MAMEWAH, No games Available

[MPTech]

I've had MAME32 running for a little over a month on the new PC I built after Christmas.  I'd like to setup MAMEWAH to run MAME and some of the other emu's and use the CP joystick & buttons, as opposed to pulling out the KB / mouse. I'm running WinXP on a P4/3ghz.

I installed MAMEWAH, changed the paths in the ini's to find MAME & ROMs, but when I select "Generate List", it says "All Games" at the top and "No Games Available" at the bottom.

i've read the docs, but just can't fingure this one out. What am i missing?

[eccs19]

I had the same problem a while ago, and posted same question on a different board.  Here's what I was told, and yes it did work for me.

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Eccss19
>
> Had the same problem. If you THINK you botched up your ini files, chances are you did
> (I did).
>
> I would start over with a fresh install of Mamewah. I had some files missing with
> regards to the LAYOUT FOLDER that didn't come through for some reason (in your
> mamewah directory (after you download). BE SURE you have this folder, otherwise it
> won't work. You should have about 5 classic screen resoloution folders, a png, and a
> gif. If you don't, try again, another mirror or whatever. While your at it, deep six
> your mame.cfg too.
>
> Next thing after verifying the contents of your Mamewah folder, be sure to have the
> correct version of mame that you're interested in using. I don't THINK that your
> version of mame is too old. I'm running mame 81 so that's not too far ahead of what
> your using. Be sure to download mame079b. In otherwords, official MAME 0.79. NO
> EMBELISHMENTS!!! I tried setting up my datfile on a non official mame variant and was
> losing my mind trying to figure out why it wasn't working -that's why. Keep it
> official while your setting it up -then tweak later.
>
> Next thing is to create your dat file in mame. (ignore Mamewah for now)
> 1-go to command line (dos) and get to your mame directory
> 2-create a new mame.cfg file:
> C:\mame> mame -createconfig
> then Create a listinfo command written to a datfile:
> C:\mame> mame -listinfo > mame.dat
> 3-verify that indeed there is a mame.dat file sitting in your mame directory folder
> 4-make sure that your paths are set in your mame.cfg (watch out for upper/lower case)
> 5-NOW go to your Mamewah folder (make sure this is a SEPARATE FOLDER that is NOT in
> your Mame folder -keep it simple)
> 6-go to your ini folder
> 7-go into your Mame.cfg (not mame-1 or mame-0)
> 8-verify your paths are pointing to the right directories.
>
> This is what mine looks like:
>
> emulator_title M.A.M.E.
>
> ### List Generation Settings ###
> rom_path C:\mame\roms
> rom_extension zip
> dat_file C:\mame\mame.dat
> nms_file
> catver_ini_file
> list_generation_method dat_file
>
> ### Execution Settings ###
> emulator_executable C:\mame\mameanalogXP.exe
> commandline_format [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
> alt_commandline_format_1 [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
> alt_commandline_format_2 [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
> game_specific_config_path
>
> ### Artwork Locations ###
> artwork_1_image_path C:\mame\snap
>
> Pay attention to where it says:
> dat_file make sure it points to the correct location to where it is (you just created
> it)
>
> list_generation_method make sure it reads: dat_file
>
> emulator_executable make sure it reads: mame.exe (or whatever exe)
>
> artwork_1_image_path you get the picture
>
> WATCH THOSE CAPS!!!
>
> for anyone else reading this, feel free to put a halt to my nonsense if I'm steering
> this person in the wrong direction.
>
> HTH
>
> rhetro
>
> > I've been trying to get mamewah working for a few days now with no success. (Not
> > reading my ROMS) I've played with all the INI files. (I hope I've not got them
> > totally messed up now)
> >
> > After doing some reading in here I THINK that my problem is that my version of Mame
> > is to old. (0.79) When I get home I want to try a newer version. What version would
> > be recommended to run with Mamwah 1.61? Will my roms from .79 work with the newer
> > version of mame? Any other tips I should know before I change to the newer version
> > that may help me along?
> >
> > Thank-you in advance!

Thanks to both of you guys for the responses. It seems as if I had everything going. The only thing that I didn't read anywhere in my lookings was the "mame -createconfig" command. I will try when I get home. I originally was trying to get it working with mame32, but had no luck, so then re-installed by mame and moved over a few roms for testing. I know the mame was working, as I did the old mame pacman to see if it would run, and it did. I hope the createconfig works. Everything else seems correct for the most part. Wish me luck, and I will post back the results.

Best Regards

[leapinlew]

I've had MAME32 running for a little over a month on the new PC I built after Christmas.  I'd like to setup MAMEWAH to run MAME and some of the other emu's and use the CP joystick & buttons, as opposed to pulling out the KB / mouse. I'm running WinXP on a P4/3ghz.

I installed MAMEWAH, changed the paths in the ini's to find MAME & ROMs, but when I select "Generate List", it says "All Games" at the top and "No Games Available" at the bottom.

i've read the docs, but just can't fingure this one out. What am i missing?

Make sure you do a search for games. Hit the 2 player button and look in th menu. Should be an option there for game search or something like that.

[Sinner]

I was having a problem with generating a MAME games list...I was missing a DAT file...
Once I put it in, and changed the list generation method to "rom_folder_vs_dat_file", it worked fine...
Here's the link to the thread...http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50431.0


### List Generation Settings ###
rom_path                                  c:\mame\roms
rom_extension                             zip
dat_file                                  MAME.DAT
nms_file                                 
catver_ini_file                           c:\mame\catver.ini
list_generation_method                    rom_folder_vs_dat_file

[MPTech]

thanks guys! 

I'll try some of these suggestions tonite when I get home

[MPTech]

no luck...

i tried creating the MAME.dat file, but I don't think it worked the way it was intended.
I'm running MAME32 (v97), does that make a difference?
when I tried to create the config file "mame32 -createconfig", it created an ini file. and when I executed "mame32 -listinfo > mame.dat" it created a mame.dat file but it contained one line stating it could not parse the cmdline.  I tried it  times with the same results.
I double checked my paths and even cut&pated them and was able to link to them, so I know they are defined properly.

since none of this worked, I tried re-creating the MAMWAH folder and contents and starting over.  not succesful.

I also tried downloading the latest MAME, but it appears to be cmd line and I didn't want to go into taht (unless it is the only thing that works).

further suggestions? 

PLEASE

[Minwah]

I'm running MAME32 (v97), does that make a difference?
when I tried to create the config file "mame32 -createconfig", it created an ini file. and when I executed "mame32 -listinfo > mame.dat" it created a mame.dat file but it contained one line stating it could not parse the cmdline.  I tried it  times with the same results.

MAME's '-listinfo' switch was removed in v0.84 (IIRC)...so you need to make a dat like this:

mame -listxml|xml2info > mame.dat

Ensure you have xml2info.exe within your MAME folder (it is supplied with MAME).


I would also recommend you learn how to use Windows Commandline MAME (see www.mame.net).  Knowing how to operate emulators from a commandline is not crucial but *very* useful when configuring Mamewah - it pretty much assumes you know that stuff.  See www.mameworld.net/easyemu for some decent help.  That said, MAME32 should work OK, although it seems to cause more problems than the commandline version.

[MPTech]

Minwah,
  First, Thanks! and thanks to the others as well!

It's not completely resolved yet, BUT I'm much closer.
I took your advise and installed MAME104b Commandline version (I really wanted to do it awhile back but was too lazy and too busy to mess with it).

I copied a small set of ROMs to the MAME folder and was able to load them and select them from Mamewah.

My next problem is that Mamewah is not recognizing input from my CP (X-Arcade, 2 player).
Even when I slecect/load it from the KB input, it starts the game, but when it asks for "OK" it doesn't recognize the KB input either.

I also can't get the artwork(?) to appear.  I thought it displays a screenshot on the right (similar to MAME32) or am I imagining?


I'll read the links, but if you know off the top of your head, I'd appreciate a hint.

I'm not frustrated yet, I knew it wouldn't be easy, so this was expected.
From what I've seen and read, this is a GREAT frontend, so I will be patient.

I am thankful to all of you good guys and appreciate your work, for others enjoyment.
I truely wouldn't be where I'm at without your help!

THANKS again!   (but please continue to respond)

[Fat_Trucker]

Controller prob - First make sure you have a keyboard plugged into the X-Arcade and that it is set to the default setting (there is a 4 position switch on the back), then in your mame.ini (the one in your MAME folder not Mamewah) change the ctrlr setting to XArcade.

Screenshot prob - In your Mamewah mame.ini make sure the correct path is set for the snap folder you have your screenshots in, e.g. 'artwork_1_image_path           c:\mame\snap'

Lastly make sure your screenshots have the same name as the roms they correspond to i.e. your Robby Roto rom is called robby.zip so the corresponding screenshot should be called robby.png

[MPTech]

Fat_Trucker,  the X-Arcade is setup correctly, I still have MAME32 installed and it works fine if I launch that (I never changed the default setting switch on the back).  I'll look again, but what am I looking for in the mame.ini file? (can you provide a cut&paste of what the strlr setting should look like?)

I'll also check the artwork path again, I did look last night, but I'll check again.
The screen shots should have the correct name, they work for mame32, I just copied them over.

Thanks!

I'll also re-read the MAMEWAH docs again (this should make about the 7th time I've read them, not the easiest thing to understand. AND I was a programmer for 10+ years!)
Is there another source / link of docs for MAMEWAH? (I read Minwah's link already, helps, but still not intuitive)

[MPTech]

PLEASE Help!

Still no luck.

I can now launch MAMEWAH and I now have a full list of all of the games (if anyone can quickly point me to a tutorial or tell me how to filter them now, I'd appreciate that too).

in MAMWAH:
The left Joystick does not respond.
The right Joystick scrolls rapidly up and doen the game list.
The 1 & 2 player buttons select games and options.
A couple buttons on player 1 (I think the center row) performs some activities (I need to map them).

But I still don't have any artwork displaying and I cannot succesfully launch a game.

Here's a couple files, please review and comment (I've made a couple updates to the ini's that I thought were correct).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAME.ini (I don't think I changed anything):
### mame.ini ###

### Frontend Related ###

### Windows path and directory options ###
rompath                 roms
samplepath              samples
# inipath               <NULL> (not set)
cfg_directory           cfg
nvram_directory         nvram
memcard_directory       memcard
input_directory         inp
hiscore_directory       hi
state_directory         sta
artwork_directory       artwork
snapshot_directory      snap
diff_directory          diff
ctrlr_directory         ctrlr
cheat_file              cheat.dat

### Windows video options ###
autoframeskip           1
frameskip               0
waitvsync               0
triplebuffer            0
window                  0
ddraw                   1
direct3d                0
hwstretch               1
# screen                <NULL> (not set)
cleanstretch            auto
resolution              auto
refresh                 0
scanlines               0
switchres               1
switchbpp               1
maximize                1
keepaspect              1
matchrefresh            0
syncrefresh             0
throttle                1
full_screen_brightness   0.000000
frames_to_run           0
effect                  none
screen_aspect           4:3

### Windows Direct3D 2D video options ###
zoom                    2
d3dtexmanage            1
d3dfilter               1
d3dfeedback             0
d3dscan                 100
d3deffectrotate         1
d3dprescale             auto
d3deffect               none
# d3dcustom             <NULL> (not set)
# d3dexpert             <NULL> (not set)

### Windows misc options ###
sleep                   1
rdtsc                   0
high_priority           0

### Windows sound options ###
audio_latency           1
# wavwrite              <NULL> (not set)

### Input device options ###
mouse                   0
joystick                1
lightgun                0
dual_lightgun           0
offscreen_reload        0
steadykey               0
keyboard_leds           1
led_mode                ps/2
a2d_deadzone            0.300000
# ctrlr                 <NULL> (not set)
paddle_device           keyboard
adstick_device          keyboard
pedal_device            keyboard
dial_device             keyboard
trackball_device        keyboard
lightgun_device         keyboard
digital                 none

### Mame CORE video options ###
norotate                0
ror                     0
rol                     0
autoror                 0
autorol                 0
flipx                   0
flipy                   0
gamma                   1.000000
brightness              1.000000
pause_brightness        0.650000

### Mame CORE vector game options ###
antialias               1
translucency            1
beam                    1.000000
flicker                 0.000000
intensity               1.500000

### Mame CORE sound options ###
samplerate              44100
samples                 1
sound                   1
volume                  0

### Mame CORE misc options ###
artwork                 1
use_backdrops           1
use_overlays            1
use_bezels              1
artwork_crop            0
artwork_resolution      0
cheat                   0
debug                   0
# debugscript           <NULL> (not set)
# playback              <NULL> (not set)
# record                <NULL> (not set)
log                     0
oslog                   0
skip_gameinfo           0
bios                    default
# state                 <NULL> (not set)
autosave                0

### Configuration options ###
readconfig              1
verbose                 0

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAMEWAH\MAME.ini

### mame.ini (mamewah v1.61) ###

emulator_title                            M.A.M.E.

### List Generation Settings ###
rom_path                                  J:\MAME\roms
rom_extension                             zip
dat_file                                  J:\MAME\MAME.DAT
nms_file                                 
catver_ini_file                           J:\MAME\catver.ini
list_generation_method                    dat_file

### Execution Settings ###
emulator_executable                       J:\MAME\Mame.exe
commandline_format                        [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
alt_commandline_format_1                  [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
alt_commandline_format_2                  [name]{autodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
game_specific_config_path                 

### Artwork Locations ###
artwork_1_image_path                      J:\MAME\snap
artwork_2_image_path                      J:\MAME\marquees
artwork_3_image_path                      J:\MAME\cabinets
artwork_4_image_path                      J:\MAME\cpanels
artwork_5_image_path                     
artwork_6_image_path                     
artwork_7_image_path                     
artwork_8_image_path                     
artwork_9_image_path                     
artwork_10_image_path                     
movie_preview_path                       
movie_artwork_no                          1

### Screen-Saver Settings ###
enable_music_in_screensaver               1
saver_type                                slideshow
movie_path                               
movie_fullscreen                          1
quit_delay                                30
wrapper_executable                       
wrapper_commandline_format                [name]{nodosbox}{nosafelaunch}
scr_file                                 

### External Application Settings ###
ipc_file_or_path                         
app_1_executable                         
app_1_commandline_format                 
app_2_executable                         
app_2_commandline_format                 
app_3_executable                         
app_3_commandline_format                 
auto_launch_apps                         

### Additional Settings ###
music_path                               
lcd_display_file_path                     
lcd_fe_text                               

### Settings used by MAMEWAH ###
current_list                              0



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAMEWAH\MAME-0.ini

### mame-0.ini (mamewah v1.61) ###

list_title                                All Games

### Games List Settings ###
cycle_list                                1

### Execution Settings ###
commandline_format                       
alt_commandline_format_1                 
alt_commandline_format_2                 

### Settings used by MAMEWAH ###
current_game                              1025



 

[Minwah]

in MAMWAH:
The left Joystick does not respond.
The right Joystick scrolls rapidly up and doen the game list.

The X-Arcade (& HotRod) uses different 'keys' to the IPAC etc. standards.  P1 joystick uses the number pad cursors, as opposed to the 'normal' cursor keys, so you need to edit the Mamewah ctrlr file.  I forget exactly what this file is called for Mamewah v1.61, but I'm pretty sure it is \mamewah\ctrlr\default.ini or something along those lines.  You need to change this line:

UP_1_GAME         "DIK_UP"

to

UP_1_GAME         "DIK_NUMPAD8"

...and so on for the other directions.  The P2 stick works ok since this uses standard inputs.

But I still don't have any artwork displaying

Did you install the system files?

and I cannot succesfully launch a game.

What happens?  If absolutely nothing happens, then this usually implies your emulator exe or rom path doesn't exist, or something similar.  It should be reflected in the mamewah.log file.

Here's a couple files, please review and comment (I've made a couple updates to the ini's that I thought were correct).

They look fine to me, at least to get things running.

[MPTech]

Making some progress.  Still need help please.

I changed the P1 joystick as you recommended, and I'm now able to navigate through MAMEwah to select games. Where can I find what buttons I should map to?  Here is my current default.ini.

I'm also still not seeing artwork,  tried cut&paste of the path into Explorer (to verify it was correct) and it found the folder, so I'm sure the path name is valid.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
default.ini:

# MAMEWAH 1.6+ Standard Control Configuration

# PLEASE USE INPUT CODES FROM \MAMEWAH\DOCS\CTRLR.TXT
# NOTE DIFFERENCES TO MAME's (EX!) CTRLR INI FILES:
# 'NOT' (!) LOGIC NOT SUPPORTED
# 'AND' LOGIC EXPRESSED USING '&' (NOT SPACE)
# 'OR' PIPE '

[Minwah]

I changed the P1 joystick as you recommended, and I'm now able to navigate through MAMEwah to select games. Where can I find what buttons I should map to?

http://mamewah.mameworld.net/docs/ctrlr.txt

I'm also still not seeing artwork,  tried cut&paste of the path into Explorer (to verify it was correct) and it found the folder, so I'm sure the path name is valid.

Again...did you install the system files?

I tried to launch Metal Slug and it tried to load, but was not successful.

Sounds like your roms are bad or not suitable for your version of MAME.  Use ClrMAMEPro to check your roms.

I was able to launch 1941, but the joystick and some buttons did not respond (I'm assuming this is a MAME configuration now, not MAMEWAH). When I originally installed MAME32, it picked them all up automatically, do I need to do something different for commandline?

You assume correct...load up the game, then hit Tab, then 'Input (general)' or 'Input (this game)' and map as you wish.

[MPTech]

http://mamewah.mameworld.net/docs/ctrlr.txt

I printed them this morning I'll read them again, thanks.

Again...did you install the system files?

I believe that I did, I even went back and executed the file again.  It didn't give me any error messages, is there anything I can look for to confirm?

Sounds like your roms are bad or not suitable for your version of MAME.  Use ClrMAMEPro to check your roms

They work in MAME32, I just copied them from that ROM folder to the new ROM folder.

You assume correct...load up the game, then hit Tab, then 'Input (general)' or 'Input (this game)' and map as you wish.

Thanks, I didn't know that.  I'll give it a try.


Minwah, REALLY appreciate your patience.  I've been told this is a great front-end, once I get past the learning curve, I'm really looking forward to using it.  THANKS again 

[AtomSmasher]

I was lazy and only skimmed the posts given, but it looks like your still having trouble.  Have you tried using the Mamewah Config program?  Its what I used and it made it very easy to set up mamewah.  Heres the link that it used to be at:  http://www.bluecamel.org/2005/02/26/mamewah-config-161/
unfortunately that link seems to be dead now.  I know I have a copy of the program somewhere so if you want to try it, let me know and I'll start digging it out.  It's too late for me to search for it right now, but I should be able to find it tommorrow.

[AtomSmasher]

I found the config program, so here it is for all to enjoy
http://www.atomic-train.com/misc/MAMEWAH%20Config.zip

[MPTech]

AtomSmasher,
  Thanks, but it didn't work.  When I tried to execute the .exe i got an error "Application Error".

Still in search.

The good news is I did get all of the games to launch and run.
I just need to figue out the CP mapping.


btw, 2 more MAMEwah questions:

1. a couple games launch with a very small screen and a big bezel (artwork) around them, can this be reconfigured>

2. where can I find user directions for MAMEWAH, for example, filtering out all of the Mahjong and bootleg games.  The full list says 6,000 games but I only have about 4,00 installed, what are the others and can I remove them if I don't have them?

[MPTech]

I've got the games launching now, but the P1 Joystick is still not correct.

little more help, please.