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Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: sofakng on January 04, 2005, 10:47:35 am

Title: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: sofakng on January 04, 2005, 10:47:35 am

This is regarding my other thread (using Daemon Tools on an arcade machine) -- it's been suggested that I only have two virtual drives and then load/unload CD's on-the-fly.

I'm using MAMEWAH which uses .PIF files to load PC Games.  Now as far as I know, a .PIF file can only load one program so how would I have it execute TWO programs? (eg. run a command-line command to have daemon tools switch CD's, and THEN execute the CD program)  I'm thinking I might need to use a .PIF to point a batch file but wouldn't the batch file window (eg. dos prompt) show on the screen before the game loads?

Title: Re: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: Minwah on January 04, 2005, 10:53:43 am

Why PIF's?  You should use shortcuts (.LNK's)...or at least shortcuts to PIF's if they are DOS games...

To my knowledge you are right, you would need to use a batch file.  Depending on the game, show_dos_box no would prevent the dos window showing, although it *may* prevent the game from being launched properly.

Title: Re: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: jcrouse on January 04, 2005, 10:54:59 am

How about a batch file? You need to mount an image in the device, then launch your emulator. The image will be called using a %1 variable to reference the commandline parameter that is send from MameWAH.

John.

Title: Re: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: sofakng on January 04, 2005, 11:01:57 am

Thanks for the replies...

I'm sorry, I confused .PIF and .LNK...  I did mean .LNK.

I'll try creating a .LNK file that runs a .BAT file (w/show_dos_box set to no) and see how that works -- hopefully it will work OK.  If that causes problems then maybe I'll just write a quick Delphi application that runs programs for me...  (there's a ShellExecute() parameter that hides any DOS windows)

By the way, MINWAH, what language is MAMEWAH written in?  (just curious)

Title: Re: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: zaphod on January 04, 2005, 11:25:30 am

I have a number of virtual drives (6) and the .lnk files work fine through Mamewah.  I think there is a limit to the number of drives you can have but that's not an issue for me currently.  I just have the drives mount on startup.

Title: Re: MAMEWAH - Can you have a .PIF execute TWO programs?
Post by: Minwah on January 04, 2005, 11:34:30 am

Quote from: sofakng on January 04, 2005, 11:01:57 am

I'll try creating a .LNK file that runs a .BAT file (w/show_dos_box set to no) and see how that works -- hopefully it will work OK.

Hopefully it will be fine, but some games work differently to others, so keep your fingers crossed!

Quote

By the way, MINWAH, what language is MAMEWAH written in?  (just curious)

VB6.  I think ShellExecute is similar to the method I use...the problem is when apps switch to fullscreen mode, or use a launcher app of their own (which runs another .exe) - the initial dos box can always be hidden but sometimes this causes problems after the game has actually launched - as I say each game is different so hard to say...

BTW if you are using the latest beta version of MAMEWAH then set {safelaunch} for best compatibility...if not ignore that :)