Help with MaLa & Demul

[mike boss]

I've finally resumed work on my newest (best) Mame cabinet, my Mario Mame.
I've started to install all my emulators and configure them to work with MaLa.
I've used Uncle T's guide and I'm still have trouble with NullDC.

Outside of MaLa my NullDC and Demul (and Model 2) all work and allow me to launch the games.
However in MaLa I am unable to launch the games.
For now I'd like to resolve the issue with NullDC.

I used the preset for NullDC and checked via msconfig the Dameon tools is running upon start up (all be it the icon does not show up on the windows bar).

I've included some screenshots should it help.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks all

[mike boss]

I've had issues in the past with NullDC.
I've  gone back to read over the prior posts, taking the tips and implementing them.
In NullDC I have "use Default Image" checked, and in MaLa I have window state as "Normal."

MaLa will cause NullDC to launch (I still see the menu @ the top for a few seconds) but games wont load.

[mike boss]

Also if solved can I map the controls in NullDC to match that of an iPac ?

[mike boss]

Happy to report that I have Model2 now launching via MaLa, however not in full screen..............YET !
My buddy advised me I need to use AHK (Auto Hot Key) to get NullDC working correctly.
I've sent him the info with respects to my folder locations and the list of CDI images I have saved.
He is going to make a sample script for me to try.

FINGERS CROSSED !

[mike boss]

My buddy MKP1 (from KLOV) sent me a sample script to test my NullDC. Demul.
I'll give that a shot tonight.
I'm so hoping it works.

I'll also work more with Model2.
I'll try changing the .ini fill to see if that helps my fullscreen issue.

[mike boss]

Modified my ini file for Model2 to indicate : Autofill 1, and changed resolution to 1024 x 768.
Model2 now launches perfect, you do so a windowed version quickly, but then goes to fullscreen.
It also (using the hotkey feature in MaLa) quits upon pressing escape.

Now to test my scripts for Demul.

[mike boss]

I had to modify this, so much work I'm losing it !
Working on my new PC.
Model 2 - issue, full screen load................RESOLVED !

Demul - wont load the game. Buddy of mine helping me with a script, but still no dice.

[mike boss]

So as I press forward trying to set up "THE ULTIMATE" Mame PC I find myself fighting issue after issue.

I'm trying to work with multiple Dreamcast emulators.
I've tested all my Dreamcast CDI files in NullDC and %90 work.
These I load in NullDC itself, not via MaLa.

In MaLa I can't get NullDC to launch the game. I use the defualt command set for Null, but no luck. I've clicked (in Null) use default image, and in MaLa changed the state to normal. NO DICE !

In Demul my buddy prepared a script for me. I've modified the script to include the name of each CDI I have. Games I know launch (as tested in NullDC) don't launch in Demul.
I often get an error, but it doesn't give me any message. Just wants to send an error report.

What a pain in the AZZ !

[BadMouth]

Post your NullDC cfg file.  I'm betting something is wrong there.
Possibly that defualt.cdi needs to be purposely misspelled (at least on the version I'm using)

btw, the correct settings in the cfg file that make it work in Mala will prevent it from working outside of Mala and vice versa.

The command line is cut off in the pic you posted, so if the second half of it was messed up, nobody could tell.

I'm using Demul for arcade games.  Never once tried to run Dreamcast on it.
A 30 second google search turns up that your issue is probably that you need to select a region and bios instead of "auto"
Demul v.56 and Demul v.57 are launched differently btw.

[mike boss]

Thanks BadMouth , you've always been an awesome source of help here on the BYOAC.
Again Thanks !

I'll post my info when I get home.
I did look at the default thing prior and could have sworn I made the change.
However I confess, I should have (and told myself I would) take one emulator and work on it til complete. Work on it until it did all I need it to do. HOWEVER...........WHAT I DID DO IS............
bounce from emulator to emulator not completing all the tasks I should have.

Thanks all for the help.
Info to follow.

[mike boss]

Ok here is my Null DC info (thanks all in advance)
Version 1.0.4

I've included the CFG file zipped (as it would not let my post any other way)

C:\Documents and Settings\Mario\My Documents\Arcade Related\Emulators\Sega Dreamcast\nullDC_Win32_Release-NoTrace.exe

C:\Documents and Settings\Mario\My Documents\Arcade Related\ROMS\SEGA DREAMCAST

ROM EXT - cdi

-config -config ImageReader:defaultImage="%path%\%rom%.%ext%"

WINDOW STATE - normal


thanks all

[BadMouth]

For the command line, I have:
-config ImageReader:defaultImage="%path%\%rom%.%ext%" -fullscreen=1


Couple things in the cfg file:

Emulator.AutoStart=1

DefaultImage=defualt.cdi


I'm probably using an older version, but it looks like everything still works the same, down to default being spelled wrong, lol.
It won't run outside of Mala with Autostart=1, so if you need to tinker with it outside of Mala, you'll have to change the config file back first.

I don't have access to my cfg file at the moment.  I'll check for other differences tomorrow if it's still not working.

[BadMouth]

BTW, IIRC you can't map CTRL or ALT in NullDC...and if you press them, they mess with the emulator.
I have a policy of never using those anyway.

An autohotkey script might be able to block those keys and post something else in their place.

[mike boss]

BAD MOUTH you ROCK ! You F'n ROCK !
NullDC seems to be loading !
I only tested one image, but it loaded.
Loaded and went to fullscreen......BONUS !
It also closed on ESCAPE ....so another awesome thing !

IIRC ?

I'm going to talk to a buddy of mine to see if something can be done about CTRL or ALT as the IDEAL situation would be to map the keys to MAME default keys.

[BadMouth]

IIRC ?

"if I remember correctly"

Glad it's working.

[mike boss]

Yep seems good, thanks again.
I had to walk away as so much time gets spent on the PC I need the fresh eyes.

[mike boss]

All this work to set up my newest cabinet, configure the PC, get Dreamcast working and I might not even use it ! lol

I've been very VERY VERY slow in getting this PC project done.
Trying to figure out what I'd like to have installed in the cabinet. What I would play vs. what I would not. In other threads quite a debtate started with respects to console games not playing well on a stand up cabinet. Some good points were brought up. The fact that say an average arcade game lasted 5 minutes, but even a NES console game could be played for 30 minutes to an hour. Does one want to play standing up ?

In the end I still decided that I wanted the "PIMP MY RIDE ARCADE CABINET!"
All the bells and whistles I could think of.
No Atari stuff as I know I'd never play it, but NES, SNES, N64, Sega Master System, Turbo GRFX 16, etc. I would go online and look at images of the controlers and figure out the best layout. My machine has a Steet Fighter II layout, 3 over 3 for a total of 6 buttons per side. In SFII they would be low to high punch, and low to high kick.

Systems like NES, SNES, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and Turbo GRFX have prety striaght forward controlers and I think were easily adapted to my control panel. N64, Dreamcast, and GameCube are a lil more involed. A buddy of mine working on a similar project has picked up USB versions of all the required controlers, and idea I'm not against. I still get the option of having the system and games installed but I get to play in an authentic way.

For now as I'd like to complete this project I've decided to keep older systems installed and use them with the arcade control panel. Newer systems like Dreamcast and GameCube I'll pass on. The Dreamcast is actually quite a pain and many say not emulated well. Some games don't load, etc, etc,

This project has been so involed that I often have to walk away to protect my sanity. The issue being that when I return I forget where I left off ! ARGHHHHHHHHHHH !

So for now I'll keep the older stuff, pass on the newer stuff. Work on it with an other PC to pefect the loading, make sure the games work, compile a custom ROM list of games I'd like, make sure they self boot, and if I'd like I can later install them.

Sorry for the rant................................................

[unclet]

No Atari stuff as I know I'd never play it

fYI:   Atari 2600 (Adventure) is quite a fun game if you have never played before.