Configuring Mame Controls

[More Cowbell]

I am having trouble configuring buttons in Mame for some games. Sometimes when I try to configure a different button to be the primary fire button (ctrl) it will populate with "left ctrl right ctrl" which doesn't work. This also happens with shift. This even happens when I go straight to the keyboard to program. Any ideas as to why this happens and how to remedy?

[markrvp]

Are you mapping the buttons with MAME in PAUSE?  Sometimes this causes mis-assignments.

[More Cowbell]

Hmmmmm..... Interesting.
As a matter of fact, I am usually paused. I'll have to try it again unpaused.
Thanks

[hulkster]

yeah dude, being in the paused menu screws it up.   you gotta do that while the game is running.

[More Cowbell]

So what you're saying is that I need to build another Mame cabinet. 
Well, ok, but my wife isn't going to like this. 

[hulkster]

ummmm....if by "build another mame cab" you mean "just set your controls while not in the pause menu"...then yeah.

[bigfuz]

Nope, I think you are screwed...better build another cabinet...maybe tabletop   Or possibly an MP3 jukebox...it's hopeless.

[jopenner]

Better yet, build a driving cab.
Your wife will love, or at least I am trying to convince my wife that she will love it

[More Cowbell]

It's just so frustrating when there is something so totally broken that you have to build a whole new cabinet! Unpausing to configure? That would possibly waste a free play! Oh well, better get started on the new cab even though there's no guarantee that this one will work right either. Try, try again. No wife of mine will ever call me a quitter.