Trackball & spinner configuration in MAME

[Hoakypoaky]

So I'm learning how to setup the controls in MAME for my arcade cabinet, specifically for games like Crystal Castles, Tempest, Tron, etc that use the trackball & spinner.   I'm using an xtension control panel, with 2 usb connections, one is for the sticks/buttons & the other is for the trackball/spinner.

The problem is that the trackball & spinner only move the mouse cursor on the screen.  They have no control effect in game.  

I'm running Retroarch 1.6.3 and I can see all the possible input configuration options.   I'm not sure what options to change though (paddle analog, track x & Y analog, etc, mouse x & y analog???).   Or perhaps there is something else I need to do?    Default mouse settings are N/A.   Is that the issue?

Stumped right now....

 

 

[Hoakypoaky]

No help guys??  Could really use some.  Not really understanding what I'm researching.  

Ive read I should change mouse setting from 0 to 1 in my INI file, but I can't located that in my retroarch folders.  Ive also read there is no INI file for Retroarch MAME 0.188 core, so I'm not sure how to add a second mouse.   

Ive looked into the Retroarch Input User Binds, and see that there is a setting for "mouse index" that is set to 0 by default. But that can be changed to any number, and I tried 1 and nothing happened. 

And of course I went into a game's individual controller settings (golden tee) while playing, and tried to set the Track X analog & Track Y analog inputs using the trackball, but again, the trackball & spinner just move the mouse cursor around the the screen. 

Help is greatly appreciated:)

Edited August 27, 2017 by Hoakypoaky
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[Hoakypoaky]

This is the only INI file in the system/MAME/ini folder, and I see no line that I change mouse from 0 to 1

[DOS76]

you need to change it in a file named MAME.ini it is usually located in the root MAME folder. So in RA it would be located in system\MAME. experimenting I found that you can open a game in RA MAME core and then hit escape it will take me to the MAME built in UI.  This works for me because for I have RA set up to use hot keys and I need to hit shift+escape to exit the emulator if yours isn't configured this way I suspect hitting escape will exit the emulator and not enter the menu but that is purely speculation. From the UI you hit tab and then go to configure options from there go to device mapping after changing a bunch of those to mouse you can go to previous menu and then go to save configuration but here is the weird part I can't get the save to stick every time I reopen the emulator the options I messed with revert back like I never changed them. While RA is pretty straight forward for the most basic arcade stuff I would suggest using stand alone for these types of games with special controls I think you will find that MAME is much more manipulable then using RA for this.

[Hoakypoaky]

Hmmm

well you are correct, when I hit esc RA will close.   So how do I get to the UI?  I'm assuming you mean User Interface.  You're also saying the changes won't stick, so am I correct in assuming that the trackball/spinner issue is related to RA.  

So on these trackball & spinner games, you're saying use the standalone MAME Emulator.  I guess I can do that, as I have it downloaded, but I'm unfamiliar with it.  How would you change trackball/spinner settings in standalone?

first I'd have to RT click on game in launchbox, then edit, then under emulation tab change to MAME64?  That's what Ive done & it won't launch.  

And how come there is no mouse 0/1 line in the Retroarch INI file that is in the settings folder? 

Sorry im a slow learner at this stuff.  

 

[Hoakypoaky]

Wait first I'd have to go to tools, manage emulators, then add to setup the standalone MAME64 Emulator.   Under the associated platforms tab, do I have to enter a default line parameter?  Like -L "mame.libretro.dll" ???

im very worried I'm going to change the Emulator settings for all MAME game to standalone and screw up and the configurations I've done in game already.  

[Hoakypoaky]

Well this is a mess.  I have no idea what I'm doing.  I don't know how to setup the standalone MAME Emulator.  Can't find the Roms to launch a game.

[DOS76]

Open MAME without a game and go to configure options > configure directories and point the program to your roms folder when you done with that save the config and your games should work.

[Hoakypoaky]

Ah ok.  Got it.  So where are the trackball & spinner settings?  

[Hoakypoaky]

Unrelated side question:  I was having trouble running games requiring CHD files.   I have the split roms & merged chds in separate folders.  Where should I put the chds?  In the split rom folder?

[Hoakypoaky]

I see device mapping under the configure options.   I see all the devices are set to keyboard, except for mouse, which is set to mouse.

so if I change trackball & paddle to mouse, will that solve it?   How will it determine between my actual mouse & the trackball?  

[Hoakypoaky]

I'm sorry for hitting you with all these questions, but it worked! 

Thank you

i was able to change the devices to mouse, loaded up crystal castles & the trackball worked.  Even figured out how to adjust the sensitivity settings.   The game image is zoomed a bit compared to Retroarch, so I'll have to look into display settings. 

However my mind was just blown!  I set the highscore on Crystal Castles, then closed everything & restarted computer to verify.   When I relaunched, I noticed my high score for Crystal Castles was saved!   So does The standalone MAME Emulator save high scores for all games?!?!?   I will be so happy if this is true.  

[DOS76]

the folders for the chds by default go in the rom folder with the roms but using the configure directories option you can actually put them anywhere as long as you tell MAME where that is.