mess MAME/MESS Curated Autoboot Scripts: Easily Automate Complex Computer Systems Boot Sequences

[dsync89]

If you've been fuddling with complex boot sequences for various computer systems in MAME/MESS, look no further! I'm now sharing a collection of MAME-tested Lua autoboot scripts that I've personally written to seamlessly launch software for various classic computer systems that often have complex boot sequences. Say goodbye to manual boot commands and enjoy a smoother MAME launching experience!

Key features include:

• Curated & Tested: A collection of reliable Lua autoboot scripts, verified against MAME 0.278 ROM sets.
• Seamless Launching: Designed to automatically handle complex boot sequences for various computer systems.
• Modular Design: Features a autoboot_common.lua library for easy maintenance and readability, encapsulating complex timing and future expansion. No more complex coding the frame time or button sequences! Simply call the intuitive functions encapsulated in this library!
• Easy Integration: Simply download and extract to your MAME scripts folder.
• LaunchBox Friendly: My MAME Curated Softlist Importer v1.1.0 plugin can automatically configure -autoboot_script command lines for matching titles in LaunchBox."

If you're interested to run those obscure MESS system without having to execute those complex boot sequence, look no further! Currently it can autoamte 24 system softlists by the time of posting, which are selected based on some obscure or common computer systems that has most working titles. I'm open for suggestion if you have any more systems that would like to automate!

https://github.com/dsync89/mess-curated-autoboot-scripts

[launchretrogirl2562]

Nice effort. 👍👍👍
Until now I've taken my lua scripts from Bob-Z (https://github.com/Bob-Z/RandoMame/tree/main/autoboot_script)

I see you are missing a few.

For instance, the zx81 I have tested and it works. Might as well also include it on your github.
Maybe check some others and if they work, include it to get a better and more complete git repo.

All in all, very good initiative.☺️

[dsync89]

Hey there, thanks I was highly inspired by it that's for sure. Knowing about lua scripting support in MAME really does open up a lot of ideas. When I first started few days ago I didn't even know how to send a keystroke lol, after looking at your lua script (or the one in Bob-Z repo) then it gave me a lot of context.

Frankly before I did this initiative I was thinking to use AHK, but then it would make getting the cassette state or getting any machine state at all impossible.

[launchretrogirl2562]

lua scripting makes a lot of software lists/platforms more easily available for users.
in my humble opinion, lua scripting for mame trumps AHK.

I will keep following your github to watch it's progress.

Always nice to add another platform which I can just click a game and it automatically boots 😊

So, well done!!!

 

[spycat]

Hi @dsync89
I've been using the Bob-Z lua scripts all along.
I found that his vector06_flop.lua was rather basic, and he currently doesn't have one for the Orion-128 cassettes, so I tried your two.
Your vector06_flop.lua works a treat, but I'm having an issue with the orion_cass.lua.
It loads the tape ok, but for me it seems to hang during the post-load actions - see attached snap.

[spycat]

After more testing, the orion_cass.lua is not opening the loader window (B:CHANG), at least for me.
After the lua moves the Cursor Down 3 times and then presses Enter to run the СН4¤ loader, the loader window with an input (ВВОД) prompt should appear. This is the prompt that requires the key A press.
This loader window with the ВВОД box is not showing up when I use the lua.

[spycat]

@dsync89

Your camplynx_cass.lua is a very welcome one indeed.
However, I encountered some issues when I used it with both lynx48k and lynx96k.
The lua's sending to screen of LOAD and MLOAD seems to be a bit too soon for the emulator and returns errors.
I didn't care to fiddle with the lua itself, so I added an -autoboot_delay 1 to the parameters which sorted that issue for me.
Binary games using MLOAD (boot type 1 sequence) now load and open ok.
BASIC games using LOAD (boot type 2 sequence) also now load ok, but the lua's emu.keypost('RUN\n') doesn't appear to send the command to the screen. Again this may be a timing issue.
For now, typing RUN and pressing Enter at the prompt opens those games for me.
A minor issue and once again many thanks for this fine lua.

[launchretrogirl2562]

I will have a look at it spycat. See if I can improve upon it.