[Retroarch randomly no longer recognises start, select or analogue inputs]

Any chance you have Steam running in the background?

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

4 hours ago, LtMetal said:

Thanks for replying Joe, I have double checked and confirm shutdown was and remains unchecked. The game closes fine but PCS2X stays open over BigBox. I'd love to hear any other suggestions you or anyone else may have. Not sure if I can map my controller to ALT+F4 but even force focus BigBox dosnt work. Everything halts as PCS2X just waits to be shut down manually.

If you're using a recent version of PCSX2, specifically QT (recommended), in your Default Command-line parameters (when you edit the emulator in LaunchBox) put 

-nogui

"Old" PCSX2 would have you put "--batch" (I believe that's what it was).  Also, to have it start in full screen, you can either open PCSX2 emulator and check the box for fullscreen, or add "-fullscreen" (old way was "--fullscreen" (2 dashes) [both without quotes]) to the command-line parameters.  (sorry. I had forgot about the -nogui part)

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

9 hours ago, LtMetal said:

when I exit to game selection PCS2X comes up and makes me use my mouse to close it.

Better than using a script.... verify that you don't have Confirm Shutdown checked.

[Two doubts about config (scripts and media)]

3 hours ago, SonGokuu said:

Is it possible to set the Script for exiting a single non emulated PC game?

It's recommended to always use the Exit selection from within the PC games menu for exiting these types of games.  This is to ensure a proper shutdown of the game.

That said, if the games executable starts the game directly (vs being a 'launcher' app that then loads the game), it may be possible to save your above script to an .ahk file (MyScript.ahk) and then set that as an Additional Application for the PC game and have it Automatically Run Before Main Application.

 

3 hours ago, SonGokuu said:

Is there any way to set a box front as main? Because several games have two or more different covers for the same region (limited/collectors edition, Platinum/the Best edition, standard edition....) and Launchbox changes between them randomly.

No.  The only way to dedicate a single image type (i.e. Box-Front) to a game is to remove the other images of that type for that game.  Otherwise, you get to cool effect of having that image type alternate through the other images [of that type].

[Unable to exit emulators from BigBox using controller mappings]

Did you set up the Controller Mapping in BigBox itself for Close Active Window?  LB and BB controller mappings are set independently from each other.  You can use the same button combo. Just need to map them in each program separately.

[Additional Apps Variables]

1 hour ago, Dexll said:

The whole point of this exercize is for the batch file to fetch it before it launches.

But the batch file needs some information 1st to make it dynamic (aka universal to many ROMs). 

The games ROM (.exe in your initial testing) doesn't need to physically be there.  But the game does need to point to where it's going to be.

i.e.  game.exe is going to be downloaded (copied) to d:\no\where\in\particular\

Then, launching the game with the [batch file] Emulator (like the one I posted earlier), 2 parameters get passed to the batch file.

The 1st one is the %romlocation% parameter and the 2nd one is the full path to the ROM file (or .exe in your case).

 

Now, that batch file can look for GamesSource.txt in the romlocation's parent directory (extrapolated in the 1st FOR statement).  blah blah blah and so on.

You can adjust your games Launching File Location so that it looks for GamesSource.txt in the appropriate parent folder.  And if all your game's download info is coming from the .txt file, you'll still need a fake "game.exe" in the Launching path for the above batch file (as written) to work correctly.  You can always adjust the Location path and/or batch file contents accordingly.

 

 

My Dummy.bat file (emulator) that gave the above output when launching "game.exe" looks like

@echo off
set path=%1
set fullRom=%2

echo.
echo RomLoaction: %path%
echo.
echo FullPathToRom: %fullRom%
echo.
echo.
echo The End
pause

 

[Additional Apps Variables]

What ROM are you passing to the Emulator (batch file)?  The ROM shouldn't have changed any.  Thus it exists.  Just the Emulator you're passing the ROM to changed.  

I did forget to mention (remind you) to associate the new emulator to the platform.  You can set it as default, or leave that unchecked and right click the game and choose Launch With, then select the original emulator or the new one.

This [has and] will work.  If it's still causing issues, share screen shots of your new Emulators Details section and the Associated Platforms section.  Then also, the game you're trying to launch, its Launching section and Emulation section.

[Additional Apps Variables]

10 minutes ago, Dexll said:

Not sure on the less-than sign thing.  I'll give it a go without it. 

Well, if it ain't broke, don't "fix" it.   It may very well be valid.  I've just never seen it in a set parameter.  Though I've never used /p in there either. So may be a part of that?  

[Additional Apps Variables]

1 hour ago, Dexll said:

Any way to make it actually wait for exit?

Yes.  Get your stuff to process in less that 40 seconds.   Didn't realize there was a 40-second 'safety net' for Additional Apps.  But makes good sense.  Well, except for your unique circumstance.

I think this puts you back to creating a new emulator.  You wouldn't have to use cmd.exe.  Just point to the batch file.

But you would have to create one for each emulator you need to do this 'download' process for.

 

This might work for something like PCSX2.. and you can put this batch file anywhere.  It doesn't rely on where it is located.  Not tested but looks good in print.  

Note: parameter %1 and %2 both include quotes.  You'll see where I removed them at the beginning for %1 (path).  And on the last line, did not put quotes around the path to Rom because %2 (fullPathToRom) already includes them.

May need to modify eof to either start the game or just completely exit the script.

oh... where you set the GameSource, is that less-than symbol supposed to be there?    set /p GameSource=<"%parent%\GamesSource.txt"

@echo off
set path=%1
set fullPathToRom=%2

rem remove quotes
set path=%path:"=%

if exist "%path%\CopyComplete.txt" (
    goto eof
) 

FOR %%A IN ("%path%\..") DO SET "parent=%%~fA"

if exist "%parent%GamesSource.txt" (
    set /p GameSource=<"%parent%\GamesSource.txt"
) else (
    cls
    echo %parent%GamesSource.txt does not exist.
    echo This file must exist at the root of games directory.
    echo It must contain the path where the games are stored on your network.
    echo The path must end with a \.
    pause
    Goto eof
)

for /f "delims=" %%A in ('cd') do (
    set FolderName=%%~nxA
)

if exist "%GameSource%%FolderName%" (
    robocopy "%GameSource%%FolderName%" "%~dp0." /e
    echo Copy Completed. > "%~dp0.\CopyComplete.txt"
    echo Game Launching...

) else (
    cls
    echo The directory "%GameSource%%FolderName%" does not exist.
    echo If the path above is not correct, check %parent%GamesSource.txt.
    echo This file must exist at the root of games directory.
    echo It must contain the path where the games are stored on your network.
    echo The path must end with a \.
    pause
)

:eof
start "" /w "D:\LaunchBox\Emulators\pcsx2.exe" %fullPathToRom%

 

[How do I see my xbox one controller that is paired to my Windows PC?]

Hi @dummy-account. Welcome to the forums.

What controller issues specifically are you experiencing?  Do note that LaunchBox does not configure nor adjust controllers in and for the emulators themselves.  That is completely independent of controller configuration for navigating within LaunchBox.

To answer @roofamilyh's question, yes, a Premium account is required to be able to navigate LaunchBox with a controller.  But this has no effect on using a controller within an emulator.  The caveat to the latter is with Steam when you have its' UI set controller configurations.  So I've heard as I've never set them in Steam itself.  Steam games, ya. Steam UI, no.

[Additional Apps Variables]

8 hours ago, Dexll said:

The problem I am having is passing the game directory location to the "Application Command-Line Parameters" section.  Is it possible?

In short, no.  You can't pass variables to Additional Apps.

 

One possible solution is to create a new emulator in LaunchBox that points to a batch file.  Use this emulator as the default.

The Application Path for your emulator would point to this .bat file.

The Default Command-Line Parameters could/would be 

%romlocation%

This will send to the batch file parameter %1 = "C:\Path\To\Rom\" (aka %PathToGame%).   Parameter %2 will depend on the boxes you check (or don't check).  Remove quotes and also Remove file extension and folder path.  But you'll probably want to at least keep Remove Quotes un-checked.  %2 will be the ROM_file.  Either "full\path\to\ROM_file.ext" or "ROM_file" (without the path and file extension).

In the batch file, start the ps1 script using a /w for "wait for exit" and use %1 in its parameters.

set PathToGame=%1
set ROM=%2
start "" /w "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -file "%PathToGame%/Get-Game.ps1"

On the next line, start the actual emulator with any of its parameters and %2 (actually %ROM%) for the ROM.  You should use /w here as well so the games Shutdown Screen will work correctly and also if you want to remove the downloaded game after it exits [on another line].

 

Or if, unlike me, you're PowerShell savvy, you can do all this in a single ps1 script rather than a batch file calling a ps1 script.  

 

If you do go this route, to make the scripts 'less visible' when executed... for the batch file, create a shortcut to it, right click the shortcut, select Properties, next to "Run", choose "Minimized" and click OK to save. Then point to the shortcut in LaunchBox.  For PowerShell, right before "-file", add in "-WindowStyle hidden" (without quotes).

[Mame display on both screen in game]

Look for and delete:  Path_to_your_emulator/MAME/ini/ptblank.ini

Or it may be in MAME's root folder:  Path_to_your_emulator/MAME/ptblank.ini 

If you're not using the parent ROM, look for ptblanka.ini 

 

Edit:  Just reread that you said it was mirrored.  In that case look for and delete  Path_to_your_emulator/MAME/cfg/ptblank.cfg

[EmuMovies Not showing Videos for Metadata]

12 hours ago, viajante said:

I have exactly same issue and same screen here. Where can I place my arcade videos to run on Launchbox ? Just a printscreen from folders structure where it is located I think is enough. 

If you have your own videos and assuming they're properly named (either same name as the games Title [in LaunchBox] or same name as the ROM [minus extension], you can place them in /LaunchBox/Videos/name_of_platform/.

If your platform is named "Arcade" and LaunchBox is located on your G drive, you'd put them in G:\LaunchBox\Videos\Arcade\.

That would be for [regular] game play videos.  If they're Theme videos, place them in G:\LaunchBox\Videos\Arcade\Theme\.

[How do I download game video snaps?]

7 minutes ago, viajante said:

What else I need to enable Metadata video options for download ?

"For clarification you will need a Emumovies subscription to download videos, as well as a LaunchBox one."

Once you have that and set it up in LaunchBox (Tools, Options, Integrations, EmuMovies), when you click Next [in your screenshot above], you'll see the options to select images, manuals, music and videos from EmuMovies.  Keep in mind, all those are not available for all games.

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

4 hours ago, Cnells2000 said:

Using The MelonDS Emulator and i can't for the life of me get it to go in fullscreen

Needs a SetKeyDelay.  Also, instead of guessing how long to pause for, simply wait for the executables window to become active.

WinWaitActive ahk_exe melonDS.exe
SetKeyDelay, -1, 110
Send, {F11}

 

 

A year and a half ago I had it in a loop waiting until the window is active.  This way (above) does the same thing, but a lot cleaner.  

 

[Technosys Aamber Pegasus roms wont launch on LB]

1 hour ago, JuanFrancisco said:

No luck.  I was able to use video to capture the screen that pops up briefly. 

Try checking the 2 boxes: Remove quotes and Remove file extension... 

[Technosys Aamber Pegasus roms wont launch on LB]

10 hours ago, JuanFrancisco said:

Sorry, one other important note. It does launch through Mame 0.253 independently of launch box. 

Copy/Move/Whatever "pegasus.zip" into the same folder as your pegasus_cart ROMs are located.  Edit your MAME emulator in LaunchBox and in the Associated Platforms section, for your Pegasus Platform set the Default Command-line Parameters to

pegasus -rompath %romlocation%

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

5 hours ago, MCF said:

Could this be failing becuase I configured SNES9X to be fullscreen by default?

Just tried fullscreen. Still worked here (sending "7").

 

Are you using v1.62.3?  You may try a [temp] fresh install of SNES9x.  Create a new folder next to the original install (/Emulators/SNES9xTEMP/).  Open "snes9x-1.62.3-win32-x64.zip" (that's the one I downloaded) with 7-Zip and drag/drop the files into the new TEMP folder.  Use 7-Zip so you don't have to mess with un-blocking any of the files.  Start it once and close (in case it needs to create any files on 1st run).  Don't change any settings at this point.  In LB, edit the emulator and change the app path to "snes9x-x64.exe" that's in the new temp folder.

I tried it with and without "-port1 mouse1" in the default command-line and both ways worked to send 7.  

I never tested actual playing with a mouse (because that would be weird  ).  But at game startup, the screen text would appear briefly.

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

18 minutes ago, MCF said:

Unfortunately the suggested AHK did not work

Download and tested a game and the following worked for me.

WinWaitActive ahk_exe snes9x-x64.exe
send 7

 

This assumes your executable is "snes9x-x64.exe".  Didn't need the key delay (which some emulators do. i.e. MAME) and the WInWaitACtive alleviates any guessing games for the Sleep timer.  Be sure it's above any escape sequence.

If that still doesn't work for you, then there's something else wonky going on.  It'd also mean it's time to move to BigBox and a proper controller.  

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

1 hour ago, MCF said:

Not sure if this was posted, but I couldn't find this in this topic

I am having problems enabling mouse in SNES9X

I have -port1 mouse1 added as a parameter to the emulator, but I find that it still requires my pressing 7 to actually enable it in SNES9X

I tried the following AHKs in the Running Scripts section, to no avail

• SendInput {vk47}

• Send, 7

• Send 7

• Send {7}

• SendInput, {7}

• SendInput, {Raw}7

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I've never used SNES9x.  Does the Use Mouse not work?

 

Regardless, if you find you still need to press 7 to switch controllers, you may try adding a SetKeyDelay.  You'll also need to add a delay/pause/wait because the running script executes right away.  You want to wait a little for the emulator to actually be running before "pressing 7".

Sleep, 5000
SetKeyDelay, 125, 50
Send, 7

"5000" = 5 seconds.  Adjust accordingly depending on how long it takes for the emulator to be fully loaded.

[Is there a way to make the full titles of games (and region info) show in LaunchBox?]

2 hours ago, FamShoppa said:

I'm using the 'Big Details' theme in LaunchBox

These things are going to be Theme dependent.  You may want to check/ask on that particular themes' Get Support page.

 

[What's a good way to Identify in Bulk Games with no Box Art?]

2 options:

1. On the left sidebar, select Games Missing Media.  Then click Games missing Boxes.
2. Select Tools, Audit and then select All games.
   • To select a single platform, on the left side bar, select Platforms, click the platform you want to audit, then select Tools, Audit and click that platform.

 

1 hour ago, MiamiLamiW said:

And is there a quick way to correct the names it searches for in the Box Art database in bulk rather than doing and fixing it one at a time?

The image files are associated to the games Title or ROM name.  You can't really change that.  When you import images from the LaunchBox database (when initially importing games, using the bulk media updater or while editing an individual game), LaunchBox will save them using the games Title.  

[LB & MAME Games Size!]

23 minutes ago, RetroExecutioner said:

I am using a merged set

Two years ago you had a non-merged set.  The method I suggested won't work with a merged set without 'breaking' some (or a lot) of the games. 

Merged sets never made sense to me, so I've never messed with them.

[Second monitor for marquee on LB - NOT Big Box]

Search the forums for "multi monitor" and also "thirdscreen".  Both searches (including quotes) will give you at least 2 options.

[Hot Wheels King of the Road : Gas Button]

Maybe it wants the Number Pad "down arrow" (as in you'd turn the NumLock off) instead of the Number Pad "2".

Numpad2 will send "2" (as detected from the number pad).

NumpadDown will send the "down arrow" (as detected from the number pad).  Try this one.