Perhaps you will get a greater response when you are specific in what you need help with.

Just a thought.

D

Eat ####.

Thanks everyone else for their help. The CD drive wasn't working because the power wire wasn't connected properly. I got it working and used the XP CD to rebuild the boot.ini. The boot.bmp was the problem. Got it working now.

Thanks to all the helpful people except Delusional and BamBam.

Chucka,

My bad. I should have thrown a

in with my comment. Chill out and have fun.


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