AtomicFE config questions

[Extreme8]

I'm making some real progress getting AtomicFE configured the way I want it to be. The Mame setup is fine - all of my gamelists and exclude files are working & I've managed to create an animated layout that works perfectly with my cab theme. OK, I didn't create it as much as I hacked the default layout by changing it's colors, creating some new graphics, and adding my logo, but still...


I do have a few questions about setting up the PnP modules within AtomicFE that I'm hoping someone can help me with.
I'm sure the program is fine, it's just my inability to understand it that is causing me problems.

I've downloaded and installed several pnp modules - atari2600, pinball, laserdisc & N64 currently. They install and appear in the selection screen. It does take a great deal of work to get each emulator operational - plug and play it ain't -, but so far I've been successful.

My first question is this; which config holds the selection screen that is populated by the pnp modules? So far I've been unable to locate it to make any edits. I'd like to add my Mame "all games" cfg to the list. Am I better off just creating my own and populating it with the .cfg files?

How do I set my default list? I'd like to change back to my allgames.cfg but it won't switch. Clicking on Set Start Config doesn't help, it always defaults to the pnp pick list.

Next, is there a way to make the config display the game name rather than the rom name? To be specific I'd like to display the actual game name in the Daphne screen. I go to the metadata tab, enter the rom & alias (displayed name) and save.
The next time I launch AtomicFE and select daphne I get an error that it's unable to find a file in c:\mam\snaps. I've checked each of my config files and NONE of them say c:\mam\snaps.
I can uninstall & reinstall the laserdisc p&p module and all is fine - If I try to edit the metadata again it starts all over.
If it matters, the metadata tab has no information in it when I open it, I have to enter each rom & it's alias manually.

Lastly (for now) how does AtomicFE handle sorting the file names? I have it set to sort by game name, but on many screens I see random game names popping up in the middle of my game lists.

Anyone that can help me understand the relationship of these config files is welcome to chime in.
Thanks, as always, for all of your help.

[youki]

I've downloaded and installed several pnp modules - atari2600, pinball, laserdisc & N64 currently. They install and appear in the selection screen. It does take a great deal of work to get each emulator operational - plug and play it ain't -, but so far I've been successful.

If it does take a great deal of work to get Plug'n play module working , it is surely because you did something wrong. Except 2 or 3 , they are really plug'n play, you have just to copy roms in the right folder.

My first question is this; which config holds the selection screen that is populated by the pnp modules? So far I've been unable to locate it to make any edits. I'd like to add my Mame "all games" cfg to the list. Am I better off just creating my own and populating it with the .cfg files?

The config that holds the selection screen is  <atomicfe>\plugnplay\plugnplay.cfg

To do what you want, i think the easiest way , is to make your own config with "All games" , then run plugnplayManager and use the "Add existing config" button.

How do I set my default list? I'd like to change back to my allgames.cfg but it won't switch. Clicking on Set Start Config doesn't help, it always defaults to the pnp pick list.

If a  active plug'n play module is detected by ATomic , Atomic runs in Plugnplay mode. It ignores the "start up" config. If you want use your config defined as "start up" , simply "disable" ALL plug'n play using plugnplayManager.exe

Next, is there a way to make the config display the game name rather than the rom name? To be specific I'd like to display the actual game name in the Daphne screen. I go to the metadata tab, enter the rom & alias (displayed name) and save.
The next time I launch AtomicFE and select daphne I get an error that it's unable to find a file in c:\mam\snaps. I've checked each of my config files and NONE of them say c:\mam\snaps.
I can uninstall & reinstall the laserdisc p&p module and all is fine - If I try to edit the metadata again it starts all over.
If it matters, the metadata tab has no information in it when I open it, I have to enter each rom & it's alias manually.

Locate the METADATA FOLDER pointed by the config file managing the module. (here Daphne.cfg i guess,should be in <atomicfe>\plugnplay\roms) . In that folder you will find a file called FullList.txt  , open it with the notepad.

and add lines like

<romname without extension>  "Title to display"

ex :

dlair   "Dragon's lair"
spaceace "Space Ace"

Lastly (for now) how does AtomicFE handle sorting the file names? I have it set to sort by game name, but on many screens I see random game names popping up in the middle of my game lists.

Most of the modules uses predifined Game List , when a predefined game list is used Sorting options are ignored. Atomic displays in the order it is in the list.    If you don't use Predefined Game List, you can sort by rom name or Game Name using the option on the general tab.

I hope it helps.

Ps : there is an U.S forums for Atomic support (see link on my website). I suggest you post your technical question here.