[Extract Naomi 2 games from MAME set]

13 hours ago, Kilroy5150 said:

It's odd, i went to that site mentioned and got this. Now, commenting on this, i like direct search engines. This engine, apparently, needs more specifics to get a simple search query with better results. Honestly, i'm not a fan of these types of sites because you have to know the right thing instead of searching for naomi to get naomi games. I'm sure there's a way to make it work but it's like mowing a lawn when you only intend to pull up a few blades of grass. I found the files i wanted via Google with much less effort and Jdownloader makes life VERY easy when you're pulling from websites.

 

That is because you have to go to Additional Filters, then put in Naomi into the Required Bios section.  You are telling it to look for games named with Naomi which is why you only got one result. 

 

[Silver Ring - ClearLogo Set]

1 hour ago, ejz372 said:

Hello. Can someone please make a Nintendo 3DS Japan silver ring logo? TIA.

Here you go:

 

[Visual pinball some tables the scores are minimized or wont stay top]

I have never quite been able to track this issue 100% and like JoeViking245 said, sometimes alt tabbing eventually fixes. But I have had some that something is obviously "pulling" the DMD back behind the main screen window. 

Option 1: there is a pup pack utility that can use to z-order the running DMD back to top (don't have to use PUP Packs, but it was designed to help with same issue there).  I have had "mixed" success with this and can be non-intuitive to setup initially.  

Option 2: This option always "works" to fix DMD not on top.  If willing to put in some minor table editing, you can fix the code in the table to embed the DMD as part of the main table display.  The main thing you lose by embedding the DMD is if you are using Freezy's DMD and/or full color mods because you are using Visual Pinball's built in DMD process versus an external DLL. The embedded VP DMD is also limited in color flexibility (4 options).  Once you figure out, the general principals apply to any table you want to embed the DMD into the desktop. Oddly, this coding is present in many tables, but the authors have tended to "undo" much of it on assumption most are not running in desktop mode (even though there is code to say "embed DMD on desktop, else turn off".  

Step 1: Open table in editor. In this case I will use the table 24 by Stern.  Click on the icon that looks like a pinball table that toggles to backglass view.  Most times, you will not find the DMD text box, or they have drug off screen.  To make one go up to "INSERT" in the menu.  Click insert "Textbox".  You can quickly place it anywhere/drag size (don't worry about placement, will fix later)

Step 2: Now make sure you click on the text box so highlighted (shows below in shot below).  You will see the "position" options at the right. I typically just use 25,25,290,84 or something similar to place DMD on upper left.  You can adjust but most DMDs are similar size once get hang to it.  

The most important item here is that at bottom right under "STATE" you will want to type "DMD" (no quotes) in the box labeled text.  Basically, that tells VP that the Textbox is to be used as a DMD.  Now you have told VP where the DMD is placed so next is to adjust some code.  If you look at tables done by JPSALAS he almost always uses the proper embed "DMD" code since he is on desktop.  So, you can use them as examples as well. 

Also, you can adjust the "brightness of the DMD by the option on the right called "Text color" .  Setting at higher than 1.0 makes brighter DMD.  Also, if want DMD to be colorized, need to click on the little box in the Text Color option and make white (most times it is "orange").  If like orange, can just leave it as is.

Sometimes just doing the above will work since the code is in the table, just the text box DMD was purposely removed. In the case of 24, most versions I have seen have the code already in it so don't have to change/add.  If run table and don't see DMD, then proceed to next step.  The code that is doing the embedding is the text below in red for 24 (click on Scroll icon on left panel to bring up script window).  

Step 3:  In the case of the table 24, all of this code is already in the table. But for others, if the block isn't present at all (do search for "DMD") then typically add near the first 100 lines of code (i.e., beginning) after you see the first set of "DIM" variables.  I would work on a duplicate of your table so in case mess stuff up can go back. Below basically says set variables for (DIM commands) then if in desktop mode display DMD, if in cabinet mode, don't display DMD. 

Dim UseColoredDMD
Dim VarHidden

If DesktopMode = True Then 'Show Desktop components
  UseColoredDMD = true
  VarHidden = 1
Else
  UseColoredDMD = False
  VarHidden = 0
End if

Sometimes have found that some tables will only work if substitute all references to UseColoredDMD variable with one of the following (in order of what found typically works):

• UseVMPDMD
• UseDMD
• UseVPMColoredDMD 

After you do the above, the DMD is fixed on the desktop and cannot be moved around but also will not move under the main window. It is part of the main screen. The other benefit is that if you use JoeViking245 video plugin for VPX that it will record the DMD as part of the video.  

[Going well so far, but got a few more questions...]

1 hour ago, Slag-O-Matic said:

There seems to be a separate process for adding ROMs to an existing console versus adding ROMs to Arcade. For console, it seems the process is to add the new ROM file(s) to the appropriate folder inside of LaunchBox\Games and then use Tools-Scan-For Added (Platform) ROMs. Theoretically this will discover the new file(s) I've added and do all the same metadata download magic as it did during my initial import of my library (Tools-Import-ROM Files). Is that an accurate assessment?

Yes, you also have the option of dragging and dropping the ROM file into LB under the platform you want to add to and it will start the process to add.  For adding a few  that works quickest/easiest.  

1 hour ago, Slag-O-Matic said:

This falls apart, however, when dealing with Arcade. The Tools-Scan-For Added (Platform) ROMs function doesn't exist for Arcade, although Tools-Scan-For Added ROMs in Any Platform does exist. That seems like an overkill function though; why would it force me to scan ALL platforms when I only need to scan Arcade? What exactly is the correct procedure for adding new ROMs to Arcade?

If have a full MAME (arcade) set and are using the "Import, MAME Arcade Full Set..." import feature, then you do not use the scan for added ROMs feature and/or remove ROMs or it will cause issues for most situations depending on the set type you have (i.e., merged, split, unmerged).  

1 hour ago, Slag-O-Matic said:

Actually, I'm a bit fuzzy on how Arcade works anyway. The process of Tools-Scan-For Added (Platform) ROMs makes sense to me; it looks at the ROMs, pulls the metadata down for those ROMs I have installed, and builds the platform that way. If my library has 10 ROMs then it pulls metadata for those 10 ROMs; if I have 100, it pulls for 100. Makes sense. But with Arcade it seems the process is reversed? As I understand it Tools-Import-MAME Arcade Full Set just pulls down the metadata for all compatible games, regardless of whether or not you have the ROM files for them, so if I used Tools-Import-MAME Arcade Full Set and had literally ZERO ROMs, would it still show me all of the compatible games and just give me errors because it can't find the ROMs?

Correct.  Full set importer is basically just pointers and really doesn't "import" anything like for non-Arcade ROMs.  The advantage is that LB does the work to know where ROMs are and understands how the MAME naming convention works so metadata is (mostly) correct.  The assumption is that you have a full set.  The set is only modified by your selections on import (i.e., region, skip casino games, etc).  If don't have or don't want a full set and only one offs then don't use the fullset import feature. But then it is up to you to know how MAME works well enough to know what ROM to import and typically you will have to "help" the metadata search in LB DB since the DB won't know how to parse the zip ROM names (looks for the actual game name in DB).   

1 hour ago, Slag-O-Matic said:

On the same page, there's also the metadata issue to consider. As I understand the process, I used Tools-Import-MAME Arcade Full Set so the metadata for all compatible games should already be present regardless of whether or not I have the ROMs. (Right?) What happens if I have a ROM that's compatible with MAME, but the metadata doesn't exist for it?

The fullset importer features uses MAME backend files created by the MAME developers, so LB "knows" what the MAME ROM names are and what MAME (per the MAMEDev group) named the game.  That is distinct/separate from the LB database.  You can tell this in that the genres that MAME uses are hyper granular compared to what is in the LB DB.  So, if the game was just added in MAME the game will still import and have a name with limited metadata even if not in the LB DB. If no one has added it in LB DB you won't get images and any additional data beyond what the MAME Developers included. 

[Multiple LaunchBox Instances]

For this the easiest I have found is using FreeFileSync and then periodically updating the other PCs from a "master".  It can mirror the setup, or you can pick and choose (which would be lengthy process first round). It has a save function so you can replicate what folders/files you want to copy.  LB is still locally installed on each of the "child" PCs (particularly the image cache) for speed purposes.  Somewhat depends on the intent of the child PCs. If they are full copies and similar capability (i.e., can run all same emulators) then relatively straight forward.  The mirror function only copies changes/updated files after initial pass.  The key is making sure all the paths and drive letters are the same on each (either for local drive or for NAS).  The "Data" folder for LB is where you have to be careful and not mirror to other child PCs beyond the initial if the child PCs have significantly different setups (or you will lose the customization on those PCs).  If using a NAS, then don't have to mirror games (but can come with speed hit if have slow network and depending on emulator).  

For example, for the "kids" setup it was a massively stripped-down version of my master setup. I mirrored over initially a LB setup from master and then on that local PC stripped out the emulators not used, deleted games, etc so only included what want.  Brute force approach, but really didn't take that long.  At that point only sync is done on the games folder and media but not the LB data folder or other emulators not used.  Rarely do I update that computer since it is mostly very small set of MAME games, and cartridge-based games (PC is too slow for CD based).  Basically, this is what you described, copy over, delete what don't want.  

Even for the cabinet, my experience is once you get that running, you REALLY don't want to mess with things that much.  I use that cabinet copy as "it works" if I mess up something on the Master (my main gaming PC).  Plus for cabinet, you usually have different setups for things than on PC (controls, screen, etc).  Again, found it easier to master over the whole thing, get it setup to cabinet specs and then setting FreeFileSync to only copy folders like media, roms, game files and not touch emulation folders and LB data side.  

 

[MFME in LaunchBox]

A search at the Internet Archive for "MFME Windows" will get you v20 which you can then use the program's updater to go to V20.1 

[your thoughts on my idea for this key mapping plugin/feature?]

You might look into the Keyb2Joypad Project (Jemy Murphy) that in essence has done similar work on database for keyboard to controller.  If you are on Discord, the ExoDOS channel has a separate section for that 3rd party APP where the author posts occasionally.  DosBox Pure has incorporated the database into code base.  See this youtube link for more info.  It might be something where you could use that existing database via plugin vs having to start from scratch. 

[Not launching some roms]

You don't say which Retroarch core you are using that are not working. Make sure you have the core(s) selected in the Tools, Manage, Emulators, Retroarch, Associated Platforms section.  

[Pc games installation location]

LB doesn't care where the files are located as long as the path is valid at time LB runs (and LB is installed on the other computers).  For example, I don't keep any games in the actual LB folder directory but on separate drive mapped with letter "G" for the very reason you mention. 

[Startup shows desktop when HLSL is enabled in MAME]

The other if the INI trick doesn't work, and sort of long shot, is to make sure you don't have a service and/or driver running called "Nahimic".  Usually comes along for ride with various sound drivers like RealTek. I have seen it cause all sort of weird oddities in emulation completely unrelated to sound.  Check your Windows service list for it and if it is there try disabling.  

[Startup shows desktop when HLSL is enabled in MAME]

I have HLSL enabled on MAME 0.244 and don't see any of the behaviors you notice in your three posts.  It is an odd result particularly if associated with toggling on HLSL. Using Asteroids Deluxe as example on 244 and HLSL I can use the pause screen, save state, exit, etc with no issue and no menu screen (assume you mean the MAME UI) pop up either.  

My only suggestion(s) would be to try a vanilla/default MAME.ini and any other sub ini's in the directory to see if there is some conflict.  The other is to make sure graphics drivers up to date. But nothing I can think of pops up that would cause those issues unless someone else can chime in with help.  

[Arcade - Vector Games]

1 hour ago, jimj said:

Thanks for creating this playlist, I didn't realize there were this many vector games.  Note these two aren't vector games, so they should be removed from this playlist:

• Meteoroids
• Space Force

The playlist should refer to this game (not sure why linked to Space Force).  The Zaccaria game called Space Fortress is indeed a vector game similar to Star Castle.  There is a "Space Fortress" with same game name and confusingly the same year and a very similar ROM name (vector = spaceftr.zip versus non-vector =spacefrt.zip) which is likely how it got confused in the playlist. 

On the Meteoroids, I suspect the list was meant to include "Meteors" which is a bootleg of Asteroids.  

Arcadeitalia.net has a useful feature where you can make custom sort (under Additional Filters) and export (under Options) the results in XML, TXT etc.  For example, based on current 244 MAME set, the attached exported text file lists all working games including prototypes and bootlegs that are a vector display type. Note at least from MAME view, romless games like Breakout are not listed in vector graphics type. 

Working Vector Games - MAME 244.txt

[Image cache question.]

Selecting the games and hitting the refresh selected images (F5, or right click and select menu option) will regen. You could also delete files within the cache folders which are located in ..\Launchbox\Images\Cache-BB  and Cache-LB  

[Please, please, please Help me to understand this.]

Everyone has their priorities on features they want to see added. Every poll, I am surprised on what makes the cut or not from user vote side.  But specific to your idea, I don't use different themes on playlists now, and most definitely wouldn't use different themes at a platform/category level...visually I think it just makes it too much.  Although I geek out on all this stuff, my experience is friends/family that might use BigBox, prefer the "keep it simple" approach. Plus, a "good" theme is already a difficult thing to pull off.  Adding in more complexity (interface/graphics wise) means someone has to spend a lot of design time to make each of those categories/platforms/playlists themes mesh without looking like a jumbled mess and/or so confusing people cannot figure out what is going on.

Ultimately, for me, it isn't that it is a stupid idea, it is just that I see a whole bunch of things I would want to see added before that.

[A Big Collection Games on LaunchBox]

40 minutes ago, marcosgaming said:

Hi guys, i would to import all my pc games on LaunchBox. 

My games are in folders. Every game it's in a different folder with game's name. 

I would create automatically a list of files txt with names folder (games name) so I can import all txt files only for scraping and later I set all this games as not installed. 

How to do this? I can pass all list names on excel but I don't know how to create a single txt file for every game. 

Please help me if you know. 

 

LB has option to use the game folder name for scraping or the rom name.  So as long as your game folders have some semblance of logical naming then should get most for purpose of DB scrape. 

[Figuring out the right kind of backup solution to use]

A 2-drive NAS will do much of what you are looking at (depending on how many TB looking at may have to go to large bay units).  I have Synology 8 Bay 1817 and 1821, but other brands like QNAP have similar features and would meet Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.  For example, Synology has normal backup process (daily, weekly etc) or you can use a mirror process where you keep an exact copy of the target drive update all the time on NAS (basically, local cloud).  Most also have a true cloud option, so for example the Synology NAS copies my critical /non-replaceable files to my OneDrive account as a mirror which is encrypted on Synology side.  NAS will typically have some RAID features, but that isn't a "backup" solution, and only deals with a drive on the array dying and giving you potential to replace.  Synology offers a compression option, but don't see it gaining that much space wise and then there is speed hit  (similar to Windows driver compression options). 

As for 6, I keep my NAS on 24/7, mostly because run Plex and not so much from the game aspect.  You can set it to spool down the drives and go into low power mode.  It does have Wake On Lan but my experience (back to ReadyNAS days) was that was more bother than worth and takes a bit of time for NAS to wakeup, boot OS, check drives, etc.  Just having the NAS send the drives to sleep mode is your biggest power buck anyway.  Wear and tear is somewhat irrelevant in my mind if you are getting high quality NAS drives like Seagate IronWolf or WD Red drives.  They will run for years on end 24/7 with no issues.....just make sure you have a UPS if doing 24/7.  

I have True Image that use to back up my C:Drive on my main PC to NAS but have never been 100% thrilled with it.  They put their files in their own compressed format (tibx).  The reality is I could use the NAS applet to do the C:Drive backup, but "it works" and just haven't messed with it.  In theory, the True Image software should be a bit better than NAS applet backup solution on the restore end of things.  But I have found True Image can be problematic on some motherboard/driver combos if doing a full restore of your C:drive.  You are also basically on a subscription model if want bug fixes/features beyond 1 year (still works, just major bug fixes only).

I still use "simple" approaches to a couple things though. For example, I have a cheap Costco WD external USB drive that I occasionally use FreeFileSync to mirror a copy of my 8 TB Games drive. I only use that USB drive for backup.  I use this as a "I just screwed up my emulation games setup somehow".  It has saved me on occasion, particularly with Retroarch or I used a batch file that went haywire.  That is the issue with a mirror of target drive solution, if do something bad then will replicate back to your "backup".  In my experience it is this issue (deleting something accidently, making major mod that shouldn't have) that happens most often versus "drive dies".  

There are also homebrew NAS solutions like Unraid and TrueNAS. But ultimately, for any NAS, the drives are the big expense.  

 

[The LaunchBox 2022 Community Poll]

25 minutes ago, Tommy1981 said:

Is there a way to scrape images from google for the ones the import wizard misses? There use to be a plug-in for this but I don’t see it anymore. It would be great to be able to scrape “best matched” images from the database too. Maybe match as many words in the title as possible to the images in the databases with the most matched words at the top of the list and the least matched at the bottom of the list. 
 

if you could do videos this way too, it would be awesome.

 

There is already a video plugin that does just that:

 

[Problem with latest tutorial by ETA PRIME for Philips-CDi]

By default, that is the CDi behavior to stop at that launch screen and MAME is just emulating that behavior (RA just uses stripped MAME core).  You can map controller pad/stick to move the mouse and click the button as one option (and easiest). 

In the settings button, the next screen has the option "Auto FTS" which is the option to auto play a music CD (auto favorite track select) but doesn't do anything for non-audio CDi discs. Plus, MAME doesn't seem to save the setting anyway. 

You might be able to use the MAME -autoboot command to send the keyboard mouse click command (or an AHK in LB), but the issue ultimately is the cursor has to be over the play button for that work.  

Another option is to use save states post that launch screen and have MAME load that up.  

[Mame games wont play]

5 hours ago, Browser Hound said:

I downloaded a full set from what was regarded as a trusted archive. Also, the wizard gave me three options: Move the files into the Launchbox directory: Copy the files into the Launchbox directory or Leave the files in their current directory and run them from there. I tried both "Copy" and "move" niether of which worked. I checked the "Arcade" folder and all the files were present in that folder.

I have had zero experience with Mame so I do not have the skill or knowledge with it, and I am afraid I might screw it up as I don't know the different file extensions and not sure if I have a rom or a bios file and I don't understand the me

nus. I have downloaded Mame again and installed a copy of it on another drive, so I can play with it and not touch the Mame that is used by Launchbox. 

The suggestion from Launchbox and YouTubers like ETA Prime, is that when using the wizard it should not be this difficult. Also I have redownloaded the rom set and a different but smaller rom set and none of these work either.

You appear to be mixing import types.  If you have a full rom set for MAME you use the MAME Arcade Full set importer option.  It will then ask you for the platform name your arcade setup (typically Arcade but can be others depending on what you named platform), then it will ask for location/folder of your ROM set and ROM set version.  Once you point it there, then LB will do what it needs to do.  For the full set ROM importer it doesn't actually move/copy any ROM files, just sets up pointers inside LB based on your option responses.  

If you had things moved around from your prior try, make sure you revert back to the ROMs in the folders as they were downloaded from the original archive (i.e., folder then a bunch of zips containing the MAME roms). 

[Launchbox not starting.]

3 hours ago, srabadan said:

I finally have some time to work on this tonight.

I have the updates folder open and I am looking at a .exe from the day my install got corrupted. I should run this and have it install into the existing folder? 

From there it will overwrite ONLY the corrupted files leaving my games, themes and everything else untouched? That sounds too good to be true.

I copying the corrupted install to make a backup of the game folder just in case something goes wrong. I think I would have to jump off a bridge if I had to reconfigure this thing again.

As I said, if you re-run the installer it will not touch the games, themes folders other than reinstalling the files LB needs to run for whatever version you are launching from the updates folder.  Also LB keeps backups of the XML files (its settings, data, configuration) in the Launchbox\Backups folder.  Go to Tools, File Management, and Data Backup and you can force a backup before you do anything.  

[Daphne Dragon's lair]

1 minute ago, DarthWHAT said:

Thank you again! I got it figured out. First I removed the daphne.exe from the command line and I also didn't have the dle21 folder in the vldp as the log mentioned that. All square now, really appreciate you help!

Daphne is a bit of dark art with the ROMs/Video files, etc, so glad you got it squared. 

[Daphne Dragon's lair]

@DarthWHATYour command isn't correct relative to what LB is passing to Daphne, so gagging.  Look at your Daphne log it indicates for clues.  For most setups, you are not going to be able to put that string direct into custom command line in LB.

You don't show the Daphne emulator settings/details along with what the command is in the "Launching" entry, so hard to tell.  But when you use a custom command line, then LB sends that command PLUS whatever settings you have in your Daphne emulator setup and in the Launching line (the pointer to the "ROM" file).  So, if your Daphne emulator was setup to point to a batch file then LB is still sending that plus trying to jam the custom command line so Daphne.exe is seeing gibberish. 

So, look your emulator setup. Look at what the game is pointing to for ROM as start point.  

 

Edit: also looking at that command line looks like the "normal" DL and not the enhanced at least as far as what I have seen for VLDP naming for enhanced files (but no standard either).  You could double check by opening a DOS command window and going to your Daphne.exe folder and pasting in that command line and seeing if it launches what you want.  

[Daphne Dragon's lair]

2 hours ago, DarthWHAT said:

Anyone know how to get the DLE2 to work thru launchbox? I have it selected as the one to load in the daphne emulator and it works fine when I load it thru the emulator alone. But when i launch thru launchbox it plays the old one and not the DLE2 version.

The Daphne emulator is command line input.  So I assume when you say "load in Daphne emulator" you are really speaking about the Daphne Loader.  The Daphne Loader is just that, a front end to create a command string that then runs in background and points to the Daphne.exe.  That the game runs via the loader means you have all the files needed.  However, if running wrong file in LB it then means your command or batch file used in LB isn't correct.  What you set/do in the Daphne Loader does not make corresponding updates to anything LB sees. 

However, you can use the loader to help troubleshoot what the command line/batch file should look like and adapt accordingly in LB.  To do that you can open up the Daphne Loader and click on the Configure Button.  Then Advanced, and change the drop down box "Display Command Line" to "Enabled".  Then select the game you want and start.  Before it runs, it will pop up the command line the Daphne Loader is using to run the game to help you generate the appropriate string within LB (or to add to your batch file).  

 

[Launchbox not starting.]

LB keeps copies of installer files in the ...\LaunchBox\Updates folder so you can rerun the installer from there as well as try an older version if think that is the issue.  It will over write and/or update any files that were missing/corrupted but doesn't touch your games, images, and metadata folders (i.e., your specific setup). 

It does sound to me like an antivirus issue if you double click and then nothing happens.  Some AVs would trigger due to the way more recent versions of LB running from the ..\\Launchbox\Core folder (symlinks).  So I would make sure the LB folder is excluded from your antivirus before rerunning the installer.  

[Silver Ring - ClearLogo Set]

On 4/26/2022 at 5:11 PM, ejz372 said:

@sundogak Hello. Whenever you have time, can you please change the attached files to silver logo? Also, if you have N64 Hacked logo, please let me know. TIA.

Had some time today.  This should be all the Unified and Unified Fried genre logos plus a few alts: