MAMEWAH runs MAME minimized

[Collywobbles]

Hi,

I have had this problem previously and managed to fix it, but now I have reconfigured my system and it is back and I can't remember what I did

Basically, when I run any games they run in a minimized DOS box in MAME and I have to ALT-TAB to bring them up.

I have vague memories of what I did last time, so I have set resolution 640x480 in the MAME version of MAME.INI which is the same as my screen resolution. I've also set switchres to 0 and switchbpp to 0. I also deleted all previous cfg files.

However, it still runs in a minimized box. This is driving me insane, any idea what have I forgotten to do?

Thanks!
Collywobbles

[headkaze]

I've noticed MameWah do this too when I wanted it to launch Internet Explorer with the -k switch for kiosk mode. If the programmer replies to this thread I can give him some ideas on improving the launching of external programs using the Windows API. The only problem is MameWah is written in VB which dosn't always allow the flexibility that C does.

[Collywobbles]

I should also like to add that I am running Windows 98 inside my MAME cabinet and using the standard Windows version of MAME.

[Collywobbles]

I have now found a solution to this. If you are having this problem in Windows 98 set the commandline_format entry to {dosbox} instead of {nodosbox}. In theory, this shouldn't be required in MAME but it appears that it is for Windows 98 at least.

Collywobbles

[Minwah]

I have now found a solution to this. If you are having this problem in Windows 98 set the commandline_format entry to {dosbox} instead of {nodosbox}. In theory, this shouldn't be required in MAME but it appears that it is for Windows 98 at least.

This shouldn't be required for Win98 either, Mamewah was first written under '98 and so I am sure of that.  However is seems some system do need to use {dosbox} - probably some system-specific reason.

Check you aren't using frames_to_run 1...this will cause the same behaviour.  Also you can try using {safelaunch} instead of {dosbox} - it might be a bit prettier.

Also goes without saying, but make sure you aren't running virus software or anything else which sits in the system tray.  They are a waste of resources and can cause odd problems to occur.

[Minwah]

I've noticed MameWah do this too when I wanted it to launch Internet Explorer with the -k switch for kiosk mode. If the programmer replies to this thread I can give him some ideas on improving the launching of external programs using the Windows API. The only problem is MameWah is written in VB which dosn't always allow the flexibility that C does.

I don't really have any problem with the way Mamewah currently launches programs (using Win API).  You may not be able to launch PC apps with an additional switch in v1.61 however (I can't remember exactly), but you should give the latest beta's a try which allows game/app specific 'commandline_format's to be used.

Beware tho that I just tried launching Internet Explorer with the -k switch, and did actually find a small problem (in v1.62b7) which would cause the ' -k' to be improperly trimmed.  I've now fixed this and it launched it perfectly, so it should be fine in b8.

Edit: go here for the beta's:

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

[headkaze]

Couldn't find the new b8 version there 

Anyways, having a few problems with the b7...

When I launch mame, it comes up with the command line options for mame.exe

I assume I'm missing something here...

### Execution Settings ###
pre_emulator_app_commandlines             
emulator_commandline                      C:\Games\Mame\mame.exe
post_emulator_app_commandlines           
general_app_commandlines   

mame.exe accepts the first parameter as the name of the game. So somehow it's missing that.

Also, with my pc ini file, I can't launch .lnk's at all...

Here is a snippet...

### pc.ini (mamewah v1.62) ###

emulator_title                            PC

### List Generation Settings ###
rom_path                                  C:\Games\PCShortcuts
rom_extension                             lnk
dat_file                                 
nms_file                                 
catver_ini_file                           
list_generation_method                    rom_folder

### Execution Settings ###
pre_emulator_app_commandlines             
emulator_commandline                     
post_emulator_app_commandlines           
general_app_commandlines 

Can you give me an idea why they won't launch at all?

[Minwah]

Couldn't find the new b8 version there 

Yeah sorry that's what I was trying to say...it's not out yet but it will fix this issue when it is.

When I launch mame, it comes up with the command line options for mame.exe

Change this line:

emulator_commandline                      C:\Games\Mame\mame.exe

...to:

emulator_commandline                      C:\Games\Mame\mame.exe [name]


Effectively 'emulator_commandline' is the old 'emulator_executable' and 'emulator_commandline_format' merged together.

Also, with my pc ini file, I can't launch .lnk's at all...

Change this line:

emulator_commandline                     

...to:

emulator_commandline                      pc


This is the line you can add extra flags/switches etc. to...for example to launch with a '-k' switch this should be set to 'pc -k'.  As long as the first two characters are 'pc' you can add anything you want afterwards.  Note this is the part which is broken in b7 however, but simply 'pc' will work fine.