Author Topic: Help w/ Front End (Read 3175 times)

eyal8r · « **on:** May 05, 2007, 04:41:05 pm »

Hey guys-
I am hosting an 80's party this weekend, and want to have my Mame Cab up and running, with no problems. Everytime I've let guests just 'go for it' they come back to me within 15 minutes with it all messed up- it's jumped out of Mame to XP, the front end is frozen, not working, etc. It doesn't matter how many times I explain it- they always jack it all up and then it's down for the night because I'm busy hosting, and don't have time to fix the machine.

The other problem I've had in the past is keeping my 'favorites' saved in a list. I've gone through the thousands of games before- placed each one into my favorites list- only to reboot and find that the list is empty. Gamex did that to me twice, so I refuse to use it anymore (that, and, the lack of friendly support from them).

So, I need a front end that is DUMMY FRIENDLY for my guests- that I can lock down easily and prevent them from jumping out of the FE and Mame all together. I also need a FE that is clean & attractive- easy to navigate, etc. Free is ALWAYS the preference, too. I'd prefer an FE that is easy to setup and use- will allow the video previews to be played, as well as possibly some background music while navigating the FE.

I see the comparison list here, but without installing them individually and testing them out- I don't know which one can help me with these problems. Can someone suggest one that fits this criteria? I've seen other FEs that everyone really likes- but I can't handle the tough installs and command line stuff. It's gotta be easy for me, too

Any suggestions???
Thanks!

headkaze · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2007, 05:37:41 pm »

It's strange to hear someone say "lack of friendly support from them [GameEx forums]". I'm always hearing positive feedback about the support on the GameEx forums. All the people on there donate their time for free and are always friendly and willing to help.

The issues with favorites should be fixed in the latest release. They have been moved into a database and should allow for more customization too.

GameEx as a front-end may not be what is crashing the machine when your friends are thrashing it. Emulators are notorious for being unstable. Sometimes bad ROMs can cause crashing and many other elements are in play. Emulation is never a fail safe sort of thing, there are always going to be hiccups. If you keep up with releases as best you can, you will have less chance of having a buggy version.

That being said, although I actively provide support on the GameEx forums I'm more than happy to recommend other FE's if you think they will do a better job. I havn't played much with other FE's so I can't say whether or not your going to experience more or less stability or lockdown. But I know the general popularity of FE's that people on this forum use.

You won't know which FE is easier for you to setup because you will get all sorts of conflicting advice on here as to which is the best/easiest to setup etc. etc. So I would say go through some of the more popular FE's and try them one at a time and see what takes your fancy.

My recommendations after GameEx are Mala, Atomic, MameWah and Arcade3D.

eyal8r · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:04:35 pm »

Thanks for the reply-
Let me clarify. In the past, I found that IF I ever got a response to my questions on the Gamex forums (which was rare), they were not very helpful- short and lacking details (responses like- 'read the documentation' even tho I DID read it and still had questions). However- that may have been quite a while ago, and I'm very open that things have changed since then. The Gamex FE looked nice and I loved the features- however, it really upset me having to redo my favorites list twice, only to lose them.

I also realize that it's the users that create the FE to jump out and back out to XP or otherwise. I have found the FEs are rarely the problem (Gamex DID crash on me a number of times as well- and that was the FE problem, not my using it). I should clarify that I'm looking for an FE that will be tougher for people to jump out of on accident. I'd like to be able to 'lock it down' better where users can't access the options, windows environment, or otherwise. I'm open to trying Gamex again, but it was just a few months ago I tried it and had those problems.

All in all- I am looking for something that can be locked down easier so my friends can't screw it up too easily when I'm not supervising. Also looking for ease of install. I'm now looking at Atomic and MameWah- I'll check out Gamex again and see if it's changed drastically in the past 2-3 months...
Thanks for the input!

headkaze · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:14:03 pm »

No offence mate, but I just dug up your one and only thread posted on the GameEx forums (http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=2521&hl=eyal8r) and I don't see how the responses were short or lacking details. You never posted a reply with any more questions after two people posted suggestions to help you, so obviously people assume you've solved your problem. You got a reply in 2 hours after you posted so I can't see how you can expect better support than that. And yes there have been massive amounts of updates since Oct 23 2006 (your last post).

eyal8r · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:19:02 pm »

Ahhh, you're correct, except that I used to post under a different user name. I don't want this to get into any kind of war here, either. It was a while ago, and I said I was open that things have changed since then. I'd like to keep this thread on topic, as well. Is there a way to lock GamEx down a little better so that they cannot jump it out of the environment, or, access options and whatnot? Does it now save the favorites list permanently?
Thanks

Buddabing · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:20:50 pm »

I think you're looking for a front end that is still under active development, so that you can contact the author with your questions.

I looked at the wiki and the following front end applications are under active development:

Atomic
Dragon King
Fronty
GameEx
MaLa
Maximus
MAME32
MAMEWah
Wah!Cade

Of these, GameEx and Maximus are not totally free. Fronty and MAME32 don't support videos. DK, MAMEWah, and Wah!Cade don't have a built in jukebox function, at least AFAIK.

That leaves, drum roll, Atomic and MaLa.

By reading the wiki you could have found all that out and you would have had more time to spend evaluating the two front ends before your party.

headkaze · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:32:43 pm »

Quote from: eyal8r on May 05, 2007, 06:19:02 pm

Ahhh, you're correct, except that I used to post under a different user name. I don't want this to get into any kind of war here, either. It was a while ago, and I said I was open that things have changed since then. I'd like to keep this thread on topic, as well. Is there a way to lock GamEx down a little better so that they cannot jump it out of the environment, or, access options and whatnot? Does it now save the favorites list permanently?
Thanks

No war mate, I just wanted to know your reasons for saying the GameEx forums wern't friendly. It's a comment that goes against my experience on there. But nevermind, lets get back on topic...

You could try having a look at Instant Sheller that effectively hides XP from the user. Other than that, if you do decide to try GameEx again make sure you download the latest version. I'm not sure of any front ends that block alt-tab and keys like that. I'm wondering how your users are getting out of the FE in the first place if you have a CP which usually doesn't have tab mapped to any button. Do you have tab mapped to anything?

eyal8r · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:39:13 pm »

Headkaze- that's a great question. I'll boot her up and check it out... And you're right, maybe unfriendly was the wrong word to use there. Let's just drop that whole thing...

And I did read the wiki- but I guess I'm looking for a personal testimonial as to someone's experiences with them. I think it was Atomic that said it was designed to be used in a real arcade cab- so that gives some assurance that it's designed for 'other' users. I'm even ok paying $25 for the thing- but I want to make sure it does what I want it to- and my past experiences have left me, well, disappointed. I'll check it out again and see if I have any other problems.

Anyone else have insights on Atomic & MameWah in regards to my questions about usage?
Thanks guys...

headkaze · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:59:28 pm »

Atomic was designed to be used in a real arcade cab? What FE isn't designed to be used in a real arcade cab? I have a real arcade cab, and I have friends come over and it doesn't crash or go to the desktop. The only time it crashes is when they try to play a game in an emulator that isn't working properly and it crashes. But that is not GameEx crashing.

Again the personal testimonials you will get are from users of different FE's. Those FE's work for them, so you will hear their testimonial about it. It dosn't really help you find what you want to know. Which is why more often than not people will start yelling "wiki" at you. It's like saying Ubuntu is better than Windows. People get a bit sick of hearing about it.

Anyway, my point is it may not even be the FE that is your problem. There are apps out there than can block Alt-Tab, Alt-Esc and Ctrl-Esc which are the main culprits for losing focus of your application. Try pressing these keys in Windows and you will see how you can move focus away from your current window.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2007, 10:20:00 pm »

Actually the best solution to that problem is to remove the alt key from your cab. I dunno how many times I've said it, but mame's default controls were derived from Doom/Wolfenstein, in a time when games (and mame) were ran in dos and thus alt didn't cause any focus problems. Removing the alt key form your layout will remvoe 99.9% of your focus issues.

eyal8r · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2007, 10:46:38 pm »

ok- I was running GamEx 7.09- is the favorites list problem updated since then? It's only 8.1 now...
Thanks!

headkaze · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:28:40 am »

Quote from: eyal8r on May 05, 2007, 10:46:38 pm

ok- I was running GamEx 7.09- is the favorites list problem updated since then? It's only 8.1 now...
Thanks!

Yes favourites has just been changed to use a database in the very latest version.

eyal8r · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:39:52 am »

Well, tried it again- got the same problems Ive had before... crashes during install when downloading themes (this happened to me on 2 previous versions as well- and yes, I have .net installed). Then crashed again when running the default theme and I was just selecting games. The features are great, but it's just too frustrating to work with. I'm making a run at Mala now...
Thanks

Grinch · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2007, 05:42:55 pm »

mgalaxy is a cool simple MAME FE. Doubt your guests will be able to mess that up. Although I prefer Mala.

eyal8r · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2007, 08:11:23 pm »

Yeah, I'm really liking Mala. No crashes, easy to install, designed up my own layout for it, etc. It's not a 'sexy' as GamEx, but it works all the same!

headkaze · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2007, 09:34:27 pm »

As long as your happy is the main thing. Mala is still a great FE and is well supported by a friendly bunch of guys that are regulars on here. They should be able to help you out with any future problems you have.

loadman · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:00:58 pm »

Quote from: headkaze on May 06, 2007, 09:34:27 pm

As long as your happy is the main thing. Mala is still a great FE and is well supported by a friendly bunch of guys that are regulars on here. They should be able to help you out with any future problems you have.

I am a MaLa freak but I also use GameEX a bit and have no issues... Weird Man

I find it hard to accept that GameEx is the complete cause of the issues ?

eyal8r · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:52:20 pm »

Yeah, I hear ya. All I know is that I've installed 3-4 versions of Gamex over the past ear or more- and each time it's crashed during install, during game play, during screen saver mode, etc. Then it lost my favorites and that was the last straw for me. I tried it this last time- twice- both times crashed during install. Too many hours invested with no end result to show for it. Time to move on. Could be my machine, sure... but I have no patience to diagnose when there's other FEs that are working for me...
Thanks for all the help!

unclet · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2007, 11:22:46 am »

I use MALA as well, but I am not a freak

korso · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2007, 06:57:45 pm »

What are your opinions on Maximus Arcade. I know it isn't free but 20 dollars isn't too terrible and it seems like it is a pretty easy to use idiot proof front end. I am just in the early process of building my arcade and need to figure out what front end i want. Maximus seems nice but I haven't looked into Mala....

eyal8r · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2007, 08:20:29 pm »

I gotta tell ya, check out MaLa- it's AWESOME! I've tried nearly every FE out there now- and MaLa definitely is the best (well, in MY opinion!!!). It's easy to use, configure, install, etc- and it doesn't crash. It does everything you want it to. The only problem I've had is that when I run background music, it signifigantly slows down to where it's unusable. That's ok to me for now- but other than that, it rocks!

korso · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2007, 07:50:28 am »

the only reason i wanna try maximus is because it supports so many consoles

unclet · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2007, 12:34:28 pm »

I believe MALA also has built in command line syntax for other emulators as well.

youki · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2007, 12:38:55 pm »

Quote

What are your opinions on Maximus Arcade. I know it isn't free but 20 dollars isn't too terrible and it seems like it is a pretty easy to use idiot proof front end. I am just in the early process of building my arcade and need to figure out what front end i want. Maximus seems nice but I haven't looked into Mala....

Try AtomicFe and his plug'n play modules . It could help you to have something up and running very quickly.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2007, 05:02:57 pm »

I use GameEx and on occasion it goes to a black screen while a MAME game is playing. The game keeps playing but I have no control. I have to break out the KB and Alt-Tab to get back to the game. I was using a game pad encoder (GPWiz) and it still happened.

I tried AtomicFE and had issues with my 49-way joystick and other setup issues. Next on my list to try is Mala and MameWah. I am also going to look at GameLauncher on a FreeDOS system for a more basic setup.

TTFN

Kaytrim

arzoo · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2007, 08:58:24 am »

If you're looking for fast and knowledgeable support, you can't do better than Mala - I think loadman is on-line 24x7!

shorthair · « **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2007, 05:21:33 pm »

Haven't tried out MaLa in a while, but there was some reason I didn't stick with it. GameEx was a total bastard, initially. Then I got it to work, but for VP, as well as what I'd consider a programming issue with how GE makes a game list in Daphne. Multiple posts to the GE board, few to no responses. Someone figured out Daphne, but, really, should I have to do a work-around cos GE isn't making it's listing right? I still haven't gotten off ---my bottom--- and done it. I never got VP working.

Atomic was mostly golden...till it started displaying in French, out of the blue. Then some other issues. Fixed 'em - not sure how - and then they came back!...with no warning. Ditched that.

I fancy Mame32, cos it's the most stable, as well as giving you many set-up options from the UI. I'm currently thinking of a different skin concept for it, but how it works (except for a couple/few, very minor tweaks function tweaks) seems the best. Of course, I don't care about a lot of these esoteric options, like LED support, etc.

loadman · « **Reply #27 on:** May 13, 2007, 07:48:48 pm »

Quote from: arzoo on May 13, 2007, 08:58:24 am

If you're looking for fast and knowledgeable support, you can't do better than Mala - I think loadman is on-line 24x7!

Don't tell my boss

youki · « **Reply #28 on:** May 16, 2007, 02:32:37 am »

Quote

Atomic was mostly golden...till it started displaying in French, out of the blue. Then some other issues. Fixed 'em - not sure how - and then they came back!...with no warning. Ditched that.

Did you post some question about that here or on the Atomic Official support forums? (http://spaceinvaders.7.forumer.com/viewforum.php?f=13)

I always do my best to fix user issues.


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Author Topic: Help w/ Front End (Read 3175 times)

shorthair