MAMEWAH v0.95b Released!

[Minwah]

Okay, I've got a bug that's driving me nuts...I've tried this on 3 cabs now, 2 with XP one with ME.  If mamewah goes into screensaver (such as slideshow), when you return to the game selection screen, selecting a game locks mamewah up, although it does launch the game in the background.  So if you use taskmanager to shut down mamewah, the game runs.  When you exit the game, mamewah is gone, so you get dumped to desktop.  Trying to set the screensaver type to 'blackscreen' gets me a runtime error (9??), and crashes to desktop (although I've only tested this error on one system).  If mamewah doesn't go into any kind of screensaver, or mp3 background music, I don't get the error....any ideas?

I cannot get this problem to occur (in XP)...I assumed you are running MAME?  If so, then is it possible that you've launched a game with a bad-dump?  That could cause a problem.  Does the problem occur if you use MP3's (but not screen-saver)?

I did find the same problem with the blank screen screen-saver, I have now fixed this.

[Minwah]

now, Minwah, what happened to my old Favs list? Did it write over it? I would be down and out if it did (I had ~300 games on it).

It should still be sitting in your MAMEWAH folder called 'MAME-FAVORITES.LST' or something.  It will still work if you rename it, and place it into the 'FILES' subfolder of MAMEWAH's installation folder.  If your MAME is emulator 1 (the one that's selected when you first run MAMEWAH, then name the file as 'EMU1-X.LST', where X is the value 1-20 (custom list no.).

[Minwah]

Hmmm... would it be possible to make it so the MP3 player thing for navigation et al to be able to browse sub-directorys?

It must be possible, I'll have a go  

[dknight]

I was setting up a custom list and found a bug that is reproducible.  I'm not at the machine right now so I'm going by memory and I'm probably mangling the names of the menu selections, but hopefully you can figure out what I'm talking about.

1)  Select a game on the Main List
2)  Bring up the Game Lists submenu and select "Add Selection to Custom List"
3)  When it prompts you to select the list to add the game to, select the Main List

MameWah will report an error since I'm trying to add an item to the main list but it will then lock up, forcing you to kill the process to get out.

I realize you shouldn't be trying to do this, but I have a problem where sometimes a single button press registers as two key presses, so when I select "Add Selection to Custom List" the second keypress picks the first item in the list (which is Main List).

Perhaps you should remove the "current" list from the "available" lists on that page, since that is never allowed.

By the way, still loving MameWah 0.95b.  I'm setting up custom lists for both of my kids and they are thrilled to not have to wade through 2000+ titles to find their favorite games.

-Dave

[anthony691]

I was setting up a custom list and found a bug that is reproducible.  I'm not at the machine right now so I'm going by memory and I'm probably mangling the names of the menu selections, but hopefully you can figure out what I'm talking about.

1)  Select a game on the Main List
2)  Bring up the Game Lists submenu and select "Add Selection to Custom List"
3)  When it prompts you to select the list to add the game to, select the Main List

MameWah will report an error since I'm trying to add an item to the main list but it will then lock up, forcing you to kill the process to get out.

I realize you shouldn't be trying to do this, but I have a problem where sometimes a single button press registers as two key presses, so when I select "Add Selection to Custom List" the second keypress picks the first item in the list (which is Main List).

Perhaps you should remove the "current" list from the "available" lists on that page, since that is never allowed.

By the way, still loving MameWah 0.95b.  I'm setting up custom lists for both of my kids and they are thrilled to not have to wade through 2000+ titles to find their favorite games.

-Dave

Yeah... it is good for family...

I made a list named "suitable for children" with all of the crazy porno games taken out...

[Minwah]

1)  Select a game on the Main List
2)  Bring up the Game Lists submenu and select "Add Selection to Custom List"
3)  When it prompts you to select the list to add the game to, select the Main List

MameWah will report an error since I'm trying to add an item to the main list but it will then lock up, forcing you to kill the process to get out.

When you say it reports an error, does it crash or is it a 'nice' error?  It should say something like '[gamename] already exists in Main List'.  (I noticed it still says 'Favorites [NOT] Changed').

It just displays this message and doesn't crash on my system...

[anthony691]

1)  Select a game on the Main List
2)  Bring up the Game Lists submenu and select "Add Selection to Custom List"
3)  When it prompts you to select the list to add the game to, select the Main List

MameWah will report an error since I'm trying to add an item to the main list but it will then lock up, forcing you to kill the process to get out.

When you say it reports an error, does it crash or is it a 'nice' error?  It should say something like '[gamename] already exists in Main List'.  (I noticed it still says 'Favorites [NOT] Changed').

It just displays this message and doesn't crash on my system...

I think he means run time error.

I have a bug that probably only exists on my system (more than likely); when I try to use the Catlist game sorting features, it crashs with a run time error exits me... and then when I get back in; the list is complete (well sort of).

Did you figure out how to code to browse sub-directories?

Assuming that the bugs can be worked out of this version of MAMEWAH... I think it is just about done! I really can't see what to add... maybe a clock option like MyHTPC, that would be way cool..., but yeah, maybe MAMEWAH could be complete for the version 1.0

[Thumpa]

is this version of Mamewah stable enough to install and set up ,or should i wait for bug fix version....shouldent be too long would it if i hold off a bit?

Thumpa

[Minwah]

I think he means run time error.

I have a bug that probably only exists on my system (more than likely); when I try to use the Catlist game sorting features, it crashs with a run time error exits me... and then when I get back in; the list is complete (well sort of).

Did you figure out how to code to browse sub-directories?

Assuming that the bugs can be worked out of this version of MAMEWAH... I think it is just about done! I really can't see what to add... maybe a clock option like MyHTPC, that would be way cool..., but yeah, maybe MAMEWAH could be complete for the version 1.0

Could you explain your Catlist prob in more detail, when exactly does it crash etc. ?

I haven't looked at the sub-directory thing just yet...

I'd like version 1.0 to include everything *I* want, have as few bugs as possible and my code to be as well written as I can.  Expect v0.951b soon (tonight maybe) which is just a bug-fix & a few more things added to .95b.  Then I anticipate 1 or 2 releases before the big 1.0  

[Minwah]

is this version of Mamewah stable enough to install and set up ,or should i wait for bug fix version....shouldent be too long would it if i hold off a bit?

It's actually turned out to be very stable, most if not all bugs reported are only minor.  The thing is to just beware there is no documentation.

The next release will be an update, so you will need to download and install v0.95b anyway, so you may as well go ahead and try it out.  I'd recommend installing into a separate folder to v0.9 (if you already use that).  Expect the next update v soon

[dknight]

When you say it reports an error, does it crash or is it a 'nice' error?  It should say something like '[gamename] already exists in Main List'.  (I noticed it still says 'Favorites [NOT] Changed').

It just displays this message and doesn't crash on my system...

It is a 'nice' error that says something followed by "press and button to continue".  At this point it is locked up.

FYI, I'm running on Win98SE and I did a clean install (didn't overwrite an old version of MameWah).

I'll check it again this evening and try to get some more specifics of what causes the problem.

-Dave

[Minwah]

It is a 'nice' error that says something followed by "press and button to continue".  At this point it is locked up.

FYI, I'm running on Win98SE and I did a clean install (didn't overwrite an old version of MameWah).

I'll check it again this evening and try to get some more specifics of what causes the problem.

OK I think I have got to the bottom of this after trying it on a Win98 system...

It doesn't actually crash!  The problem is after you press a key, it just takes a LONG time to hide the message and continue...this big delay makes it appear to hang.

This is a Windows 98 problem that crops up a few times in this version, switching emulators/lists can also cause a big delay.  The problem seems to be when I clear the lists held in memory - it just takes ages under '98, under XP is very quick.  Since all my programming was done under XP, I did not forsee this problem.

I am unsure what to do about this atm - I need to have a fiddle around (!).  It seems like the kind of thing that will be difficult to eradicate altogether, but hopefully I can improve it...

[dknight]

OK I think I have got to the bottom of this after trying it on a Win98 system...

It doesn't actually crash!  The problem is after you press a key, it just takes a LONG time to hide the message and continue...this big delay makes it appear to hang.

This is a Windows 98 problem that crops up a few times in this version, switching emulators/lists can also cause a big delay.  The problem seems to be when I clear the lists held in memory - it just takes ages under '98, under XP is very quick.  Since all my programming was done under XP, I did not forsee this problem.

I am unsure what to do about this atm - I need to have a fiddle around (!).  It seems like the kind of thing that will be difficult to eradicate altogether, but hopefully I can improve it...

Yes, you're right.  It does eventually return but takes a LONG time.  I guess I was being a bit too impatient...

I've also noticed the slowdown when you move off of one of the large lists.  It would be great if you could find a way to reduce this.  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Thanks!

-Dave

[colonelsnow]

I agree. Having a command line emulator front end that does not work at decent speed  on anything other than XP is a big problem.

If the bugs can't be worked out is it possible to implement some of the new features in the old version. Ie links to 'PC' games, and the layout editor?

[)p(]

This is a Windows 98 problem that crops up a few times in this version, switching emulators/lists can also cause a big delay.  The problem seems to be when I clear the lists held in memory - it just takes ages under '98, under XP is very quick.  Since all my programming was done under XP, I did not forsee this problem.
...

Maybe you could post some more details what is going on...would make it easier to give suggestions...as i can't see how dumping the memory itself should be the problem.

peter

[Minwah]

I agree. Having a command line emulator front end that does not work at decent speed  on anything other than XP is a big problem.

If the bugs can't be worked out is it possible to implement some of the new features in the old version. Ie links to 'PC' games, and the layout editor?

Of course I am not happy with this problem, but atm I do not have a '98 machine to test on (actually I have found one at work, but it does not have VB on so I can't track the problem exactly yet).

I can say that I will not be adding new features to the old version (kinda defeats the object of a new version), but I will have to find some way around the problem.  

[Minwah]

Maybe you could post some more details what is going on...would make it easier to give suggestions...as i can't see how dumping the memory itself should be the problem.

Excuse my vagueness, since I have not tracked the problem exactly...I am partly basing my earlier statement on some previous experience....

The part that I *think* is causing the problem is when I clear the variable arrays containing the game info:  I use 13 arrays for various info (romname, description, year etc.).  Now when I re-generate or swap lists, I clear these arrays by doing either 'Redim romname (0)' or 'Erase romname' depending on the situation.  After these are cleared it either generates new or reads from a list (file) stuff to re-populate the arrays.

I believe (99% sure) it is the actual 'Redim blahblah (0)' that is causing the delay.  I recall hitting on this problem when writing the previous version (but it only happened when generating a list, so wasn't as noticable).  I found clearing some of the arrays with values of "" in code prior to the Redims made *some* difference.

I cannot explain why this is such a major problem in '98 and not a problem at all in XP.  Presumably due to the different way the two OS's work.

Any help would be very much appreciated, in the meantime I'll see what I can do...

[)p(]

Maybe you could post some more details what is going on...would make it easier to give suggestions...as i can't see how dumping the memory itself should be the problem.

Excuse my vagueness, since I have not tracked the problem exactly...I am partly basing my earlier statement on some previous experience....

The part that I *think* is causing the problem is when I clear the variable arrays containing the game info:  I use 13 arrays for various info (romname, description, year etc.).  Now when I re-generate or swap lists, I clear these arrays by doing either 'Redim romname (0)' or 'Erase romname' depending on the situation.  After these are cleared it either generates new or reads from a list (file) stuff to re-populate the arrays.

I believe (99% sure) it is the actual 'Redim blahblah (0)' that is causing the delay.  I recall hitting on this problem when writing the previous version (but it only happened when generating a list, so wasn't as noticable).  I found clearing some of the arrays with values of "" in code prior to the Redims made *some* difference.

I cannot explain why this is such a major problem in '98 and not a problem at all in XP.  Presumably due to the different way the two OS's work.

Any help would be very much appreciated, in the meantime I'll see what I can do...

ah multiple arrays in vb...you should definately talk to hc he is the expert when it comes to vp arrays
I don't know vb so this could be totally wrong ;-)...instead of clearing the items in the array object... why not destroy the object completely at once. And create an new array object for the new list. That is more or less how i cleanup when switching lists.

peter

[Xochi]

Anyone have ePSXe working using iso images with MAMEWAH 0.95b? I set a general option of '-loadiso' and enabled the 'show dos box' option which ePSXe seems to need... ePSXe starts but  doesn't load the image. I'm suspecting the command line order may be messed up.  Does MAMEWAH allow you to specify command line order like Game Launcher does?

I could probably fix it by running it via a script/batch file, but figured someone probably has already gotten it working since both MW and ePSXe are pretty popular.

Thanks for any tips.

[GoldenBear]

Posted this question outside this thread and it was suggested I post it here as well.  Is there anyway to control Mamewah funciton using a gamepad/joystick/etc. without mapping keystrokes to individual buttons.  

Using multiple Gravis USB Gamepad Pros, if that helps any.


GoldenBear

[anthony691]

Posted this question outside this thread and it was suggested I post it here as well.  Is there anyway to control Mamewah funciton using a gamepad/joystick/etc. without mapping keystrokes to individual buttons.  

Using multiple Gravis USB Gamepad Pros, if that helps any.


GoldenBear

I can't really understand the question... the buttons are completly cfgable... you can change the assignment of any button in MAMEWAH. I would assume it would work w/ your setup.

[GoldenBear]

Hmm...Well, when I try to configure Mamewah controls, I push enter on P1 Up, it says enter key, I push up on my gamepad and nothing.    Seems it doesn't recognize my gamepad or I can't assign Mamewah controls directly to Gamepad buttons.  

Am I missing something, or is it not possible to do what I am trying to do?  Keeping in mind that I'd like to avoid assigning keyboard keys to the buttons as a workaround.  

GoldenBear

[Minwah]

ah multiple arrays in vb...you should definately talk to hc he is the expert when it comes to vp arrays
I don't know vb so this could be totally wrong ;-)...instead of clearing the items in the array object... why not destroy the object completely at once. And create an new array object for the new list. That is more or less how i cleanup when switching lists.

Well I think that is a similar approach to what I have done...the Erase command more or less kills the array, and then I redefine it and use it again.  There are no actual objects used, only variables, so I do not think there is another way of emptying the array (except Redim).  Thanks for the reply, maybe I'll bug HC now

[Minwah]

Hmm...Well, when I try to configure Mamewah controls, I push enter on P1 Up, it says enter key, I push up on my gamepad and nothing.    Seems it doesn't recognize my gamepad or I can't assign Mamewah controls directly to Gamepad buttons.  

Am I missing something, or is it not possible to do what I am trying to do?  Keeping in mind that I'd like to avoid assigning keyboard keys to the buttons as a workaround.  

GoldenBear

Unfortunately, you cannot do this  MAMEWAH works only on keypresses.  I would be interested to add this feature, but atm I don't know how, and won't have time to do it for a while anyway.

If you're set on using MAMEWAH, you'll have to map the buttons to keys, sorry  

[Minwah]

Anyone have ePSXe working using iso images with MAMEWAH 0.95b? I set a general option of '-loadiso' and enabled the 'show dos box' option which ePSXe seems to need... ePSXe starts but  doesn't load the image. I'm suspecting the command line order may be messed up.  Does MAMEWAH allow you to specify command line order like Game Launcher does?

I could probably fix it by running it via a script/batch file, but figured someone probably has already gotten it working since both MW and ePSXe are pretty popular.

Thanks for any tips.

Have a look at the file 'debug.log' in the MAMEWAH folder (after you've tried launching ePSXe).  This will show you if the commandline order is wrong (I suspect it is too).

If the commandline should read 'epsxe -loadiso game', you could try editing the 'emu?.cfg' file in the \FILES subfolder of MAMEWAH, and change the 'Emulator Executable' to 'c:\epsxe\epsxe.exe -loadbin' (with your path of course).  It *may* work, let me know what happens

[GoldenBear]

MinWah, so chances of seeing direct joystick control are slim to nill?

Crap.

Anyone know of anyother windows frontends that allow direct joystick control?

[radiator]

did a quick search in google for an app that game map joystick axes/button to keyboard presses, and came up with this if it's any help?

 

[Minwah]

MinWah, so chances of seeing direct joystick control are slim to nill?

Crap.

Anyone know of anyother windows frontends that allow direct joystick control?

Sorry  

The main reason is I don't know how to do it.  I am sure I could find out, but atm I do not have time (I've a feeling it isn't very easy).  Also, the vast majority of people use keyboard encoders etc. so there are very few people asking for this feature.

Is there any major reason why you don't want to map the buttons to keys?  I realise it's not ideal, but I haven't tried it so I wondered if it doesn't work very well or something  

[GoldenBear]

Well, the reason I'd like to avoid mapping keystrokes to the buttons is because there is a bug, either in the gamepad software or Mamewah, where the keystroke method will work fine in the beginning.  I can select a game, play the game, and then exit all using the gamepad.

Once I exit the emulator though, I try to control mamewah again using the gamepad and it doesn't respond.  If I use the keyboard it will respond just fine though.  Also, if I push alt-tab occasionaly I can regain gamepad control but not always.  This happens regardless of what windows task switching is set too.

 

[BuZz880]

I have this problem too using controls mapped to the keyboard - or using a keyboard for that matter.  My sense is it won't be fixed by direct joystick input.  What is actually happening is the MAMEWAH "Window" is moving to the background and simply needs to be re-selected, alt-tab usually works as you have found.  Clicking the mouse may work too.  Me I usually just shoot the screen with my lightgun to fix it.  

I do not get this problem that often because I have made sure all my games are told to "close on exit" in their own executable properties.  Otherwise some of them particularly DOS based remain in the front (even though they may be minimized) thus taking control away from MAMEWAH.

What might work the rest of the time and I have been meaning to try is if you setup a shortcut to MAMEWAH and specify in its properties that you want MAMEWAH to run fullscreen perhaps that will cause it to retain foreground priority.

Regardless, the solution to your problem I think is probably more easily fixed in the O/S or in MAMEWAH itself.  

[Zakk]

I have this problem too using controls mapped to the keyboard - or using a keyboard for that matter.  My sense is it won't be fixed by direct joystick input.  What is actually happening is the MAMEWAH "Window" is moving to the background and simply needs to be re-selected, alt-tab usually works as you have found.  Clicking the mouse may work too.  Me I usually just shoot the screen with my lightgun to fix it.  

I do not get this problem that often because I have made sure all my games are told to "close on exit" in their own executable properties.  Otherwise some of them particularly DOS based remain in the front (even though they may be minimized) thus taking control away from MAMEWAH.

What might work the rest of the time and I have been meaning to try is if you setup a shortcut to MAMEWAH and specify in its properties that you want MAMEWAH to run fullscreen perhaps that will cause it to retain foreground priority.

Let me know if you get a working fix to this, I think this is the problem I have been having too.  It also seems to recognize some shortcuts or hotkeys, as sometimes in 2 player games I have been booted to desktop or to mamewah, but with the start bar visible (and have to switch back to mamewah).  

[anthony691]

The wierd thing is; that everyone has had different problems. These problems mentioned as of late don't effect me... which is really wierd...

[Minwah]

I don't seem to have any of these 'focus' problems either...from memory I did have a few similar issues while developing MAMEWAH in Win 98...I thought I'd fixed it, or it seems to be OK in XP.

Email me the emulator(s) & settings etc. you are using & I will try to fix.  Not now tho, I'm drunk