Category Archives: Computer

Arcade, Arcade Troubleshooting, Computer, Computer - Windows

Arcade Troubleshooting

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This is a bit on how to troubleshoot issues that you may be having with a Tankstick, by Recroommasters.  It’s a cool joystick/button assembly that will help you to relive a true arcade experience, whether you have the external hard drive, the stand alone console, or arcade cabinet installation of my arcade box. It can be purchased HERE.  😉

First thing to ask is it a button or joystick problem?  If it’s a joystick ‘hanging’ problem, do you have a ‘rom’.ini file in the ini subdirectory for that particular game, addressing the 4 way versus 8 way joystick issue?  So, the first thing to do might be to insure that the tankstick is working properly.

The tankstick basically just emulates a keyboard, so you should be able to just open a blank text file and test button by button, and joystick by joystick to ensure that they ‘type’ the right character.  However, some emulate special keys like ESC, so the diagnostic program might be in order.  You can get it HERE.  No matter which of the three versions of my arcade box you have, in order to run it, you will need the Java Runtime Environment installed.  Download it HERE.  If you are using the external hard drive version, it may already be installed, so you should check.

In checking out your tankstick, you may find that one or more joystick micro switches are not as sensitive as the rest.  So, you may power everything down, turn it upside down, and unscrew the bottom. (The rubber feet do NOT have to be removed, but the little rubber caps on the feet do. Then, when open, adjust the micro switches as the picture on the right. The proper method is to hold the switch closed, and SLIGHTLY bend the arm, in the direction of the arrow, depending on if you want more or less sensitivity.  Don’t worry, this is sanctioned by the manufacturer, and will not void the lifetime warranty.

Also, if a micro switch is bad, there should be spares inside the tankstick.

You shouldn’t need to take your joystick apart, but in case you do, here’s an exploded view on the left.  It also shows you the 4-way/8-way adapter that you reverse if you wish to make them permanent 4-way joysticks. With a little creativity, this would be useful.  You could leave the two center joysticks as 8-way for games like Robotron, and make the two outside joysticks 4-way. However, then with 4-way games, you would have to set MAME to use those as player one/two.  I still prefer my rom.ini file mapping solution.  😉

Now, that you are happy your tankstick is working properly, it’s time to turn our attention to MAME.  As I mentioned before, if it’s a joystick ‘hanging’ issue, make sure you have an .ini file in the G:\MAME\ini\ directory.  The name HAS to match exactly to the name of the rom that you are playing.  If unsure how to accomplish this, you can reach out to me.

The next thing to try is to use the updated X-Arcade controller configuration.  This file is located in the G:\MAME\ctrlr\ directory, and the outdated file is called xarcade.cfg and is from 2007.  There never really was a need to enable this, since the xarcade emulates a keyboard, but using the updated configuration from 2017 might be in order.  You can download the updated file HERE.  Just unzip it, and put X-Arcade.cfg in the directory above.  Then, you have to enable it.  Open the following file G:\MAME\mame.ini file (NOT directory, Jrod, LOL) by right clicking it and selecting EDIT.  Then, look for the section in the pic on the right, and you will make the ctrlr line read just like the example.  Remember, if it seems to make things worse, just blank that line back out.  I recommend copying your mame.ini file somewhere, so you have a backup.  Desktop might be a good place.

Another nice MAME thing to know is how to change your button and joystick mapping.  You can either do that globally, or per game.  I recommend staying away from global changes until you get comfortable. First thing to do is load a game and hit the <TAB> key.  This will bring up the menu on the left.  Cursor down to Input (This Machine) and press ENTER.  Then, the menu on the right will appear.  You will notice the in this example, there is only one joystick.  That is because on my test console, I only have one USB joystick attached.  I RECOMMEND TAKING A PICTURE OF YOUR SETTINGS, SO YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK.  Easy to forget. So, the way you change the P1 UP line is as follows:

To add something to the end, you hit ENTER, then you just press that key or move that joystick, so to add joystick3 up to that line, just move joy3 in the up direction. Do that for the four directions, and you can use joy3 just like joy1 in order to test.

In order to go back, you need to blank the line.  Do it this way: Hit ENTER on the line, then quickly hit the ESC key.  That blanks out the line, then Hit ENTER, and cursor up, then ENTER and joy1 up, etc.  Hope this makes sense.  One note, and it’s IMPORTANT.  If your ESC key delay is set to 0 in the Maximus Arcade prefs, you will need to set it to 1 or 2, otherwise when you blank a line, you will exit the rom and you will need to reload it.  Annoying.

Well, I hope that’s given everybody some tips on troubleshooting this Arcade setup.  I’ve already posted the first four updates of the v.2.xx install, with another that will  be released shortly. This is always the way it seems to work.  Release one or more updates, and it spawns another one.  Oh well, keeps me busy in retirement.  😉

Arcade, Arcade Update, Computer, Computer - Linux, Computer - Windows

Arcade Update 1/2022

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Happy New Year!!

This blog post is to release the first four updates of Arcade v2.40, and updating to v.2.56.

Arcade 1.00 was released on Nov. 2015, and was the beginning of the realization of the dream I had for an arcade experience encompassing several different gaming platforms.  This was updated on 6 Feb 2021 to version 2.00, and I managed to get all users updated to this version. (I managed to get all users upgraded to v.2.40 in Mar. 2021.)  I believe it was v.1.30 in Sep 2020 that I added console/arcade cabinet installations as well as the external hard drive version.

I have actually even tested Maximus front end under a recent Fedora Linux distribution using Wine.  I was using a USB Thrustmaster joystick. This was with the external hard drive version, mapped to G: under Wine. If you need a Maximus key, you can find it HERE.  Seems every time I check, it’s always on sale for $9.99.

One notable thing to mention, is that besides the Maximus frontend, there is also another one, that I never really configured.  3DArcade.  I have spent  quite a bit of time configuring it.  I have stayed in Arcade>Favorites, if my memory is correct. (Meaning, you run 3DArcade, then click Arcade, then click Favorites.)  3DArcade is a ‘virtual’ experience. If you would like to see a particular cabinet added to that arcade, just give me a shout. 😉

Back in the v.1.xx days, updates were hosted on mega, and emailed out.  Now, since most Arcade users are blog members, I will just post the mega update links here.  Also, the user had to ‘hand update’ the installation.  Now, under the v.2.xx updates, I have created update script .bat files that will do all the work for you!!

First, a little background on how the updates actually work now.  Each update file is a zip within a zip.  You must expand them both.  Then, you should read the ‘README UPDATE.txt’ file, which usually just tells you to run the ArcadeUpdate.bat file by just double clicking it.  If there are any other things that need doing, they will be spelled out here, as well as in the README UPDATE.txt file.  Information on exactly what the update does is found in the WhatNew.txt file.  However each update needs to be done, with none skipped. Update files need to be done in succession.  Meaning, if you have version 2.40, you need to perform update 2.40-2.46 first.  Then, the 2.46-2.48 and so on.  In later versions of the console, it will report the version upon booting.  For the ext hdd version, you would find version.txt in the root G: drive.

I STRONGLY SUGGEST backing up your installation using whatever you use to back up your computer BEFORE attempting an update, in case things go sideways.  You have been warned!!

The Update 2.51-2.56 contains TWO scripts, that MUST be run in order, and the first one needs to be run as administrator.  Otherwise your installation will not work at all.

Okay, what you’ve all been waiting for, here are the links for the update files.  (Clicking on them, will open a new tab.)

Update 2.40-2.46

Update 2.46-2.48

Update 2.48-2.51

Update 2.51-2.56

Snapshots Addon for 2.51-2.56

The Snapshots Addon can be expanded into the snapshots-hold directory under WinUAE on your G: drive by hand, or, copied into that same directory in the update architecture.  (Doing that, will just slow the update down, so be patient, if you do that.)  Or, you can omit that Addon completely, as the end user may not need it.

Another notable addition in the 2.51-2.56 update was a bug reported by Jrod and his brother concerning the fact that certain MAME roms would ‘hang’ upon anticipating a joystick movement.  This was tracked down to the difference between 4 and 8 way joystick mappings.  So, I created some custom mappings for certain problematic games like DigDug, and Ms. Pacman and more.  If anybody has any issues with any particular game, feel free to reach out to me.

If you don’t understand all of this if this is your first update, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via text, email, facebook, or phone.  Keep your eyes on this blog for any future updates…. 😉

 

Computer, Computer - Linux, Server Information

Fixing borked AJAX Chat

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A little while ago,  both the AJAX Chat servers, the main one on Quackhouse Radio server, as well as the backup on the KRAB radio server crapped out.  I’ll fill you in how I fixed it, as well as the symptom.

The symptom was that if a connected user just closed their browser instead of using the LOGOUT button, the chat server would crash, and the next person to try to log in, would get something like this in their browser:

Query: INSERT INTO `AJAXChat`.ajax_chat_messages( userID, userName, userRole, channel, dateTime, ip, text ) VALUES ( ‘5150515051’, ‘[KRAB]’, ‘4’, ‘0’, NOW(), ‘��’, ‘/logout Cap Timeout’ ); Error-Report: Out of range value for column ‘userID’ at row 1 Error-Code: 1264

Pretty much undecipherable, unless you are a linux sql geek like I am.  😀 The way to get past this would be to use install.php to reinitialize the database tables.  However, the next time a user fails to log out properly, the same thing happens.  Here’s how I fixed the backup server.

It can be done using the command line, but the easiest way is using phpMyAdmin.  So, if you don’t have it, you must install it.  It is set by default to only allow connections from localhost, so keep that in mind.

First thing to do is to either Remove or Rename the AJAXChat database.  Login to phpMyAdmin and click on the AJAXChat database, then select Operations.  Then, either Remove, or Rename it.  I chose to Rename it rather that Remove it.  I can always Remove it later.

Second thing to do, is to add a new user and top level database.  Click on New (on the left), then User Accounts.  Click on Add User Account.  Type the access info you want in the Login information area. (username, host, password.)  FYI, the host should be localhost. 😉  Then click on the radio button for Create database with the same name and grant all privileges.  Then, click Go.

Finally, you need to go to the config.php script in the AJAXChat lib directory,  and open it in your editor.  I prefer to use nano, but you can use ed, vim, or a host of others.  Then, you need to update the config.php.  You will need to update the user, password, and database name that you just set up.

Then, you just need to rerun the install.php, it it will recreate everything automatically.

Now, the only time you should end up with that sql garbage when trying to login to AJAXChat, is if that login is currently logged in…. 😉

That’s it!  With luck, that will take care of your issue.

 

Computer - Windows

MAME Arcade Cabinet

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Well, my vision of about five years ago has made it to a working machine. A MAME (Multi Arcade Machine Emulator) machine is one that will play all the classic arcade games as long as you have the ROM files.  (You can click on the pics below for larger size ones.)

Here, you see my friend just after  we powered it up for the first time, after mounting the monitor to the top half of the cabinet and installing it on the bottom half.  Then, the computer got installed, and for this first test, we didn’t even have the controller screwed down.  Here, we have just gone into the Robotron 2084 game for a first run.  At this point, we still had to map the controllers for a true experience.  This includes the trackball for games like Missile Command, Arkanoid, Centiped, etc. My friend opted to not install a coin door in the hole in the front, but insted decided on a blank panel….  This Arcade cabinet has all the roms that you might encounter in a true video arcade: Space Invaders, Mario Brothers, Asteroids, and the list goes on and on.  Here, you can see his girlfriend taking Ms Pac Man out for a spin.  This arcade cabinet seems to be a big hit.  I put together an Elite 8200 USDT computer with Windows 10 Pro on it, along with Maximus Arcade front end for MAME.  The computer boots directly into the front end, and you only need to select the game you want to play.  My friend picked up the cabinet and tankstick controller from recroommasters.  You can just google it.  He also had to pick up a 32″ vesa mount display.  (I recommended a VGA input, but he could have used the native DP++, Display Port, or adapt that to HDMI, but a VGA input is easiest.)  There was a bit of initial angst, and my friend noticed the display would occasionally flip upside down, so I just had to disable the intel video driver’s hot keys, as the tankstick emulates keyboard buttons, etc, and was causing this.  Turning the hot keys off fixed that.  Another bit of startup tweaking was the trackball wasn’t being picked up, so I had to go into the mame.ini file and set MOUSE and MULTIPLEMOUSE from 0 to 1.  If you don’t want to go thru the time and expense (not cheap) of setting a cabinet like this up, for the price of a computer, ram and hard drive, you could actually connect to your wide screen TV set, and play the classic arcade games right from your couch.  🙂