MAMEWAH v0.952b Released!

[Minwah]

This is a pretty tiny update, but does fix 1 or 2 pretty annoying bugs. Here's what's new:

Bugs Fixed:

'Artwork #1 Filename to Replace with Romname' would not accept '?' wildcard (fixed),
'Emulator Executable' would not allow 'PC' to be entered (fixed),
Using no 'No Snap' image would result in the last available image being displayed (as opposed to no image) (fixed),
'Generate Custom List using Filters' options may cause MAMEWAH to crash (fixed),
Re-mapped P1 Start and P2 Start controls would not work correctly in Options menu (fixed),
Long 'Emulator Executable' paths/filenames would not work (Windows 2000) (Fixed).

Improvements:

Core changes which *may* improve speed, particularly in Windows 98,
Altered default 'List Generation Method' to 'ROM Folder vs Listinfo (M.A.M.E.)'.

Grab it at http://mamewah.mameworld.net

I've also added a FAQ (thanks Odonadon), some new screenshots, updated the links etc...

[locash]

My favorite front end is even better! Thanks!

[AlanS17]

I was looking for alternatives to MAMEWAH (which I currently use) for my new machine, but now I just may use this new version. Gracias!

[gndprx]

Awesome job!

Just out of curiousity, are you planning on fixing the refresh rate problem?  When exiting it always puts you back at 60hz which just about kills my flat panel on my normal computers.

Thx!

[Unkis17]

MinWah,

  Thanks for the update.  You keep on programming, I'll keep on playing.  BTW, when do you think you can fix the task switching?  It's starting to get annoying for different emus and causes MameWah to switch to the background and then I have to break out the keyboard to get back in...

[Minwah]

Awesome job!

Just out of curiousity, are you planning on fixing the refresh rate problem?  When exiting it always puts you back at 60hz which just about kills my flat panel on my normal computers.

Thx!

I do plan to fix it, but honestly atm I don't know how to do it.  If anyone programs VB and knows how to get / set the refresh rate in 2k / XP, I'd *really* appreciate some code!

[Minwah]

MinWah,

  Thanks for the update.  You keep on programming, I'll keep on playing.  BTW, when do you think you can fix the task switching?  It's starting to get annoying for different emus and causes MameWah to switch to the background and then I have to break out the keyboard to get back in...

What OS do you use, and what emu's do you have this problem with?  I currently do not have this problem with XP, WinMAME, ZSNES & Gens.  I seem to recall when I used '98, MAMEWAH would occasionally loose focus...

Edit:  I want to start playing now too!

[Unkis17]

MinWah,

I use Win 2k SP3.  It seems in Zinc when i launch a game, the screen flashes the dos window for the wrapper to run (which is really annoying) and the start menu bar shows up.  Plus it takes 2 presses of the ESC key to get out.  Same goes for Project 64.  Getting out is a pain in 64, it requires an ESC then I have to press an Alt-F4 (which will require some remapping of the I-PAC so no keyboard is required).  Now i get the task switching the most with PJ4 becuase some of the games if I exit too quick I'll get a graphics error and thats when i have to do some switching.  I was thinking of changing the end task time down to 2 seconds (hack prog called X-Setup, will allow you to adjust this) and then maybe it would go right back into MameWah?
  Also is the only way to switch between emu's the number 4 key?  THe I-PAC doesn't use the 4, so i will have to program some extra keys in or something.

[Minwah]

Unkis17:

OK, I use ZiNc a little, and I do remember the DOS window popping up (I'll have a look to see if that can be prevented).  I don't think it should require 2 presses of escape (I have never had this problem).

I think I used PJ64 a long time ago...does it have a Windows UI?  Is that why the Alt+F4?

Generally emulators that do not have a UI, or at least don't show the UI when launching a game from a commandline are great for use with FE's.  I have found that Windozy emulators can cause a few problems like this.  I will try and have a go with PJ64 at some point, in the meantime you could try the X-Setup prog.  Oh, and you could try to cure the 'graphics error' that occurs, which may help.

I do not know if Win2k behaves differently to XP with regard to this topic, since I have not used it for gaming/emus.  XP certainly is my preferred OS though, FWIW.

You can remap the emu-switching key to whatever you like, by going into 'Control Options' > 'Customise Controls'.

[Unkis17]

MinWah,

  The DOS screen seems to be able to be suppressed in Howards new wrapper v4.0.  It is called lauchsytle=0, but i can't get that wrapper working.  I get to launch smooth, black full screen... Drops you back to the FE.
  PJ64 is a Win GUI, but it will let you launch games from the command line, and change the setting to "Full Screen on Launch ROM," so you never see the window.  but when you Press ESC the game gets paused and the Title bar gets acctivated, then you can press the ALT-F4 to get out, or other hot keys to do whatever...

[DeathMonk]

I do plan to fix it, but honestly atm I don't know how to do it.  If anyone programs VB and knows how to get / set the refresh rate in 2k / XP, I'd *really* appreciate some code!

See if this helps:

http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=46388&lngWId=1

[Unkis17]

MinWah,

  I think I found a bug, (or maybe I did something wrong).  I went to clear a custom list the using "Clear Current Custom List" feature and it gave me a "Run Time Error '53': File Not Found" dialog box.  Then the program terminated.  When I opened up MameWah the custom list was clear?
 I am using 952b and Win2k.

[Cave]

Nice Update, this cleared up all my filter problems  thanks.

Cave.

[Minwah]

See if this helps:

http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=46388&lngWId=1

That looks like it would do the trick, thanks a lot DeathMonk.  It has probably been at least a year since I last looked, but as the guy said, it didn't seem to have been covered anywhere...

[Syxx]

thanks so much for fixing the p1 start and p2 start config, it saved me so much work.
anyways great work, hope to see more improvments although its pretty stable and
full of options already i dunno what else you could add even.

great work and thanks.

[Minwah]

thanks so much for fixing the p1 start and p2 start config, it saved me so much work.
anyways great work, hope to see more improvments although its pretty stable and
full of options already i dunno what else you could add even.

great work and thanks.

No problem  I have plenty of bugs to fix, and unfortunately I *do* keep thinking of things I'd like to add...

[DeathMonk]

That looks like it would do the trick, thanks a lot DeathMonk.  It has probably been at least a year since I last looked, but as the guy said, it didn't seem to have been covered anywhere...

No problem.  If you ever need any code help or whatever, just ask!