Problems Starting BigBox as Windows Shell with Ultimarc ServoSticks

[BKMACK]

I'm wrapping up a cabinet build, and am having some challenges with getting the software side completed.

I've got Ultimarc ServoSticks setup, and have them hot-keyed to F4 and F8 to switch between 4-way and 8-way.  The Ultimarc software (JoyTray.exe) is loaded at startup, and when I open and close LaunchBox or BigBox it works perfectly.  I can switch the restrictor plate easily whenver I need/want to.

Now that I have all the ROMs, emulators, etc., all loaded and working, I'm attempting to get my BigBox to start as the Windows Shell with JoyTray still running in the background (so I can still change joystick restrictor plates).  Initially, I attempted to go into BigBox, then options, and selected to start BigBox as the Windows Shell...seemed easy enough.  Prior to this, I had gone into LaunchBox and setup within the startup script to run "JoyTray.exe" when opening both LaunchBox/BigBox.

When restarting the machine, everything works as I'd hoped...except the JoyTray somehow didn't start, so I have no control over moving joysticks.  BigBox does start up and everything looks/runs great, but I really want/need the ability to change between 4-8 way.

After trying this multiple different times, I deselected the BigBox to Windows Shell, and decided to try it the older way - by using the shell:startup I had read about and watched videos of.  By cleaning the desktop off, hiding recycle bin, etc., and adding BigBox shortcut to the shell:startup, I am able to get the machine to restart into BigBox directly, with the JoyTray running...which allows me to switch as desired.  I'd be fine using this method to load into BigBox, however, when the machine startup into BigBox, the Taskbar "pops-up" and requires me to use mouse/click to get it to go into BigBox.  I'm not planning on having my keyboard and mouse accessible every time I turn on the computer, so having to use the mouse isn't a good option either.

So, bottom line, I'd like my Win 10 machine to load directly into BigBox when powered up, which makes it look/feel more like arcade cabinet.  Happy to do this either way, but need to JoyTray.exe to be "running" so I can switch within BigBox.  Any insight or advice would be appreciated.    

[AstroBob]

Hi @BKMACK, thanks for the question here. I just want to take a step back and ensure you've tried the following.

You'll want to setup 2 things:

1) In LuanchBox, go to Tools > Options > Startup Applications and add your JoyTray.exe application here

2) In Big Box, go to  Options > General and turn on the Enable Using Big Box as the Windows Shell

Apologies if these have been tried already, but I just want to know what happens when you have things configured as above. 

Keep me posted and we'll see if we can get you sorted.

Cheers,

[BKMACK]

Yes, this is how I first tried setting BigBox up to run.  It loads quickly, goes straight to BigBox, but it does not run the JoyTray.exe - which I had put into the startup script area as you described in Launchbox. 

[AstroBob]

Hiya, thanks for testing that. I realise we may be referring to the same thing, but just to be sure, I'm talking about the Startup Applications section of LaunchBox (shown below)

If that is also what you're referring to, then we'll want to figure out if other apps are able to be launched from there. Can you please test adding another application (i.e Steam) and see if that app is opened when Big Box or LaunchBox are launched? 

Cheers,

[BKMACK]

Yep, that is where I put the JoyTray.exe -- within the Launchbox application.

If I setup the JoyTray to run as a windows startup (outside of Launchbox), I can move the Joysticks using the hot-keys.  No problems.  So running in Launchbox they work.  If I run BigBox this way (after a "normal" computer startup in windows) then they work in that form as well.  

It is only when I attempt to get BigBox to run as the windows shell that they don't...which is why its so frustrating because I really want the computer to start right up into BigBox for the better arcade experience.  Not to mention I don't want to have to roll my mouse out and use it to open BigBox to run, want to just interface right with Joysticks and buttons on the cabinet.   

I don't have a Steam account - is there anything else you can think of that I could place in here to test?

[AstroBob]

Thanks for that. For now don't worry about loading JoyTray as a regular Windows startup, we want to confirm that the Startup Applications section within LaunchBox is working as intended. SojJust to clarify:

When you add JoyTray.exe to the Startup Applications section in LaunchBox, does that app open correctly when LaunchBox loads? And what about when using Big Box?

If not, we’ll need to confirm whether that section is launching any application at all. It doesn’t have to be Steam—try adding any executable file to that section. The goal is to verify whether LaunchBox and Big Box are correctly opening the specified .exe files when the applications start.

Let me know how it goes!