MAME Software Lists Import Tool - plugin 6.0.2

  On 8/14/2023 at 11:09 AM, l.strain said:

I noticed it's saying zinc!? How do I change from this? 

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When you go through the Importer steps, on the 4th page Select Emulator, from the dropdown box, select your MAME emulator.  That selection will then get saved for next time you run the plugin.

 

The error message is from not selecting the correct /hash/ folder.  On the 1st screen (Where are your MAME Software List xml file located?), click Browse and then navigate to your MAME emulators' folder and select the "hash" folder.

 

 

I have it working now, I have merged rom sets and when I load a game it just loads the arcade variant instead of a software one... Any Advice to why that is happening? and do I need to software folder I created since it uses the hash  folder?

Edited August 14, 2023 by l.strain

  On 8/14/2023 at 12:30 PM, l.strain said:

ok I thought you had to create your own software folder!? according to the instructions maybe I just misread it or do I but the shrunking file in hash folder?

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Ya, the instructions are kind of long and were originally written about 4 years ago.  In the section * MESS xml * (above), it mentions "This file needs to be located in the same folder as the plugin (..\LaunchBox\Plugins\ImportMameSoftwareLists\)".  But it looks like you maybe renamed your plugin folder to add spaces between the words.  In the end it just needs to be in the same folder as the plugin file (ImportMameSoftwareLists.dll). 

One thing I did fail to mention is that this file is not required for the plugin to work.  The [extra] file just gives you a little more information about the system you're importing.  But only the Emulation Status in MAME.  All other info comes from the files in the /hash/ folder.

 

I hope that helps.  Let me know if you get it working or have any more questions.

Yeah I had edited the last reply I have it working but my roms are in merged format and when I load the software list games it loads the arcade variant, any advice how to sort that out?

  On 8/14/2023 at 1:52 PM, l.strain said:

Yeah I had edited the last reply I have it working but my roms are in merged format and when I load the software list games it loads the arcade variant, any advice how to sort that out?

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Which computer/console did you import?

Where did you place your software list ROM folders?

Can you share screenshots of:
   Your MAME emulators Details section and the Associated Platforms section.
   (Edit the game you tried to launch) The Launching section.

Kept the games in the main mame folder I use... I imported the 32x games, I associated mess with the mame emulator 

I forgot to quote your last response but have posted the info you asked for once again thanks for the help! 

Edited August 14, 2023 by l.strain

  On 8/14/2023 at 2:21 PM, l.strain said:

I imported the 32x games, I associated mess with the mame emulator 

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To clarify, you imported the Software List (soflist) 32x (Sega 32x Cartridges) into the Platform "MESS".  And you put the softlist ROMs into the same folder the Arcade ROMs are in (H:\LaunchBox\Games\MAME\).

There are several issues I see going on here.

• 32x doesn't have the ROM vr.zip.  That's the Arcade ROM for "Virtua Racing".  32x does have the game "Virtua Racing Deluxe" and the only working ROM for it is vrdxp2.zip. (32x does have 5 other variants that are not working. But none of which are "vr.zip")
• Placing all the softlist ROMs in the same folder as the Arcade ROMs isn't going to work.  Take for example the game "After Burner".  There's an arcade ROM for that.  There's also an NES, Spectrum, MSX1, FM Towns, CPC and 32x versions of that ROM.  And the filenames are all "aburner.zip".
  • The section Software List folder/file locations: suggests how to store the ROMs.
• You won't be able to import all the softlists into one Platform ("MESS").  Each softlist requires a different Command-line Parameter.  This unique command-line parameter would show in the Associated Platforms section for the specific platform (which yours doesn't show any).
  • Well, I suppose you could. You'd just need to edit each game and under Emulation, put in the required Custom Command-line Parameter for the system that game uses.
• Your MAME Default Command-Line Parameter (Details section) is setup for the Apple IIGS Computer.  I'm kind of surprised it even launched Virtua Racing (Arcade).

Thanks for the help I'll put it on the back burner for now and maybe revisit it at a later date

  On 8/14/2023 at 5:13 PM, l.strain said:

Thanks for the help I'll put it on the back burner for now and maybe revisit it at a later date

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You're welcome. Always glad to help.

Ya, MAME's software lists can be tricky at first.  The main thing is to keep each console/computer ROMs in their own folder and then import them into their own platform.  For reasons mentioned above.  From there, it's primarily a matter of setting up their respective Command-line Parameters to get them to run.

Is there no way to bulk import all the platforms within the software list? Seems like this plugin you have to manually do each.

  On 1/27/2024 at 3:05 PM, strich said:

Is there no way to bulk import all the platforms within the software list? Seems like this plugin you have to manually do each.

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That is correct.  It's an 'import one at a time' thing.  Similar to how LaunchBox innately imports platforms.

To import over 700 platforms (approx. 135,911 games) in one-go would be a bit taxing.  

  On 1/27/2024 at 3:42 PM, JoeViking245 said:

That is correct.  It's an 'import one at a time' thing.  Similar to how LaunchBox innately imports platforms.

To import over 700 platforms (approx. 135,911 games) in one-go would be a bit taxing.  

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What would be great though is being able to at least import a subset in one go. IE provide a table to map them each to a platform.

@JoeViking245 no idea if you're still active on this plugin, but maybe you could add a filter for emulation status on this window so its more easy to pick out interesting platforms?

  On 1/27/2024 at 4:33 PM, strich said:

add a filter for emulation status on this window so its more easy to pick out interesting platforms

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Seems a reasonable request.  Though 'interesting' is subjective.  

It'd take a little doing as the Status information is in a separate file than the individual hash files.  Right now, the status is only gathered when selecting a particular hash file.  But I'm sure I can come up with something.

I will add it to my feature request list.  No promises on when I'll get to it for this 4-years, 4-months, 2-weeks and 5-day old plugin.

Its a bloody shame Launchbox haven't done this themselves at this point. But your plugin is already great, so thanks for that!

  On 1/28/2024 at 2:21 AM, strich said:

Its a bloody shame Launchbox haven't done this themselves at this point. But your plugin is already great, so thanks for that!

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Thank You.

The idea was originally proposed on a Community Poll but was nixed due to lack of interest.

Unfortunately I'm struggling to import most things with this error when I try the "nes.xml" hash file from the Software List 0.261:

(Inner Exception)

<datafile xmlns=''> was not expected.

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 13.11
Theme:   Default
Type:    System.InvalidOperationException
Site:    System.Object Read7_softwarelist()
Source:  Microsoft.GeneratedCode

   at Microsoft.Xml.Serialization.GeneratedAssembly.XmlSerializationReaderSoftwarelist.Read7_softwarelist()


(Outer Exception)

There is an error in XML document (3, 2).

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 13.11
Theme:   Default
Type:    System.InvalidOperationException
Site:    System.Object Deserialize(System.Xml.XmlReader, System.String, System.Xml.Serialization.XmlDeserializationEvents)
Source:  System.Private.Xml

   at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize(XmlReader xmlReader, String encodingStyle, XmlDeserializationEvents events)
   at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize(TextReader textReader)
   at SWL6.ViewModel.SelectHash_VM.RefreshDataGridView(String hash)
   at SWL6.View.SelectHash.AllHashFiles_SelectionChanged(Object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Controls.SelectionChangedEventArgs.InvokeEventHandler(Delegate genericHandler, Object genericTarget)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBox.OnSelectionChanged(SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.Selector.InvokeSelectionChanged(List`1 unselectedInfos, List`1 selectedInfos)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.Selector.SelectionChanger.End()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.Selector.SetSelectedHelper(Object item, FrameworkElement UI, Boolean selected)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.Selector.NotifyIsSelectedChanged(FrameworkElement container, Boolean selected, RoutedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.Selector.OnSelected(Object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBoxItem.OnSelected(RoutedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBoxItem.OnIsSelectedChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.DependencyObject.OnPropertyChanged(DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.FrameworkElement.OnPropertyChanged(DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.DependencyObject.NotifyPropertyChange(DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.DependencyObject.UpdateEffectiveValue(EntryIndex entryIndex, DependencyProperty dp, PropertyMetadata metadata, EffectiveValueEntry oldEntry, EffectiveValueEntry& newEntry, Boolean coerceWithDeferredReference, Boolean coerceWithCurrentValue, OperationType operationType)
   at System.Windows.DependencyObject.SetValueCommon(DependencyProperty dp, Object value, PropertyMetadata metadata, Boolean coerceWithDeferredReference, Boolean coerceWithCurrentValue, OperationType operationType, Boolean isInternal)
   at System.Windows.DependencyObject.SetCurrentValueInternal(DependencyProperty dp, Object value)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBox.NotifyListItemClicked(ListBoxItem item, MouseButton mouseButton)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBoxItem.HandleMouseButtonDown(MouseButton mouseButton)
   at System.Windows.Controls.ListBoxItem.OnMouseLeftButtonDown(MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseLeftButtonDownThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
   at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

Recent Log:

   11:03:04 PM Exception

 

  On 2/2/2024 at 1:04 PM, strich said:

Unfortunately I'm struggling to import most things with this error when I try the "nes.xml" hash file from the Software List 0.261:

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The 'not expected' string shown doesn't even exist in the nes.xml hash file.  Are you using the hash files that are included in you MAME installation?

For your hash folder location (1st screen), be sure you're pointing it to the /hash/ subfolder of where you have MAME 0.261 installed? 

When launching the plugin for the 1st time, it will attempt to find the correct folder.  If it doesn't show the correct folder, you need to change it by clicking Browse.  The plugin will (should) remember the last folder you had in there and put 'that' folder in there on subsequent launches. 

 

When exactly does this error appear?  i.e. Opening the plugin?  Clicking 'nes.xml' in the list on the 2nd screen?  Clicking Import on the last screen?

Can you share your log files located in the plugins' (not LaunchBox) "Logs" subfolder.  (No need to copy and paste their contents. just drag the files onto your reply to attach it.) 

Yeah I went and downloaded the latest /hash/ and it works fine - I have no idea where these xmls came from. They're in the Software List folder itself. Either way - Not your problem. Thanks mate.

Edited February 2, 2024 by strich

  On 1/27/2024 at 4:33 PM, strich said:

@JoeViking245 no idea if you're still active on this plugin, but maybe you could add a filter for emulation status on this window so its more easy to pick out interesting platforms?

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v6.0.2

New feature - Filter hash files by Overall and Emulation status
                           (Requires mess2xx.xml file.  See *MESS xml* section)
              
                          Note: Some hash files do not have any Status associated with them.
                          Check the box "Remove No Status" to remove those from the list.