Game INI files not used by 0.78 ?

[RayB]

Does MAME 0.78 even use individual game INI files?
If so, what is the proper location for them and a sure fire way to test that they work?

I created a directory called "ini" and in it I have created individual game ini files using Mamewah's Resolution Tool. I made sure to add INIPATH=INI to the MAME.CFG file. I also tried INI=INI. But when I test games out and I change details in the ini file, I see NO difference. It's like the ini is ignored.

Any advice is appreciated. (Also, "stretch = yes" and "stretch = no" seem to make no difference).

I am using an ArcadeVGA (bought a couple months ago), Win98se in DOS mode with DOS MAME 0.78

Thanks,
Ray B.

[Minwah]

Does MAME 0.78 even use individual game INI files?

Yes

If so, what is the proper location for them and a sure fire way to test that they work?

You can put them wherever you like, but \mame\ini is a good place imo.

I created a directory called "ini" and in it I have created individual game ini files using Mamewah's Resolution Tool. I made sure to add INIPATH=INI to the MAME.CFG file. I also tried INI=INI. But when I test games out and I change details in the ini file, I see NO difference. It's like the ini is ignored.

Why are you using DOS MAME (mame.cfg)?  In Windows MAME you should use 'inipath ini' (not capitals) in mame.ini...not sure about dmame.

I am using an ArcadeVGA (bought a couple months ago), Win98se in DOS mode with DOS MAME 0.78

Ah now it makes sense.  DOS MAME doesn't support ini files, and it never has to my knowledge.  You could probably fudge up a batch file or something to read an ini file and launch MAME with the relevant switches.  I think ArcadeOS could do something like this...

[RayB]

Ah now it makes sense.

[Minwah]

Well all hope isn't lost. Truth is that most games are pretty playable. Looks like I will have to squash the screen just a bit more so I can see the scores in some vertical games. It's not ideal, as I wanted to keep it set for 256 lines, but this will only be the case until I build my NEXT cab  (Vertical cab).

Yep, those 288 line vertical games are a pain for horizontal monitor setups!

Thanks Minwah. Great tool you made. Too bad it does me no good. :-D ha!

Yeah sorry...

But actually I know one of the other similar tools (AVRES?) had a function to make ini's that ArcadeOS could use (IIRC) - you might want to look into that to see how it worked.  I know it put commandline-type switches into the ini files instead of the ini entries (eg -hwstretch not hwstretch 1) but I'm not sure how this was read & passed to MAME...

[Lave Laar]

But actually I know one of the other similar tools (AVRES?) had a function to make ini's that ArcadeOS could use (IIRC) - you might want to look into that to see how it worked. I know it put commandline-type switches into the ini files instead of the ini entries (eg -hwstretch not hwstretch 1) but I'm not sure how this was read & passed to MAME...

You will find that utility here http://www.ultimarc.com/avres.zip.