Attract-Mode Support Forum

Attract-Mode Support => General => Topic started by: akafox on August 11, 2015, 12:25:19 PM

Title: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on August 11, 2015, 12:25:19 PM
How to set up Attract Mode:

   History of computer interfaces in a nut shell (you may skip this if you wish):

     Attract mode is called a "front-end" in technical terms. It can be thought of as a Graphical User Interface or (GUI, gui) for emulators. Think of it this way: The windows desktop is a gui to DOS (well it started that way, but that topic is not what this writing is about). DOS was text based. You had to type and memorize computer commands, or code words sort of speak. You would type them in to make the computer do stuff. A GUI does the same thing it just interfaces differently using clicks of a mouse or trackball. It looks pretty and makes it easier to run your computer. That is all it does.

   All modern operating systems have a command line interface (CLI, cli). You can run your entire computer from just the CLI. However it is not natural, it is not easy, and sure doesn't look as good! Your emulator uses the cli whether or not it has a gui interface or not. This is how Attract Mode gains is usefulness.

    Attract mode works much the same way as a computer desktop does to the command line. Instead of clicking with your mouse and needing a keyboard attached to your arcade cabinet or game machine (e.g. your home entertainment computer) you can use just a joystick. That is the idea behind a front-end like attract mode. It becomes a gui for your games.

Things to know:

Note: you MUST set up and configure your emulator separately from attract mode. Attract mode does not configure any emulators. All it does is make a list of games or systems that you have nothing more!

First you need to download your version that you need. I am going to assume that you have done that or you would not be reading this.

Default keys are as follows:
   TAB key enters the configuration menu from list mode (the main screen). Arrow keys move selector in that direction. The left ctrl key or enter key selects your choice. Esc key backs out to previous menu.
 
Getting started:

      When you first start attract mode it will ask you to pick a language. Do so. Then it takes you to the configuration screen. Here is where you will set up Attract Mode with your emulator. For this write up we will use MAME. If you have not configured mame you can read this thread to get it working. http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?board=8.0 (http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?board=8.0)

At the top of the list you will see the word emulators. Choose that and then you will be taken to a list of pre-configured emulators. Find mame and select it. There you will see a list of items to fill in. We will go step by step through this process:

1. Emulator Name
You can not change this. It is there so you can find this configuration from the previous list.

2. Executable
This is where you will put your path to mame so that you can start the program. Examples:
Windows C:\mame\mame64.exe
Linux /usr/games/mame
MAC OS ex. $HOME/mame/mame

3. Command arguments:
This is where you put any extra switches you want it run you game with. For now use [name]

4.  Rom paths:
This is where you put the path of your roms/games. Examples:
Windows C:\mame\roms
Linux $HOME/.mame/roms (notice the dot there before mame)
MAC OS ex. $HOME/mame/roms

5. Rom extensions:
This will very by emulator. For this write up you may leave it as it is. More then one extension can be used if separated by a semi-colon. (ex. .zip;.nes;.7z) If you do not add an extension that type of file will not be included in your list.

6. System identifier:
This is used in conjunction with the system/source scraper below when using the games.db selection.You would enter your system name here. (ex. arcade)

7. Info source scraper:
This is used to grab information for your list. Press up or down to choose from mame, mess, or gamesdatabase.db. Mame is used for the mame emulator, mess is used for the mess emulator, gamesdatabse.db grabs info from the Internet.  (here we choose listxml)

8. Additional import files
Type the path name of the files. Here you can use any files you want to add extra information to your list. This can be skipped but you will not be able to filter games if you skip this step. Valid files are nplayers.ini (number of players), catver.ini (category), controls.ini (controller types)

9. Minimum run time
This is used for steam games to set a delay. We can skip this.

10. exit hotkey
This can be used to set up a hot key to quit your emulator if you emulator does not close the way you need it to. For mame this can be skipped.

11. Flyer, marquee, snap, wheel and add artwork
We can skip this for now

12. Generate Collection/Rom List (See "My list is blank or I don't have a list: 4. You are using a Retroarch core and do not get a list" for more info if you are using retroarch)
   Press enter here and Attract Mode will start to build your list. The time will vary depending on your info source, how big your collection is, and how much extra information you wish to add. Just grab a cold drink from the fridge and come back it should be done.

13. Scrape Artwork
   If you have chosen gamesdatabase this option will attempt to match your game games with artwork and pull it down so that you can use it in attract mode. (the odds of it being perfect or working very. There are other ways to get artwork.) You may skip this if you wish.

14. Delete this emulator
    use this if you want to remove this emulator from your list

15. Back
    Takes you back to the emulator list (choose this)

Select back from the emulator list (or press esc) to go back to the main configuration menu and again to leave the configuration menu. Now you should be looking at your new list. From here you can press up or down to select a game and enter to start it. Hope this helped you and happy gaming! :)

Troubleshooting:

My list says funny things like dkong or mrdofix or sf2ua:
    You need to make sure that your path to your mame.exe is correct. For windows and mac you must have the full path and program name listed! The examples above are just that examples. You put your own information to your path..where ever it is you have put your mame program! Sometimes in your gui file program you can go to the folder and there is a "address bar" or "location bar" that information there is what you need to put in the executable line of attract mode. Linux users can just put mame no need for a full path. You need to make sure the you have chosen the right info source. Use listxml in this case.

I don't like the parentheses in my list:

    Goto the general option in the configuration menu and then make "hide brackets in game title" change it to yes

Ok the display is great but I am bored of it now:
    Go to the displays option in the configuration menu and choose your emulator from the list. from there choose the layout option. Now you can cycle the list of layouts you have and choose the one you want. Questions about individual layouts should be addressed by the author.

Attract mode does not cover my entire desktop:

   This is set up by default as a safety measure and convenience. Once everything is set up the way you want you can change to full screen. Once in full screen everything is covered and you can not get to any other programs or computer settings! You want it this way so that other people can not get to your computer and mess up your hard work. Go to the general option in the configuration menu. Then go to window mode.

Window - make Attract mode a windowed program.You can minimize it and move and resize it like you would any other windowed program. (Great for trouble shooting and such)
Fill screen - will fill the screen but leave the task bar (or side bar in the case of ubuntu) visible but hide the desktop.
Full screen -will hide everything and make attract mode the center of attention. (If you are building a dedicated game machine/cabinet that is the one you want.)

My list is blank or I don't have a list:

 1. Did you generate a list? (configuration menu. Then emulators. Choose your emulator. Then at almost the bottom you will see generate collection/rom list press enter and wait. Once done it will put you back where you were.
2. Do you have your rom path set up right? Your rom path must be entered correctly or Attract Mode  can't find anything to make a list from.
3. Do you have the right extension(s) in the extension line?  the format is . (dot) extension (ex .zip) to add more than one  extension you use a semi-colon ( ; ) (ex .zip;.nes)
4. You are using a Retroarch core and do not get a list
You will need a REAL mame binary to make the list PERIOD. Attract Mode looks for the mame.exe file to make the .exe file cough up the xmllist file then Attract mode uses that information to build a list. Retroarch cores are not real mame binaries...thus you will not get a proper list from Attract mode. After you do that then you can change the executable back to the retroarch mame core settings if that is how you want to run mame.

I saw a video on (insert website name here) and it had movies and pictures and stuff. I want that too!
     Ok we'll set that up in the next write up. This was basic so that people could understand what they are doing and how attract mode works.


 Links (these are external links!)

catver.ini http://www.progettoemma.net/?catlist (http://www.progettoemma.net/?catlist)
nplayers.ini http://nplayers.arcadebelgium.be/ (http://nplayers.arcadebelgium.be/)
controls.ini http://controls.arcadecontrols.com/ (http://controls.arcadecontrols.com/) if anyone knows of an updated one please let me know!
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: omegaman on August 11, 2015, 03:54:00 PM
WOW!

Great work fox. It's obvious you put a lot of sweat equity into this. Great job man...
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: battlecat on September 04, 2015, 01:55:34 PM
More INFO

I have uninstalled and purged the wallyweek MAME version.
I have installed the Ubuntu MAME package
I have tested the Ubuntu MAME package as working

When I run AttractMode I get a black screen. When I click the left arrow I get the seg fault.

Thanks,
BC
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mondaiji on November 05, 2015, 02:19:06 AM
controls.ini http://controls.arcadecontrols.com/ if anyone knows of an updated one please let me know!

Did you mentioned the above statement due to an error importing controls.ini? Does your import work for controls.ini?

Code: [Select]
[Import ..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\catver.ini] - found info for 30164 entries.
[Import ..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\nplayers.ini] - found info for 32192 entries.
Unsupported import_extras file: ..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\controls.ini
 - Removing any duplicate entries...
 + Writing 32197 entries to: D:\Arcade\AttractMode\romlists/mame.txt
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on November 05, 2015, 08:14:32 PM
Yes controls.ini should work catver.ini and nplayers.ini as well..they can be used together. Point AM to your path C:\mame or $HOME/.mame then separate them with a semicolon ( ; )

example  C:\mame\catver.ini;C:\mame\controls.ini;C:\mame\nplayers.ini
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mondaiji on November 06, 2015, 01:23:14 PM
Thats exactly what I had, so I', not sure why it's not working.

Code: [Select]
import_extras        ..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\catver.ini;..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\nplayers.ini;..\Emulators\GroovyMAME_1.66\ini\controls.ini
If I look at my \romlists\mame.txt file though the control information is in there.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on November 06, 2015, 10:38:06 PM
That is odd.  ??? Try deleting your list and rebuilding it...however looks like it is made right. Remember not every theme shows the extra information. I am guessing that you are using the ../ to hide your full path when pasting here. However if not remember use the full path.

oh and to answer your question..that is the newest controls.ini. The controls.ini is not updated as often
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: dbinott on June 11, 2016, 02:46:41 PM
ok, maybe I am dense, but how do you get back into the config once your are in AM at the pacman screen?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: omegaman on June 11, 2016, 03:59:52 PM
Press tab...
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: dbinott on June 11, 2016, 05:46:08 PM
thanks
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: dbinott on June 27, 2016, 01:25:29 PM
Ok, what am I doing wrong? I have a a filtered mame.xml with about 1600 games I also have controls.ini. I put those 2 as additional import files and run generate rom list and it is giving me all roms. If i just use import_filelist option via cmd line with just mame.xml, it works fine, but then I don't have controls in there.  :-\


Code: [Select]
# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.1.0
#
executable           d:/mame/mame
args                 [name]
rompath              d:/mame/roms/
romext               .zip;.7z;<DIR>
system               Arcade
info_source          listxml
import_extras        c:\attractmode\mame.xml;c:\attractmode\controls.ini;c:\attractmode\nplayers.ini
artwork    flyer           d:\flyers\
artwork    marquee         d:\marquees
artwork    snap            c:\VideoSnaps;D:\snap
artwork    wheel           c:\attractmode\layouts\robospin\wheel
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: Nicodemus on August 17, 2016, 08:07:50 PM
I'm having difficultly setting AM up in Retropie, specifically the "arcade" emulator folder. I'm able to link the correct rom path but I think because the "arcade" emulator folder has the option of choosing either MAME or FBA, my roms just wont load. Any help?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: SirClive on August 28, 2016, 06:08:40 AM
I'm having problems with the MAC version. I have generated my list and the games all show, but when I select one the window insets as if it is wanting me to choose a different program so I can't launch any games??
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: SirClive on August 28, 2016, 01:08:44 PM
Ignore me. Realised that I had downloaded the windows version of the framework instead of Mac (doh!). All up and running now :)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: ZeroQI on September 02, 2016, 10:36:45 PM
SirPoounga August 27, 2012 wanted to pass the flame
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122252.0.html
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141058.0.html

This github project is 4 month old it seems https://github.com/yo1dog/controls-dat-json, seem the same in json format with mods so
He also posted there: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150639.0.html

He wrote "I found the structure of the data in the controls.dat project a bit archaic, convoluted, and difficult to use. So I created a tool that will restructure the controls.dat JSON file in a way that (in my opinion) is much easier to work with. I think the JSON format makes this much easier compared to XML. I also expanded the structure so that more exact and meaningful information could be recorded. It also updates the way the MAME input ports are stored so it is compatible with the latest MAME (no more _EXT inputs)."

latest v0.141
http://controls.arcadecontrols.com/controls/dat/ini/controls.ini.0.140.1.zip
Can't seem to find latter than controls.ini version 0.111.5, Time=2008-06-20 18:27:09 below:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=91711.0;attach=122578
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: vernontwinkie on September 06, 2016, 09:49:21 AM
I'm having difficultly setting AM up in Retropie, specifically the "arcade" emulator folder. I'm able to link the correct rom path but I think because the "arcade" emulator folder has the option of choosing either MAME or FBA, my roms just wont load. Any help?

I recommend booting into emulationstation so you can configure it that way. Make sure you know which MAME version each rom is using (similar to trying to play a PS2 game on an Xbox). When opening a game, you can press a button to open the config options. This lets you set a default for all roms in the folder as well as a default for each individual rom. After you've verified they work, you can switch back to AM in the retropie option in ES. Then all should be good to go.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: spannernick1 on November 15, 2016, 12:47:32 AM
Can you chose what emulator display loads up on start up,What I mean is,you start AM and it loads up the Sega Mega CD list Layout first,if so how..?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mbruck on December 05, 2016, 06:37:49 PM
So I'm totally new to using Attract Mode and am not extremely computer savvy (using command, etc). I followed these instructions step by step (and triple-checked that was the case), but my roms won't play. They show up and I've accurately listed to the path to my emulators (I've tried Nestopia, MAME, and ZNES), but when I hit enter while on the rom nothing occurs. Does anyone have any advice as to what I'm missing here?

I looked pretty hard for an answer on this forum before asking this question so please let me know if I missed something! I should note that the roms work fine if I open my emulators outside of Attract Mode. I know it's a very simple question, but I'd greatly appreciate any help.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on December 08, 2016, 08:19:13 PM
mbruck-

You can load them from the gui..ok then your emulator is set up correctly. Can you load them from the command line? This is how attract mode starts your emulator. What operating system are you using?

You say you tried mame? if you can start mame from the command line you are usually good.
For other emulators it can be a little more difficult and it depends on the emulator..try over in the emulators thread for help there.
Do note that you need quotes around the name of the rom if it has spaces: Sonic the...<-- will not work! "Sonic the..." <-- Will work

This is done in AM like this "[romfilename]" on the args line..normally this is already default for these emulators

In your command prompt you need to type (for example) snes9x.exe "C:\snes\roms\Super Mario World.zip" to see it it loads. if I loads like that then your rom and emu are fine you need to look at your am config file for that emulator and make sure it's right.

1. knowing your OS will help
2. Any error messages if any will help
3. maybe a post of your cfg file

We need that information to be able to help you

Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on December 08, 2016, 08:26:09 PM
spannernick1-

Yes you can you'll have to edit the "attract.cfg" file in your attractmode folder.

make sure to make a backup of your attract.cfg before doing this unless you know what you are doing!
you can reorder the displays anyway you like you can cut the information from "display..." down to "rule favorite equals 1" (include the 1!) now you can paste it where you like. I have mine set in "bit-order" 8,16,32,64

Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mbruck on December 09, 2016, 09:17:19 PM
Thanks for the response. I really appreciate the assistance.

I'm using Windows 10. 64 bit

Here is my cfg for NES. Anything jump out as incorrect?:

# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.2.0-1
#
executable           "G:\WDSmartWare.swstor\M\Volume1\Documents\ExternalData\VideoGames\NES\NESEmulator.exe"
args                 [romfilename]
rompath              G:\WDSmartWare.swstor\M\Volume1\Documents\ExternalData\VideoGames\NES\NESRomset
romext               .nes;.zip
system               Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
info_source          thegamesdb.net
artwork    flyer           
artwork    marquee         
artwork    snap            G:\WD SmartWare.swstor\M\Volume 1\Documents\ExternalData\VideoGames\NES\Videosnap
artwork    wheel           
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on January 06, 2017, 10:52:38 AM

Here is my cfg for NES. Anything jump out as incorrect?:
args                 [romfilename]

so very sorry for my late reply! your args line is incorrect
Code: [Select]
args                 "[romfilename]"
is the correct setup (yes you include the quotes)
remember command lines don't like spaces..the quotes tell the interpreter to see it as one whole string thus is sees it as sonictheheadgehog.zip ..sorta speak..

you don't have this problem in mame because there are no spaces in the name..and why you don't have to use quotes..
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: peter40 on January 12, 2017, 05:02:17 AM
Hello guys thanks for the good works..

2 quick questions with MAME I have 2 issues

1- On the wheels systems i did not have any image and video for MAME LIBRETRO but I have have for for advance MAME and for MAME for all do you know how to solve that?

2- With MAME again when I have roms with 2 or more files to start do you know who to hide the other parts because i have to put 2 or more  image and video for the same game or it has question mark?

thanks for your reply

Pierre
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mbruck on January 15, 2017, 06:56:20 PM

Here is my cfg for NES. Anything jump out as incorrect?:
args                 [romfilename]

so very sorry for my late reply! your args line is incorrect
Code: [Select]
args                 "[romfilename]"
is the correct setup (yes you include the quotes)
remember command lines don't like spaces..the quotes tell the interpreter to see it as one whole string thus is sees it as sonictheheadgehog.zip ..sorta speak..

you don't have this problem in mame because there are no spaces in the name..and why you don't have to use quotes..
I can now get games to open, but they don't open within Attract Mode. Attempting to open a game within the front-end opens it in Nestopia separately from Attract Mode. Any idea why it's doing that? I didn't see an answer elsewhere in the forum to fix this issue. Once I can get this I will hopefully be done asking you questions. I appreciate all of your help!
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on January 21, 2017, 10:07:45 PM
I can now get games to open, but they don't open within Attract Mode. Attempting to open a game within the front-end opens it in Nestopia separately from Attract Mode. Any idea why it's doing that? I didn't see an answer elsewhere in the forum to fix this issue. Once I can get this I will hopefully be done asking you questions. I appreciate all of your help!

"Separately from attract mode"....
that sounds correct but...I'm thinking you mean something else...

does it open and then attractmode is in the background? or something else?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: mbruck on January 22, 2017, 04:47:17 AM
"Separately from attract mode"....
that sounds correct but...I'm thinking you mean something else...

does it open and then attractmode is in the background? or something else?

Yes, that is correct. i.e. I play a rom for NES and the Nestopia emulator pops up and starts running with attractmode in the background. The rom/emulator doesn't boot directly within attractmode.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on January 22, 2017, 09:54:14 AM
Ok well that seems like it is working correctly then. However nestopia may not be running full screen. Thus "hiding" attract mode. So you need to check your args line or settings in nestopia. I'll have to grab nestopia to help you better.

I use retroarch or fceux for nes/fds..I'm installing the retropie image on my pc at the moment so I'm not sure when I can can get back to you.

Now I remember why I never used nestopia..it doesn't support 4-player mode...odd the libretro core does...anyhow...

attract mode should come with a pre-configured config file for nestopia...is that the one you are using?

ok to fix this with netopia..here is what you do...

change your args line for your nes emulator configuration in attract mode to this first:

Code: [Select]
executable           nestopia
args                  -fd "[romfilename]"

if not try this:

find your nestopia.conf file (it has nothing to do with attarctmode...it is in your nestopia folder most likely.) open it in notepad and edit these lines:

Code: [Select]
fullscreen=0
change it to

Code: [Select]
fullscreen=1
this makes nestopia to start in full screen after loading the rom/game

now change

Code: [Select]
disable_gui=0
change it to

Code: [Select]
disable_gui=1
this makes it to where you can exit with the escape key

try that and let me know :)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: thegame918 on January 23, 2017, 05:09:03 AM
Hello everyone!! I am new to Retropie/attract mode as well. I have everything running pretty great so far except Reicast and getting it to recognize a PS4 controller but that's another story, haha! I used Ray's image and updated attract mode and everything. Now I would like to add emulators to attract mode and have them show up on the wheel and function properly. Please, if anyone can walk me through this or point me in the right direction/thread, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: akafox on January 23, 2017, 11:20:30 AM
There is a mini step by step for the raspberry pi here:

http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=1297.0
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: Chef_Fluffy on January 29, 2017, 06:32:58 PM
Hi I just compiled attract mode on my pi 3 running the latest version of retropie. Install worked and I was able to enter attract mode but am having difficulty with my emulator configurations.

They all appear to be correct and I put them in /home/pi/attract/config/emulators.

I deleted the default ones that were in that folder and placed the ones I have there. Rebooted the system and they do not show up in the emulator list. I have attached a few of my config files each is essentially the same just made the changes per system. Would really appreciate the help. Thank you  :)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: progets on January 29, 2017, 07:29:01 PM
Hi I just compiled attract mode on my pi 3 running the latest version of retropie. Install worked and I was able to enter attract mode but am having difficulty with my emulator configurations.

They all appear to be correct and I put them in /home/pi/attract/config/emulators.

I deleted the default ones that were in that folder and placed the ones I have there. Rebooted the system and they do not show up in the emulator list. I have attached a few of my config files each is essentially the same just made the changes per system. Would really appreciate the help. Thank you  :)

Those files need to go in the /home/pi/.attract/emulators folder.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: Chef_Fluffy on January 29, 2017, 08:11:51 PM
Hi I just compiled attract mode on my pi 3 running the latest version of retropie. Install worked and I was able to enter attract mode but am having difficulty with my emulator configurations.

They all appear to be correct and I put them in /home/pi/attract/config/emulators.

I deleted the default ones that were in that folder and placed the ones I have there. Rebooted the system and they do not show up in the emulator list. I have attached a few of my config files each is essentially the same just made the changes per system. Would really appreciate the help. Thank you  :)

Those files need to go in the /home/pi/.attract/emulators folder.

Thank you very much. Appreciate the help.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: AttractiveRuss on March 15, 2017, 01:21:56 PM
Sorry I know I'm being very stupid but how do you install attractmode on Linux? I using Lubuntu and I'm a novice with Linux.

I did this

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:daveg/attract
sudo apt-get update

And....? Where is Attractmode? :-[


Cheers Russell
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: nevincho on April 11, 2017, 08:31:36 AM
It would be great someone with knowledge on the subject to make guide for installation and settings under Linux OS, Ubuntu and etc.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: hassenpheffer on April 22, 2017, 01:41:55 PM
Hello all Emu folk!

Love Attract Mode for MAMEUI64.

I've got almost everything running properly but there are a few issues I'm having thus far:

1. After titles under the letter Z there are entries to games that are listed under their ROM names. I ran the compiler and checked the path to the MAME exe and still no changes.

2. There are titles of some games that I don't even have in the directory that are showing up and some that are in the directory that aren't showing up.

3. I enabled search titles by key and it didn't work. I hit a letter and nothing works.

4. Games that are marked as "non-working" by MAME. How can I filter these out?

I went through all the options and couldn't find anything to resolve the above issues.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 23, 2017, 12:16:04 PM
It would be great someone with knowledge on the subject to make guide for installation and settings under Linux OS, Ubuntu and etc.

I run linux/ubuntu that is where I was coming from..are you needing help?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 23, 2017, 12:28:00 PM
I've got almost everything running properly but there are a few issues I'm having thus far:
1. After titles under the letter Z there are entries to games that are listed under their ROM names. I ran the compiler and checked the path to the MAME exe and still no changes.

As for those entries They can be edited by hand. Open your attract romlist for that system (mame/arcade ect.) go to the bottom of the list. Change the information in the Title column. Easiest way (I think) is to open in in a spreadsheet program. When you are done make sure to save it as a cvs text file (the format the list is in).

2. There are titles of some games that I don't even have in the directory that are showing up and some that are in the directory that aren't showing up.

Start a new thread..a picture would help me here..that's beyond weird.

3. I enabled search titles by key and it didn't work. I hit a letter and nothing works.

4. Games that are marked as "non-working" by MAME. How can I filter these out?

I went through all the options and couldn't find anything to resolve the above issues.

Filters are a PITA for me. I would suggest that you use rom lister to filter all that out. You can create a batch file and delete / MOVE the roms or you can just buld a list ans use it. You can build a list totally by hand. I know because I have done it..but that takes A LOT of work! ;)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: hassenpheffer on April 23, 2017, 05:08:58 PM
Thanks! I edited the list and that worked.

As for the games showing up when the shouldnt and vice-versa: Thatll take some time to compile.  I'll let you know when it's ready.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: nevincho on April 27, 2017, 05:07:00 AM
It would be great someone with knowledge on the subject to make guide for installation and settings under Linux OS, Ubuntu and etc.

I run linux/ubuntu that is where I was coming from..are you needing help?

Yes. I have Ubuntu 14.04. Installing AM without problems and mame, but the emulator does not create a rom list and does not start the games
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode step by step
Post by: Mastermark on May 01, 2017, 11:29:25 AM
Ignore me. Realised that I had downloaded the windows version of the framework instead of Mac (doh!). All up and running now :)
Can you Explain a little more as i got the same probs no games are launching on my mac in Attract
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on May 06, 2017, 04:30:26 PM
It would be great someone with knowledge on the subject to make guide for installation and settings under Linux OS, Ubuntu and etc.

I run linux/ubuntu that is where I was coming from..are you needing help?

I did this awhile back. Should still be good though...
http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=321.0

It would be great someone with knowledge on the subject to make guide for installation and settings under Linux OS, Ubuntu and etc.

I run linux/ubuntu that is where I was coming from..are you needing help?

Yes. I have Ubuntu 14.04. Installing AM without problems and mame, but the emulator does not create a rom list and does not start the games

as for that..you need to make sure your mame.ini file is set up correctly or you get nowhere. That is to say:

Type:

Code: [Select]
mame -cc
to create a mame.ini file. Under rom path(s) add your rom path to the line..or you can delete everything there and then add your line.
An example path would be:

Code: [Select]
/home/(username)/.mame/roms
Replace (username) with your actual user name (look at a terminal window if you don't know. It will say "username@pcname" (ex. bob@computer:~$)

and yes you need the dot before the mame (.mame). The dot makes this makes it a "hidden folder". you can delete the dot if youwish...but be safe and leave it. To see hidden folders using a gui program..normally Ctrl+H will show them. In a terminal you can type ls -a to see them from there.

Read the write up first please..but if you have other questions ask and I will help.

Understand though. If you do not have mame set up correctly first..then it is an emulator problem NOT Attract mode. Questions for emulators goe to the emulators thread. Post there if you have further problems

NOTE: The above WILL NOT work on a raspberry pi using a retro pie image. Thus because the image is not set set up correctly..well rather the way the emulator wants it to be. All arcade games use advance mame on the retro pie image as default...(I think).
The executable that starts the emulator WILL NOT generate a list. You MUST change that to where the emulator is. (my pi is being used as something else at the moment.someone send me the path so I can post it here please) Then from there you change the info scraper to "listxml". Now you can generate a correct list. Once the list is generated you need to change the executable back to the original! then it will run as it should.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: ryuuji on August 12, 2018, 07:28:56 AM
new link for controls.ini https://ledblinky.net/Download.htm
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: ryuuji on August 12, 2018, 07:43:07 AM
Can someone help me with this error ?

Code: [Select]
*** Generating Collection/Rom List: mame
 - Found 11025 files.
 - Obtaining -listxml info...    Error executing command: 'mame -listxml'

! No XML output found, command: mame -listxml
 - Skipping import_extras file: d:\mame\mame.xml
[Import d:\mame\roms\nplayers.ini] - found info for 10962 entries.
[Import d:mame\roms\catver.ini] - found info for 0 entries.
 * Unsupported import_extras file: d:mame\roms\controls.ini
 - Removing any duplicate entries...
 + Writing 11025 entries to: D:\AM\romlists/mame.txt
Writing emulator config to: D:\AM\emulators/mame.cfg
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: progets on August 12, 2018, 09:19:11 AM
Can someone help me with this error ?

Code: [Select]
*** Generating Collection/Rom List: mame
 - Found 11025 files.
 - Obtaining -listxml info...    Error executing command: 'mame -listxml'

! No XML output found, command: mame -listxml
 - Skipping import_extras file: d:\mame\mame.xml
[Import d:\mame\roms\nplayers.ini] - found info for 10962 entries.
[Import d:mame\roms\catver.ini] - found info for 0 entries.
 * Unsupported import_extras file: d:mame\roms\controls.ini
 - Removing any duplicate entries...
 + Writing 11025 entries to: D:\AM\romlists/mame.txt
Writing emulator config to: D:\AM\emulators/mame.cfg

Controls.ini hasn't been supported/worked for a long time. There is no need for the file since the information is in the mame -listxml.

Nplayers.ini works but is obsolete. This info is also in mame -listxml.

Catver.ini is needed but you are missing a "\" after "D:" in your mame.cfg emulator file.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: ryuuji on August 12, 2018, 09:23:23 AM
That is exactly what does not work for me as u can see in the error above

! No XML output found, command: mame -listxml

Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: progets on August 12, 2018, 10:02:48 AM
That is exactly what does not work for me as u can see in the error above

! No XML output found, command: mame -listxml

Post your AM mame.cfg and let us know where you have mame installed.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: ryuuji on August 12, 2018, 10:06:25 AM
I m using retroarch for mame :/ ... Do I need the mame program ?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: progets on August 12, 2018, 10:17:38 AM
I m using retroarch for mame :/ ... Do I need the mame program ?

Retroarch can't generate the listxml. You can use AM to scrape using thegamesdb.net to get the info or install the matching version of mame and do a "mame.exe -listxml > mame.xml" and then reference the file created in the "import_extras" line of the AM mame.cfg. Once this is done you can delete/remove the mame install if you don't want it.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: ryuuji on August 12, 2018, 11:55:50 AM
I m using retroarch for mame :/ ... Do I need the mame program ?

Retroarch can't generate the listxml. You can use AM to scrape using thegamesdb.net to get the info or install the matching version of mame and do a "mame.exe -listxml > mame.xml" and then reference the file created in the "import_extras" line of the AM mame.cfg. Once this is done you can delete/remove the mame install if you don't want it.

That step should be included in this guide ... in details. Finally works as it should now.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on August 12, 2018, 01:34:34 PM
It was not included because it was not written for that purpose. It was written from a raw single mame version. It was not written for people that use retropie on a PC..because I never knew you could do that at the time. My thought was why use a retroarch core for mame on a PC when you can use the stand alone exe which is more updated and runs better? Emulation Station using RetroPie can build a list from the games database (I think) (if you are off-line you are outta luck!)  Atrract Mode was not made that way..extra coding that was not needed at the time.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on August 12, 2018, 02:26:16 PM

That step should be included in this guide ... in details. Finally works as it should now.

Done
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Delita Hyral on October 31, 2019, 06:09:02 PM
hi guys, i need help!!!how i can to running Attract mode directly on pen drive? that is, indicate the paths is not necessary.
I would like of plug in my pen drive in any Pc with Atrract mode with emulators , roms, snaps wheels, etc... all ready to play.
Its possible?
thanks a lot for any help!


Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: keilmillerjr on November 01, 2019, 05:12:21 AM
hi guys, i need help!!!how i can to running Attract mode directly on pen drive? that is, indicate the paths is not necessary.
I would like of plug in my pen drive in any Pc with Atrract mode with emulators , roms, snaps wheels, etc... all ready to play.
Its possible?
thanks a lot for any help!

Try it. Use relative paths in your config filers and make sure to pass the binary the —config option.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Delita Hyral on November 01, 2019, 06:48:58 PM
hi guys, i need help!!!how i can to running Attract mode directly on pen drive? that is, indicate the paths is not necessary.
I would like of plug in my pen drive in any Pc with Atrract mode with emulators , roms, snaps wheels, etc... all ready to play.
Its possible?
thanks a lot for any help!

Try it. Use relative paths in your config filers and make sure to pass the binary the —config option.


sorry, i not undertand ...I thought that it was enough change the parameters in emulators notes... ???

....


# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.2.0-1
#
executable           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME/advmame.exe
args                 [name]
rompath              C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\roms
romext               .zip;.7z;.rar;<DIR>
system               MAME
info_source          thegamesdb.net
artwork    flyer           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\flyers
artwork    marquee         C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\marquees
artwork    snap            C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\videos
artwork    wheel           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\wheels
.....


 ???  here???
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: keilmillerjr on November 01, 2019, 08:55:56 PM
Yes, all paths in such config files I would try relative. Then pass —config path to binary.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Delita Hyral on November 09, 2019, 08:53:51 AM
Yes, all paths in such config files I would try relative. Then pass —config path to binary.

it would be possible you show me one example of config?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: bionictoothpick on December 08, 2019, 02:26:19 PM
I have  attractmode in the root with a folder addons inside attractmode...
i.e. c:\attractmode\addons\retroarch

This is my emulator cfg for nes...I can move attractmode to any root drive and it works.

Hope the following helps:

___________________________
executable           addons/retroarch/retroarch
args                 -L cores\nestopia_libretro.dll "[romfilename]"
rompath              ..\..\..\attractmode\addons\nes\roms\
romext               .zip;.nes
system               Nintendo;NES;Famicom
info_source          thegamesdb.net
artwork    flyer           ../../attractmode/scraper/nes/flyer
artwork    marquee         ../../attractmode/scraper/nes/marquee
artwork    snap            ../../attractmode/scraper/nes/snap
artwork    wheel           ../../attractmode/scraper/nes/wheel
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on March 01, 2020, 06:21:00 PM
....


# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.2.0-1
#
executable           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME/advmame.exe
args                 [name]
rompath              C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\roms
romext               .zip;.7z;.rar;<DIR>
system               MAME
info_source          thegamesdb.net
artwork    flyer           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\flyers
artwork    marquee         C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\marquees
artwork    snap            C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\videos
artwork    wheel           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\wheels
.....

this line:
Code: [Select]
executable           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME/advmame.exe
it is incorrect. It should be:

Code: [Select]
executable           C:\AttractMode\emulators\MAME\advmame.exe < slash is wrong look closely :)


Also remember you must set up your emulator first! Can you run a game from the command line using AdvanceMame? if not that is your problem I am sure..(that and the typo pointed out above).
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: thermo on April 02, 2020, 06:55:09 AM
Hello guys,

First of all, thanks for your great work!
This is exactly the tool I was looking for...

But while setting it up I experienced a very strange phenomenon, maybe someone can help me ...

I use SDLMAME 0.219 under Mac, SDL2-2.0.12 is also installed.
MAME64 is configured correctly and is already running smoothly :-)
(roms boot and are playable)

So I configured AttractMode and after a while everything seemed to be setup fine.
But: everytime I launch a machine it starts and then the screen freezes after approx. 2-3 seconds.
I can only leave the freezed screen by pressing the keys alt-cmd-esc.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Any clues how to get the roms in AM to work like in MAME64?

Thanks and cheers, Chris
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 03, 2020, 09:15:12 PM
I am not on MAC..but...

Okay let me get this straight..

[quote author=thermo link=topic=328.msg23384#msg23384 date=1585835709

I use SDLMAME 0.219 under Mac, SDL2-2.0.12 is also installed.
MAME64 is configured correctly and is already running smoothly :-)
(roms boot and are playable)[/quote]

So working MAME from the plain command line (ex. mame sfiii) runs and loads your game no problems or anything

[quote author=thermo link=topic=328.msg23384#msg23384 date=1585835709
But: every time I launch a machine it starts and then the screen freezes after approx. 2-3 seconds.
I can only leave the freezes screen by pressing the keys alt-cmd-esc.
[/quote]

So the game will load from attract mode fine...

but will freeze...MAME ITSELF WILL FREEZE...and you have to give the three finger salute to get out of it?  :o

do me a favor..run mame from the command line just start a game let it it run 15 seconds and quit...then run attract mode from the command line directly and try it...then post what the command line spits out please

I know there is a way to make a log...but one..I forget how..and two..not sure that will work in this case..that is why i suggested above...
but as i said I do not run a mac....so if anyone does and has ideas that can help..please feel free to grab my tail and pull me out of line and step in!
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: thermo on April 04, 2020, 09:51:03 AM
Hi Akafox,

thanks for your answer.

Meanwhile I removed MAME and installed RetroArch.
There is the same phenomenon:
When I launch a game via Terminal, it plays great:
Code: [Select]
/Applications/RetroArch.app/Contents/MacOS/RetroArch -L /Applications/RetroArch.app/Contents/Resources/cores/mame2015_libretro.dylib "/Volumes/Roms/arcade/spang.zip" --appendconfig "/Users/xxx/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/MAME2003.cfg|/Users/thermo/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/ARCADE/[name].cfg"
But from within the AM config nothing happens:
Code: [Select]
executable           /Applications/RetroArch.app/Contents/MacOS/RetroArch
args                 "[romfilename]" -L /Applications/RetroArch.app/Contents/Resources/cores/mame2015_libretro.dylib  --appendconfig "$HOME/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/MAME2003.cfg|$HOME/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/ARCADE/[name].cfg"
rompath              /Volumes/Roms/arcade

I tried to dig a little deeper and found somewhere a clue with a force command "-f".
So I added it:
Code: [Select]
args                 "[romfilename]" -f -L /Applications/RetroArch.app/Contents/Resources/cores/mame2015_libretro.dylib  --appendconfig "$HOME/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/MAME2003.cfg|$HOME/Documents/RetroArch/overlays/configs/ARCADE/[name].cfg"
What happens is, that RetroArch is now opened and the roms loads, but again: it freezes after some seconds...  :o

It seems to me, that there is a problem with AM starting other Apps?
Another user posted a similar problem:
http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=1797.0

Is this a known bug?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 04, 2020, 11:51:50 AM
I am not sure here...  :o

Seems strange from what I can tell the user in that other link was a windows user..and you are on a MAC correct?

I have loaded mame retroarch from AM without any problems at all....well except for the "current mame" core. I use the 2015 mame core and the 2003 mame core for a handful of others (just because the newer cores cause strange sound problems (this is a actual mame problem..nothing to do with the cores))

this is so strange..I am having no problems at all *shrugs* but again I am not a mac user...

try re-posting this is the main thread please so that more people will see it (I hope!) So does the terminal spit out anything AFTER you try to launch from AM? if so what does it show?
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: thermo on April 04, 2020, 12:34:34 PM
Unfortunately I am not sure how to trigger AM to leave something in the terminal - I try to start the rom from the AM app and don't know what AM sends to the terminal in the background (and where to inspect that)  :-\

But sure, good suggestion to post it in the main thread... maybe there are some mac users reading  :)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: thermo on April 05, 2020, 01:11:59 PM
Hey akafox,
I think I solved the issue...
it was the 'Non-blocking Wait Mode' in the AM config of MAME.

Setting it from 0 to 1 worked for me.
Like mentioned here:
http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=2589.0

And for all who are stuck with other Machines launching from AM to RA:
Go to the Settings of RetroArch and do this:
Settings > Video > Full Screen Mode > Start in Fullscreen Mode > ON

This solved an issue I had with SNES.
When I launched a SNES rom without this setting AM freezed and didn't show the RA window which was already loaded in the background.
After setting that, everything is great :-)
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 08, 2020, 10:30:19 AM
I am glad you were able to solve it! :D
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: czrsiNk on May 19, 2020, 07:20:32 AM
Hi - hope you guys can help. I have been able to get AM working perfectly when launching from my Windows desktop (everything in place, videos, artwork etc). I'm now trying to get my machine to boot straight into AM from Power On. I have been able to get this working but only to a point (using the Windows 10 Enterprise 'Locked Down' method).

Boot is a success, but when AM starts using this method, it has NO configuration settings preserved. It is as if it is unable to pick the attract.cfg and MAME.cfg (emulator). I have tried editing in AM itself, but none of the settings will save.

My question then, is, can AM only run in a Windows environment from the desktop (within Explorer.exe) and not act like its own shell? Any help gratefully received, this is really frustrating me :(
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on May 26, 2020, 09:27:35 PM
Well sound like it is getting all it's info from another folder. I had this problem on a machine I had InstaSheller on.

do a search for the "attract.cfg" after a normal boot and see what comes up. Then do a test run from that folder after you boot the way you want.

If I recall it was all moved to my user documents folder...or something like that
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: hermine.potter on May 27, 2020, 12:32:39 AM
@ czrsiNk
do you mean kiosk mode / assigned access?
Have a look here (http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=47.msg6427#msg6427) (section 7)
it's probably same problem:

set path to attract.cfg (depending on your paths):
"C:\attract\attract.exe" -c "C:\attract"
or
"C:\attract\attract.exe" -c "C:\attract\attract.cfg"
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: G_attract_Mame on July 08, 2020, 02:34:12 PM
Hi there,

I am trying to get Attract to start mame on my Mac, that looks similar to Thermo had a few months ago. I have installed/setup mame 0220 on an external harddrive, which works; by opening the mame64 file I get the menu and if I use commandline option, for example ./mame64 19xx, it runs 19xx

From mame I exported the xml file and via the command line, I managed to read the xml file and I see my roms list in Attract. What I don't see are my pictures, though I have set it up, pointing to the folder on the external drive (see below the mame.cfg file). So, only the romslist show and the rest is blanco. Directly in Mame, I do see the pictures and everything I have installed.

In Attract, if I click on a rom, it seems that mame64 is being opened, but shortly after, it returns to the Attract menu again and somewhat later I see an crash error of mame64, with a very long log list, which is too complex for me to make sense.

@akafox, you asked Thermo to run attract via command line mode, so I did; ./atttract. Guess what happened? The pictures showed! Guess what happened when I double clicked on a rom? It started the game, just like with mame. No crashes or what so ever. Only thing is when I exit the rom, everything else exits as well, so no going back to attract.

Maybe start with the first question, if I open the attract app, I don't see the pictures and trying to open a rom, causes a crash on Mame. If I use the command line, everything works fine. Why is it different and what can I try to solve it?

Thanks in advance,
Geoffrey
p.s. here's the script below:
# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.6.1
#
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/mame64
args                 [name]
rompath              /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/roms/
romext               .zip;.7z
system               Arcade
info_source          listxmla
nb_mode_wait         1
exit_hotkey          Escape
pause_hotkey         /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/marquees
artwork    marquee         /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/marquees
artwork    snap            /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/snaps
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: G_attract_Mame on July 09, 2020, 02:16:52 AM
Additionally, I tried some changes to the launch script (see below), but with no success, hence the same results: attract starts, romlist shows, no bezels and a get a mame64 crash when I try to start a rom.

Still don't understand why the commandline ./attract works great, but the app launcher fails?

#!/bin/bash
#cd "${0%/*}"
cd /applications/attract.app/contents/macos/
./attract
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on July 12, 2020, 09:43:59 AM
I am not on mac...
and my mame 221 seems to be broken (hangs on launch)

but..from your AM config change

Code: [Select]
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/mame64
to

Code: [Select]
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/./mame64
report back to me here
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: G_attract_Mame on July 12, 2020, 02:08:03 PM
I am not on mac...
and my mame 221 seems to be broken (hangs on launch)

but..from your AM config change

Code: [Select]
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/mame64
to

Code: [Select]
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/./mame64
report back to me here

Thank you for the reply. As for mame221, haven't tried it, but did you do an update and/or installed it on another location? I had errors with bgfx, but I fixed it, when I changed a config file and adjusted the bgfx path, it worked fine. If you are using linux, I think it should be similar to mac?


As for your suggestion, I just tried it, but with the same results; when I open the attract.app, I don't see the bezels and when I click on a rom, it makes mame64 crash.
When I try it again via the command line option; ./attract, I see the bezels and when I open a rom, it starts and works perfect. I only don't get back to attract when I close it, but that is for another time.
Below the Mame.cfg and below that what happens when I do it via the command line.

Mame.cfg:
# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.6.1
#
executable           /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/./mame64
args                 [name]
rompath              /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/roms/
romext               .zip;.7z
system               Arcade
info_source          listxml
nb_mode_wait         1
exit_hotkey          Escape
pause_hotkey         /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/marquees
artwork    marquee         /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/marquees
artwork    snap            /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/snaps

When I do ./attract, select a rom and close it:
Attract-Mode v2.6.1 (OSX, SFML 2.5.1 +FontConfig +SWF +Curl)
avcodec 58.54.100 / avformat 58.29.100 / swscale 5.5.100 / avutil 56.31.100 / swresample 3.5.100

Config: /Users/geoffreyhans/.attract/attract.cfg

*** Initializing display: 'MAME'
 - Loaded master romlist 'mame2' in 173 ms (13241 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (13241 comparisons)
Fontconfig error: Cannot load default config file
Fontconfig warning: ignoring UTF-8: not a valid region tag
 - Loaded layout: ../config/layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)
 ! Unexpectedly lost focus to: Unknown
 - Working directory: /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/.
*** Running: /volumes/Roms2/Mame0220/./mame64 alexkidd1
 ! Unexpectedly lost focus to: Unknown
317-0021.key ROM NEEDS REDUMP
WARNING: the machine might not run correctly.
Average speed: 100.01% (5 seconds)



Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on July 17, 2020, 06:52:36 AM
Additionally, I tried some changes to the launch script (see below), but with no success, hence the same results: attract starts, romlist shows, no bezels and a get a mame64 crash when I try to start a rom.

Still don't understand why the commandline ./attract works great, but the app launcher fails?

#!/bin/bash
#cd "${0%/*}"
cd /applications/attract.app/contents/macos/
./attract


Can I ask why you are using this script and not launching AM from the command line?

also you might want to change
Code: [Select]
#!/bin/bashto
Code: [Select]
#! /bin/bash(yeah it might be picky but well it is 'code' we are talking about here...)

The other question I have is...Attract mode itself if being run from the external drive or from your main drive. If so just for the sake of knowing...run AM from your main drive and see what happens...

 Mame is being run from there as well correct?

Something keeps stealing Attract Mode's focus..but it looks like it maybe happening right before and exiting a game...so it ..looks... normal...
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Leecher on November 10, 2020, 02:00:41 AM
I'm using Attractmode for SNES and NES for a while now on my Windows 10 PC.
And I've just installed Mame64.exe, played some games, just to confirm that it's working properly.

But when I add Mame64 to attractmode, it says that it found my games (which is 5), but it won't display them. Please help.

Arcade 16-bit.cfg

Code: [Select]
# Generated by Attract-Mode v2.6.1
#
executable           E:\Dics archive - video and games\Games\Emulator\Mame\mame64.exe
args                [name] -skip_gameinfo
rompath              E:\Dics archive - video and games\Games\Best Video Games\Arcade 16-bit
romext               .zip;.7z;<DIR>
system               Arcade
info_source          listxml
artwork    flyer           scraper\Arcade 16-bit\flyer
artwork    marquee         scraper\Arcade 16-bit\marquee
artwork    snap            scraper\Arcade 16-bit\snap;scraper\Arcade 16-bit\video
artwork    wheel           scraper\Arcade 16-bit\wheel
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Leecher on November 10, 2020, 04:22:37 AM
I found the problem. My Avast antivirus is preventing Attract.exe from creating the romlist textfile. I found it when I forced the creation of the romlist by reading this thread:

http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=1457.0

Code: [Select]
attract --build-romlist mame --full
I allowed it, and it works now.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Arcadefanatic on April 01, 2022, 05:35:19 AM
I have now got Attract Mode running on my spare PC and it boots straight into AM with no windows guff showing, which is what I want.
but a problem.   when AM loads, it shows the config menu, how do I have to load and show the game list?

Thanks
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Mark Norville on April 01, 2022, 05:41:25 AM
Firstly, you need to have a rom list

Secondly go to settings PRESS TAB
Scroll down to  GENERAL
Change START UP MODE
1) Show displays menu
2) Launch last game
3) Show last selection (Default)

You want 1) or if you do not want the menu system then 3) but your last selection needs to be your roms list. So MAME as an example, your last selection was potentially the config screen before shutting down.

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Arcadefanatic on April 01, 2022, 11:06:03 AM
Firstly, you need to have a rom list

Secondly go to settings PRESS TAB
Scroll down to  GENERAL
Change START UP MODE
1) Show displays menu
2) Launch last game
3) Show last selection (Default)

You want 1) or if you do not want the menu system then 3) but your last selection needs to be your roms list. So MAME as an example, your last selection was potentially the config screen before shutting down.

Regards

Mark

First let me say that I really appreciate the help!  Thank you.

Sadly I followed this to the letter several times and still it boots into the configure menu no matter what I do.
Perhaps it is because I turned off the win 10 normal startup and edited the registry to load AM from the shell.
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Mark Norville on April 01, 2022, 11:18:12 AM
If you try the following

Set up a quick exit key

TAB

controls

Scroll down to

Exit to desktop

I have mine set as D for this, but up to you what key you use

Load AM and then go to your MAME roms, press your exit to desktop key, which let's say D

Reboot and then see if the same thing happens again.

I think that there is a setting somewhere in a cfg file that you can change, I shall look and see if I can find it

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Arcadefanatic on April 01, 2022, 11:45:51 AM
Thank you,
I followed your instructions and set up 'd' to exit to desktop.  Then I went to my game selection screen and pressed 'd'.  it quit and I then rebooted.  When it came back on  ..I'm on the config menu again.

I think this is a windows issue and not AM. 
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Mark Norville on April 01, 2022, 11:46:19 AM
I shall reply to myself here rather than editing the post, just so that you can see this as you have just come back on

In the main attract mode directory

You will have a file called last_run.txt I will put my settings at the bottom of this

Attract-Mode v2.6.1 (Windows, SFML 2.5.1 +SWF +7z +Curl)
avcodec 58.54.100 / avformat 58.29.100 / swscale 5.5.100 / avutil 56.31.100 / swresample 3.5.100

Config: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\attract.cfg

*** Initializing display: 'MAME (Arcade)'
 - Loaded master romlist 'MAME (Arcade)' in 448 ms (13397 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 2 filters in 1 ms (26794 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/coinops/ (layout.nut)
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (59 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
*** Generating Collection/Rom List: PS1 Europe
 - Found 1469 files.
 - Removing any duplicate entries...
 + Writing 1469 entries to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\romlists/PS1 Europe.txt
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
Writing config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\attract.cfg

*** Initializing display: 'MAME (Arcade)'
 - Loaded master romlist 'MAME (Arcade)' in 397 ms (13397 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 2 filters in 1 ms (26794 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/coinops/ (layout.nut)
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (60 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)

*** Initializing display: 'PS1 Europe'
 - Loaded master romlist 'PS1 Europe' in 64 ms (1469 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 2 filters in 0 ms (2938 comparisons)
Writing emulator config to: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\emulators/PS1 Europe.cfg
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (60 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)

*** Initializing display: 'PS1 Europe'
 - Loaded master romlist 'PS1 Europe' in 44 ms (1469 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 2 filters in 0 ms (2938 comparisons)
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (60 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)
 ! Unexpectedly lost focus to: explorer.exe (3304)

*** Initializing display: 'PS1 Europe'
 - Loaded master romlist 'PS1 Europe' in 64 ms (1469 entries kept, 0 discarded)
 - Constructed 2 filters in 0 ms (2938 comparisons)
 - Constructed 1 filters in 0 ms (60 comparisons)
 - Loaded layout: C:\Attract Mode Test Modes\Sega\layouts/Basic/ (layout.nut)

You also have a file called default-display.cfg

filter               All
filter               Favourites
rule                 Favourite equals 1

If the exit to desktop did not work, then check your files and then compare them to mine.

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Arcadefanatic on April 01, 2022, 02:49:14 PM
Thanks.  I do have a last_run.txt file which is somewhat the same but not exact but I don't have a display.txt file.

I do appreciate all the time and help you've put into this and I want to thank you but I think I'm going to just give up on the whole project.

Thanks though!
Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: Mark Norville on April 01, 2022, 10:59:36 PM
I would not quit just yet

I would make a display list text file, I think you have set up the shelling far too early, you really need that display.txt file otherwise it does not know what to display hence it defaulting to config.

Just make that text file, replace all with MAME or whatever you called your emulator and give that a try,

LAUNCH NOTEPAD

Type in or copy and paste


filter               All
filter               Favourites
rule                Favourite equals 1


SAVE AS DEFAULT-DISPLAY.CFG All lower case, if All does not work for you change it to MAME or whatever emulator you have set up.

Example : C:\Attract Mode\default-display.cfg


Only quitters quit, don't be a quitter.

Regards

Mark

Title: Re: How to set up attract mode on a PC step by step
Post by: akafox on April 15, 2022, 08:21:32 PM
Thanks.  I do have a last_run.txt file which is somewhat the same but not exact but I don't have a display.txt file.

I do appreciate all the time and help you've put into this and I want to thank you but I think I'm going to just give up on the whole project.

Thanks though!

No reason to give up!

Actually if I recall I tried doing the same a year or so ago. It seems that the whole setup paths changed and i had to work from the path that the system gave me. I never tried it in windows 10 this was just on windows XP. I used a program called Instant sheller. If you are still poking around here I will give a whirl this weekend and post you a solution (hopefully!) no later than mid week..maybe end week?

Hang in there!