XPMCE Launching games from MCE - Page 4

ToniLou · **3rd June 2006, 10:20 PM**

Hi

I'm posting a small Windows .js script that automates the task of creating the .bat, .mcl and .lnk files needed to lauch mame games from "Other programs" in MCE.

The script just reads the roms folder from your mame installation and for every rom found:

* it creates the .bat file proposed by amos_32
* it creates the .mcl file proposed by amos_32
* it creates the .lnk file in "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center\Media Center Programs" to the .mcl file

To run the script, just extract the attached file anywhere to your system, setup the needed variales, and run the script by clicking on it.

You must set up accordingly to your mame installation the following variables found in the script header:

* G_gameloader_path: full path to the GameLoader.exe binary on your system
* G_gameloader_options: GameLoader command line options (-k)
* G_mame_folder_path: folder where mame is on your system
* G_mame_bin_name: mame binary on your system (mame.exe, mame32.exe)
* G_mame_options: commad-line mame options
* G_bat_folder: folder where the generated .bat files will be generated (in my system it is in the mame folder)
* G_mcl_folder: folder where the generated .mcl files will be generated (in my system it is in the mame folder)

I ran the script on my system and it works. I have about 5200 roms.

There is a big problem: the MCE2005 startup time has increased a lot. Now it takes about 30 seconds to startup up. It seems that MCE2005 does not like lots of files in "Other programs".

Toni

amos_82 · **3rd June 2006, 11:17 PM**

Looks good; although i'm a bit worried about flooding MCE with mcl files. I prefer using GameEx for accessing large amount of roms, im just trying to add all my favourite roms to MCE, takes a bit of time

So far ive got mame, n64, snes, and dreamcast games added.

It would be cool if you could add the mame flyer art to the mcl, the images are named the same as the rom itself, so it could be done.

Navigate MCE & Exit Mame with your Gamepad:
JoytoKey is an extremely light & free program which will allow you to control MCE with your gamepad, makes navigation easy, & also doesnt interfere with mame. Its well worth setting up, fantastic to use

Works by mapping keyboard keys to the gamepad.

If you have a button on the gamepad which you arent using in mame, use joytokey to set it to 'escape' which will exit mame & return to mce.

Download JoytoKey 3.79(jtk379en.zip) Free software (307 kb)

Here's my config file for browsing mce:
MCE Navigation.txt

The file needs to be renamed from .txt to .cfg (i couldnt upload a cfg file). Then it needs to be put in the same folder as joytokey, also delete any other .cfg files, to ensure the right one loads each time.

The buttons may need to be changed to suit your gamepad (currently mapped to ps2). Make sure to use the autoshoot function to copy the way mce scrolls up/down left/right, & also page up/down.

Here's a full list of mce keyboard shortcuts

If you want to hide joytokey when it launches then change the startup option from the settings tab.

Batch File stuff
If you decide to use joytokey with a batch file, then the .bat must be in the same folder as the joytokey.exe
To close Joytokey from a batch file use this:

taskkill.exe /IM JoyToKey.exe /F

If you need to change profile automatically, then use a batch file like this:

@echo off

taskkill.exe /IM JoyToKey.exe /F

start "" "C:\MCE Games\JoyToKey.exe" "Vice City.cfg"

amos_82 · **6th June 2006, 08:20 AM**

Sorry guys; i dont know what i was thinking, if you want to close mce before mame launches use this batch file:

Code:

@echo off

C:
CD "C:\Program Files\Mame32"
Mame32.exe your rom name -rompath "C:\Program Files\Mame32\roms" -triplebuffer -nowindow -joy
-artwork -artwork_directory artwork

start "" "C:\WINDOWS\GameLoader.exe" "-k" "C:\Program Files\Mame32\Mame32.exe"

scanman · **9th June 2006, 05:32 PM**

Hi GUys.
Been reading this thread for a while now with interest, but I havew a bit of a problem I'm hoping someone here can help with.
I want to basically run a screen saver from within the more programs in MCE2005. I have Serene Screens Marine Aquarium Time, which looks fantastic on the 104cm flat panel. Unfortunately, I have problems getting it to run within MCE. I have tried batch files, and game loader. I have tried setting the MCL file up to go to a link, as well as the actual screen saver file in the c:\windows\system32 directory. Nothing works properly. I say properly, because sometimes MCE gives me an error saying it can't open it up. Other times I get a raster video error and wants to switch to software rendering ( I assume the screen saver uses hardware 3d rendering).
After this the screen saver wont work unless you go into the set up again and set it back up for hardware video.
Is there anyway to force this to run using hardware video render, as MCE or windows tried to shift it to software rendering for which it wasn't made to run.

Dave

AdReNaLiN · **11th June 2006, 10:37 PM**

I too am interested in running other applications as well as games from MCE.

I'm thinking I can just define whatever application I like in place of "game.exe" to acheive what i'm after?

amos_82 · **11th June 2006, 11:36 PM**

Sure i dont see why not, just go through the usual steps, create a shortcut, link to the gamelauncher, & make the mcl.

News: I made a feature request in the GameEx forum, which has come true, Gameex can now export all of your favourite roms to the more programs section of mce - thumbnails & all

The games use the back button/green button on the remote to exit. Note for registered users only.

I'd recommend registering with gameex, it takes all the frustration & repetition out of adding loads of games to mce.

SongzStar · **12th June 2006, 11:24 PM**

How do you create a .MCL file, using notepad?.. The file still becomes game.mcl.txt...

ToniLou · **12th June 2006, 11:59 PM**

Hi

>News: I made a feature request in the GameEx forum, which has come true, Gameex >can now export all of your favourite roms to the more programs section of mce - >thumbnails & all The games use the back button/green button on the remote to exit. >Note for registered users only.

Just a word, the MCE startup time can increase a lot if there is too much information in the "More programs" section.

Toni

amos_82 · **13th June 2006, 12:01 AM**

The save type needs to be set to 'all files' see below

SongzStar · **13th June 2006, 12:47 AM**

Thanx guys.. Will make use of the GameEX as well..

amos_82 · **29th June 2006, 09:55 AM**

Just a quick word about mcl files. Should have mentioned it earlier, but better late than never.

To control what happens to music or tv which is playing when you decide to launch a game, the following line needs to be added to the mcl file after the "thumbnailimage=" line:

Code:

sharedviewport="close"

(this will close the media which was playing) Here are other values, which you can use:

Value Description
"close" The shared viewport is closed.
"pause" The media is paused.
"stop" The media is stopped.
"mute" The media is muted.

Also just a quick hello & thankyou to Nickoz for his fantastic gameloader! Still excited about having games in mce, thanks Nickoz.

Jaybird · **7th July 2006, 02:17 AM**

I am trying to install FIFA World Cup 2006 PC Game on my MCE box but the installation aborts saying that I need DirectX 9.0c. I have checked that I have it using the dcdaig command. I have also re-installed DirectX 9.0c just in case but I'm still having the same problem.

I was able to install the same game on another PC (Windows XP SP2) and it works sweet. Is there anything that I need to know? Anyone's help is much appreciated.