mame configuration settings

[newbster]

I spend a lot of time re-configuring my mame settings
after each new release mainly my analog settings for my track ball and spinner. some of the keys I change from the defaults like I still use "3" for insert coin.
Should I just say no when it says "new configuration data detected" or should I be backing up my cfg folder and then copy it back in after the new version is installed. or do I just need to backup the default.cfg file and copy it in later.
                           thanks
                          Newbster

[Lilwolf]

This works between most versions... not the last one though (heard someone complaining that he had to redo all 70 of his settings).

btw, this is why I added to my frontend the ability to control the default.cfg so you can have one config for all 4player games... all 2player6button games... 4way games... ect... I now set 11 games every time and have all the others configured for me.

[Howard_Casto]

This works between most versions... not the last one though (heard someone complaining that he had to redo all 70 of his settings).

btw, this is why I added to my frontend the ability to control the default.cfg so you can have one config for all 4player games... all 2player6button games... 4way games... ect... I now set 11 games every time and have all the others configured for me.

There's a better way to do it now using the custom controller feature.  Just make a controller setup for each odd-ball driver and it will apply it to all games that run under that driver.  The same goes for parent/clone relationships, vector games, neogeo, and ect.  And if you still need more options make a controller folder for each setup you need and have the front-end pass -ctrlr controllername to mame instead of copying and pasting different configs.

Just a thought... I'm hoping mame will eventually phase out these old config files in leu of the new system as it can be edited in notepad instead of having to do it in mame.... Also it's more generic so it makes things easier to handle.  Now if they would only do the same with dip switch settings and hiscores.      

[u_rebelscum]

Just a thought... I'm hoping mame will eventually phase out these old config files in leu of the new system as it can be edited in notepad instead of having to do it in mame.... Also it's more generic so it makes things easier to handle.

Looks a little closer, according to the mame WIP page: a patch was submitted so the new system has higher precedence than driver specific settings.  Still has to take the big leap and actually replace the .cfg files, but a little closer.  Yay!

Now if they would only do the same with dip switch settings and hiscores.  

Hiscores!  Now that's just wrong.   Dip switches yes, but not hiscores.

[Howard_Casto]

Hiscores!  Now that's just wrong.   Dip switches yes, but not hiscores.

Maybe I should rephrase that.  I don't mean output the highscore to a text file so that joe bob can be a wise --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- and edit all of the highscores.  I was thinking more of some type of universal read-only (to the user at least)  file that could be read and decoded for front-ends to display.  

Oh and I noticed the priority thing.    I was hoping they would do that as I didn't want to have to delete all of my config files so that I wouldn't have to worry about them overriding my settings.  

I've completely migrated to the new system at this point.  I can't wait until you can configure within mame and it will write to your .ini file for you.  the we will have the best of both worlds.