Z26 Question

[xer0s]

I'm using Z26 for Atari 2600.  Now, my problem is that when I load it up, it is only on about 1/4 of the screen (top left).  How can I make it go full screen?

[unclet]

I do not use z26 anymore, I switched to the "stella" emulator instead (not sure why), but anyway, here is some information which will help you out:

1) I went to the following site and downloaded "Atari 2600-Z26 ver. 2.13”

    http://www.emuchrist.org/cpviewer/applications.htm


2) Here is a document which explains tons of command line parameters (ie: Video Modes for fullscreen is what you are asking about now):

http://www.whimsey.com/z26/z26.pdf


Video Modes:
Mode 0 — 400x300 (default)
Mode 1 — 320x240
Mode 2 — 320x200
Mode 3 — 800x600 scanline/interlaced
Mode 4 — 640x480 scanline/interlaced
Mode 5 — 640x400 scanline/interlaced
Mode 6 — 800x600 double scanline
Mode 7 — 640x480 double scanline
Mode 8 — 640x400 double scanline


3) Here is an example of how I start a game fullscreen (using Video Mode 8 ):

z26 -v8 "C:\Emulators\RomFiles\Atari2600\Adventure.bin"

[jcrouse]

There are many screen size/resolutions available for Z26 using the commandline parameters. You need to create a file named z26.cli and place it in the Z26 folder. If you read the docs it is talked about and the parameters are specified. It is tough to find in there but it is talked about.

Good Luck,
John

[unclet]

Hey John ...... you were posting when I was ........

read this  -->  http://www.whimsey.com/z26/z26.pdf

[xer0s]

Maybe I should switch to Stella.  Is it easier to use than this Z26?  I am terrible with getting in and changing things.  The more simple the better for me...

[unclet]

Did you try the -v8 option .... seems like that might work for you.

I just gave you all the link information in case you needed any other options and you want to find the command line reference manual (which not a lot of people know about).

Lets say you want to start the "Adventure.bin" 2600 game.  All I think you need to do is:

   z26 -v8 "C:\MyDirectory\Path\Atari2600\Adventure.bin"


I just gave you the other "Video Modes" in case "-v8" does not work for you, then you could try "-v0 thru -v7" instead.

[xer0s]

I guess I should mention I'm using Mamewah.

[unclet]

If you are "terrible with getting in and changing things" then I would high recommend using a more user-friendly and actively supported frontend.  I use MALA, but I hear Atomic FE is quite simple as well.

Check out my step by step "How To" guide for MALA here:

http://unclet.arcadecontrols.com/MalaInfo/MalaEmuSetup-HowTo.doc

It explains how to set up many emulators.   Just pick out the information related to the emulators you want and you should have no problems with it.

[xer0s]

Ok, here is what I want.  When I start up an atari game in Mamewah (using z26), I want it to go full screen.  Is there no simple way of doing this?

[unclet]

Are you saying that none of the fullscreen options (ie: -v8,-v7,-v6,-v5,-v4,-v3,-v2,-v1,-v0) worked for you?

[xer0s]

Well if I understand you correctly, I need to enter this into the command prompt:

z26 -v8 "C:\MyDirectory\Path\Atari2600\Adventure.bin"

But I want to go into Mamewah and select a game off the list and have it boot up and go into fullscreen.  If I just enter the above, then I'm going straight through Z26 and not going through Mamewah, which is what I want to do.  I need to configure it so that it will automatically do fullscreen when I choose a game in Mamewah.  I hope this makes sense.

[unclet]

No, I was just giving you an example of how to start an Atari2600 game with z26 with the fullscreen option you might want.

In MameWah, you would need to edit the INI file which is related to the z25 emulator.  I have not used MameWah in a couple of years, but I think you need to set the "emulator_commandline" value to the following:

[emurootpath]\myz26path\z26.exe -v8 "[rompath]\[name].[romext]"{nodosbox}{safelaunch}

However, to get MameWah set up correctly you really should repost another question to the forum with the Subject text as "Need help configuring MameWah for z26 fullscreen" and see what people say.  I am not sure a lot of MameWah users are looking at this thread ..... or at least they are not chiming in with suggestions.

Now, I could be wrong, but it does not sound like you have ever used MameWah successfully before .... is this correct?   If so, you should know that MameWah is pretty much meant for people who like to configure stuff manually.     I am not one of those people so I prefer to use a frontend with a nice GUI interface.   Basically, I do not like creating/editting INI files by hand.   As a result, I use MALA since it is a snap to configure.     Let me know if you ar dead set on using MameWah or whether you would like help with MALA.  If MameWah is a must, then I would suggest reposting another thread.  If MALA is worth a try, we can try to get it working for you.

[xer0s]

Well, I've been using Mamewah on my arcade for the past couple of years, but its only been halfway setup (which is why I'm trying to setup the other half right now).  But maybe it would be worth trying out this MALA.  I'll look into it and let you know what I think...

[unclet]

MALA is quite easy to set up.   Of course I gave you the link to my "How To" guide  ...... which is where the z26 stuff I mentioned to you came from.