Author Topic: Running PC games from Mamewah (Read 6615 times)

dema · « **on:** April 21, 2004, 09:27:07 am »

Can you run pc games through mamewah if you copy the CD-Rom game to the hard drive? I'd like to be able to control the entire arcade through the software and external switches instead of opening up the cabinet to swap games in and out.

Minwah · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2004, 01:01:06 pm »

So what you really mean is can you run CD-ROM games without the CD...for obvious reasons most games are protected nowadays to stop you doing just that.

You could try a CD-ROM drive 'emulator' - I seem to remember using a couple called '0cd' and 'cdemu' some years ago, I'm not sure if they are still around

dema · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2004, 01:23:58 pm »

Quote from: Minwah on April 21, 2004, 01:01:06 pm

So what you really mean is can you run CD-ROM games without the CD...for obvious reasons most games are protected nowadays to stop you doing just that.

You could try a CD-ROM drive 'emulator' - I seem to remember using a couple called '0cd' and 'cdemu' some years ago, I'm not sure if they are still around

It makes sense that CD-Roms would be protected to prevent such a thing from happening. I'm hoping to make my cabinet perfectly stand-alone, where I won't need to open up the unit in order to swap games in and out. I love the idea of making all gaming choices through the front end. I'll look into the emulator and hopefully I can get some information back about that.

hulkster · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2004, 02:02:27 pm »

you dont need an emulator or anything like that. just go to www.gamecopyworld.com and find your game in the pc index...and it should have a "crack" to install in your games' directory. its just a file that replaces your .exe file with a cracked one and its called a "no-cd fix" usually. meaning it allows you to just double click on the icon that you downloaded, and it will play the game without the cd. this is perfectly legal as long as you own the game. i usually go to this site every time i get a new game, so i dont have to use the cd anymore. and no, its like a warez site or some site with porn or viruses to worry about. just as long as you own the pc game, your fine

Popcorrin · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2004, 02:15:42 pm »

What hulkster said is the best way if a crack is available. If there isn't a crack available you can make an image of your game cd on the hard drive and use a virtual drive such as daemon tools to mount the cd image onto and play it from there.

dema · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2004, 03:41:06 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on April 21, 2004, 02:02:27 pm

you dont need an emulator or anything like that. just go to www.gamecopyworld.com and find your game in the pc index...and it should have a "crack" to install in your games' directory. its just a file that replaces your .exe file with a cracked one and its called a "no-cd fix" usually. meaning it allows you to just double click on the icon that you downloaded, and it will play the game without the cd. this is perfectly legal as long as you own the game. i usually go to this site every time i get a new game, so i dont have to use the cd anymore. and no, its like a warez site or some site with porn or viruses to worry about. just as long as you own the pc game, your fine

Great! Thank you so much for the link, this is exactly what I need. I am going to buy every game that I download to my PC because I think it's important to pay for games and support the industry. After downloading the game how do you go about putting this into Mamewah? I'm sure it's pretty easy once the computer has the ability to open the game from the hard drive.

Minwah · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2004, 06:12:46 pm »

Quote from: dema on April 21, 2004, 03:41:06 pm

After downloading the game how do you go about putting this into Mamewah? I'm sure it's pretty easy once the computer has the ability to open the game from the hard drive.

From the Readme:

Setting up PC Applications / Games

1)   Using Windows Explorer or similar, create a folder to contain shortcuts to the applications required.
2)   Create shortcuts for each application required, and rename as you wish the game to be displayed (retaining the .LNK file extension). Place these shortcuts in the folder created above.
3)   Launch MAMEWAH, and select the

dema · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2004, 06:58:01 pm »

I love Mamewah. Thanks for the walkthrough. I'm going to tackle it this weekend.

GamingGreg · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:30:13 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on April 21, 2004, 02:02:27 pm

you dont need an emulator or anything like that. just go to www.gamecopyworld.com and find your game in the pc index...and it should have a "crack" to install in your games' directory. its just a file that replaces your .exe file with a cracked one and its called a "no-cd fix" usually. meaning it allows you to just double click on the icon that you downloaded, and it will play the game without the cd. this is perfectly legal as long as you own the game. i usually go to this site every time i get a new game, so i dont have to use the cd anymore. and no, its like a warez site or some site with porn or viruses to worry about. just as long as you own the pc game, your fine

Thanks Hulkster081,

I didn't know such a thing was available. I always backup my kids games onto a CD-R, and let them run off of that, as they are incredibly hard on them. They get destroyed all the time. Usually by being left lying on the floor, and then being scratched up, stepped on and cracked, etc. I also have several kids games that I have been unable to back up, due to copy protection (Gotta love that; preventing customers from making "legal" backups). Thus I'll keep closer tabs on those. Maybe now I can just install them all to the HD of the kids machine. Thanks again!

hulkster · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2004, 09:34:07 pm »

hey no problem. that site is truly great. they have just about every game on there. plus if the game has a patch or something, then gamecopyworld will update its cd cracks with the updated version of the crack. the crack not only works great with arcade stuff like in mamewah, but if you play games on Gamespy like medal of honor or battlefield 1942 and stuff, it makes joining a game a breeze. youll be amazed at how fast your games will load now without having to access that damn cd all the time. good luck on the pc games in mamewah!

dema · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2004, 09:40:02 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on April 21, 2004, 09:34:07 pm

hey no problem. that site is truly great. they have just about every game on there. plus if the game has a patch or something, then gamecopyworld will update its cd cracks with the updated version of the crack. the crack not only works great with arcade stuff like in mamewah, but if you play games on Gamespy like medal of honor or battlefield 1942 and stuff, it makes joining a game a breeze. youll be amazed at how fast your games will load now without having to access that damn cd all the time. good luck on the pc games in mamewah!

Thank you for the link. That is a major help!

dema · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2004, 08:50:47 pm »

Can someone help me out with this? I can't get my PC games to run from Mamewah. Here's what I've done...

I created a folder on my desktop containing shortcuts to the PC games (all of which run off the hard drive). I've tried getting the game list to refresh with Mamewah by going with the straight game name and when that didn't work I added .lnk to the end of the shortcut. Neither attempt worked.

I entered "PC" into the line that reads 'Emulator Executable', and put the shorcut folder's location into the 'Rom Path' line. For some reason I can't get the games to load in the game list nor can I launch the games from Mamewah.

Any clues as to what I'm doing wrong.

Minwah · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2004, 05:48:09 am »

Quote from: dema on May 16, 2004, 08:50:47 pm

Can someone help me out with this? I can't get my PC games to run from Mamewah. Here's what I've done...

I created a folder on my desktop containing shortcuts to the PC games (all of which run off the hard drive). I've tried getting the game list to refresh with Mamewah by going with the straight game name and when that didn't work I added .lnk to the end of the shortcut. Neither attempt worked.

I entered "PC" into the line that reads 'Emulator Executable', and put the shorcut folder's location into the 'Rom Path' line. For some reason I can't get the games to load in the game list nor can I launch the games from Mamewah.

Any clues as to what I'm doing wrong.

Do you have the 'ROM Path' entered correctly? I'd suggest you put it somewhere easier to reference than the Desktop, eg c:\pcgames.

Make sure you enter 'PC' as the Emulator Executable within MAMEWAH itself - it will automatically set all other options suitably.

dema · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2004, 08:29:20 am »

Thanks for responding, Minwah. I was struggling with it for about an hour but I finally got it. The tutorial I've been reading for Mamewah said to alter the CFG files in order to get things working, so I was constantly trying to figure out the correct combination. I was able to get everything else running by doing it this way but I couldn't get it right with the PC games. After a while I realized that it the CFG file could be altered in Mamewah itself and it would still lock in the values.

Thanks for the assistance though.

Minwah · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2004, 11:03:23 am »

Quote from: dema on May 17, 2004, 08:29:20 am

Thanks for responding, Minwah. I was struggling with it for about an hour but I finally got it. The tutorial I've been reading for Mamewah said to alter the CFG files in order to get things working, so I was constantly trying to figure out the correct combination. I was able to get everything else running by doing it this way but I couldn't get it right with the PC games. After a while I realized that it the CFG file could be altered in Mamewah itself and it would still lock in the values.

Thanks for the assistance though.

Yes the guides which tell you to alter the CFG files are fine (I purposely made the CFG files easily readable/editable), but I also purposely coded in certain checks/correction processes which are only done after altering options via the in-built menu. I would recommend manually adjusting CFG files once you have a sound understanding of MAMEWAH

dema · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2004, 12:35:28 pm »

I've been setting things up for months with the CFG files, and have found it to be easy. The PC and Daphne emulators were the first I struggled with. I wasn't sure what number corresponded to ROM Path only or the show DOS box. I kept changing it one by one and hoping to fix it - to no avail until I altered it within Mamewah.

Minwah · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2004, 01:29:57 pm »

Quote from: dema on May 17, 2004, 12:35:28 pm

I've been setting things up for months with the CFG files, and have found it to be easy. The PC and Daphne emulators were the first I struggled with. I wasn't sure what number corresponded to ROM Path only or the show DOS box. I kept changing it one by one and hoping to fix it - to no avail until I altered it within Mamewah.

As I say there's nothing wrong with doing it this way...just that I get SO many mails from newbs with little problems eg like typing mistakes in the rom paths etc. - if they'd used MW's menu then it would have not accepted the incorrect path...

dema · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2004, 02:49:02 pm »

I agree that things are much easier to figure out when using the Mamewah menus. It's a great program you've developed.

Is there a way to get the PC programs to launch from Mamewah without the taskbar and a separate window popping up? I'd like it to launch like my other emulators do, without indicating that it's running off of XP.

Thank you.

Minwah · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2004, 07:22:27 pm »

Quote from: dema on May 17, 2004, 02:49:02 pm

Is there a way to get the PC programs to launch from Mamewah without the taskbar and a separate window popping up? I'd like it to launch like my other emulators do, without indicating that it's running off of XP.

I'm not sure (I haven't been using the PC app launching myself so haven't really encountered the problem)...

You could try switching 'Show DOS Box' to No, although some programs do require it - try it and see. Failing that you could try using BAT files instead of LNK shortcuts to launch your programs. (Please don't ask me about batch files

)

dema · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2004, 07:24:49 pm »

Quote from: Minwah on May 17, 2004, 07:22:27 pm

Quote from: dema on May 17, 2004, 02:49:02 pm
Is there a way to get the PC programs to launch from Mamewah without the taskbar and a separate window popping up? I'd like it to launch like my other emulators do, without indicating that it's running off of XP.

I'm not sure (I haven't been using the PC app launching myself so haven't really encountered the problem)...

You could try switching 'Show DOS Box' to No, although some programs do require it - try it and see. Failing that you could try using BAT files instead of LNK shortcuts to launch your programs. (Please don't ask me about batch files )

I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestions. What's a batch file?

Minwah · « **Reply #20 on:** May 18, 2004, 04:27:11 am »

Quote from: dema on May 17, 2004, 07:24:49 pm

I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestions. What's a batch file?

I wasn't being unhelpful, I'm just not too hot on batch files

I just thought: if you try batch files, you will have to change your Emulator Executable to something other than 'PC', since the LNK files are launched in a specific way that won't work with BAT files. Shouldn't be too difficult, depending how many games/apps you need to launch...

Scoobie · « **Reply #21 on:** June 22, 2004, 01:29:26 am »

Quote from: hulkster081 on April 21, 2004, 02:02:27 pm

you dont need an emulator or anything like that. just go to www.gamecopyworld.com and find your game in the pc index...and it should have a "crack" to install in your games' directory. its just a file that replaces your .exe file with a cracked one and its called a "no-cd fix" usually. meaning it allows you to just double click on the icon that you downloaded, and it will play the game without the cd. this is perfectly legal as long as you own the game. i usually go to this site every time i get a new game, so i dont have to use the cd anymore. and no, its like a warez site or some site with porn or viruses to worry about. just as long as you own the pc game, your fine

I'm trying to find the "crack" for my Golden Tee for PC. gamecopyworld.com gives me the following information:

"Executable Archive [81 KB]

No-CD Instructions:
Install the game - Full Installation.
Replace the original GTGOLF.EXE executable with the one from the Executable Archive.
Play the Game!"

Where is this file in my executable archive and what is it? I don't see this in any of the GT folders.

Please guide me through this.

Thanks!

Magnet_Eye · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:03:26 am »

Quote from: Scoobie on June 22, 2004, 01:29:26 am

I'm trying to find the "crack" for my Golden Tee for PC. gamecopyworld.com gives me the following information:

"Executable Archive [81 KB]

No-CD Instructions:
Install the game - Full Installation.
Replace the original GTGOLF.EXE executable with the one from the Executable Archive.
Play the Game!"

Where is this file in my executable archive and what is it? I don't see this in any of the GT folders.

That refers to the file you downloaded from gamecopyworld. within that archive is a new .EXE which you replace your old/existing one with.

dema · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:23:15 am »

I'm surprised they don't have Tiger Woods 2003 on that site. They seem to have almost everything else.

GGKoul · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2004, 11:29:29 am »

Sometimes a "crack" isn't there if a game is a couple of years old.

thesmit · « **Reply #25 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:30:19 am »

Quote from: Minwah on April 21, 2004, 06:12:46 pm

Quote from: dema on April 21, 2004, 03:41:06 pm
After downloading the game how do you go about putting this into Mamewah? I'm sure it's pretty easy once the computer has the ability to open the game from the hard drive.

From the Readme:

Setting up PC Applications / Games

1) Using Windows Explorer or similar, create a folder to contain shortcuts to the applications required.
2) Create shortcuts for each application required, and rename as you wish the game to be displayed (retaining the .LNK file extension). Place these shortcuts in the folder created above.
3) Launch MAMEWAH, and select the

Minwah · « **Reply #26 on:** October 31, 2005, 05:27:56 am »

Quote from: thesmit on October 31, 2005, 03:30:19 am

I am running MameWah 1.61 (i think... not near my cab at the moment). I have tried the steps outlined above, but I still am having trouble.
I can get the games to show in a list (using the .lnk extension), but when I go to run them it is as if they are starting in the background (ie: behind MameWah), freezing MameWah until the started game is exited/ ended. If I crtl-alt-del, I can see the PC game running in the task manager and I can quit the PC game as normal (this then un-freezes MameWah and allows me to select games/ emulators in MameWah like normal)!!
Any suggestions?

I'm a bit rusty and can't remember if this'll work but you could try using {safelaunch} in the commandline_format.

Alternatively use the beta from the Mamewah board...that can definately accept flags such as {safelaunch}. Whether it will fix the problem I am not sure...

papaschtroumpf · « **Reply #27 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:02:30 pm »

yes 1.61 supports {safelaunch} {nodosbox} etc...
In particular you may need the {cursor} flag with some windows games that use a cursor (Alchemy on my cab is one such example).

Minwah · « **Reply #28 on:** November 01, 2005, 08:01:03 am »

Quote from: papaschtroumpf on October 31, 2005, 03:02:30 pm

yes 1.61 supports {safelaunch} {nodosbox} etc...
In particular you may need the {cursor} flag with some windows games that use a cursor (Alchemy on my cab is one such example).

Cool, thanks for confirming

thesmit · « **Reply #29 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:04:13 am »

Quote

Alternatively use the beta from the Mamewah board...that can definately accept flags such as {safelaunch}. Whether it will fix the problem I am not sure...

Hi MinWah,
Thanks for the help. I have tried those switches already with no avail.
Where can I download the beta version?
Do you have a link?

Thanks
Smit

Minwah · « **Reply #30 on:** November 02, 2005, 05:07:57 am »

Quote from: thesmit on November 02, 2005, 01:04:13 am

Where can I download the beta version?
Do you have a link?

At the Mamewah board:

http://mameworld.info/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=arcadeospc2jamma


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